St. Maarten-St. Martin’s wedding industry continues to flourish
From intimate beachfront ceremonies to lavish destination celebrations, St. Maarten continues to capture the hearts of couples from around the world. The island’s unique blend of Dutch and French culture, stunning scenery, warm hospitality and world-class wedding professionals have helped position it as one of the Caribbean’s most enchanting places to say “I do.” At the heart of this thriving industry are the passionate planners, florists, venues, entertainers and creatives who work tirelessly behind the scenes to transform wedding dreams into fantasy storybook realities.
For those who may have missed our Wedding Special Edition, which ran this week, here is a quick re-cap.
Artemia Event Planners celebrates 20 years of unforgettable moments
Artemia Event Planners has remained one of St. Maarten’s most respected names in weddings and special events for the last two decades. What began during a period of rapid growth in the island’s tourism and hospitality industry has evolved into a full-service company known for creativity, professionalism and personalized service.
Specializing in everything from branded corporate events to luxury destination weddings, Artemia continues to raise the standard for celebrations across the island. Through its sister company, St. Maarten Marry-Me, the team focuses heavily on destination weddings, ensuring every couple receives personalized attention regardless of wedding size or budget.
The company customizes nearly every wedding and event, handling everything from conceptual design and décor to transportation, catering and guest experiences. Thanks to today’s digital tools such as Zoom, WhatsApp and Teams, planning a destination wedding remotely has become easier than ever.
Outdoor weddings remain especially popular, with beachfront ceremonies and gazebo settings continuing to dominate trends. Artemia frequently works with some of the island’s most scenic venues, including Fort Amsterdam, JW Marriott St. Maarten, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Casino & Spa, Baie Rouge and Emilio’s. And as the company marks its 20th anniversary, Artemia is also preparing special promotions and incentives for future clients booking weddings, corporate celebrations and milestone events.
Understanding the civil wedding process
While couples often focus primarily on dresses, flowers and venues, one of the most important steps in planning a wedding in St. Maarten is handling the legal documentation early.
The process begins with filing the “intention to marry” through the Civil Registry Department. Required documents include passports, birth certificates, declarations of marital status, and identification for witnesses. Additional documents may be required for divorcees, widows or non-Dutch nationals.
Destination wedding couples are encouraged to begin the paperwork process well in advance and submit documents in English or Dutch. Depending on the country of origin, official authentication through Apostille certification or consular legalization may also be necessary. Many couples choose to work with a wedding planner to help simplify the process and ensure all details are handled correctly.
Vendors bringing wedding visions to life
Behind every beautiful wedding stands a talented network of local professionals helping create memorable experiences.
SXM Party Rentals N.V.
From elegant furniture and lighting to entertainment and event coordination, SXM Party Rentals N.V. provides couples with the essential elements needed to bring their vision to life. Creative Director Dion Gumbs says the company’s goal is always to exceed expectations while building lasting relationships with clients. Whether planning an intimate beach ceremony or a grand reception, the team focuses on adding personalized touches that make each event unique and unforgettable.
Flowers “R” Us
For more than 13 years, Flowers “R” Us has specialized in transforming wedding spaces through elegant floral arrangements and custom décor. From bridal bouquets and floral arches to centrepieces and complete wedding styling, every design is tailored to reflect the couple’s personality and vision. The company prides itself on creating magical, memorable atmospheres while helping make the planning process smooth and stress-free.
Flowers by Flores
Flowers remain one of the defining elements of any wedding celebration, and Flowers by Flores continues to help couples create lasting impressions through carefully designed arrangements. Roses remain a timeless favourite among brides, while peonies, ranunculus, lilies, orchids and tropical blooms continue to trend for destination weddings. Garden-inspired centrepieces and floral pathways leading to the altar are also increasingly popular. The company offers everything from bridal bouquets and boutonnières to arch decorations, balloons, chocolates and custom gift baskets.
