Love in the Tropics
Nothing says weddings like a romantic island wedding in beautiful St. Maarten/St. Martin.
Roberto and Sophie Rodriguez wanted to exchange their wedding vows on a tropical island.
But not just any island. What they were looking for was a one-of-a-kind private paradise.
“We chose St. Maarten because of the beautiful beaches, the proximity to New York — just a few short hours away — and, of course, the exotic nationalities on the island,” Roberto says.
“Fantastically French and Delightfully Dutch,” as their planner, Annemiek Meussen, puts it. “St. Maarten offers the perfect backdrop for your wedding.”
Jake and Gina Babyak heartily concur. The two grew up as best friends in Long Island, NY. Then after college, Jake popped the question. Where would they tie the knot? Gina knew just the spot.
She had visited St. Maarten/St. Martin and fallen in love with the beautiful beaches, welcoming people and charming ambience. So they booked 70 of their closest friends and family members at Sonesta Ocean Point Resort on Maho Bay and left the details to Meussen, general manager of Sint Maarten Weddings.
“The wedding was perfect,” Gina recalls. “It was everything we had ever imagined. The friendliness of the people, the amazing vendors and, of course, the beautiful breezy weather made the event seamless and a dream come true.”
That’s just how Sophie Rodriguez describes her special day. “Our wedding,” she says, “couldn’t have been more perfect.”
Meussen says it’s not hard to sell St. Maarten/St. Martin to lovebirds once they get a feel for all the island has to offer. “From a picturesque fishing village lined with the finest restaurants in the Caribbean to boutique hotels, casinos and vibrant nightlife, St. Maarten/St. Martin is the ideal location for a destination wedding.”
What’s more, Meussen says, it’s easy to get married on the island — especially if you let your wedding planner make the arrangements.
“The basic documents needed for a legal wedding in Dutch St. Maarten include a long-form birth certificate for the bride and groom, a declaration of marital status or divorce, and a valid passport,” Meussen says.
US documents require an Apostle Stamp, which is easily obtained from the Secretary of State. For Canadian citizens, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Dutch Consulate must legalize the document.
Then you’re ready for that walk down the aisle — a sandy one, perhaps. This picture-perfect destination is perfect for an idyllic wedding in paradise. Best of all, you needn’t go far to get those love fires really burning. St. Maarten/St. Martin is, after all, world renowned as a tropical honeymoon haven.
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