Best Wedding Resorts in St. Maarten for Your Destination Wedding

St. Maarten is the only Caribbean island shared by two sovereign nations: Dutch Sint Maarten on the south and French Saint-Martin on the north, all packed into 37 square miles. That dual identity gives couples a wedding setting unlike anywhere else in the region. World-class French cuisine, Dutch Caribbean architecture, 37 distinct beaches, and the famous Maho Beach planes-overhead photo backdrop all sit within a short drive of each other.

A destination wedding in St. Maarten averages around $10,000 to $12,000 all-in for the couple, in line with the broader Caribbean. Most groups invite 10 to 17 guests, and wedding packages range from intimate elopement tiers around $1,100 up to $13,500+ at luxury properties. Resort options on the island are more boutique than the all-inclusive heavy destinations like Punta Cana venues or Jamaica properties, which gives every wedding here a more personal, less cookie-cutter feel.

Below, we’ve put together our guide to the top destination wedding resorts in St. Maarten for 2026, plus cost context, package details, travel logistics, and the most common questions our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists field about the island. Here’s where to start!

Top St. Maarten Destination Wedding Resorts

St. Maarten’s resort lineup leans boutique, which is great news for couples who want a personalized celebration rather than a mass-market all-inclusive experience. We looked at the properties our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists return to for St. Maarten weddings: distinctive settings, dependable service, and ceremony venues that take advantage of the island’s stunning bays and beaches.

From the dramatic Maho Beach planes-overhead setting to quieter French-side bays, here are our top picks.

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort

Set on its own private peninsula just outside Philipsburg, Divi Little Bay Beach Resort wraps around two crescent-shaped bays with calm, swimmable water on either side. The family-friendly property is a favorite for couples wanting a relaxed, low-key wedding within walking distance of the Dutch capital’s shops and restaurants.

Ceremony venues here include a beachfront gazebo, the private peninsula point, and garden lawns with views across both bays. The resort’s wedding team specializes in scaling celebrations from intimate elopements up to mid-sized receptions, with package customization that pulls in St. Maarten’s Dutch and French culinary influences.

Beyond the wedding day, guests can swim, snorkel, and paddle from either of the two beaches, walk to downtown Philipsburg for duty-free shopping and casinos, or arrange day trips to the French side. The peninsula setting feels secluded without being isolated.

Learn more about Divi Little Bay Beach Resort and get a free quote today >>

La Samanna

On the French side of the island along Baie Longue, La Samanna is St. Maarten’s most exclusive luxury option. The boutique resort, part of the Belmond collection, sits on a mile of pristine white-sand beach and brings Mediterranean villa-style architecture to the Caribbean.

Wedding venues include the private beach, hilltop gardens with views across the bay, and intimate terraces designed for sunset ceremonies. La Samanna specializes in personalized, design-led weddings, with custom florals, curated menus from acclaimed French Caribbean chefs, and the kind of polished service that defines the Belmond brand.

Guests can indulge in the resort’s spa, the famed wine cellar, or excursions to nearby Marigot, the French capital known for boutique shopping and waterfront dining. This is a top pick for couples wanting their wedding to feel exclusive and unmistakably elevated.

Learn more about La Samanna and get a free quote today >>

Oyster Bay Beach Resort

Tucked into a quiet cove on the Dutch side’s eastern coast, Oyster Bay Beach Resort is a condo-style property that gives wedding groups a residential, villa-like feel. The resort sits on a protected bay, which means flat, swimmable water year-round and a more peaceful atmosphere than the busier Maho or Philipsburg areas.

Ceremony venues include the resort’s beachfront gazebo, a clifftop perch with sweeping ocean views, and the private marina dock for couples wanting a unique waterfront backdrop. The wedding team handles intimate to mid-sized celebrations, with reception space that scales as needed.

The condo-style accommodations are especially useful for wedding parties wanting multi-room suites for family members. Guests can also rent equipment for sailing, snorkeling, and paddleboarding right from the resort’s marina.

Learn more about Oyster Bay Beach Resort and get a free quote today >>

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa

Right on the legendary Maho Beach, where planes roar in low over the sand on their final approach to Princess Juliana International Airport, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa puts you in the heart of St. Maarten’s most photographed beach scene. The family-friendly all-inclusive resort is one of the larger resorts on the island.

