Plan a Paradisal St. Martin Wedding

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A Saint Martin wedding is absolutely heavenly for couples whose three wishes are that every day could be a beach day (times three). For these to-be-weds, the best kind of shoes are optional (or sandy) ones.

A beach-hopper's paradise, the Caribbean island is two separate countries. There's the Northern French side (Saint Martin), often the calmer cousin, with delectable Creole/Cajun cuisine. Over to the south, Sint Maarten, on the Dutch side, has a hopping nightlife scene. Snorkeling, scuba diving and zip-lining through rainforests provide plenty of entertainment for pairs and couples looking for extra adventure.

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The beauty and activities make Saint Martin and St. Maarten wedding venues some of the most gorgeous and fun destination wedding locations in the Caribbean. It also (rightfully) landed the spot on many experts' best Caribbean islands lists. A wedding on this two-country island can be a laidback yet luxurious event.

Yet, you'll need to navigate some extra steps on your way to "I do." For instance, you'll need to vet vendors and venues online. St. Maarten wedding packages​ make planning more manageable, but you may want more customization. There's also the need to obtain a marriage license in St. Maarten or Saint Martin—and the different sides have distinct requirements.

A destination wedding planner familiar with the island can help you pull it off. Let this comprehensive guide to a heavenly Saint Martin wedding be your push to dive head-first into planning mode.

St. Martin Wedding Planning Tips in this Article:

• Why Couples and Wedding Guests Love St. Martin Weddings
• The Best St. Martin Wedding Locations
• Top St. Martin Wedding Venues
• St. Martin Wedding Legal Requirements
• St. Martin Wedding Planning Tips

Why Couples and Wedding Guests Love St. Martin Weddings

Red, white and pink(ish) sand, turquoise water, sun-drenched beaches and mild year-round weather are a few of the paradise-perfect features of Saint Martin and St. Maarten wedding venues. "This 37-square-mile tropical paradise is an incredible destination for a wedding," says Maressia Mohamed, the manager and head planner of Sint Maarten Marry Me.

Its natural beauty alone is reason to adore St. Martin. However, Mohamed says the entertainment takes a destination wedding here to a different level. You'll find an energetic nightlife and literally hundreds of restaurants, a blend of cultures and day trip opportunities via land, air or water. All of these excursions offer a perfect mix of relaxation and fun. Guests won't feel bored or stuck, and couples won't have pressure to keep loved ones busy constantly.

Luxury accommodations often double as reception spots, easing the burden on couples to find transportation from hotels to St. Martin or St. Maarten wedding locations and back again at the end of the night. In short, Mohamed raves that the Caribbean island "far exceeds the imagination."

Pro tip: Invite a destination wedding travel expert to join your vendor team. Browse travel agents near you on The Knot Vendor Marketplace for St. Martin wedding expertise, group hotel blocks, flight arrangements and more.

The Best St. Martin Wedding Locations

Beyond its two-country-island aspect, Saint Martin has distinct places with unique views, vibes and activities. Choosing the one that best suits your vision is a big early step in creating a day that feels totally "you." These St. Martin wedding locations are truly top-notch.

Marigot Wedding

The capital of the French side, Marigot, is a Saint Martin wedding location dotted with colorful homes with charming gingerbread trims. Waterfront nuptials are a given here, but the setting is more than sand and sea. It's within striking distance of foodie haven Grand Case, renowned for its Caribbean cuisine. It's a perfect spot for welcome drinks or to recommend to guests to explore for meals you aren't providing. Other activities include walking the historic Rue de la République, which looks the same as it did in the 19th century, and hitting the Marigot Market for fresh produce and unique crafts.

Maho Beach Wedding

This Dutch-side beach is world-famous for its proximity to the St Maarten Princess Juliana International Airport. Beyond the convenience (get there and get to a beach chair), it's a destination for plane watchers. However, the serene, crystal-clear waters provide a sense of wedding-day calm. It's a hotspot for snorkeling and scuba diving, thanks to a vibrant coral reef. There are also plenty of hopping bars, including Sunset Beach Bar—guests will have plenty to do if they tire of the rush of plane-watching between celebrations. There are also bars and casinos that help turn your destination wedding into a party for the ages.

Philipsburg Wedding

The Dutch-side capital is buzzing yet cool as a cucumber (figuratively—the temperatures are mild). Bold-colored homes dazzle against soft, light-hued sands and turquoise waters. Beachfront bars and shops allow for imbibing and perusing with a view, and cobblestone streets add an air of European romance. Guests and couples can learn more about the indigenous Arawak people at the Sint Maarten Museum. Venues typically include beach access and may have on-site spas perfect for pampering.

