Say "I Do" to the Cayman Islands

by Paris Permenter & John Bigley

Ready to make a walk down the aisle by making a walk down the isle? You'll find that it's a simple task in the Cayman Islands. Thanks to a change in the marriage laws in 1994, couples no longer have a residency period and can now fly in or arrive by cruise ship and get married on the same day.

To expedite the process while on the island, you should begin the paperwork process before their trip. Couples should write for a copy of the free brochure "Getting Married in the Cayman Islands" from Government Information Services, Cricket Square, George Town, Grand Cayman (345/949-8092, fax 345/949-5936).

First, couples must arrange for the presence of a Cayman Islands Marriage Officer to perform the ceremony. This step must be accomplished before applying for the marriage license. Before the trip, couples can obtain a list of officers from the Deputy Chief Secretary's office (345/949-7900).

You will also need to bring proper documentation including a passport or birth certificate to prove citizenship and age (the minimum legal age for getting married without parental consent is 18). An immigration slip or documentation for cruise ship passengers is required. Proof of marital status must also be provided for those previously married either in the form of a legal divorce decree or a death certificate if the spouse has died.

Travelers will need a special license for non-resident couples granted by the Governor. The application for the license is obtained from the Deputy Chief Secretary's Office, 3rd Floor, Government Administration Building, George Town, Grand Cayman or by calling 345/949-7900. The cost of the license is CI$150 plus a CI$10 stamp duty. Stamps can be purchased from any Cayman post office between 8:30am and 3:30pm, Monday through Friday or from the Deputy Chief Secretary's office.

Another requirement is the presence of two witnesses. Also, weddings must take place between the hours of 6am and 8pm (they don't want any late night ceremonies--you want to make sure you see the groom by the light of day!)

The job of getting married can be made even easier with the help of a wedding consultant at one of the larger resorts on Grand Cayman. Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman (345/949-1234, fax 345/949-8528) has an on-site consultant to handle the paperwork. Couples can purchase a package which includes a marriage officer, license/documentation, bridal bouquet and boutonniere, wedding cake and a champagne toast. The package is available for to resort guests, cruise ship passengers, and other visitors.

Honeymoon packages are also available at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman. Packages include a honeymoon breakfast for two, a couples' massage, a sunset cruise, a complimentary round of golf, a free Jeep rental for a day (the driver must by 25 years or older) and a bottle of champagne upon arrival.

Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort (345/949-0088, fax 345/949-8088) offers four wedding packages to guests and non-guests. The Seabreeze includes the services of a minister, a Cayman marriage license, a recorded certified copy of the license, witnesses and a decorative marriage certificate. The Island Dream package adds a basic tropical wedding bouquet and boutonniere, a wedding cake, a bottle of champagne and recorded wedding music. The services of a photographer who shoots two rolls of film (given to the couple for developing and reprinting as desired) are included in the Paradise Found package. The Ultimate Splendor package includes both the photographer and the services of a videographer. Weddings can be held on the beach, in the garden courtyard, the ballroom, poolside, or other site.

The Marriott can also arrange Catholic wedding ceremonies in a Catholic church. The couple is required to first go to their own priest for pre-nuptial requirements and fax the required paperwork from the Church to the Priest in Grand Cayman. (Original copies of the paperwork must be given to the Priest upon arrival.) Certificates of baptism are also required as well as a letter from the home priest which grants permission to the Grand Cayman priest to perform the ceremony.

The Westin Casuarina Resort (345/945-3800, fax 345/945-3804) does not offer a wedding package, instead working with local companies to handle the wedding arrangements and dealing with couples for receptions and honeymoons at the resort. The honeymoon package includes a bottle of chilled champagne on arrival, room service breakfast the first morning, one day jeep rental, round trip for two on the Rum Pointer Ferry, full massage for two, sunset cruise for two and a 10% discount on clothing at all Red Sail Sport shops.

Another option for nuptially-minded clients are bridal consultants based in the islands. Celebrations (345/949-2044, fax 345/949-6947), Cayman Weddings (345/949-8677, fax 345/949-8237), and A Wedding For You (345/947-6942, fax 345/947-7659) offer a variety of wedding services.

For more information:

see http://www.caymanislands.ky.