Ceremony venues include the famous Maho Beach itself, garden settings tucked into the resort, and indoor reception spaces. The wedding planning team can scale celebrations from intimate to large, with multi-day welcome events, ceremony, and reception packages.

Beyond the resort, your guests are just steps from the Maho Beach scene with its restaurants, bars, the on-site casino, and the iconic planes-landing photo opportunity that has made this stretch of sand internationally famous.

Learn more about Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and get a free quote today >>

Sonesta Ocean Point Resort

Sister property to Sonesta Maho Beach, the adults-only Sonesta Ocean Point Resort sits on a clifftop just above Maho Beach and offers a much quieter, more elevated experience for couples wanting an adults-only celebration. All suites feature ocean views, and the property leans into a more boutique-luxury vibe.

Wedding venues here include the clifftop infinity pool deck, garden ceremony lawns, and an oceanview terrace ideal for sunset ceremonies. The all-suite layout also means each guest gets a more spacious, private accommodation, which is appreciated for multi-day wedding weekends.

Guests at Ocean Point have full access to Sonesta Maho’s amenities, restaurants, and beach scene, but can retreat to the quieter, adults-only sister property whenever they want a break. This dual-property setup gives couples flexibility for both lively celebrations and relaxed downtime.

Learn more about Sonesta Ocean Point Resort and get a free quote today >>

The Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa

On the Dutch side’s eastern coast, The Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa sits on a stretch of beach known for being the first place to catch the morning sunrise. The family-friendly property pairs Westin’s signature wellness amenities with one of St. Maarten’s most beautiful natural settings.

Ceremony venues include Dawn Beach itself, oceanfront terraces, garden lawns, and indoor ballroom spaces for couples wanting climate-controlled options. The Westin’s planning team specializes in mid-sized celebrations, with multiple reception venues that scale as your guest list grows.

Your guests can also take advantage of the Westin’s signature wellness programs, including beachfront yoga, the full-service spa, and on-site dining that draws from both Dutch Caribbean and French culinary traditions. The property is also a short drive from Orient Beach on the French side for couples wanting to mix Dutch and French days into the wedding weekend.

Learn more about The Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa and get a free quote today >>

More Information for Planning Your Destination Wedding in St. Maarten

A few practical details will help shape your St. Maarten celebration. Below you’ll find cost context, package overview, and travel logistics worth sharing with your guests.

St. Maarten Destination Wedding Cost

St. Maarten weddings tend to track with broader Caribbean averages, since the island falls in the mid-tier of Caribbean wedding pricing. Most couples spend $10,000 to $12,000 all-in, with the wedding package, the couple’s stay, and airfare bundled into one number. Most St. Maarten wedding groups bring 10 to 17 guests, which keeps overall costs in the manageable range.

Here’s how typical spending breaks down for the couple:

• Hotel for the couple: roughly $2,000 to $3,500 (based on $400 to $700 per night for a five-night stay, depending on resort tier)
• Airfare per couple: $800 to $1,600, depending on origin city and season
• Wedding package: $1,100 to $13,500+, depending on tier and customization
• Add-ons: photography upgrades, DJ, florals, and lighting (typically $500 to $3,000 combined)

Guests cover their own airfare and accommodations. St. Maarten room rates run roughly $200 to $700 per person per night, with La Samanna and other luxury properties on the higher end.

St. Maarten Destination Wedding Packages

St. Maarten’s resort lineup leans more boutique than all-inclusive, so wedding packages are often quoted à la carte rather than bundled into rigid tiers. Most properties offer:

• Intimate ceremony packages: $1,100 to $2,500. Covers ceremony setup, officiant, basic florals, sparkling wine toast, and a small cake for 10 to 20 guests.
• Mid-tier wedding packages: $3,000 to $6,500. Adds private reception venues, professional photography, ceremony music, and upgraded decor.
• Luxury wedding packages: $7,500 to $13,500+. Full luxury treatment with premium florals, full open bars, extended photography and videography, custom lighting, and private buyouts.
• Customizations: St. Maarten resorts are especially flexible with add-ons, given the boutique nature of the island. Outside vendors (specific photographers, planners, florists) are easier to bring in than at all-inclusive-heavy destinations.

