22 minute read
GETTING MARRIED
from Cayman Resident 2023
by Acorn Media
Married Getting
The legal process for getting married in Cayman, as well as required documents, fees, wedding locations, photographers, what to do once you are married and more.
Marrying in Cayman
408 - Civil Partnerships 409 - Required Documents & Fees 409 - Planning Your Wedding 410 - Wedding Dresses 410 - Engagement Rings & Bridal Gifts 410 - Duty on Wedding Gifts 411 - Wedding Catering & Cakes 411 - Wedding Celebrants & Planners 411 - Wedding Locations 411 - Wedding Photographers 413 - Wedding Flowers 413 - Wedding Hair & Makeup 413 - Wedding Music & Entertainment 413 - Dance Classes & Bachelorette Parties 414 - Wedding Stationery & Invitations 414 - Wedding Transportation 414
Once You Are Married 414
Cayman offers a superb location with picturesque views, pristine beaches, wonderful weather, great venues and plenty of professionals to help you organise your big day. Getting married in Cayman is also an easy process, allowing you to completely concentrate on enjoying your magical day in one of the most romantic destinations on the planet.
There are two very different processes for getting married in the Cayman Islands, depending on whether you are a resident or a visitor to the Island. Residents must have their Banns of Marriage published by a Civil Registrar or Marriage Officer, also known as a wedding celebrant, for seven full days before the marriage can take place. This is to give anyone who might object to the marriage the opportunity to make their objection known, in writing, to the wedding celebrant. Most of the 90 marriage officers in the Cayman Islands are Ministers of Religion and can be contacted through their churches.
Visitors must be married under the authority of the Governor’s Special Marriage Licence, which can be arranged as soon as you arrive on-Island and costs CI$200. Most people select a wedding celebrant (a Civil Registrar/Marriage Officer) before they arrive so the wedding celebrant can assess all documents and check that they are in order. Doing this in advance will save you disappointment and ensure you have the correct documents to obtain your Special Marriage Licence. For more information on visitors marrying in Cayman, see the ‘Getting Married’ section of the Cayman Resident website: www.caymanresident.com.
If one party to the marriage is a resident and the other party is a visitor, the couple must be married by Banns. The resident party can apply for the Banns to be published before the visiting party arrives. Banns of Marriage are valid for three months from the date of publication.
Note: the minimum age to get married in the Cayman Islands is 16; however, anyone under 18 must have written consent from their parent or guardian. Weddings must take place between the hours of 6am and 8pm. Also, according to liquor licensing laws,
if you get married on a Sunday (on liquorlicensed premises), no live music can be played. For more information on marrying in Cayman, see the Cayman Islands Government’s website at www.gov.ky.
If you would like to get married on either Cayman Brac or Little Cayman, then visit www.itsyourstoexplore.com/wedding for more information.
Civil Partnerships In September 2020, civil partnerships officially became legal in the Cayman Islands. This applies both to new civil unions between same-sex couples, heterosexual couples and pre-existing unions.
The process of arranging a civil union is similar to that for a marriage but with a few additional steps. The main area that could cause delays is the fact that it is possible for someone to object to the union taking place (called a caveat) and any objections must be adjudicated by the Grand Court. For this reason, it is advised that couples start the application four-six weeks in advance of the ceremony date.
There are three ways that a couple can apply for a civil partnership to be formalised. (1) They can apply to the Registrar, at the Government Administration Building. (2) They can enlist the help of Civil
Registrars such as Simply Weddings Cayman. (SEE AD THIS PAGE) (3) They can employ a civil partnership officer. The names and addresses for civil partnership officers can be obtained from the General Registry or from the government website (www.gov. ky).