Zee Best wedding cakes
Wedding cakes have evolved far beyond dessert – they are now edible centrepieces and works of art. Zee Best’s Kara Sanchez Lapierre has spent years refining her craft, producing elegant multi-tiered cakes that combine artistry with flavour. Current trends include vintage-inspired cakes with ornate piping, buttercream swags and fresh berries, as well as whimsical garden-style cakes overflowing with fruits, flowers and natural textures. The bakery’s revamped website now allows clients to browse cake collections and begin consultations online, making the planning process more convenient for couples abroad.
Skyfall Pyrotechnics
For couples seeking a dramatic finale, Skyfall Pyrotechnics creates unforgettable wedding moments through customized fireworks and special effects. From romantic first-dance spark displays to large-scale pyro-musical productions synchronized with music, the company specializes in creating magical experiences while maintaining strict safety standards.
Stunning venues across the island
St. Maarten and Saint Martin offer no shortage of picturesque wedding venues, each bringing its own atmosphere and charm.
Emilio’s
Known for its historic setting and elegant ambiance, Emilio’s offers flexible event spaces for weddings ranging from intimate gatherings to celebrations of up to 250 guests. Couples can host romantic receptions inside the restored 18th-century sugar mill or celebrate outdoors on the spacious patio beneath the stars. Owners Drew and Marianella Wathey emphasize teamwork and collaboration with wedding planners to ensure every detail is flawlessly executed.
Rainbow Café
Located directly on the beach in Grand Case, Rainbow Café has quickly become one of Saint Martin’s premier wedding destinations. Combining Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, beachfront elegance and lively entertainment, the venue offers couples a complete celebration experience. The rooftop terrace, beachfront cabanas and private event spaces create versatile options for ceremonies and receptions, while customized menus and personalized service help couples craft unique experiences for their guests. The venue describes its ideal wedding atmosphere in three words: “Elegant, festive and effortlessly chic.”
Simpson Bay Resort, Marina & Spa
More than simply a venue, Simpson Bay Resort offers couples and guests a complete destination wedding experience. With panoramic ocean views, indoor and outdoor event spaces, beachfront ceremony locations and customized wedding packages, the resort caters to both intimate celebrations and larger events. One of the resort’s greatest advantages is its ability to host guests from abroad comfortably in one location, allowing weddings to become multi-day celebrations filled with shared experiences, dinners and excursions.
A heartfelt celebration of love
The emotional core of every wedding remains the love story itself. Lincoln Hochmuth and Ryan Schonenberg’s intimate Colorado wedding beautifully reflected this truth. Their journey began years after unknowingly attending the same high school, eventually reconnecting while serving as bridesmaid and groomsman at a mutual friend’s wedding.
Their celebration brought together loved ones from St. Maarten, Minnesota and The Netherlands in a deeply personal gathering focused not on extravagance, but on connection, family and love. Their advice to future couples is refreshingly simple: “Focus less on the stress of details and more on the true purpose of the day – marrying the person you love.”
Nurturing marriage beyond the wedding day
While weddings celebrate beginnings, lasting marriages require continued care, communication and commitment. In her thoughtful reflection, Sharon van Arneman reminds couples to nurture their relationship intentionally through kindness, forgiveness, laughter, respect and quality time together. Her advice emphasizes that successful marriages are built not only on romance, but on friendship, teamwork and daily acts of love.
The enduring magic of Caribbean weddings
Whether through stunning floral arrangements, spectacular fireworks, carefully crafted cakes, breath-taking venues or meaningful ceremonies, St. Maarten’s wedding industry continues to evolve while remaining rooted in hospitality and heartfelt service. For couples dreaming of turquoise waters, warm sunsets and unforgettable celebrations surrounded by loved ones, the island offers far more than beautiful scenery – it offers experiences filled with joy, connection and lasting memories.
Thanks to the dedication of the many talented professionals who continue to elevate the wedding industry year after year, St. Maarten remains one of the Caribbean’s most cherished destinations for nuptials.
For vendors, brides & grooms, wedding planners, florists, photographers, entertainers, cake crafters and so on, who would like to be featured in our next Wedding Special edition, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info.
