*The official Aruba Brides CHAT thread*

[Bryan Morris]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serrera Hi everyone, Tim and I are getting married in Aruba too! Nov. 27-28 or 29. I'm so glad I found this forum last night. I'm so happy to have people to talk to about the trip and the wedding who can relate. We went to Aruba this past Thanksgiving and Tim asked me to marry him on the beach the first night we arrived. The moon was shining, the waves were splashing on the beach, we seemed to be the only people out there. Tim pulled the box out of his pocket, it had a little light inside so I could see the ring perfectly, it is so beautiful. He said he loved me and wanted this to be a very special vacation and he asked if I would marry him. It was magical. back to reality... We are going to Aruba for a short trip on Thursday Feb 21 to pick the wedding spot, check out the Villas we rented over the internet, and spend some quality time together. We are going to see Bucati, Manchebo and Renaissance for wedding spots. Any other suggestions? I'll have my laptop while I'm there so I'll keep in touch and let you all know what I find. Suzanne

Hi Suzanne,

The three places that you're interested in are all great.
Bucuti and Manchebo, especially Manchebo is a vast piece of beach.

Renaissance is a private island with it's own beach as I might already know so by the end of your ceremony you should have the island all to yourself, if you're having a reception.

I've shot at both locations and they're all great.

If you have any other questions please let me know.

Bryan Morris

[Kristin113]

Hi Suzanne...

 

Welcome to the forum and I love you engagement story....probably because it's similar to mine LOL We also got engaged in Aruba last summer and knew it would be the perfect place to get married.

 

We have decided on the Bucuti for our wedding, but all three of your choices were the same as ours. Each place had something different to offer and it was definately a hard decission to make. Ultimately it came down to the wedding coordinators for me. I was dealing with the Ren. for about 3 months trying to plan the wedding there (since we got engaged on the private island), but due to lack of communication w/ the Ren. I didn't feel comfortable planning our wedding with them. So, we decided on the Bucuti which has turned out to be the best decission for us. Nashette, the WC has been so helpful and has made the whole process effortless for us. She is also been so accessable by providing us w/ instant messanging services and her personal numbers , so I can always get in contact with her.

 

No matter what place you end up choosing you wedding will be beautiful and you defiantely picked the right island. Have fun our your trip...I am so jealous and let us know how everything goes.

[TA Dina]

Another nice resort is the Radisson. Since Aruba is mostly a desert island, the Radisson is just gorgeous with all the foliage and waterfalls and their pool is nice as well.

 

Bucuti is a cute little resort. The owners and staff go out of their way to know the guests by name while they're there. They get alot of European guests that stay 2 weeks for more for their vacations which probably lends to that personal touch the staff shows. It's a nice change to the big resort feel at some of the other places.

[drmari26]

I'm planning on a weding in Aruba.. bahamas or cabo... 8/8/08.. and still not sure about location.. My first thought was the RIU in Aruba because its all inclusive.. inviting aboout 20 guests.. will be a small intimate affair.. do you guys reccommed the Bucati? There will be about 4 teenagers attending as well.. any help will be most appreciated!

Love this site!

[Kristin113]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmari26 I'm planning on a weding in Aruba.. bahamas or cabo... 8/8/08.. and still not sure about location.. My first thought was the RIU in Aruba because its all inclusive.. inviting aboout 20 guests.. will be a small intimate affair.. do you guys reccommed the Bucati? There will be about 4 teenagers attending as well.. any help will be most appreciated! Love this site!

If you end up deciding on Aruba you might not want to go with an all-inclusive resort only because they are very expensive and Aruba is know for all of it's great restaurants. Once you are there you won't want to stick to only the RUI's restaurants to eat. Try checking out tripadvisor.com and aruba.com (they also have a wedding forum) to get more oppinions about AI's in Aruba.

As for the Bucuti, that is where I am getting married on July 24th. So far everything has went really well with their wedding coordinator, Nashette. She has been able to get us everything we wanted for our wedding and is always available if you have questions. Check out bucutiweddings.com to see more about what they offer.

Although the Bucuti is exactly what I wanted for my wedding, it was a little expensive for my guests to stay there. So, we will be staying at the Renaissance from the 19-24 w/ our guests and then after the wedding me and my fiance will stay at the Bucuti for our honeymoon for 8 nights. As a resort in general, the Bucuti is definatey more for couples and honeymooners, so your guests would probably have a better time at a hotel like the Renaissance (in town, 2 hotels- adults only and family, 2 great pools and their private island) The Bucuti will also providing a bus to transport everyone from the Ren. to the Bucuti and back for the wedding.

