Hi all,
I'm renewing my vows in july. reaching out to a few wedding planners that i found on line.
Does anyone know a good trustworthy wedding planner on the island????

We used Lucie Davis 10 years ago and she was fantastic! We pretty much just showed up! My guess is she has only gotten better.
http://www.tropicalweddingsxm.com/

We used her for our daughters wedding in 2000. Everything went well. Used her 6 years ago to renew our vows and it was a complete disaster. She really dropped the ball on the whole affair. Arrived an hour late. Didn't secure the minister so she decided to print a certificate on the internet stating she was a pastor and did the ceremony herself after having to go to three different places along Copecoy to set up. Really a joke as the location was already decided on earlier. Our guests just rolled their eyes but it made for a great conversation over drinks later that night. My recommendation is to find someone else.

Good to hear. I just spoke to her. she is top of the list. Thank you

very good to know!!!! Thank you

I agree with Scubaman, used her about 8 years ago and we were all at the appointed site on time and she wasn't there. Had to call her and she thought it was the next day, even tho I had talked to her the day prior to confirm everything. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Thank you. This is turning out not to be so easy. I had another person i was working with...when it came time to put a deposit down, i told her i was going to send a check (not paypal)...i get an email back saying her email crashed....
With the quotes im getting, for the BASIC stuff im asking for...its soooo expensive!!!
I have two other places i'm reaching out to now.
If this doesnt work..i may stick with the 12 mass at the church in Phillipsburg, nice priest i spoke to...and then dinner that evening.

I have a really stupid question--what is it exactly that you're wanting? Obviously you don't have to worry about legalities, as it is a renewal of vows. This may be a wild hare stupid idea, but Jeannie from Shop N Drop knows a whole lot of people. If you're looking to have someone just deliver some food, chairs, flowers, etc., maybe she could help you piece it together yourself? I've never done a vow renewal or been to one, so don't know what goes on..

We are looking for someone to perform the ceremony. I like Maho beach if possible. 4 chairs, maybe two tiki torches....thats it. no flowers, camera,etc....im even going to make my owe dinner arrangements. bring my own champage.

Then you don't need a wedding planner. Get a hold of the minister at the church your thinking of and have him come to the beach you choose to perform the ceremony. Chairs should not be a problem where ever you choose or borrow some from your resort. With permission of course. Everything else is easy to come by. Look in to a beach area along Copecoy for a nice sunset. Maho or mullet would be nice too.

Maybe you could just contact some churches down there directly? Or what about just writing the vows yourself and reciting them to each other?

I tried that already. Catholic priest will not preform the ceremony outside the church.....
Told you this wasnt easy....

Does it have to be a catholic priest? We used the Methodist minister for our daughters wedding. In the eyes of God it shouldn't matter.

Scuba,

I could be wrong but I'm guessing Lynn is Catholic and would like a pastor of her own faith to oversee her ceremony.

My immediate thought was, since it's a vow renewal it doesn't have to be a religious or a legal service, unless that's absolutely what they want it to be, so I wonder if there's such a thing as a JP or other island official who might be able to do the honors. A judge or the Dutch equivalent to a JP?

In all probability, Its most likely the religious rites were performed a long time ago, and if so, the important part now would be the two people caring enough to want to renew them in the first place as opposed to who might officiate at the event.

Congratulations to the couple for caring enough in the first place as a silver anniversary is a major milestone today. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

A regular wedding on the Dutch side is civil ceremony usually followed by a religious one. The civil one is the required one. It has a lot of paper work and needs translation. Renewing of vows are much different and doesn't require any paperwork to do it.
I understand what you are saying about a JP or an equivalent and also about the religious denomination preference. Not sure if you could persuade a civil servant to do this without a lot of red tape and paperwork without local connections.
I'm sure this is done a lot on the island as we did years ago but sometimes not as easy as it should be.

Our daughter got married in St Maarten in February of last year. Topper of Topper's by the Sea is a JP. He performed a very nice ceremony. They got married on a deserted section of The Flamingo Resort. We were having the reception for about 35 people at his restaurant. He provided chairs on the beach, made arrangements for the cake, photographer, DJ, & steel drums. I don't know if he would perform a ceremony for 4 people but if the price is right!!!!!

Please email me jeannie@shopndropgrocerysxm.com . I will probably be not here on the Island in July but I can certainly assit you with connecting you with the right people. I myself planned Rob Weiners son's wedding here on the island two years ago... full wedding, reception, pre reception, ;licensing etc... so I know the right people to connet you with depending on your needs...But what I would need from you is a itemilzed list of things you need.

Thanks
Jeannie

Guess I was right, for once! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> islandlove--please do contact Jeannie!

Already did..thank you all.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

I know they do a lot of weddings on the beach at Mary's Boon on Simpson Bay. You might have to be staying there also but maybe contact them as another option and they would have name of planners to also. visitmarysboon.com or marysboon.com <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />