Has anyone been to the new restaurant Kokomo? Its on the Dutch side as your going up the hill over the mountain to Phillipsburgh. My son was thinking about getting married there. Any other suggestions for wedding?

We have been there and were not overly impressed. There are lots of nicer places for a wedding in my opinion.

They are pretty proud of their food and drinks as per their pricing.

Another wedding possibility - if it still exists - The Point - at Maho Sonesta Beach. And there's the upper patio at GCBC. And then there's Dreams in Nettle Baie. So many choices - these just for starters - but it all depends on which side and how much you want to spend along with how elaborate you want the event to be....... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Dreams and GCBC are on the French side and a whole different set of procedures to be married on the French side. Dutch side is easier.

That is true, although frankly, I would probably advise them to get LEGALLY married in the States (if that's where you're from) and then have the 'ceremony' on island. That's a whole lot easier.

We have seen island weddings at both Karakter and Marys Boon=both appeared to do a very good wedding/reception etc. Enjoy

Absolutely! My daughter was married legally in the US and the wedding party aka the fun part, was in Riviera Maya, Mexico, 2 weeks later. Much less complicated to organize and no need to have an off-shore marriage recognized in the US.

Fully aware of and agree to the fact that the rules for Frenchside weddings are far more stringent than those on the Dutch side of the island, but you still can't beat the settings in each of the places I mentioned.

I guess I was thinking along the lines Carol cited - the formal marriage taking place at home for ease and convenience, not to mention the legalities, and the fun part with photos, reception and all the other trappings being done on the island.

Sorry if I caused any confusion, but I still maintain those are three very beautiful settings. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

When my daughter got married in SXM in 2000 there were no problems when she got home with legalities. It was very simple and easy as all paper work was done by the wedding coordinator with instructions on what to do when they got home.
It was very special to have both the civil and church wedding done at sunset on Coupcoy beach. And much cheaper than in the states may I add.

That would sound reasonable since it was a Dutchside wedding as opposed to a Frenchside wedding, and I'm thinking you meant you had a pastor of choice officiate on the beach at Cupecoy since I don't know of any churches there........though perhaps I'm just not aware of them.

One of the nicest weddings we ever attended was a destination wedding in the Bahamas.......and while they skimped on absolutely nothing - from the Vera Wang dress to the white carpet leading to the beachside altar at sunset to the white glove cocktail hour, to a formal sit down dinner for the hundred guests in attendance. It required a lot of planning but it certainly was considerably less costly than a wedding at home in Manhattan with two or three hundred guests in attendance. Best thing though, was the guests there were the people who really cared about the bride and groom and truly wanted to be a part of their special day. They blocked the majority of the hotel and had events from Friday afternoon right through to a Sunday brunch the day after the service......it was truly a lovely event. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Having the formalities done on island, versus at home, the incremental cost difference on that for the actual LEGAL CEREMONY has to be minimal. How many people come, for an on island ceremony, versus at home, is a whole different question.

"Best thing though, was the guests there were the people who really cared about the bride and groom and truly wanted to be a part of their special day."
Truer words were never spoken IMHO.

Pat. We had a Methodist pastor and it was very nicely officiated.
Carol. We had 30 people attend with a reception afterwards. When we returned home we had a reception with a steel drum band and island theme for 300 others that could not attend in SXM. Still much cheaper than a wedding at home and so much special for the people that attended in SXM and also at home. No regrets what so ever. Even had a video on a big screen of the wedding in SXM at the home reception.

Is there a sunset at Dreams? or is it blocked by the other islands?

Sun sets to the side behind you not over the water from where you are seated.

One time while staying at Divi we saw a beautiful wedding. Asked about it and was told they had used an island wedding planner who showed them options. Alas, I can't remember the planner's name. I'm sure a search would turn up something.