August 2010 Wedding

[4evaAruba]

Hi everyone! I am planning my wedding for this coming August. I had originally planned to have the civil ceremony as well as the blessing ceremony. But after reading posts on issues like not getting documents back timely, home state not accepting the marriage certificate (i.e. DMV) - I am a little weary and now are considering getting legally married home (NY) and having my blessing ceremony as planned. I've already had issues with the wedding coordinator not returning my emails. To that end, I guess I am just trying to get a consensus on what ever one thinks, is it better to be married at home and then just have the blessing ceremony? Also, if I do choose to have just the blessing ceremony, what documents are needed if any?

Thanks!

[frumpygirl]

Congratulations on your wedding! I too was concerned about the certificate. However, we got married on October 10th and we received the translated marriage certificate as well as our beach ceremony certificate last week. We were delighted to get it so soon. And we've had no issues at all with Social Security.

The civil ceremony is worth it! Mr. Christiaans gives a thoughtful touching service, and the marriage book (trouwboekeje) is a wonderful memento. My aunt got married in a civil ceremony in the States and said that our service was beautiful and personable compared to her experience.

Good Luck!

[Keys2009]

just got married at Renaissance Island this past October and we decided to do the civil ceremony in NYC because it was easier. The ceremony at the Civil Court in NYC is very fast and informal, so to us it was just a formality. We brought copies of our marriage certificate and that was that! we still had a wonderful ceremony by Geoffrey Banfield on the Island and a superfun reception after. It really depends how much it means to you to do the official ceremony in Aruba. To us it was not a big deal and it made the paperwork soooo much easier.

Good luck!

[serenaee]

I also got marrried in Aruba but had my legal ceremony in New Jersey by the justice of the peace.. It was so much easier plus I felt better having my marriage certificate from the US. We got married in September and had our ceremony in November.. all I had to do was give a copy of the marriage certificate to the wedding planner. I hope this helps.. Congrats

[christene]

We just got married in Aruba in October and also got married first at home. We kept the magistrate ceremony between us so as far as guests knew, they were seeing the real deal, and for us it was. We also saw the civil part as a formality. So now we have an anniversary we will celebrate with family and friends, but we'll also have our 'secret anniversary' that will be just ours.

I was afraid I would regret it since the town hall is so charming and I've read great things about the ceremony. But our time there was such a blur that I was relieved to not have to work something else into our schedule. And I wanted an evening reception so I didn't want to take everyone to town hall first and then have the reception hours later... I wanted the 'moments' to flow. And the costs add up once you start FedExing documents, paying for document translation, transporting guests, etc. We ended up needing every dollar for the reception.

Whichever you choose though, I'm sure it will be amazing! I would do it all again! Our wedding weekend in Aruba may have been the best weekend of my life (so far...).

[Bryan Morris]

Originally Posted by 4evaAruba

Hi everyone! I am planning my wedding for this coming August. I had originally planned to have the civil ceremony as well as the blessing ceremony. But after reading posts on issues like not getting documents back timely, home state not accepting the marriage certificate (i.e. DMV) - I am a little weary and now are considering getting legally married home (NY) and having my blessing ceremony as planned. I've already had issues with the wedding coordinator not returning my emails. To that end, I guess I am just trying to get a consensus on what ever one thinks, is it better to be married at home and then just have the blessing ceremony? Also, if I do choose to have just the blessing ceremony, what documents are needed if any?

Thanks!

Mishaps are too few and far apart that you don't get married in Aruba, the ceremony (as few have mentioned) and the beautiful images you will have of this ceremony far outweighs the chance of not getting your paperwork in a timely fashion. I would say go for it!

[Karen Lutzker]

Yes, the civil house is very lovely and very personal and many couples choose to have their legal ceremony at the Aruba civil house rather then having their legal ceremony in their home country. The only people that join them at the Aruba civil house are close friends or family members. Two of these individuals will act as witnesses. To make the actual wedding day less complicated, many couples have had their legal ceremony at the Aruba civil house a day or two before their beach wedding. On their beach wedding day, the brides will have enough relaxing time to get their hair and makeup done and not have that rushed feeling before getting getting into their wedding dress.

[4evaAruba]

We have decided to be legally married here in NY and have our cermony in Aruba. What does the blessing cermony entail? thanks to all for your responses

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by 4evaAruba

We have decided to be legally married here in NY and have our cermony in Aruba. What does the blessing cermony entail? thanks to all for your responses

Reverend Gibson has a variety of choices. http://www.arubaeloquent.com/service.htm

[4evaAruba]

Did you have to send your marriage certificate prior to blessing ceremony or did you just bring it with you to Aruba? I am trying to figure out how far in advance I should take care of the legal part here in NY.

Originally Posted by Keys2009

just got married at Renaissance Island this past October and we decided to do the civil ceremony in NYC because it was easier. The ceremony at the Civil Court in NYC is very fast and informal, so to us it was just a formality. We brought copies of our marriage certificate and that was that! we still had a wonderful ceremony by Geoffrey Banfield on the Island and a superfun reception after. It really depends how much it means to you to do the official ceremony in Aruba. To us it was not a big deal and it made the paperwork soooo much easier.

Good luck!