Once you have decided your preferred route to apply for civil partnership, you will be asked to provide a copy of your passport and immigration status and then sign a statutory declaration attesting to the fact that your application meets the requirements of the Civil Partnership Act 2020. When your officiant has completed the due diligence on the application, including publishing the Notice of Intention to have a civil union, either the
Required Documents & Fees for Marriage
Residents: > Proof of Identity – a Cayman Islands
Voter’s Registration Card or passport > Proof of marital status (legal divorce decree or death certificate, if applicable) Fees: > CI$15 - Marriage Certificate (RMC) > CI$200 - Special Marriage Licence
Note: Fees to wedding celebrants for a Notice of Banns, objection and witnessing or solemnising a marriage may vary. 25
Registrar or the Civil Registrar, depending on who is dealing with your request, will issue a Certificate indicating that all due diligence has been done, no caveats have been received, or if received, they have
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been resolved and the union may proceed on the date and time specified. If you are using a civil partnership officer, then that individual must obtain the Certificate through either the Registrar or a Civil Registrar.
For visitors wishing to form a civil partnership in the Cayman Islands, visit www.caymanresident.com/live/gettingmarried for information on additional steps that must be undertaken.
Same-sex couples who are already married or in a recognised civil partnership outside the Cayman Islands can apply to have their relationship registered here. They must provide to the Registrar, or a Civil Registrar, a certified copy of the relevant document, a statutory declaration, proof of identity, and the required fee. Once the marriage or civil partnership has been registered, the couple will receive a certificate to that effect. Contact the General Registry or a Civil Registrar for further guidance. Planning Your Wedding Most residents get married on a Saturday, which means you should book early to secure the date with your wedding celebrant. You will have to have a preliminary interview with your wedding celebrant and complete a form called a ‘Notice of Marriage/Banns’, which is valid for three months. When you attend the interview, you will need to take your passports and proof of your immigration status (e.g. work permit, residency certificate, etc.), if applicable.
If you have been previously married, you will also need your original divorce decree or spouse’s death certificate. If the decree or certificate is in a language other than English, you will need an English translation certified by a Notary Public.
If a visitor is marrying a Caymanian, your wedding celebrant is required to ask you certain questions to make sure you are not entering into a marriage of
PHOTOGRAPHY FOR ALL OCCASIONS
BY CATHY CHURCH’S PHOTO CENTRE
convenience. A marriage of convenience is where two parties enter into a marriage for the sole purpose of obtaining immigration rights as a spouse of a Caymanian. This is illegal in the Cayman Islands, as in most countries. Most marriage celebrants will charge a fee for the documentation, booking, preliminary interview, publishing of the Banns, conducting the ceremony and filing your marriage with the appropriate Government office. The average cost of this is CI$300 and some of this is non-refundable. Ministers of Religion may or may not charge a fee if you are a member of their congregation and they may have other requirements according to the requirements of the church. All documents, including the Notice of Marriage, must be received and be in order before the wedding can take place.
The Department of Counselling Services (Tel: (345) 949 8789) offers pre-marital counselling and marriage counselling for couples. All services are provided free of charge by the Cayman Islands Government and performed by qualified professionals.
Wedding Dresses Unfortunately, there is not a wide variety of traditional wedding dresses available for sale in the Cayman Islands. Therefore, your options are to purchase a dress while overseas and bring it in yourself or buy it online and have it imported. When bringing it in yourself, if your dress exceeds the CI$500 allowance given to each returning resident when re-entering the Island, you will need to pay duty on the balance of the dress. If importing it, you will need to pay customs duty (22%) on the value of the dress. Note that the duty does not apply to non-residents temporarily bringing in a dress to get married in Cayman.
