The Wedding Planner
Mary Ridderplaat Bikker
Curacao Marriott Resort & Emerald Casino
Director of Banquet Sales

Can't decided between a Caribbean wedding and a European wedding? Then Curacao just might be the place for your nuptials. This Southern Caribbean destination combines the sun, sand and surf of the islands with the charm of the Netherlands.For summer brides, Curacao offers another big plus: the island is located south of the hurricane zone.

To learn more about planning a wedding in Curacao, we've interviewed Mary Ridderplaat Bikker, director of banquet sales for the Curacao Marriott and Emerald Casino. Mary, like other planners interviewed in this monthly column, has passed the Marriott International Wedding Certification Program.

Which aspects of the Curacao Marriott Resort and Emerald Casino are most attractive to the brides?

The most attractive aspect of the Curacao Marriott Resort and Emerald Casino property is the view. As you enter the open air lobby, your eyes are immediately drawn to the pool area and the ocean. An elegant fountain draws guests down the stairs towards the entrance of the pool area and then farther to the ocean. In an instant, you feel the Caribbean atmosphere along with a hint of European architecture that graces the island of Curacao’s individuality. For many of our brides and grooms, it is these characteristics that attract them to our hotel, which then leads them to have their wedding photographs taken with a backdrop of both the pool and ocean as they merge into one.

What are the hotel's most popular wedding venues?

The Queen’s Ballroom is 3,000 square feet of air-conditioned, flexible indoor space. This multipurpose ballroom can accommodate up to 300 people and allows the client to have the room decorated and setup in a variety of ways to suit the client’s needs.

The Curacao Marriott Resort & Emerald Casino is located on a spectacular stretch of private beach. This beach is not only exclusive to our hotel guests but it is wide and luxuriously sandy and directly on top of the Caribbean Sea. This beach is therefore often transformed into a wedding paradise with palm trees, beautiful white tents, tiki torches, a wedding arch that is decorated with a variety of tropical flowers. A stage and dance is also set up on the beach for the ceremony, along with candle/flower table centerpieces, a wedding cake on a decorated table (according to the theme of the wedding), and all seats are white or can be covered in chair covers and bows. All of this would take place on the beach with the sound of the waves crashing in the background against the natural shells and coral that lie on the beach.

We also have a small and “intimate” gazebo located on property just at the edge of the sea. This gazebo has been very functional for small and intimate wedding ceremonies and can even accommodate a special dinner for two for honeymooners. This gazebo sets the scene for just the two, illuminated by candle light and the natural glow of the moon. The ambiance created by the light and the incredible sound of the breeze and waves is simply magical. But you must not forget the bottle of champagne or wine that accompanies a world class dinner specially designed by our Executive Chef for your special night.

The pool is located in the heart of the hotel in the most picturesque of areas. Dancing underneath the stars allows out guests to fully appreciate the Curacao evening experience. The free-form pool features a popular swim-up bar and while guests relax in the pool they are often taken into a zone of utter calmness, while looking across the vast sea. The pool area can easily be accommodated for couples who want to have their wedding ceremony by the pool. Lights and/or balloons can be hung from the palm trees, along with very opulent and luxurious fabric draping from one side of the pool to the other. Colored spotlights can be added to the entire area to form a real romantic atmosphere. Candles are used along the path to guide guests to the party along with huge vases with large flower centerpieces. Food stations are set up and designed according to the theme of the wedding and the menu is selected from the banquet menu.

To top off the ceremony, a “cherry on the pie” would be a colorful and unforgettable fireworks display at the end of the evening.

What local elements can be added to a wedding to give the ceremony a local feel?

Fish is very fresh on the island and is prepared in a variety of ways on the island. An example of a local fish dish is “funchi,” which is cornmeal prepared with milk and butter as a starch and served with a local onion sauce. “Pastechi” is dough that is filled with meat, cheese or tuna fish.

The language of music is a staple of the Caribbean lifestyle. To experience really local music, one should stop by and enjoy the sounds from the “Merengueros.” This musical group consists of four elderly persons with old-fashioned instruments played by hand. There is no electricity involved, nothing high-tech about it; this is music at its purest form with a hint of 1920s swing music with the accordion and tambourine, etc.

Decorations for the wedding can range from high fashion to very traditional aspects. Great attention to detail is paid to the elegant aspects of the event and flow smoothly throughout the area to create the desired atmosphere.

For a weekend wedding, what activities are located nearby for wedding guests to enjoy?

Having a wedding on property would be a memorable event. The Seabreeze Bar and Grill offers a very cozy restaurant atmosphere next to the beach. The Emerald Lounge, within the hotel, provides the chance for the couple to dance the night away with either a DJ and/or live music (variety of choices), while enjoying the best “mojito,” a Cuban drink of the Island.

The opportunity to go scuba diving and snorkeling along with a variety of other outdoor activities are available through the resort’s on-site watersport center, Caribbean Sea Sport. Nearby attractions on the island include the old native houses that show a flair for old European architecture, while you can enjoy a cold drink of coconut water along with a native dish.

The island of Curacao is most popular for its famous liquor. Visitors of the island have the opportunity to visit Chobolobo, the Curacao Liquor Factory, where they show the special oranges used to create the liquor and offer samples for visitors to try.

In the heart of the Willemstad there is a bridge that stretches from Ottrabanda to Punda. This bridge has been around since the 1900s and is known as the “Swinging Old Lady” and opens up to allow cruise liners and other vessels to pass into the inlet.

Another great attraction on the island is the Ostrich Farm. The Ostrich Farm is located on the east side of the island and houses over 100 ostriches. The farm offers a 45 minute tour and there is an African restaurant that serves ostrich meat. The atmosphere of the farm takes you away from the city of Willemstad and brings you a sense of calm by being out in the wilderness.

For avid golfer, the island offers two different golf courses. The Curacao Golf and Squash Club offer a 9-hole course and is just a 15 minute drive away from the resort. The Blue Bay Golf Course, only 10 to 15 minutes away from the resort, offers both 9-hole and 18-hole courses along with a variety of twists and turns to keep the golfer on his or her toes. The west side of the island is particularly spectacular with dramatic cliffs with crashing waves and different beaches that the island has to offer.

Related Story: Planning a Beach Wedding in Curacao

Photos courtesy Curacao Marriott Resort and Emerald Casino

To plan a Marriott wedding, call the Marriott of your choice and ask to consult with the hotel's wedding event planner. For more information on Marriott Hotels, Resorts, and Suites, call 1-800-228-9290 or see www.marriott.com.

Marriott Weddings Read more interviews with Marriott wedding planners, check out wedding photo galleries, and read the tips of wedding planners .