Planning an Aruba Wedding

You picture the perfect wedding. A sandy beach. A gentle breeze. Tropical sunshine. You might just be picturing Aruba.

Changes in Aruba's marriage regulations have made it easier than ever for visitors to say "I do" on this island in the southern Caribbean. To learn more about the special touches you can add to your island wedding, we've interviewed Joan Maduro, Sales Manager at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, for her tips on marrying in this tropical paradise. Joan, like other planners interviewed in this monthly column, has passed the Marriott International Wedding Certification Program. For an interview with Joan about the Aruba Marriott, click here.

With the change in Aruba’s marriage regulations, are you seeing a large demand for weddings on the Island?

Absolutely; in the past, only Aruban citizens were allowed to marry on the island. The change in Aruba’s marriage regulations has allowed the island to enter the destination weddings arena. The demand has increased so much that the Aruba Marriott Resort recently appointed a Sales Manager dedicated to the wedding segment, as well as an Event Manager specifically for weddings. Couples can visit www.JoyWeddingsByMarriott.com or call 877 4 OUR JOY (877-468-7569) to learn more about Marriott’s wedding capabilities or book their wedding.

What special local touches can Aruba brides bring to their wedding to give it an Island atmosphere?

Hosting a cocktail reception aboard a sunset sail is becoming increasingly popular. Sipping on a tropical fruit drink while sailing at sunset on one of Red Sail Sports’ catamarans is one of the most romantic settings available in Aruba. In fact, while aboard these sailings, many young couples announce their own engagement while celebrating their friends’ wedding on the island.

For couples bringing a wedding party, what suggestions would you have for pre-wedding tours or activities?

Chartering one or more of the island’s famous Kukoo Kunuku buses as a means to go bar hopping is great fun. Aruba is well-known for its exciting nightlife with bars like Choose a Name, Carlos and Carlies, and Bahia’s.

Also for couples with a wedding party, what in-room gift bag inclusions would you suggest so couples can welcome their guests to the Island?

On the day of arrival, the best welcome gift is a beach bag with Aloe Vera suntan lotion, sun block, after-sun lotion, lip balm, and a beach towel. Aloe Vera is one of the few products produced locally on the island. Since Aruba is a dry island with desert-like vegetation, aloe grows here in abundance. Needless to say, Aloe Vera products are excellent and should be applied generously when exposed to the sun for long periods of time.

Aruba also has lovely handmade ceramics that can be offered as in-room gifts. Replicas of Aruba’s famous Kunuku houses (local cottages widely found in the countryside) or the lighthouse can be combined with local sweets or Belgian chocolates.

For a more elaborate gift, couples may choose to treat their wedding party to an exotic spa treatment at the resort’s full service Mandara Spa. For a complete treatment list and prices, visit www.mandaraspa.com.

Photos courtesy Aruba Marriott

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.