Wedding Bands, Engagement Rings & Bridal Gifts When shopping for engagement rings, you will find every gemstone and style
on display – from dazzling diamonds to alternatives such as Cayman’s local Caymanite. Shopping for bridal gifts is also easy as there is a huge array of fine and fashion jewellery available. For the groomsmen, Cayman has a good selection of stores selling Cuban cigars, cufflinks and watches, as well as fine wines and spirits. With six locations across the Island, Island Jewellers (Tel: (345) 640 5200) specialises in diamonds, wedding bands and wedding party gifts. Kay’s Fine Jewelry (SEE AD PAGE 7) offersa large selection of diamonds, gems and fancy gold, and is well known for the Iconic Flexible Diamond Bangle. They are conveniently located at 6 Fort Street, adjacent to the George Town Cruise Port, in front of Heroes Square. Tel: (345) 746 4500 or email: gcm@kaysfinejewelry.com. Kirk
Freeport (SEE AD OUTSIDE BACK COVER) has been a retailer of duty-free jewellery, watches, fragrances, leather, crystal and china, and accessories in the Cayman Islands since 1972. For weddings, birthdays and many other special moments in life, their network of stores across Grand Cayman makes it easy to shop for unique and beautiful gifts. For a full list of locations in George Town and Seven Mile Beach, visit www. kirkfreeport.com or call (345) 949 7477.
Jewels in Paradise (SEE AD PAGE 5) is a familyowned jewellery store selling luxurious and unique items. Their team have vast knowledge of jewellery and watches and years of related experience. Visit them at Cayman Falls Shopping Centre, 1114 West Bay Road, Seven Mile Beach. Tel: (345) 323 9900 or (345) 326 7706, email: sales@jewels.ky or visit www.jewels.ky for more information. The Jewellery Palace (SEE AD PAGE 208) is another family-owned company dedicated to offering quality jewellery. The Jewellery Palace endeavours to provide a memorable shopping experience, and all their jewellery comes with a worldwide guarantee. Visit them at Cayside Galleries on George Town’s waterfront to view their exotic jewellery collection. Tel: (345) 749 8804 or email: sales@thejewellerypalace.com. Duty on Wedding Gifts Wedding guests coming to Cayman with gifts for the bride and groom are legally required to declare the gifts and pay the relevant duty costs. The duty applies to most gifts, except for books, cameras, crystal glassware, tableware and kitchenware (made of porcelain or china).
Wedding Catering & Cakes Most hotel resorts on-Island offer special in-house catering for wedding events at their resort locations; however, Mise en Place (Tel: (345) 623 2433) provides an extensive range of gourmet catering options and will help make the planning of your wedding a breeze from beginning to end. Not only does Mise en Place have a worldclass team of chefs and in-house bakers, but they also provide a fully licensed mobile bar and a large team of professional second-tonone service staff. Visit www.catering.ky/ weddings for more information. (SEE AD PAGE 407) The Cake Studio specialises in custom cake designs for weddings. Visit www. thecakestudiocayman.com. Kirk Market’s bakery also makes excellent cakes for a reasonable price.
Wedding Celebrants & Planners Coordinating your dream wedding in Cayman from a distance, or on-Island, can be a breeze with the assistance of one of Cayman’s local wedding planners. Simply Weddings can orchestrate every detail for visitors or cruise ship weddings. They also plan romantic wedding vow renewals. Elopements are welcome, and no lead time is necessary once the documents are in order. Call (345) 949 9933, email: mywedding@candw.ky or visit www. simplyweddingscayman.com. (SEE AD PAGE 409) Celebrations Ltd. (Tel: (345) 623 2044) can organise anything from a simple beach wedding to an elaborate wedding weekend.