Pro tip: As you consider St. Martin wedding locations, remember your newlywed vacation. Our complete guide can help you plan an amazing St. Martin honeymoon, too.

Top St. Martin Wedding Venues

Once you've chosen a location, you can zero in on your dream venue. Wedding sites in St. Maarten and Saint Martin offer more than breathtaking vistas. Many streamline planning (and budgeting) with Saint Martin or St. Maarten wedding packages​ that include planning services and vendors. Others allow for a more a la carte approach. These four wedding sites in St. Maarten and Saint Martin have all the trimmings of an unforgettable Caribbean fete.

Sonesta St. Maarten

There is no shortage of venues at Sonesta St. Maarten, a 10-acre waterfront oasis with an adults-only (Ocean Point) and family-friendly (Maho Beach) resort. Depending on your vision and guestlist, you can choose a venue located within either one. The newly minted The Sands (Maho Beach) boasts sweeping bay views and holds 200 guests. The Point Gazebo (Maho Beach) has a ceremony space that juts into the bay and is unsurprisingly the most popular pick among couples. The Oceanview Garden (Ocean Point) is ideal for intimate ceremonies. Packages include an open bar, cake and more. There's also an elopement package with simple yet pleasurable perks like a mini-cake for two and an officiant.

La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel

Found on a Baie Longue perch overlooking the Caribbean Sea La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel is exclusive and sparkling—literally, on the latter front. You can end the night with a fireworks display. But it all starts with the dedicated team of experts, who will help pairs plan a day that's anything but cookie-cutter. Think personalized menu picks, floral arrangements that match your vision to a T and a wedding cake that'll leave everyone begging for thirds. An on-site spa will have everyone glowing on your wedding day.

Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa

An adults-only hideaway in Marigot, Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa makes planning feel as easy as a hand-in-hand stroll on a sugary-sand beach. A wedding planner will take care of the details so you can enjoy your time by the water. Tiered St. Martin wedding packages at Secrets include two to 79 guests and start at $1,299. Each provides wedding planning and a ceremony, with some including a judge or minister for a legal ceremony (more on that in a minute). Depending on the package, other perks include flowers, cake and bubbly.

Ocean Lounge Restaurant

Couples can say, "I do," right on the beach at Ocean Lounge Restaurant, a Euro-Carribbean spot located within Holland House Beach Hotel in Philipsburg. The venue overlooks the Great Bay beach and offers wedding planning services. During a stay at the breezy hotel—which is less than seven miles from the airport—you and your guests will have access to a private beach area and can dine at the restaurant that focuses on seafood like lobster that goes heavy on freshness, not frills. It also has terraced seating for taking in sea breezes and cruise ships that light up the night.

Pro tip: Once you've decided on your St. Martin wedding venue, send out destination wedding save-the-dates with important info so your guests can book the time off and start thinking about travel plans.

St. Martin Wedding Legal Requirements

Casting your vision for your wedding day can spark your imagination and creativity. However, there's not exactly room for creativity when it comes to the legal aspect of getting married. You'll need to follow a strict process, whether you're getting married in your hometown and having a symbolic ceremony abroad or hoping to obtain a St. Martin marriage license. A wedding planner familiar with St. Martin can walk you through the process and ensure you meet the most current requirements.

Legal Weddings vs. Symbolic Weddings

Couples can choose to have a legal or symbolic wedding on St. Martin. "A legal wedding means you're officially tying the knot under St. Maarten's laws, which comes with some paperwork and legal steps to follow," explains Sully Montero, a destination wedding specialist.

Couples opting for a symbolic ceremony take care of the legal paperwork at home, such as at their local town hall. "You can focus on celebrating your big day with a beautiful ceremony and reception with no additional paperwork or fees to worry about," Montero says.

Required Legal Documents

Remember, the island is split into two different counties, and requirements vary. If you're getting married on St. Maarten (Dutch) you'll need:

• A full birth certificate
• A declaration of marital status that is less than three months old
• A death certificate of the previous spouse (if applicable)
• A divorce certificate/decree of final judgment (if applicable)
• Passports for both members of the couple
• The full names of parents for both members of the couple, including the mother's maiden name if she changed it

If you're hoping to get married on Saint Martin (French), you'll need all of the above except parent names. Additionally, you'll need:

• Your full birth certificate in the last six months with a French translation and apostil stamp
• Proof of address, such as a utility bill
• A marriage contract (Contrat de Mariage), a document specifying the county's marriage laws
• A Certificat de Célibat proving celibacy for the previous three months
• Authorization from your superior (military only)

You'll need at least two witnesses but can have as many as four witnesses. Any witness must show a valid passport with their current address

Legal Marriage Timeline

In St. Maarten, you must submit your request to marry 14 days before the ceremony date. Legal ceremonies can be performed at a town hall or a venue of the couple's choosing.

