Where is St Maarten located

• The island is in the Caribbean Sea, 1,460 miles south of New York.
• It covers 37 square miles, with Dutch Sint Maarten on the South spanning 16 square miles and French Saint Martin on the North covering 21.
• The island is the smallest landmass to be shared by two separate governments. Capitals – Philipsburg is the capital of Sint Maarten. Marigot is the capital of Saint Martin.

What is the official language

English is spoken everywhere, but Dutch is the official language of Sint Maarten, and French the official language of Saint Martin. On the Dutch side, you can also hear Spanish, Papiamento, Italian, Hindi, Chinese, and other languages. On the French side, Creole Patois is also spoken

Currency

As U.S. dollars are widely accepted on both the Dutch and the French sides, visitors do not need to exchange their U.S. money for a visit to the island. Official currency of the Dutch side is the Netherlands Antilles florin or guilder (NAF). Official currency of the French side is the Euro, as in France or in other French holdings around the world. Nearly all prices are listed in U.S. dollars as well as the local currency, so there’s no need for calculating exchange rates.

Time

• Sint Maarten is on Atlantic Standard Time year-round.
• During the fall and winter, noon in New York equals 1 p.m. on the island.
• During daylight savings time in the U.S., the hour is the same on the Eastern Seaboard as it is on the island

Climate

• Sunny and warm year-round, with some cooling from trade winds.
• Average temperature during the winter season is 80F (27C) and a few degrees warmer anymore humid in the summer.
• Occasional showers in late summer and early fall, with average annual rainfall of 45 inches.

What happens in case of bad weather ie: Hurricane?

Hurricanes and Inclement weather are beyond the control of both the Client and the Agency. Whenever possible the Agency will assist in rescheduling the venue, the date or the time of the actual event. The Agency cannot be held responsible for cancellation due to inclement weather and therefore will not refund any charges made by the Agency on behalf of the client.

Are the Beaches Private?

No, all beaches are Public property and as are accessible by all.

What time is sunset?

Depending on the time of the year, sunset is from 5:30 until 6:45pm. In the winter months, the time frame is much shorter.

How many days in advance do we need to be on the Island?

There is no formal requirement where it regards residency on the Island prior to being married. We suggest two days in advance prior to the wedding day, especially if you wish to meet your Planner prior to the ceremony. (this is with the exception to Cruise ship passengers, who arrive on the same day or the ceremony)

Can we have a religious ceremony?

Yes, this is possible, please verify further with your Wedding Planner

Can I bring my own Pastor/ Rabbi/ officiate?

Yes, this is possible, please verify further with your Wedding Planner

Can we write our own vows?

Yes, this is possible, please verify further with your Wedding Planner.

Will my Island marriage be legal in my country?

Yes, the legality of your marriage will be binding worldwide, once you get back home, take the original and certified copy to your city records department. Please see: How to register my Destination Wedding back home

Will my legal documents be returned to me?

Yes, all original documents will be returned (4 to 5 business days after the ceremony) along with the English translation of the Marriage License. This is to facilitate the registration process of the marriage when the couple gets back to their country of residency where they are immediately required to submit a copy of the Marriage License to the Vital Statistic Office, request new Drivers License and Social Security Cards, and other important documentation to reflect new status and last-name change.

Should you have a question that has not been addressed, please feel free to contact us.