*The official Aruba Brides CHAT thread*

[AnnCam2011]

kfady - yes, they are a little slow responding. They are all on island time, no worries they arent ignoring. It is cultural! Nothing there is rushed. Plus Juney (the WC at the Ren) is a busy guy. Once you book and the date gets close, he is very good at emailing, etc. I kept calling/emailing trying to get a confirm on our date. Took a while since they had to send the cc number to their accounting dept and it sat there for a while. I felt bad bugging them, but I was under a timeclock to get invites out! Anywhere you book in Aruba you will need to have patience with the response as we learned!

 

Are you looking for price info for the Ren? I think I still have mine that I could email you...
 

Originally Posted by kfady529 

Thank you ladies all these post are so helpful AnnCam congrats on your resent wedding and to the rest congrats and happy planning.I am getting married 4/12 and was looking in to the Divi phenox any feed back for those who have been? I just started looking into other ones as well and the Renaissance was one of them I emailed them a week ago and haven't hared back is that like them?

 

[kfady529]

Thank you for reassuring me I guess ill just have to try and not freak out and have a little patience.I just feel like I should already have so much done and I still cant pick a place lol. Yes right now I am mainly looking for prices and the food menu that would be awesome if you still had it would you mind PM me.

Originally Posted by Ann Cam2011 

kfady - yes, they are a little slow responding. They are all on island time, no worries they arent ignoring. It is cultural! Nothing there is rushed. Plus Juney (the WC at the Ren) is a busy guy. Once you book and the date gets close, he is very good at emailing, etc. I kept calling/emailing trying to get a confirm on our date. Took a while since they had to send the cc number to their accounting dept and it sat there for a while. I felt bad bugging them, but I was under a timeclock to get invites out! Anywhere you book in Aruba you will need to have patience with the response as we learned!

 

Are you looking for price info for the Ren? I think I still have mine that I could email you...
 

 

 

[Mmack]

Hi AnnCam,

 

How was your wedding. Im having mine at the Renaissance at the end of August...can you offer any tips? Also, where did you obtain your marriage license from...the US or Aruba? I need some assistance with that if you don't mind.

 

Thanks!

Originally Posted by AnnCam2011 

Hi Marisa -

 

I am getting married on March 7 at the Renaissance Resort. Can't wait! Now that the snow in flying in MN I am even more excited about the trip than a few months ago.

 

You are correct, this thread has been REALLY quiet lately, which I think is strange. Are people not going to Aruba?!

 

Happy planning!

Ann

 

[Mmack]

AnnCam - thanks for responding to my post! It sounds besutiful. I have soo many questions still! haha Where did you get you marriage license, from the US or Aruba? Did you have to bring your own centerpieces? How big is the dance floor? Did you do buffet or plated dinner? When did you meet with Juney to go over everything?

 

Your idea instead of welcome bags is a good one! What did you do for favors?

 

Thanks! 

Originally Posted by AnnCam2011 

MMack -

 

Our wedding was wonderful - you won't have any regrets booking with the Ren. We ventured up by the highrise area a few nights and walked around that area during the day and were so glad we didnt book up there. Also walked by/saw a few other hotels I had looked into and was SO GLAD we chose the Renaissance. The Ren is more laid back/ private - the highrise area seemed like obnoxious-spring-break - nice place to check out but wouldnt want to spend any more time up there than we needed to. Ren is so private and you can't beat that island. GREAT PLACE. We can't wait to go back. Service for the wedding was fantastic - Juney was outstanding and available when I called with questions/changes/etc. and waitstaff was constantly asking what else they could do for us during the reception. Food was yummy and didnt have anything to worry about. It really was a special day and wouldnt have changed a thing (well, maybe a few small things!). I really feel lucky that I did have a perfect wedding - how many people can say that nothing went wrong on their wedding day? I can! Right down to the good luck 2 minute sprinkle in the AM and an absolutely perfect sunset post-wedding.

 

I booked my initial hair appt at Maggy's which is in the marketplace mall (2 min walk from the Ocean Suites). They had my appt down wrong so I ended up booking 2 days before the wedding with Gladys at the hotel spa. She did a great job and my up do was able to withstand the Aruba breeze and crawling thru/around/on all sorts of crazy stuff our photographer made us do (PS cant wait for the prof pictures!). Go to her for your hair - you won't be disappointed. We got married last Monday which as it turns out was Aruba's "Carnival Monday" meaning everything was closed. That is their National day of rest since Sunday was Carnival (another whole experience there!). The hotel spa was able to accommodate me no problems and I expressed my gratitude to them for being open!