On ceremony type: a legal civil ceremony on the Dutch side requires you to be on-island for at least 14 days before the marriage license is issued, while symbolic ceremonies have no waiting period. The French side has even longer residency requirements (30 days). Most couples handle the legal paperwork in their home country and host a symbolic ceremony in St. Maarten.

St. Maarten Destination Wedding Travel Information

Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is one of the best-connected airports in the Caribbean, with direct flights from Miami, New York, Charlotte, Atlanta, Newark, and Philadelphia. Flight times from the U.S. average three to five hours, making St. Maarten one of the more accessible Caribbean wedding destinations.

A few quick notes for you and your guests:

• One island, two countries: the southern side is Dutch Sint Maarten, the northern side is French Saint-Martin. There’s no border check, and most resorts and visitors move freely between the two.
• Transfer times: SXM is small and central, so most resorts are within 15 to 40 minutes of the airport. Dutch-side resorts (Sonesta Maho, Divi Little Bay) are closest; French-side properties (La Samanna) are about 30 to 40 minutes.
• Currency: the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (Dutch side) and Euro (French side) are official, but U.S. dollars are accepted virtually everywhere.
• Languages: English is widely spoken across the island, with Dutch in the south and French in the north as official languages.
• Best time of year: December through April offers the most reliable weather. May, June, and November are good value alternatives. August through October fall in the hurricane season, so weather risk is highest then.

St. Maarten Destination Wedding FAQs

What makes St. Maarten unique for destination weddings?

St. Maarten is the only Caribbean island shared by two sovereign nations: Dutch Sint Maarten and French Saint-Martin. That dual identity means couples can mix Dutch Caribbean architecture and lively Maho Beach energy with French-side fine dining, boutique shopping, and quieter beaches like Orient Bay. The island’s compact size means you can experience both sides during a single wedding weekend.

How much does a destination wedding in St. Maarten cost?

A St. Maarten destination wedding averages $10,000 to $12,000 all-in for the couple, in line with broader Caribbean averages. Most groups bring 10 to 17 guests. Wedding packages start around $1,100 at the entry tier and climb to $13,500+ at the luxury end. La Samanna and other premium properties land in the higher range, while resorts like Divi Little Bay and Oyster Bay are more mid-tier.

Can I get legally married in St. Maarten?

Yes, but the legal process has a residency requirement. A legal civil marriage on the Dutch side requires both parties to be on the island for at least 14 days before the license is issued. The French side requires 30 days. Because of these timelines, most couples handle the legal paperwork in their home country and host a symbolic ceremony in St. Maarten, which has no waiting period and gives you more flexibility in planning.

Should I get married on the Dutch side or the French side?

It depends on the vibe you want. The Dutch side (Sint Maarten) has more all-inclusive resorts, livelier beaches, casinos, and the famous Maho Beach planes-overhead photo backdrop. The French side (Saint-Martin) is quieter, with luxury boutique properties like La Samanna, French Caribbean cuisine, and beaches like Orient Bay. Many couples stay on one side and visit the other during the wedding weekend.

When is the best time to get married in St. Maarten?

December through April offers the most reliable weather, with dry sunny days and comfortable temperatures. May, June, and November are great shoulder-season options with lower rates and fewer crowds. August through October fall in the hurricane season, which carries weather risk, so couples planning outdoor ceremonies typically avoid those months. Weekday weddings (Monday through Thursday) are almost always less expensive than weekend dates.

Start Planning Your Dream St. Maarten Wedding Today!

St. Maarten gives couples something genuinely unique: a Caribbean wedding that blends two cultures, two beaches per day, and the kind of culinary variety you won’t find on any other island in the region. Whether your dream is a barefoot beachfront ceremony, a clifftop reception with sweeping bay views, or a French-side luxury celebration at one of the Caribbean’s most exclusive resorts, St. Maarten delivers.

Start your planning journey with the support of our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists. Fill out our online wedding planning form, and we’ll help you compare resorts, packages, and dates that fit your vision and budget. Your St. Maarten celebration is closer than you think.