Weddings in St. Maarten and St. Martin - Plan your dream wedding

St. Maarten and St. Martin The little island with the dual personality really does have it all - beautiful beaches, water sports, fine dining, duty-free shopping, casino gambling, and discos. The smallest island in the world shared by two nations, St. Maarten/St. Martin is Dutch on one side, French on the other. If you like your sun and fun spiced with distinctive culture, sports and activities, and fine dining, then look no further.

Documents Needed for Travel

U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. passport or state-issued birth certificate with raised seal accompanied by a photo I.D. For specific questions, please contact the Royal Netherlands Embassy at 617-542-8452.

Language

Dutch is the official language of St. Maarten, and French of St. Martin. English is spoken everywhere on both sides of the island, particularly in hotels, shops and restaurants. Papiamento, the dialect of the Netherlands Antilles, is widely spoken on the Dutch side. On the French side, the residents will welcome your efforts to speak French.

Time Zone

From late October to early April, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. From early April to late October, St. Maarten/St. Martin is the same as Eastern Standard Time.

Beaches

St. Maarten/St. Martin has a variety of beaches - 37 beaches ranging from short patches wedged between rocky cliffs to seemingly endless stretches of white sand. Both sides of the island are bordered by rows of rustling palms, and sea grape trees surround some areas with leaves resembling paper fans. Limestone cliffs overhand one narrow beach, and a walking trail winds through a tropical forest to reveal another. There are crowded shores where people engage in water sports of every kind as well as quiet strands that offer beauty and solitude.

Climate

St. Maarten/St. Martin's temperatures remain constant year-round, averaging 80degF; the water temperature averages 78degF. Trade winds provide some cooling on the coasts. There are occasional rain showers in the late summer and early fall, with an average annual rainfall of 45".

What to Wear

Attire on St. Maarten/St. Martin is mostly informal - cotton and linen are a must! However, swimwear is not appropriate anywhere but the beach. In some restaurants, as well as in the casinos, you will feel more comfortable wearing something more formal than shorts and a T-shirt.

Currency and Credit Cards

On the French side, currency is the French franc although U.S. dollars are eagerly accepted almost everywhere. On the Dutch side, the currency is the Netherlands Antilles guilder but U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. On both sides, you will most often find prices in U.S. dollars or in all three currencies. When paying with cash or a credit card, you should tell the cashier which currency you prefer for your transaction. Exchange rates are posted in most hotels. Most shops and restaurants have a $25 minimum when charging on your credit card.

Electricity

110 volts/60 cycles in St. Maarten, the same as the United States. 220 volts in St. Martin. Be sure to bring an adapter/converters, as it can be very expensive to rent them.

Marriage Requirements

Please contact a DWT recommended Wedding Planner to obtain marriage requirements.

Disclaimer:

Destination Wedding Travel makes every effort to keep the travel information up to date on this website, however, laws do change and so we cannot guarantee that all information regarding rules, regulations, and marriage requirements at particular sites are completely accurate at the time of viewing. Before making marriage decisions on a particular destination, we highly recommend you speak with a DWT travel agent or partner wedding planner to verify rules at a particular destination before finalizing your travel plans.

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