 

We booked our room at the Marina hotel (5 min walk from the Ocean suite just across the road) and were kindly upgraded to an ocean front room at the Ocean Suites upon check in. I say "ocean front" since our room faced the ocean - I could have thrown something into the water, we were that close. A lot of the suites are "ocean view" and that is a little convoluted, more like "pool view" or "ocean and parking lot view". We spent 9 nights in an awesome room and were feeling really lucky they upgraded us as well as they did. Made our vacation more special. And you can't beat that island - did I say that already?

 

I have recommendations for you on places to eat as well. Food everywhere we went was awesome.

 

No rehearsal dinner - my hubby's (heehee) parent's hosted cocktail hour by the pool on Sunday. Happy hour 4:30 - 6pm (2 for 1's!). They brought some little snacks and ordered apps from the bar. It was low key but perfect for us. Good way for all our friends to meet each other and meet our families as well. No welcome bags, rather we are going to do "thank you" gifts here soon. Our dear friend and photographer tooks picts of each couple on the beach at sunset post-wedding and we are going to order copies to send out with a nice frame. Thought that would have more meaning for them than some bag of candy and a water bottle. Our friends will have a nice memory from their vacation they can enjoy for a lot longer than candy or a bag.

 

Oh my gosh, what else? Everything was just fantastic and seems like a dream it is already over. We have been together for 12 years and for so long this seemed like it was out of reach. Now it is over and done and couldnt be happier we waited. Had we gotten engaged 7-8 years ago, this would have never taken place as it has. LOVED IT. Can we do it again??

 

[Mmack]

 

 

Originally Posted by AnnCam2011 

 

Nevermind - here's one better: Our photographer just posted our preview. www.vickphotography.com wedding date 3/7/11. View the slideshow - it's better

 

Hi...I couldn't view it!! help!!

[AnnCam2011]

Hi! A lot has been added since our stuff. www.vickphotography.com > go under "highlights" and choose "destination". We should be the first one on there.

 

To answer your other questions: we got legally married here before hand (see prior posts for more info). We met with Juney on Friday, wedding was Monday. We did our own centerpieces, brought down small glass vases from Michaels and some of my friends took charge and filled them with sand and flowers from shrubs that are near the pool. They were really cute and mostly free I had candles, but it was breezy, most went out. I almost did the LED candles but got lazy before the trip. I think they were an after thought since the island was so beautiful with the palm trees lit up. You really wont need much. Dance floor was a good size, I am sure Juney could tell you the exact size. There were 32 of us and plenty of room. We opted for buffet for dinner. There was SO MUCH FOOD. Having the food plated for us really wasnt a priority and the buffet option is cheaper. PM me your email and I can send you candids of the wedding that I have on an online album. It will show you a little more of set up, etc.
 

Originally Posted by Mmack 

Hi...I couldn't view it!! help!!

 

[traceysteve]

AnnCam...I love that you are now officially married, and still take part in this forum..I'm sure everyone else will agree, we love your feedback and you are always super honest! I hope you stick around until I get through mine!!

[AnnCam2011]

This site provided me with a lot of information and help from other previous brides - why not pass it along? I keep thinking I am going to stop logging on but it is fun to see what you other ladies are planning for your own wedding!

 

Glad I can help - Aruba is amazing, you are all making a wise decision
 

Originally Posted by traceysteve 

AnnCam...I love that you are now officially married, and still take part in this forum..I'm sure everyone else will agree, we love your feedback and you are always super honest! I hope you stick around until I get through mine!!

 

[Dooley Mooney]

I'm getting married at the Riu Palace in June 2012....all exciting :-)

[Mmack]

Hi AnnCam,

 

Do you have to bring your own centerpieces? What else do you have to bring with you?? Thanks for all the great advice. Btw, your pics were lovely!

Originally Posted by AnnCam2011 

Hi! A lot has been added since our stuff. www.vickphotography.com > go under "highlights" and choose "destination". We should be the first one on there.

 

To answer your other questions: we got legally married here before hand (see prior posts for more info). We met with Juney on Friday, wedding was Monday. We did our own centerpieces, brought down small glass vases from Michaels and some of my friends took charge and filled them with sand and flowers from shrubs that are near the pool. They were really cute and mostly free I had candles, but it was breezy, most went out. I almost did the LED candles but got lazy before the trip. I think they were an after thought since the island was so beautiful with the palm trees lit up. You really wont need much. Dance floor was a good size, I am sure Juney could tell you the exact size. There were 32 of us and plenty of room. We opted for buffet for dinner. There was SO MUCH FOOD. Having the food plated for us really wasnt a priority and the buffet option is cheaper. PM me your email and I can send you candids of the wedding that I have on an online album. It will show you a little more of set up, etc.