If you have any other questions, feel free to email me I have a ton of info on many of the hotels/weddings in Aruba [email protected]

Kristin

[Serrera]

We just got back from our 'fact finding for our Aruba wedding planning' mission. We got alot accomplished and had some fun and sun. We are renting 2 adjoining villas instead of getting hotel rooms since we have 20 - 25 people. The villas are awesome (google Aruba Family Compound to see). We will be able to communicate with everyone easier in the villas rather than trying to find everyone at a large resort and we wont have to eat every meal out. We can stock our own bar at the pool and party at home some nights and save a bundle on evening cocktails.

A few things to know before you go.

1. bring your own pain relievers. They only sell tylenol, motrin etc. at the pharmacy.

2. The grocery stores are incredible, the meats and produce are so fresh.

3. Your cell phone will work but it will cost you dearly to use it. You can rent a phone from digicell for about 40.00 USD with 100 minutes. They say it works to the states, but it's hit or miss.

4. We rented our car from Royal rent a car. They had the best prices. They are not right at the airport, but they have a representative that actually rides with you down the road to get your car. We asked him alot of questions and he was super helpful. They actually rent the phones too.

5. Don't miss Tasca La Cascada restaurant. It's off the beaten path, they have a fabulous bakery and the best food we had on the island. This was my second trip and we've been to all the good restaurants.

 

We chose Manchebo beach to have the wedding. The beach is incredible and they don't require that you stay there like they do at Bucuti next door.

November 28.

gotta go!

Suzanne

 

Suzanne

[aruba2008]

I'm beginning to realize why there are no other Westin Aruba brides out there. I already placed a deposit, so I feel as if I need to make the best out of my situation, but for future Aruba brides, I would not recommend the Westin. Now, my opinion could change in a few months, and I hope it does. My only complaint is with the newly hired catering manager (the person you work your contract out with) and her lack of professionalism. I'm going to express my concerns to this person and hope that there will be some changes, but as of now, I could not say that the staff at the Westin are supportive and welcoming. I must add though, that the wedding cordinator, who was also newly hired, seems to be supportive and knows how to reply to an email within a reasonable time frame.

[Kristin113]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aruba2008 I'm beginning to realize why there are no other Westin Aruba brides out there. I already placed a deposit, so I feel as if I need to make the best out of my situation, but for future Aruba brides, I would not recommend the Westin. Now, my opinion could change in a few months, and I hope it does. My only complaint is with the newly hired catering manager (the person you work your contract out with) and her lack of professionalism. I'm going to express my concerns to this person and hope that there will be some changes, but as of now, I could not say that the staff at the Westin are supportive and welcoming. I must add though, that the wedding cordinator, who was also newly hired, seems to be supportive and knows how to reply to an email within a reasonable time frame.

Sorry, to hear you are having so many problems with the Westin That really sucks!! But I'm sure you can make the most of it and your wedding will be great. I was originally looking into the Westin but ended up deciding on the Bucuti, but I found that there are a few Westin Aruba brides on the Brides.com forum, you might want to check that out so you can talk to others that are in the same situation you are in. Good Luck!!

Destination Weddings | Brides.com

Kristin

[DelightfulDani]

To marry in Aruba you must have the following document notarized and accompanied by an "Apostile" ,an authentication verified by your state governement

 

1) Certified Birth certificate with apostile

2) Verification of Single Status from the Vital Statistic department of your state. with apostile

 

Was this an easy process to have done?

How long did it take to get the apostile from your state?

Was this process worth it?

[MEE]

Hey! I am getting married in Aruba in October and just did all the research on this.

 

We decided that since you could only get married legally in the courthouse in Aruba and then do a ceremony after, that we would just go ahead and get married at the Justice of Peace before we go to Aruba. We are actually getting married at the JOP like 3 months before we go to Aruba for our religious ceremony (due to health insurance reasons and a few other things).

 

I am sure if you want to get married in Aruba (civil ceremony) that it wouldn't be too complicated. I think you just have to submit the information a certain amount of time beforehand. Do you have a wedding planner?