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Cayman Islands
Wedding

Some of the many things we LOVE ABOUT CAYMAN

Unlike other places where you must exchange your dollars for the local currency, you don't have to worry about that here. Most places here take US dollars as well as Cayman Island dollars. The Cayman Islands DO NOT have taxes, and there are some great duty-free options you can check out.

Cayman is called the "Culinary Capital of the Caribbean." It offers a vast variety of culinary options, all unique and catering to every palette and price range. Many modern accommodations and restaurants are available, catering to anyone looking for a touch of extravagance and luxury.

Cayman is extremely family-friendly and the perfect place for everyone of all ages to enjoy.

The islands offer plenty of fun and unique things to do, both on the water and on land. Some of the top spots are Stingray City, Starfish Point, Crystal Caves, Rum tasting and so much more, all easily accessible from the heart of the Cayman Islands, Seven Mile Beach.
And, of course, there are stunning beaches with warm, crystal-clear waters and spectacular white sand.

And one of the most important things - it is SO easy to get married here. There is no need to legally marry at home before you come, no extensive paperwork, no wait time, no bureaucracy, and no huge costs. Cayman is inviting to its guests and very supportive of anyone wanting to get married on the island, and this alone is a HUGE perk!

The list can go on and on, as there are so many unique and very special things about Cayman, but let's chat about some of the logistics of a wedding on the island.

Top CONSIDERATIONS

The Cayman Islands are a picture-perfect destination to tie the knot, but you must consider a few essential factors to have the ideal wedding day. Getting married abroad is very exciting, but you need to make sure it's the right fit for you.

The top two considerations when choosing a wedding location like Cayman are the weather and your budget, so let's chat a little more about these in detail.

CHad munro photography

During the off-season, which runs around mid-June to the end of October, weather can be VERY hot and humid, which can lead to some messy situations.
Weddings between November and June tend to be more temperate and less overwhelming regarding the heat which means less sweat and less overheating.
This timeframe is Cayman's winter months, where the sun is still shining, but the heat and humidity are just much lower, and the chances of rain or a tropical storm is minimal (which also relieves a lot of unnecessary stress).
There is also almost always a nice ocean breeze, making an outdoor wedding a beautiful experience.

Don't get us wrong, we are always prepared for unexpected weather and have a backup plan in case of rain (whether in peak or off-season), but the risk is much lower. The "peak months" don't guarantee perfect weather for your Cayman wedding, but there is less risk in using one of the many backup plans that are always have in place.

If you’re set on having an outdoor wedding and would be really upset if the weather didn’t cooperate, a Caribbean location might not be the best fit. But if you’re willing to do everything you can to make it work and are okay with having a backup plan if things don’t go as planned, go for it!
Just try to plan for peak season to lower the risk, and keep an open mind and trust the process.

If you want to follow the tradition from the South, you might want to bury a bottle of bourbon at your wedding site, it’s suppose to keep the rain away on the wedding day, it could be worth a shot!

WEATHER

When people think about a Cayman Islands wedding, the first thought tends to be walking down the aisle on a sandy beach in the warm sun, surrounded by coconut trees, a truly picturesque setting for your special day.

However, the reality can be quite different if you don't choose your time strategically.
Yes, the weather is beautiful year-round, but there are a few things to consider when it comes to this beautiful weather.

Things like your bridal makeup, the comfort of your special guests, how people manage the heat, and yes, the unavoidable sweat.

CHad munro photography

BUDGET

It's important to note that the costs of weddings in the Cayman Islands have significantly changed over the years.
While some outdated websites and sources may suggest a $30,000KYD budget is what it takes, the reality is that Cayman is an expensive destination, and this figure is no longer even close to being realistic.

In our experience, a wedding of 50-100 guests that provides the whole experience costs around $75,000KYD - $150,000KYD and this doesn’t include flight tickets and accommodation.

A small, intimate wedding without a planner or elaborate decor could still be within a smaller budget however, if you envision a guest list of 50 or more, along with all the basic elements of a wedding, the costs can quickly escalate.
This is particularly true when planning a wedding in the Cayman Islands.

Something else to consider is that peak season and off-season rates differ drastically. As we mentioned before, we have two seasons in Cayman based on the weather, and ideally, your wedding date will fall in the peak season for the best weather. However, peak season also means higher prices for your wedding and for your guests’ accommodations, cars, flights, etc.

Booking early is crucial if you're considering a wedding in the Cayman Islands. This proactive approach not only secures the best rates for you and your guests but also ensures availability, as Cayman is known for its high demand.
Keep in mind that Cayman is an expensive location overall, including food and drink.
Cayman is a beautiful, remote paradise, but being remote comes with higher prices as it means everything is imported, and it is harder to get onto the island. Cayman is also very much in the luxury market, catering to higher prices.