Wedding Locations Many brides-to-be dream of marrying on the world-famous Seven Mile Beach, which is consistently voted in the ‘Top 10 Beaches
in the World’ for romantic weddings. There are many other options however, including lush, tropical gardens and other unique Caymanian locations. The
National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (www. nationalgallery.org.ky) offers a variety of areas, including the sculpture garden. This contemporary cultural institution has a lot to offer: stunning architecture, gorgeous sculpture gardens and galleries highlighting work by Cayman’s mostrecognisable artists. Pedro St. James (SEE AD PAGE 411) is an 18th-century historic site in the Cayman Islands. Spanning seven acres of tropical landscaped gardens with stunning panoramic ocean views, this is a picture-perfect wedding venue. The three-story Great House, also known as ‘Pedro Castle’, is typical of a late 1700s plantation-style home in the Caribbean, and provides a fabulous backdrop for picturesque wedding photographs. The property can accommodate a variety of wedding celebrations, from intimate gatherings to large groups of 800 or more guests. For more information, call (345) 947 3329, email: info@pedrostjames.ky or visit www.pedrostjames.ky.Boasting 65 acres of tropical gardens and nature reserve,
the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park (SEE AD PAGE 411) is a magical setting for a wedding celebration. Manicured lawns can host as many as 50 people, or a more intimate affair can be held in one of the park’s lush alcoves. Facilities at the Botanic Park include full access to the air-conditioned conference room at the Visitor’s Centre and golf carts to transport guests and the bridal party around the park. Park opening hours are 9am-5.30pm daily (last admission at 4.30pm), but evening weddings can be booked from 5pm until midnight. For more information call (345) 947 9462, email: info@botanicpark.ky or visit www. botanic-park.ky/events/weddings. Camana Bay features its own private island, perfect for an intimate wedding celebration, complete with a wooden promenade deck over the water for a full nuptial aisle. For more information email: events@
camanabay.com. The Cayman Turtle Centre offers a unique setting to say ‘I do’. Whether you’re looking for an intimate wedding or an elaborate affair, the centre offers a perfectly distinctive ceremony and reception location in a beautiful natural setting with unique photo opportunities. They also offer full-service catering and a full bar. Call (345) 949 3894 or email: events@turtle.ky. Caribbean Club, located in the heart of Seven Mile Beach is the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous wedding celebration, whether it be a barefoot beach ceremony or a large traditional wedding. Offering luxurious accommodation and with LUCA restaurant for the reception, the private setting of Caribbean Club makes this one of the best locations in the Caribbean. Visit www.caribclub.com for more information. (SEE AD PAGE 37) The RitzCarlton Grand Cayman specialises in high-end wedding celebrations. Exchange your vows in the wedding pavilion on the Great Lawn or the magical setting of Seven Mile Beach. You then have the choice of five different venues on-site for the reception, with the ballroom being able to host up to 500 guests. For more information visit www. ritzcarlton.com/grandcayman. The Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa is an AAA Five Diamond resort in Grand Cayman offering beachfront destination weddings, landscaped garden receptions and ballroom space for indoor events. Visit www.seafireresortandspa.com. Kaibo is one of the most popular locations in Cayman for weddings because of its private white sand beach, clear water, easy access by boat and friendly staff. Choose to host your wedding on the secluded, palm-fronded beach or in the plantation-style house, upstairs. Both offer award-winning menus, a boutique wine cellar and a Rare Rum Bar, plus access to some of the finest chefs and bartenders in the Cayman Islands. For more information, visit www.kaibo.ky/wedding. The Wharf Restaurant is another spectacular site for a beach wedding of up to 300 people. For more information, visit www.wharf.ky. Sunset Bay on Old Prospect Point Road is a 300-person venue hidden in the grounds of a quaint colonial-style estate. It features
a beautiful garden set right on the water. Email: sales@catering.ky for information. Smith Cove, also known as Smith Barcadere, is a beautiful public beach that is a popular wedding location, but you will need to contact a wedding planner to arrange a ceremony here. Another option is to rent a villa on the beach. Contact Grand Cayman Villas (SEE AD PAGE 473) for a list of stunning private beachfront villas that are available to rent for weddings. Their staff will assist you with all your guest accommodation needs, and ensure you have the best location for your special day. Cayman Villas (www. caymanvillas.com) also has a wide range of villas to rent for weddings. For the true naturalist, with plans for a beach or ‘scuba diving underwater wedding ceremony’ surrounded by the true beauty of Cayman
contact Cathy Church’s Photo Centre (Tel: (345) 949 7415 or 1 (607) 330 3504, or visit www.linfronda.com). (SEE AD PAGES 195, 410 & 469) Another wonderful location is Dart Park (Tel: (345) 946 8250). If you would rather opt for a more traditional affair, Cayman boasts over 200 churches for religious ceremonies. Refer to the Community Life chapter for a list of churches.