Planning a Saint Martin wedding? Saint Martin has no residency requirement as long as neither to-be-wed is French. You'll need to present the documents and register at the Service Etat Civil de la Collectivité, which handles civil status matters like marriage licenses. You'll need to wait 10 days from the publication of the wedding banns, which gives people the right to "speak now" about any reasons you and yours shouldn't be legally married. Once the period is up, they can forever hold their peace—you can get married.

Legal Marriage Cost

Costs vary based on the side of the island and even the venue. On Sint Maarten, expect to pay between $178 and $410. The Se Marier Dans les Collectivités in Saint Martin will have the current cost for getting a marriage license and any additional fees, like translations, on the island's French side.

St. Martin Wedding Planning Tips

With the legal logistics out of the way, you can dig into working through other practicalities, like ensuring you and your guests understand how to get to and around St. Martin. You'll also want to find vendors who truly get your vision and can execute it, even if you can't be there in person to meet with them often. Wedding planners familiar with St. Martin offered top tips to to-be-weds.

How to Get to St. Martin

The easiest way to get to St. Martin is by flight to Philipsburg (SXM-Princess Juliana International Airport). Miami couples and guests have the most leisurely trip—three hours on a non-stop flight. New Yorkers flying direct from JFK can touch down in around four hours on non-stop flights or six to seven hours with a layover. West Coast travelers should plan for longer travel times—the flight from San Francisco takes 10 to 16 hours with a layover.

Once you land, rental cars, public buses, taxis and bikes (resorts may have complimentary ones) are common modes of transportation. Of course, the best way to get to the beach from your resort room is often by (bare) foot.

Best Months to Marry in the St. Martin

Saint Martin has tropical weather year-round but is prone to a hurricane season from around June through November (humidity is often high, too). Couples booking a date during this stretch might want to consider insurance.

January through March has temperatures in the 70s and low 80s, and it's dryer than summer and fall. These months may be particularly attractive for couples living in states with cold winters and dreaming of beachside nuptials.

St. Martin Wedding Venue and Vendors

When planning a local wedding, it's easier to pop in and see a florist or tour venues. Destination weddings present a challenge—one that technology has helped solve. These days, couples can peruse e-portfolios on Instagram and meet with vendors over Zoom. Still, Montero says hiring a planner is a good idea. "Specialists often have relationships with local vendors and resorts, making coordination smoother," Montero says. "They also act as a bridge to navigate communication delays with on-site teams."

Resorts often have a list of preferred vendors, and Montero recommends strongly considering these pros. Protect yourself by reading the fine print and advocating for yourself during contract negotiations (a planner can help). "Request itemized contracts that clearly outline the services provided and any additional fees," Montero says.

For help getting connected with St. Martin wedding venues and vendors, head to The Knot Vendor Marketplace for a comprehensive list of travel specialists who specialize in destination weddings.

Budgeting Tips

Calculating any destination wedding cost is challenging, and a Saint Martin celebration is no exception—the size of the event, date and choices like decor factor into the final price tag. Mohamed has seen Saint Martin weddings cost between $25,000 and $250,000, but Montero says she generally sees couples pay between $25,000 and $30,000. "​​While cheaper than the US, it's often higher than other Caribbean islands," Montero says, adding Saint Martin (French side) often comes in higher than St. Maarten (Dutch side).

Currency fluctuations are one consideration for most destination weddings. "Sint Maarten uses the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) as the official currency, but US dollars (USD) are widely accepted across the island," Mohamed says.

Saint Martin uses the Euro. "While US dollars are widely accepted in many areas, especially in tourist spots, transactions on the French side are typically priced in Euros, and it's good to have euros on hand for payments in this part of the island," Mohamed says.

One way to avoid extra costs is to be mindful of currency fluctuations and choose a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. You can take other steps to trim your budget, too. "For example, floral arrangements can cost around $6,000 to $10,000, about 40% more than on other islands," Montero says.

Montero says it's a good idea to consider Saint Martin and St. Maarten wedding packages​. However, be discerning about add-ons and customizations, which can turn a good deal into an out-of-budget affair. "Stick to the base wedding packages offered by the resort to avoid additional charges for upgrades," Montero says.

Mohamed says choosing an off-peak season or weekday can also trim costs. While budgeting can be daunting, Mohamed frequently sees couples plan their dream day without going overboard in costs. "Saving money on a wedding while still creating a beautiful and memorable experience is absolutely possible," Mohamed says.

Pro tip: Set up a free destination wedding website on The Knot with all the event details, including your St. Martin wedding itinerary, things to do, guest travel information, RSVPs and more.