Getting Married in Aruba

Sunshine, warm temperatures, cooling trade winds, brilliant sunsets, and a location at southern fringe of the hurricane belt take the worry out of planning your special day.

2. Safety & Security

Aruba is one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean. You are safe and secure at all times.

3. Perfect Natural Settings

Aruba provides couples with many unique and unforgettable wedding venues. While most still opt for a barefoot-on-the-beach ceremony, others prefer diverse landscapes and natural phenomena such as hidden coves, natural bridges, underwater reefs, hilltop panoramas, and unusual rock formations. More creative venues can include the summit of the Hooiberg, a natural bridge and, of course, the Tunnel of Love.

4. Perfect Resort Settings

Resorts offer a wide range of ceremony options from elegant ballroom to sandy beach. Brides can individualize their special day choosing from a wide menu of facilities and amenities at both luxury high-rise resorts and more casual low-rise resorts.

5. Convenient Airlift

With direct air service and hubs at major airports throughout the US, you, your bridal party and guests can easily travel to and from the island. The Queen Beatrix Airport has won international awards for facilities and services and provides pre-clearance of US Immigration and Customs on flights returning to the USA.

6. Conveniences and Comforts

Aruba is a modern island with fabulous shopping, state-of-the-art communications including wireless internet and world-class room accommodations with all the comforts of home.

7. Island Hospitality

Aruba’s people are friendly and helpful. Hotel staffs are professional and well-informed. You will be received with warmth and appreciation and handled with care all during your stay.

8. Civil Marriages

Civil marriages are now possible in Aruba, but they must take place at the Civil Town House.

CIVIL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:

All Civil/Legal Ceremonies must take place in the Civil Town House
Documents include:
- A) Copies of birth certificate for bride and groom with apostille (state certification).
- B) Passport picture page or valid state issued picture I.D. for Bride & Groom.
- C) Witness (18 years up) passport picture page or valid state issued picture I.D. (minimum 2 witnesses) Witnesses can be provided locally if bride and groom are traveling alone at $50 each by a weddingplanner.
- D) Certificate of no impediment for bride and groom (also referred to as a “single status report” and in some states called a “negative statement of marriage”). This certificate of no impediment is obtained at the bureau of vital statistics which is located in the department of health.
- E) If either party has been divorced we need to receive a copy of the 1st and last page of the divorce decree(s).
- F) If either party is a widow(er) we need to receive a copy of the pertaining death certificate.
All documents are to be faxed for review and then submitted by courier (i.e. FedEx) at least one (1) month prior to desired wedding date. Please contact a wedding planner or your host hotel wedding coordinator.

Ceremony can take place in the late morning or early afternoon on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.

Saturdays are also available in the late mornings at an additional $150 surcharge.

9. Religious Ceremonies

With some advance planning and submission of documentation, religious ceremonies can also be conducted on-island. The following are the guidelines for the various ceremonies.

CATHOLIC:

(Must call first as this is on hold until review of procedures is complete):

Proof That the prospective bride and groom have attended pre-marriage preparation.
Permission from their priest to get married in Aruba.
An official declaration stating that neither party has been previously married in a Church is also required from their local priest.
Copy of Wedding Certificate showing that they have been legally married in their home country.
Baptismal and Confirmation certificates of both parties as well as copies of their passports or I.D. Cards.
The proposed wedding must take place "inside" the Church building.
All documents must be submitted 4 months prior to chosen wedding date.

PROTESTANT / EPISCOPALIAN / METHODIST:

Wedding Ceremony can be affiliated in the local Protestant / Episcopalian or Methodist Churches or anywhere else the couple desires.
If Married outside Aruba, copy of marriage certificate from their home country.
Proper attire is required for all "religious blessings"( ie: No Swimsuits nor Wraps for the Bride: Shorts are acceptable for the Groom.

JEWISH:

Both partners MUST bet Jewish and need to submit a verification of Judaism from the Rabbi of their hometown
The Aruban Cantor accepts Jewish status certificates from valid Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Liberal and Re-Constructionist Authorities.
A formal petition needs to be submitted to the Aruba Jewish Community.
The wedding ceremony may take place either in the synagogue or any other venue of choice.
The synagogue of Aruba is an independent Conservative-Reform style congregation.

AT SEA:

A boat captain is not authorized to officiate a wedding according to Dutch laws. This applies for international waters as well as in port. The only exception to this rule is if he has been given authority by the country under whose flag the ship is registered.

10. Wedding Planners

You don’t have to do it all yourself! Independent and resort wedding planners provide valuable advice about documentation and legal matters as well as coordination on the ceremony day. Every minute detail about the ceremony and reception can be arranged, from officiator, witnesses, flowers, mementoes, gifts, and wedding certificates, to limousine service, photography and video, rehearsal dinners, wardrobe, and personal attendants - even a butterfly release!

Top 10 Reasons for Getting Married in Aruba