Photographers & Videographers Engaging the right photographer is as important as finding the perfect wedding dress. Below is a list of the top wedding photographers and videographers in Grand Cayman. Rebecca from Rebecca
Davidson Photography is an expert in capturing wedding images. The Cayman Islands has been her home for most of her life and photographing families, children, commercial images and weddings, as she has done for the last 20 years, is her passion. She is professional and knowledgeable and will capture you perfectly, producing stunning images. Her work is featured in over 10 internationally sold publications and she offers a range of photography packages to suit all. Follow her on Instagram (@rebeccadavidsonphotography) to see her latest images. Call (345) 916 1654, email: wedding@rebeccadavidson.com or visit www.rebeccadavidson.com. (SEE AD OPPOSITE
PAGE) Cathy Church’s Photo Centre (Tel: (345) 949 7415 or 1 (607) 330 3504 or visit www.cathychurch.com) offers professional photographers, such as Lin Fronda (www. linfronda.com), who provides wedding, event and group photography to meet your style requests from funky to elegant. Email: lin@cathychurch.com for quotes on everything from a family beach portrait to a multi-day wedding extravaganza. Alternatively, for underwater events, including weddings and baby photos, choose award-winning Cathy Church to personally take your special photos. (Email: cathy@cathychurch.com). Cathy Church’s also offers excellent photo printing services and will provide you with a beautiful print package from luxurious framed canvas to inexpensive 4” x 6” prints. (SEE AD PAGES
195, 410 & 469) Naomi Johnatty Photography captures life, love and beauty in paradise and provides beautiful wedding and engagement photos, as well as family and maternity portraits. She also energetically captures events, film production and images for marketing. Naomi’s art prints make an impression in your home or office, or as a gift. Talk to Naomi about your story or project to create something memorable. Tel: (345) 927 5637, email: naomi@radiantmedia.ky or visit www. grandcaymanphotograper.com. (SEE AD
THIS PAGE) Deep Blue Images/Julie Corsetti (www.deepblueimages.com) captures the romance, emotion and beauty of every occasion. Her team offers a creative and passionate style, making sure the photographs will be treasured for years.
Wedding Flowers There are fabulous floral ideas to select from when designing your wedding bouquets and arrangements. When planning your event, it is best to remember that most flowers will have to be flown in for the event, which can become costly. A floral theme based on local varieties offers a unique ‘Cayman’ feel to your wedding and might help to keep costs under control. Good choices for wedding flowers include: Celebrations Ltd. (Tel: (345) 623 2044) and Kirk Market (Tel: (345) 949 7022) who can create truly stunning arrangements, bouquets and centrepieces for your event or everyday needs. Every Bloomin’ Thing (Tel: (345) 945 1701) and Trisha’s Roses (Tel: (345) 949 2423) also create wonderful wedding arrangements.
Wedding Hair & Makeup Every bride wants to look their best on their wedding day. If you are looking for an experienced makeup artist who will have you looking stunning for your big day,
contact Luxury Couture Beauty. (SEE AD PAGE 414) Run by talented makeup artist Kadian, she will help you achieve the perfect makeup look for your wedding that will go with any aesthetic. Luxury Couture Beauty also sells make-up products and offers makeup lessons, eyelash tinting and brow tinting. Call (345) 926 1150 for a free consultation or email: luxurycoutureky@gmail.com.
Wedding Music & Entertainment One of many ways to express your personal style during the ceremony and
CAPTURING LIFE, LOVE AND BEAUTY IN PARADISE.
Weddings Engagements Maternity Family Portraits And More!
1-345-927-5637 naomi@radiantmedia.ky www.grandcaymanphotographer.com
celebrations on your wedding day is your choice of music.
Whether you are looking for a live band to keep everyone on their feet all night or something more refined, there are options for all tastes and budgets. Popular choices include the Cayman Music School, which specialises in beautiful music for weddings and memorable occasions. Small instrumental ensembles, solo singers and musicians can be arranged for your entertainment needs. Classical and jazz are popular musical styles for weddings. For more information, call (345) 938 3838, email: info@caymanmusicschool.com or visit www.caymanmusicschool.com.
