St Maarten

The island of Saint Maarten/Saint Martin is a unique paradise; the 90km² are shared between Holland and France, which creates an exciting cultural mix when fused with traditional Caribbean influences. English is the predominant language, and the dollar is accepted everywhere. Anguilla can be seen just to the north, with St Barthélemy, Saba and St Eustatia as its other close neighbours.

Renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches, glittering turquoise sea and backdrop of lush, green hills, St Maarten (nicknamed 'The Friendly Island') offers a variety of activities to suit every taste. Whether you simply want to stretch out in the sun, or go shopping in the tax-free capital of Philipsburg, partake in a range of water sports or sample the excellent food in the 'gastronomic capital of the Caribbean', then St Maarten is the place to be.

With an average temperature of 27 degrees all year round, the trade winds which caress the island are very welcome. The average temperature of the sea is an agreeable 28 degrees. The 'drier' season is from January to June, but really St Maarten is a taste of paradise on earth all year round.

Weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
T	83	83	83	84	86	88	88	88	88	87	85	83
S	8	8	9	9	9	9	9	9	8	8	8	8
R	2.9	1.9	1.7	3.1	3.9	2.8	3.3	4.5	4.6	3.9	4.6	3.6

Key to symbols used:

T - Average daily maximum temperatures
S - Average daily sunshine hours
R - Average monthly rainfall (if higher than 0.5”)

Flight time: 8 hours
GMT = or -: - 5 in summer - 4 in winter
Visa: Not required

Documents and Legal requirements
Residency: There is no set period of residency required before the ceremony can be performed if the arrangements are made through a wedding consultant. If not, a 14 day period of residency is obligatory before the wedding can go ahead.
Proof of ID: Full birth certificates of both parties stating parents' names.Passport if available.
Divorced: You must produce your Decree Absolute.
Widowed: You must produce the Death Certificate of your former spouse.
Never married: You must produce a signed declaration (sworn before a notary) that you have never been married before.
Age restrictions: All applicants should be twenty-one years and over.
Name change: If your name has been changed by Deed Poll you must provide legal proof that has been stamped and signed by a solicitor.
Fees: Marriage Licence: US $150 (ceremony at Census Office) or US $250 (for outdoor ceremony).

Ceremonies
Your wedding ceremony may be performed by the government official in the Census Office or at an outside location. This civil ceremony is the only way to perform a legally recognised marriage, and must be conducted on the Dutch side of the island.

Religious ceremonies
It is possible to have a religious ceremony/blessing performed by a minister of one if the many religious denominations represented on the island.

Further information

Wedding consultants: 'Tropical Weddings & Honeymoons' Contact Miriam Staley (English, French & Spanish spoken) Tel: (599) 544 4143 Fax: (599) 544 4863 info@sintmaarten-wedding.com http://www.sintmaarten-wedding.com

Office du Tourisme (French side) Route de Sandy Ground, 97150, St Martin Tel: (590) 87 57 21 Fax: (590) 87 56 43 sxmto@aol.com St Maarten Tourist Bureau (Dutch Side)Nisbeth Road 23, Philipsburg Tel: (599) 542 2337 Fax: (599) 542 2734

Always check with local authorities as this information may be subject to change.