VENUES

Many stunning beaches exist in Cayman, but beach weddings are not for everyone.

For couples seeking a destination wedding experience in the Cayman Islands, there are unique venues that offer a different kind of beauty.

These include decks overlooking the water, rooftop terraces with ocean views, botanical gardens with shaded trees, and hotel ballrooms with comfortable A/C environment.

These exclusive spaces in the Cayman Islands allow you to enjoy the beauty of the destination without the mess or the typical beach wedding vibes. They offer a unique and intimate setting for your special day.

However, venues in the Cayman Islands are limited, and most of them are not large enough to accommodate big weddings. Generally, the largest venues can accommodate a maximum of 100 - 150 guests, and most do not offer an indoor backup space.

For larger events with indoor backup spaces, you'll likely need to consider booking a hotel.

Currently, we have five central hotels on the island - The Ritz, Kimpton Seafire, Westin, Indigo, and Marriott as well as a few restaurants that can accommodate 150+ guests so if you are planning a big wedding and your top priority is finding a unique, out-of-the-box location, Cayman might not be the best fit for you.

Despite the limited options, the venues available are spectacular, and there are some unique offerings that can elevate your experience!

CHad munro photography

CHad munro photography

Unexpected LIMITATIONS

This may come as a surprise to many couples who plan their wedding here. But Cayman is still old school and religious in many ways, which leads to limitations on music, alcoholic beverages, and specific dates and times.

When hosting a wedding at a hotel, the outdoor festivities must wrap up by 10 pm, and should you pass this hour, your party will be transferred inside to the hotel’s ballroom or indoor space, where you will have until 2 a.m max.

On Saturdays, ALL parties must end by midnight, with the bars closing 15 minutes before the finale. So, if you’re the celebratory type of couple, book a Friday (or weekday) wedding. You may have some flexibility in private locations, but the bar team will need to depart at midnight so that it will be a self-serve bar after this time.

Some venues lack live music licenses and do not serve alcohol on a Sunday. Since most stores are closed on this day, you may have limited access to beverages, making Sundays a challenging day for weddings. However, there are some locations where this is an option, and we are always open to finding the best solutions if this is important to you.

These limitations can be managed and are often an easy switch of location, but if a hotel wedding is vital to you and you want to be outside late, sadly, Cayman may not be the place for you. If you have to get married on a Saturday and want to continue the party after midnight, Cayman may not be the place for you. If you want a 24-hour rave, Cayman may not be the place for you.
BUT more often than not, when we break it all down, we find these times work perfectly for our couples and that there is always a place and space to make the magic happen in the way you desire!

VENDORS

Some people may find it challenging to find the perfect vendors on the island who can create their ideal wedding day.
Given the limited number of options, it's not always easy to find exactly what you're looking for. This scarcity can also lead to unavailability, making early booking a crucial step in your planning process.
If you do find a vendor you love and they are available on your desired date, book them as soon as possible.

It's important to remember that vendors in the Cayman Islands often operate on 'Cayman time', which is more relaxed than what you might be used to. This can lead to slower responses and potentially add stress, especially if you're not accustomed to this style. It's one of the key reasons "why having a wedding planner" can be beneficial for planning in destinations like the Cayman Islands.

Also, most vendors on the island work independently and tend to cost more than those at your home location.
The cost of doing business on the island is higher because everything is imported, which drives up prices. This is another reason why budgets need to be higher on the island (especially when looking at food, drink, decor, and flowers).

The limited availability of items on the island is due to everything being imported, and bringing in additional items not already available can cost a lot more. You must factor in shipping, import and custom duties when dealing with physical items. When considering off-island vendors (such as photographers, videographers and bands), you all need to consider flights, accommodations, and work permits for them.

Working with a planner can help navigate these challenges, as we have unique ideas and exclusive vendor lists you might not find elsewhere. Many vendors don’t even have websites or detailed social media, as the island is old-school in this regard.

DESIGN and STYLE

The island offers plenty of naturally beautiful locations for a stunning wedding; however, the overall style is tropical and minimalistic.
If the design is a critical element to you (why wouldn't it be?), we may need to discuss bringing in off-island vendors who can be part of our team or importing some items to create your desired design concept.

We also offer our couples some creative, out-of-the-box ideas to make things possible. As mentioned, vendor limitations and the availability of items on the island often mean that unique ideas and concepts are usually necessary for a one-of-a-kind design.

As Cayman planners, we work hard to balance using what we have available with incorporating one-off items to create personalized designs that will bring a whole new life to your unique wedding.

Sometimes, unforgettable wedding requires thinking outside the box, working with a planner who has an in-depth understanding of the island's inventory and the ability to transform simple decor items into unique, one-of-a-kind pieces
is invaluable - something we have mastered over the years. The key is to look at limitations as possibilities; it's all a matter of perspective!