MUST STAY…

The month of July I was invited on a FAM trip (Familiarity trip) to explore the beautiful, intimate Grand Cayman, where the famous seven-mile, white sand beach is known as a paradise for many beach lovers.

The island has so much charm and history and is a wonderful place for destination weddings.  Getting married in Grand Cayman is a seamless process. Couples simply need to arrive on the Island one to two business days prior to the wedding in order to take care of the required paperwork.

 A MUST STAY…

I was in Grand Cayman for five days and four wonderful nights filled with a luxurious and fun-packed itinerary planned by the luxury wedding industry expert, Rebecca Grinnals, of Engaging Concepts.

I stayed at the beautiful Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman, which has 365 guest rooms that boast great oceanfront or garden views.  The service is impeccable and the staff is a delight…they always have a smile on their face and ask, “how are you doing today?” whenever you pass by.  The resort has five restaurants, including the famous Blue by Eric Ripert of New York’s top ranking Le Bernardin.  A staple and a “must eat” are the parmesan truffle french fries served in the Periwinkle restaurant…all I can say is delicious!!!

Another island must for all is the Silver Rain, a La Prairie spa.  The spa has 17 treatment rooms, a whirlpool, a steam room, a fitness room and a sauna.  The experience is like no other…trust me, I am a spa buff.  Guests are welcomed into a world of well-being, relaxation, and immense pampering. This is the perfect place to host a relaxing, pre-wedding day for you and your bridesmaids.

Then there is the luscious, well-manicured, nine-hole golf course and a tennis court…perfect for the groom and his out-of-town guests.

MUST SEE and MUST DO…

I toured Pedro St. James, a historical site that sits on seven acres.   It has the Great House; originally built in 1780, full of old beauty, culture and history.

On my first visit back in November, I went to Stingray City and Sandbar, where guests can snorkel or walk in waist-high water and interact with the friendly stingray…who come up to you like they have known you for years. This time around we chartered a private boat to Rum Point where divers from all over the world come to swim and snorkel in the safe, calm waters.

I also visited Camana Bay and George Town for a little shopping and dining. Who can resist shopping, especially when it’s duty-free? Yes, Cayman is tax-free!

Outside of the Ritz Carlton resort, there are also many other great restaurants in Grand Cayman.  The culinary experience includes Caribbean, American, Italian, French, Indian and Asian.  Not to be missed is Osetra Bay, a famous waterfront dining experience that has a chic, white on white décor. The food presentation is amazing, and everything I ate was explosively delicious! Service was also impeccable.  This is an ideal venue for a rehearsal dinner.

During my visit I had the opportunity to tour Celebrations, the Island’s premier wedding and events company, owned by one of my very own Creative Partners, Jo-Anne Brown.  Her 20,000 square foot warehouse boasts furniture, linens, florals, props, tables, tents and anything else imaginable to pull off the wedding or event of your dreams. I met the talented staff of designers and back office and production specialists that put it all together. I also had the chance to see Celebrations’ new storefront in Caymana Bay, which is opening up in the fall. There, brides can consult with a wedding planner and also host a bridal shower or other event and have champagne, cupcakes, and possibly learn how to make floral arrangements.

I have a new love…and it’s Grand Cayman! I am looking forward to going back with my family in 2013.

Thank you to the Grand Cayman Board of Tourism for inviting me and to Rebecca for hosting us.

See you soon

Xo,

Sade