Local band Bona Fide is another popular wedding band with an extensive repertoire to keep your friends and family entertained. Call (345) 326 2662, email: bonafidecayman@gmail.com or visit www.bonafidecayman.com for more information and to make a booking. Wedding Dance Classes & Bachelor/ Bachelorette Parties If you’re worried about the first dance then take some private lessons at Quinntessential Movement (www.qmovement.dance)
or Centre Pointe Dance Studio (www. centrepointedancestudio.com) to increase your confidence on the dancefloor, or even wow your guests with a special choreographed dance.
Good options for bachelor or bachelorette parties include boat parties (see the Boating chapter for more information), spa days or dinner at one of the Island’s luxury hotels such as the
Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, Kimpton Seafire, Marriott Beach Resort or the Westin Beach Resort. To rent a house or condo for a staycation on the beach, contact Grand
Cayman Villas (SEE AD PAGE 473) for information. Private rum tours are available at Cayman Spirits Company, or a special creative class at the 3 Girls & A Kiln pottery shop in George Town can be set up for a fun and creative afternoon.
Beauty by Kadian
Wedding Stationery & Invitations When the time arrives to send out invitations, Studio Two Sixteen (Tel: (345) 938 8363 or email: hello@ studiotwosixteen.com) can create personalised invitations, as well as thank you cards, signage and party favours.
With over 10 years of experience styling Caribbean weddings, Kadian will help you achieve a flawless bridal look using only the best high-quality vegan & hypo-allergenic makeup products
LC
LUXURY COUTURE Beauty
For a free consultation, call (345) 926 1150 or email luxurycoutureky@gmail.com Shop 8, Caymanian Village (inside Lux Spa) @beautybykadian Wedding Transportation There are plenty of options for getting your guests to and from your wedding. Cayman Airways offers travel packages for wedding parties and honeymoons. Email: weddings@caymanairways.net. Island Air (Tel: (345) 949 5252) offers a complete service for private and chartered aircraft. Webster’s Tours Ltd. (Tel: (345) 945 1433) offers airport transfers, on-Island transfers and tours.
ONCE YOU ARE MARRIED
Immediately after you are pronounced husband and wife, you and your spouse, along with your Civil Registrar/Marriage Officer and two witnesses (aged 18 or older), must sign three certified copies of the Marriage Register. One copy, called the Certified Copy of Marriage Register, is yours to keep for your records. Your Civil Registrar/Marriage Officer is required by law to keep one copy in their Marriage Book. The third copy must be filed by your Civil Registrar/Marriage Officer with the Registrar of Marriages at the General Registry, located on the first floor of the Government Administration Building.
It is your responsibility to obtain the Registered Marriage Certificate (RMC) of your marriage from the General Registry, unless you have arranged with your wedding celebrant to obtain this and forward it to you. This document is your legal Marriage Certificate and should be secured with your other important documents. The cost of the RMC is CI$15. Ensure everything on the marriage registry is correct; changes to errors on the document costs CI$40. The RMC will have the details of your marriage, a watermark of the Coat of Arms of the Cayman Islands and the raised seal of the Registrar General on the front and the words ‘secure copy’ on the reverse.
European Union citizens (except Ireland) may need to have their RMC apostilled (or authenticated). This does not apply to citizens of the UK, United States, Canada or the Commonwealth. Persons from Asia, South and Central America should check with their Embassy or Civil Registrar/Marriage Officer, as to whether an apostille is required for their country.
You will need to produce your Registered Marriage Certificate when you return home to get a new passport and a driver’s licence in your married name, get your marital status changed on health and social security documents and for a myriad of other reasons. If you were to get divorced at a later date, then your Registered Marriage Certificate would also be required. It is an important document, so you should make sure you obtain it and keep it safe. THE
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