*The official Aruba Brides CHAT thread*

[traceysteve]

hahaaaa!! You made me LOL at work! Sure, you can help plan mine!! We were thinking of spending our wedding night at the Westin, away from everyone else., and the fact that I have a little love affair with the Westin...best beds ever!!  My parents are in a timeshare with some other family members, and all of our friends are staying at the RIU, including us. Our ceremony time is 5 or 5:30, I don't even know right now. Thank you so much for all of your tips, awesome! I'm glad you loved it and had fun. It doesn't sound like too much stresses you out anyways. What kinds of things did you buy? Please don't leave the forum until after I get married??!!!
 

Originally Posted by risa1818 

Don't worry! You will get it all done...I know you feel, because I felt super overwhelmed at times too, especially around the 2 month mark kinda where you are at, but you will see it will all fall into place

 

Here are some answers for you:

 

We ended up buying the aloe here in the states because we bought mini bottles for our OOT bags and they were only a $1.00 a piece here. I did see some Aloe vendors in Aruba, but it seemed a little pricey. All the items for the OOT bags were bought here before we got there, just because I knew it would be more expensive there and I didn't know what I could get there. We did buy lots of souvenirs and stuff for our house there after the wedding.  We got married at 6:30pm, and it wasn't too hot by then. It's very windy in Aruba, so you constantly have those winds coming thru to cool you off. They did not have any shade for the ceremony since it was right on the beach, but they ceremony was only 15 mins long, so it wasn't a long time for anyone to be outside, plus the sun was going down so it wasn't right on anyone. We didn't do fans or anything like that, and everyone seemed just fine. What time is your ceremony? If it is more in the daytime, I would probably recommend a little bit of shade if you think it will run a little long.

 

Believe it or not, I miss all the planning! It was stressful at times, but so much fun! I had such a great time doing everything and I can't believe it is all over. I kinda don't know what to do with myself now...haha! Need any help with your wedding?

 

Oh btw, we stayed at The Westin our 1st night there and it was great! Some of our guests stayed there too. Very nice pool and not as crowded on the beach there.
 

 

 

[Mmack]

Can't wait to hear about it!!!

Originally Posted by risa1818 

Hi ladies!

 

I leave in exactly 9 days!! Just tying up some loose ends and finishing up some stuff. I am so beyond excited!!!

 

I plan to post a planning journal soon so everyone can see what I have done and bringing so far, then when we get back I will definitely do a review. Just heard from another Manchebo bride Seana that her wedding went fantastic so now I feel even more excited

 

Can't wait to be on the beach with all our friends and family!! YAY for our wedding day coming up so soon!!

 

[Mmack]

Has anyone recently gotten maaried at the Renaiisance? I am having my wedding there and was looking for some tips or things that you may have forgotten. Has anyone worked with George the photographer. I've seen his work and while our coordinator says he's good...he doesn't respond in a timely way at all!!! Should I be worried...help!!

[Mmack]

What are you guys thinking of for centerpeices especially with the wins in Aruba?? I would love candles...I think LED lights??

 

[Mmack]

I've also seen people do signature drinks for their weddings - any suggestions.....Im not sure if we should or not....my colors are fuschia and purple.

 

Thanks!!

[Mmack]

Has anyone done the Kuku Kanuboo party bus thing? I was thinking of having my bachelorette on it with a few of the girls...is this a good idea or not??

 

Does anyone know of safe places to go dancing? We will be staying at the Renaiisance but they don't offer a club or dancing.

[risa1818]

Don't worry I am not leaving anytime soon! Plus I definitely want to hear all about your big day!!

 

Right near and behind The Renaissance there are tons of little shops with souvenirs and things, so we bought some shirts, mugs, magnets etc for some of our friends. We also bought these beautiful oil paintings of different scenes of Aruba to hang in our bathroom. My husband also had to have this HUGE Balashi beer mug ( that is the local beer on the island) to take home. I think he got some type of hot sauce too.

 

It is definitely touristy over there, but you can find some cute things to take home.

 

Originally Posted by traceysteve 

hahaaaa!! You made me LOL at work! Sure, you can help plan mine!! We were thinking of spending our wedding night at the Westin, away from everyone else., and the fact that I have a little love affair with the Westin...best beds ever!!  My parents are in a timeshare with some other family members, and all of our friends are staying at the RIU, including us. Our ceremony time is 5 or 5:30, I don't even know right now. Thank you so much for all of your tips, awesome! I'm glad you loved it and had fun. It doesn't sound like too much stresses you out anyways. What kinds of things did you buy? Please don't leave the forum until after I get married??!!!
 

 

 

[risa1818]

Hi Mmack!

 

I have not done the Kukukunbu bus but I heard it is a blast! I think it would be tons of fun for your bachelorette! I would definitely book that early if you want to do it though because I hear it is pretty popular.

 

As far as dancing goes, there is Senor Frog's on Palm Beach which is always busy and very safe. I think we also went to a little bar on the street that had dancing and played music called SBC. Another club that I know of is called Confessions and that is also on Palm Beach. Pretty much everywhere on the high rise and low rise areas is safe so don't worry about that.

In reference to your photographer and The Renaissance, I have not used him or been to a wedding there but I hear it's beautiful. It can sometimes be frustrating to get responses from anyone on the island in a timely manner since they are definitely on "island time" alot there. Just be patient, and trust me..they do tons of weddings and know what they are doing, so it may seem frustrating now but once you get there everything will be amazing!

 

For centerpieces, my wedding planner made me fish bowls filled with sand and shells and a little tea light candle in the middle. This worked because we had the reception under a covered pavilion. If yours will be out in the open, I would definitely go with LED lights since the wind will most likely not keep candles lit.

 

Hope this helps!!

 

 

Originally Posted by Mmack 

Has anyone done the Kuku Kanuboo party bus thing? I was thinking of having my bachelorette on it with a few of the girls...is this a good idea or not??

 

Does anyone know of safe places to go dancing? We will be staying at the Renaiisance but they don't offer a club or dancing.

 

[kfady529]

Risa1818 congrats your wedding looks amazing!! How did you get the things you brought with you did you just pay the ex baggage fee or ship it?

[risa1818]

Thanks!!! We flew Jetblue so we were able to check one bag each for free, then we had to check one additional one too. It ended up only costing $30 or $40 to check that bag, so not too bad. I didn't want to risk shipping anything, since I was afraid things would get broken in transit and possibly lost. On the way home, we had way less stuff, so it was just a matter of condensing things.

 

When is your wedding?!
 

Originally Posted by kfady529 

Risa1818 congrats your wedding looks amazing!! How did you get the things you brought with you did you just pay the ex baggage fee or ship it?