Helpful Tips for Getting Married in the Cayman Islands

Enjoy the best day of your life in Cayman

If you’ve chosen the Cayman Islands as your wedding destination then you’ve already made a great decision in planning the best day of your life! Getting married in Cayman is easy and whatever style of wedding you opt for, you can look forward to a truly magical wedding that you and your guests will remember forever.

Before you get into the nitty gritty of wedding planning here are our top things to consider when getting married in Cayman:

Weather

Although Cayman is blessed with glorious weather for most of the year, rain is also quite common, especially during the summer months. If you are planning an outdoor event ensure you discuss a Plan B with the venue should the weather turn on the big day and don’t forget hurricane season runs from 1^st June to 1^st November.

On a similar note, watch your sun exposure. You won’t want to be looking at photos of you with a sunburnt face in years to come!

Time it Right

The best time to visit Cayman is during the winter months and so it's is extremely popular with visitors during this time. Hotels, caterers and wedding planners get booked up quickly and you may need to book up to a year in advance to secure your preferred venue and so guests can book their flights and accommodation. If you choose the shoulder season (before or right after high season), you may be able to save yourself and your guests some money and still enjoy great weather. While the off-season will mean fewer crowds, the weather can be unreliable, and you may find that some stores, venues, restaurants and vendors close up shop.

Do Some Reconnaissance

If you can, plan a trip to Cayman prior to the wedding to check out venues, meet wedding planners, look at flowers, schedule tastings, meet hair and make-up artists etc. This will reduce the stress when you arrive for the wedding and help ensure there are no surprises on the big day. Make sure you grab a copy of The Cayman Resident magazine when you arrive as it has a dedicated wedding chapter as well as shopping, services, travel, food & drink, amongst others.

Follow Marriage Requirements to the Letter

Getting married in Cayman is a fairly easy process however, if you don’t have the right documentation, then you might have to re-schedule your big day! See our article on The Process of Getting Married in the Cayman Islands for advice on the legal requirements for getting married in Cayman.

Employ a Professional

While it’s perfectly possible to organise a wedding by yourself, it will be made remarkably easier and less stressful if you seek help from a local wedding planner, especially if you are a non-resident. Wedding budgets can easily spiral out of control but a wedding planner can be worth their weight in gold when negotiating prices with suppliers. They will also help shoulder the burden of researching venues, organising accommodation for guests, dealing with logistics and handling any last minute hiccups, as well as being on hand when your guests arrive to meet them at the airport, organise transfers, babysitters and anything requiring detailed local knowledge. You can find a list of reputable and experienced local wedding planners in our Getting Married in the Cayman Islands article.

Dress the Part

A show stopping ball gown may look great at an English castle wedding but will it look and feel right in the Caribbean? Think about the temperature and the style of wedding that you’re going for – this applies to the groom as well! Also, research any dress codes for churches, venues and what your wedding officer requires (they may refuse to marry you if you turn up in a bikini, even if you are on a beach!). It’s also wise to let your guests know that the dress code in Cayman is smart casual. Topless sunbathing is illegal and people are discouraged from walking around the streets in swimwear.

Don’t Rely on Buying What You Need in Cayman

Although Cayman has a vast array of shops for bridal gifts and wedding favours, there is nowhere near the same variety as you’ll find in the US or Europe. Don’t plan on getting exactly what you need once you are on-island unless you have done your research beforehand and ordered any specific items in advance.

Ensure Your Guests Have a Great Time

Obviously you will want your guests to have a great time in Cayman, especially if they have spent a lot of money to be there for your special day. Ensure you equip them with all the information they need to make the most of their time in Cayman. We recommend giving all your guests a copy of Explore Cayman and Good Taste magazines. These can be found at the airport when you arrive in Cayman or you can direct guests to the websites (see below) when you send out save the date cards and invitations so they can start researching activities and restaurants before they arrive and increase the excitement around your wedding.

Putting together an arrival beach bag for guests is also a nice idea. Fill it with a copy of Explore Cayman Magazine, Good Taste magazine, flip-flops, sunscreen, a bottle of aloe, a disposable camera, bug spray and local Cayman honey or rum cake!