Aruba Wedding - Need all the help I can get!

Wedding Date: October 11, 2012

Location: Aruba

I know we are still a long way from our wedding date, but I figure it never to early to plan something like this.

I am still in the researching phase, please share any recommendations for:

Wedding planners

Photographers

Best beaches to have a ceremony at

Any any other helpful advise!

Thanks!

Hi!! We went to our friend's wedding in Aruba and it was beautiful! We stayed at the Renaissance but wish we had stayed closer to where the wedding was.

We are big beach people and loved the beaches where all of the hotels are. Our friend got married at the Occidental Grand and her pictures came out amazing!! The beach in the background was just gorgeous! The reception was awesome too! Everyone talked about the wedding for months and how much fun it was. That was the first destination wedding we had gone to and because of it, when we got engaged we knew we wanted a destination wedding.

We just got back from our wedding at the Hyatt. The resort itself is amazingly beautiful. Our stay was wonderful and we would have been extremely happy if it wasn't for a few wedding day problems which really ruined my impression of the Hyatt. We were assured that it was the first time huge mistakes were made but when it's your wedding and your only wedding day, does it really matter? I've read many other reviews which were rave so maybe it was just a fluke (or bad luck as we were told by the mgmt which in reality were their mistakes and their vendors).

It is definitely never too early to start doing research. The resorts have their own wedding planners and I doubt that they will let you bring your own unless your own will work with THEIR wedding planner. We hired Diane Keijzer as our photographer but we just got back so I really don't know how the pictures came out. She was extremely sweet and warm and helped a lot where the wedding planner dropped the ball which was a lot.

Our ceremony was on Palm Beach right in front of the Hyatt. It was very nice but the only thing to beware of is that the sun sets on that side of the island so if your guests are facing the sea, they will have sun directly in their faces. We solved that problem by making the aisle/seats at a slight angle to the beach. It was still gorgeous with a sunset, just a little toasty and sunny at times

Wow, I just realized that you are 2.5 years away!!!! You have plenty of time. I would suggest a visit if at all possible. It will greatly help you with not only meeting the planner at the resort, photographer, etc but also helping you visualize the space, check out the hotels as well as do some food tastings (which we didn't do since we didn't visit prior). I think that would probably be the biggest recommendation. Go check out a few places and get a feel for what you like and feel.

Keep in mind though that this far ahead of the wedding, things may change. There might be a construction site next door in the next 2 years, or the current wedding planner may leave (which is what happened to us). Otherwise good luck. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Aruba is gorgeous and I miss it already!!!

We are getting married at the Westin and we are using the wedding coordinator there. We are also using all the vendors that the Westin works with. Most resorts will have certain vendors they like to use and they will have a wedding coordinator to help you.

I agree with MDlady and it is never too early. Since you have so much time if you can afford it, I would go on a visit prior. We would have loved to do that but we weren't able to. I think seeing everything in person will help you make decisions.

MDLady! Congratulations on the wedding! Maybe you could start your own thread and tell us more about your wedding and how things went. Maybe some reviews/critiques for those of us still in the planning stage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDLady We just got back from our wedding at the Hyatt. The resort itself is amazingly beautiful. Our stay was wonderful and we would have been extremely happy if it wasn't for a few wedding day problems which really ruined my impression of the Hyatt. We were assured that it was the first time huge mistakes were made but when it's your wedding and your only wedding day, does it really matter? I've read many other reviews which were rave so maybe it was just a fluke (or bad luck as we were told by the mgmt which in reality were their mistakes and their vendors).   It is definitely never too early to start doing research. The resorts have their own wedding planners and I doubt that they will let you bring your own unless your own will work with THEIR wedding planner. We hired Diane Keijzer as our photographer but we just got back so I really don't know how the pictures came out. She was extremely sweet and warm and helped a lot where the wedding planner dropped the ball which was a lot.   Our ceremony was on Palm Beach right in front of the Hyatt. It was very nice but the only thing to beware of is that the sun sets on that side of the island so if your guests are facing the sea, they will have sun directly in their faces. We solved that problem by making the aisle/seats at a slight angle to the beach. It was still gorgeous with a sunset, just a little toasty and sunny at times   Wow, I just realized that you are 2.5 years away!!!! You have plenty of time. I would suggest a visit if at all possible. It will greatly help you with not only meeting the planner at the resort, photographer, etc but also helping you visualize the space, check out the hotels as well as do some food tastings (which we didn't do since we didn't visit prior). I think that would probably be the biggest recommendation. Go check out a few places and get a feel for what you like and feel.   Keep in mind though that this far ahead of the wedding, things may change. There might be a construction site next door in the next 2 years, or the current wedding planner may leave (which is what happened to us). Otherwise good luck. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Aruba is gorgeous and I miss it already!!!

Hi there! 

I am also planning for a 2012 wedding in aruba. Were talking to the wed coordinator, Eliana at Occidental Resort. My fiance and I stayed at Occidental summer of 2008 and we loved it.  Did you choose a place?  We are thinking of Momento Photography as our photographer.  

Congrats and good luck. 

~Justagirl
 

Originally Posted by livelaughlove314 

Wedding Date: October 11, 2012
Location: Aruba

I know we are still a long way from our wedding date, but I figure it never to early to plan something like this.

I am still in the researching phase, please share any recommendations for:
Wedding planners
Photographers
Best beaches to have a ceremony at

Any any other helpful advise!

Thanks!

any tips about the Westin? I'm hoping to have my deposit down by the end of the week.
 

Originally Posted by hat0112 

We are getting married at the Westin and we are using the wedding coordinator there. We are also using all the vendors that the Westin works with. Most resorts will have certain vendors they like to use and they will have a wedding coordinator to help you.

I agree with MDlady and it is never too early. Since you have so much time if you can afford it, I would go on a visit prior. We would have loved to do that but we weren't able to. I think seeing everything in person will help you make decisions.