Marcia313

Thanks everyone! Hopefully it's helpful, I know when I was looking it was hard to find Aruba wedding reviews.

Hi everyone -- I got married on March 13 on Renaissance Island, and it was great. It's been a while, but I'm finally getting around to writing a review. We had about 30 guests, and everyone had a great time. I wouldn't have changed a thing -- getting married in Aruba was a great decision. The island: I loved the private island. We had the place all to ourselves; it was so private. We didn't have any random people in our pictures, it was just us. The decorations were great: My mother brought a lot of stuff with her, and the tables looked really pretty. The transformation from day to night was incredible. When we went over for our rehearsal on Friday, the beaches were full of people and beach chairs. When we came back for the wedding, it was beautiful and private -- perfect. Ceremony: My grandmother did the ceremony, and it was really nice. Some things weren't perfect: I don't think she had done a wedding before, so she forgot to tell us to put the rings on, some flamingos ran behind her fighting and a plane went by overhead during the ceremony. But it was really cute, and it made it unforgettable. The food: it was great. We got the buffet, and it was wonderful. Our only regret was that we didn't go back for seconds; we really should have. (I'm not really a foodie, but if anyone has specific questions, I'm happy to answer.) Photography: Our photographer, Elnathan Hijmering, was fantastic. He did a great job with our pictures, and I love them. I had thought about getting a destination wedding photographer, but I'm so glad we didn't. He was very friendly, and we were completely comfortable with him. We also did a trash the dress session, and I loved that. Wedding planner: Juney did a great job. My mom did most of the interfacing with him, because I had never been to Aruba before and I work a lot, and together they made our wedding perfect. Juney was always available and responsive, and he is very dedicated to his work. He was very, very helpful and pleasant to work with. Reception: Tons of fun. The DJ was great (I don't know his name, it's whoever Juney generally works with, I assume), the waiters and bartenders were friendly, the cake was beautiful, and everyone had a wonderful time. I can't think of anything else specifically, but I want to reiterate how great it all was. We kept on hearing from everyone how happy they were that they came to Aruba, how beautiful the wedding was and how they had never seen anything like it. I highly, highly recommend it. We're definitely going to renew our vows in Aruba after the wonderful wedding experience we had; I had such a great time, I know I want to do a vow renewal as well. I don't have the first clue how to upload pictures to the post, so here is a link to a snapfish album -- I hope it works! Snapfish: Share:Registration Again, feel free to contact me with any questions. It was a wonderful experience, and I'm happy to help if I can. --Marcia

This is overdue, but: thanks ladies!

My mom's doing a lot of the planning so I'm not certain, but I don't think we're doing menus. We're having a buffet, so people will be able to see everything anyway.

Hi - we have 29 guests, and we are going to have place cards. Even though it is a small wedding, we think that if people were not told where to sit they would just gravitate towards the people they already know. By using place cards we can sit members of his family with mine, and hopefully that will be enough encouragement for people to get to know each other.

Hi -- I don't post often, but I live in NYC (Queens), work in Manhattan. I'm getting married next month in Aruba!

Well, I'm definitely biased because the first dress is my dress (in ivory/champagne) and I love it, so I have to go with that one.

Hi ladies -- I'm looking for blue wedge sandals (preferably a lighter blue, but at this point I won't be picky). Has anyone seen any? Thanks!

It took me hours and hours, but I finally settled on these for my wedding: Bandolino Women's Nevina Tstrap Wedge - Free Overnight Shipping & Return Shipping: Endless.com They're cute and pretty comfortable, too. I'm hoping the bottom is wide enough to make walking on the sand fairly easy.

Quote: Originally Posted by hat0112 My FI and I are getting married a few weeks before our wedding in Aruba. I totally agree that it is a lot more difficult to get married in Aruba. I’m not changing my name on any documents till after the wedding for two reasons. One, we both agreed that the real wedding isn’t till we get on the beach in Aruba so I won’t change my name till after. Two, I heard that if your name is different on any of your documents it can prevent you from entering the country. I think you really should wait to change anything. Better safe than sorry! I think I will wait also (because of the first reason you gave) but as for the second, you just need your marriage certificate to prove the name change.

Quote: Originally Posted by DarcyJAde We got married 3 weeks before, but I am just changing my name now. The "official" name change begins with your social security card. I would not change that and NOT change your license/ passport. If you cahnge it before change everythin, just in case. Just my opinion. Why would you not change your social security card? That wouldn't affect your passport, and that's the only thing you need to get on the plane, right? Is there another reason not to do it?

Quote: Originally Posted by kerrij I've oftened wondered why people legally get married before/after their DW? Not sure if Aruba is legally recognized all over the world or not, but i know it is in Jamaica and people still do it before. What are the reasons people get married before they go? and doesn't it kinda spoil the purpose of the trip? We're doing it this way because there are a lot of requirements to get married legally in Aruba, and it would be easier to do it here first. Another reason is that God forbid, we should get divorced, it would be pretty difficult. (Sounds horrible, but being pragmatic.) Finally, I've heard that Aruba is very slow with the marriage certificate, etc., and some people had to make numerous calls and jump through many hoops to get it and to have the marriage recognized in the US. but anyway i'm pretty sure that as long as your license and passport have the same name you're ok, but make sure you have your legal wedding paper with you incase they cause you problems...but confirm that with your TA or whatever government group in the US that would look after that. ps. our wedding day is just 4 days before yours, but in Jamaica yay!! Congratulations!

How far ahead are going to do it? Our Aruba wedding is in March 13, but we're thinking of doing our US civil ceremony in January and getting a head start on all the name change stuff and everything. Is there any reason to wait until closer to the date of the DW, or does it really matter? Is the date of the legal civil service relevant for anything? Also, if I change my social security card to my new name but not my license or my passport, there won't be any issues with travel, right? Thanks!

Hi -- I am another (soon-to-be) Aruba bride that's new and just saw this treat. We're getting married in March 2010 on Renaissance Island. Neither of us has been to Aruba, but my mother and aunt go there all the time and love it -- they said we should get married there, so I'm really taking their word for it.

Hi Heather - I have a small budget too, and am getting married in Aruba in March. I didn't really consider the fact that March is high season in Aruba until the STDs were already out and people had started making arrangements -- oops. Anyway, we decided to get married on Renaissance Island. The rooms at the resort are pretty expensive, but if you can guarantee that you will fill at least 10 rooms, they offer a discounted rate. I'm sure the discount varies from low season to high season, but it's definitely something to look into -- I'm sure the Renaissance isn't the only resort that does that. For perspective, the discounted March rate for the cheapest room is $169 -- not too bad. Good luck, and let me know how it goes!