PHOTO: The Tropical Gardens area of the Cayman Islands is a popular spot for weddings. (Courtesy of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism)

Destination wedding couples headed to the Cayman Islands might want to consider shipping their wedding gowns ahead of time. Cayman customs officials are charging vacationing brides a 30 percent deposit on wedding dresses, according to government sources.

The policy came to light recently after an arriving groom was delayed more than one hour at Owen Roberts International Airport and ultimately required to pay a $67 bond on a wedding dress for his fiancée. A customs official quoted in a local news report said wedding dresses “imported on a temporary basis” were subject to a deposit of 30 percent of the value of the dress. Several tourism stakeholders quoted in the report said they were unaware of the policy.

In a Cayman Islands Department of Tourism statement provided to TravelPulse.com, officials said “In accordance with Cayman Islands customs requirements, travelers must declare any item they are carrying in their possession other than ‘normal wearing apparel.’ A wedding dress falls outside of normal wear, and should be declared for customs processing. Per standard Cayman customs documents, failure to make such a declaration can result in fees/fines or forfeiture of the goods.”

The statement adds, “We apologize if there was confusion surrounding the declaration requirement, and for any undue stress the customs process unintentionally caused.”

Moses Kirkconell, the Cayman Islands’ tourism minister, told local media that following the incident the ministry of tourism, department of tourism and “other relevant stakeholders” have launched a review of policies “as they relate to persons entering the Cayman Islands as part of a wedding party.”

The Cayman Islands “have successfully established a reputation as a preferred destination wedding location,” Kirkconnell said, and has hosted 162 visitor weddings thus far in 2014.