Community Forum

mdrnj · 03-26-2011, 08:08 AM

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the forum. My fiance and I are planning a destination wedding in Aruba for June 2012 and would really like to get married in a catholic church. Because we live in the US, I am trying to do as much research ahead of time as I can before our next trip down to Aruba. I've seen some conflicting information about having a catholic ceremony. Does anyone have accurate info? We were interested in possibly having our ceremony at the Chapel Alto Vista.
Thanks so much for your help!

*Andrea J.* · 03-26-2011, 10:24 AM

http://www.aruba.com/explorearuba/culture/religion.aspx
click the link above and see the list of catholic churches in aruba.

also too, discuss with your wedding planner.
if you don't have a wedding planner let us know and we can help you research.

welcome to the forum

*Arubalisa* · 03-26-2011, 10:25 AM

Church Wedding in Aruba

"...we recently spoke to Santa Ana Parish and they told us they do not marry visitors to the island. We have left messages for the Archdioceses and several other parishes."

Church Wedding in Aruba

Quote:

Hi Anne,

You can get married in a catholic church, which is the church in Paradera.
Santa Filomena
Phone 582 1400
Fax 582 4923

You can always email us if you need any assistance.

Lorraine

mdrnj · 03-27-2011, 03:31 PM

Thanks for your help. I was interested in the Chapel of Alto Vista. Does anyone know if they will do a catholic wedding there? All I could find out about it was that they have mass there every Tuesday evening.

*Andrea J.* · 03-27-2011, 04:55 PM

i would contact one of the priests at one of the catholic churches and ask that very question.
it is a small diocese and any resident priest would know the answer.

or if you have a wedding planner/coordinator maybe he or she would be helpful with that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdrnj

Thanks for your help. I was interested in the Chapel of Alto Vista. Does anyone know if they will do a catholic wedding there? All I could find out about it was that they have mass there every Tuesday evening.

Robert · 03-27-2011, 05:05 PM

As far as I know they don't perform wedding ceremonies in the Alto Vista chapel.
If the chapel is realy important for you, a romantic blessing performed by a non-denominational minister infront of the chapel is possible.

Regards,
Robert

Karen Lutzker · 03-28-2011, 09:12 AM

I had contacted Santa Ana Catholic Church a couple of years ago regarding a wedding ceremony being performed inside Alta Vista Chapel. I was advised that Santa Ana's priest is in charge of Alta Vista Chapel and unfortunately will not perform a wedding ceremony inside Alta Vista Chapel. Also, at that same time I asked about a Catholic Ceremony being performed at at Santa Ana Church and was told that the priest who was there at that time did not perform wedding ceremonies for Tourists at Santa Ana Church. However, I had attended 4 Catholic ceremonies at another Catholic Church in Aruba in past years. The first two ceremonies, the priest at this particular catholic church performed the ceremonies, but one of the rules was that the couple getting married had to have their own parish priest from where they live contact the priest at that particular church. However, with the other two ceremonies, the rules changed again whereas the other two couples had to bring their own parish priest to perform their ceremony, plus their priests had to contact the Aruba priest. There was a lot of red tape that had to be gotten through for all 4 couples, but happily in the end, they had their Aruba Catholic ceremony. One quick note, the Aruba priests leave their parish from time to time and a priest will come in that has his own set of rules. If you truly want a catholic ceremony in Aruba, the only thing that I can suggest is one of Aruba's non-denominational clergy can perform a catholic style ceremony, but not all the religious aspects that are done in the catholic church. Lastly, a catholic priest will not perform a catholic ceremony on the beach as I was once told.

misslatin · 07-31-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdrnj

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the forum. My fiance and I are planning a destination wedding in Aruba for June 2012 and would really like to get married in a catholic church. Because we live in the US, I am trying to do as much research ahead of time as I can before our next trip down to Aruba. I've seen some conflicting information about having a catholic ceremony. Does anyone have accurate info? We were interested in possibly having our ceremony at the Chapel Alto Vista.
Thanks so much for your help!

I am also new to the forum, and looking to have our union blessed in a catholic church, can you let me know how you are getting on, have you found any answers, let me know please, our wedding is in October 2013.
Best of luck,
Angie.

Jason_Margarita · 08-01-2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdrnj

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the forum. My fiance and I are planning a destination wedding in Aruba for June 2012 and would really like to get married in a catholic church. Because we live in the US, I am trying to do as much research ahead of time as I can before our next trip down to Aruba. I've seen some conflicting information about having a catholic ceremony. Does anyone have accurate info? We were interested in possibly having our ceremony at the Chapel Alto Vista.
Thanks so much for your help!

Hello Mdrnj and welcome to the forum!

If you are planning a religious ceremony in Aruba in a catholic church will take a lot of planning and it would start with Father Totti, at Noord and you can call at +2975871409, if he is not there because he also does a mass at Santa Cruz, just ask for his cell # and if you don't get it from them send me a PM and I'll send you it. He helped three of my brides to get married at the chapel of Alto Vista in the last 6 months.

One small little detail, all of them came to Aruba about a year before their wedding and got to meet with him, established communication and had also received letters which established communication between Him and their priest back home. There are many requirements when it comes to getting Married in a catholic church, and if you can't come down a few months before, plan to be here at-least a week before your wedding date. Also call him as soon as possible so he can fax you a list of requirements. If you need help, contact Arlette Oduber letzservices@yahoo.com she's a planner that can help you get this done even quicker, help with translations and the legwork if needed.

And make sure you have your pre-wedding course scheduled or done by the time you contact him, that will be his first question.

Best Wishes,
__________________________________________________ _
For all your Wedding Photography, Cinematography & Planning
http://www.everafteraruba.com | http://www.jasonmargarita.com

ricky59 · 08-04-2011, 10:13 AM

the first time we renewed our vows was at the san francisco church, sent documents required by fax to the parish. attended the 5;00 mass, my wife had no clue until the priest requested we stand, my wife being very attractive was not dressed for saturday mass!
then the funniest moment was when she turned around and seen the church filled to capacity and she stated I CAN'T BELIEVE ALL OUR FRIENDS ARE HERE!!!!!!
it was the local congregation. ha ha great moment.
so you can marry in a catholic church in aruba.

03-26-2011, 08:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
mdrnj Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 2	Catholic wedding possible? Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum. My fiance and I are planning a destination wedding in Aruba for June 2012 and would really like to get married in a catholic church. Because we live in the US, I am trying to do as much research ahead of time as I can before our next trip down to Aruba. I've seen some conflicting information about having a catholic ceremony. Does anyone have accurate info? We were interested in possibly having our ceremony at the Chapel Alto Vista. Thanks so much for your help! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

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03-26-2011, 10:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,254 Images: 80	http://www.aruba.com/explorearuba/culture/religion.aspx click the link above and see the list of catholic churches in aruba. also too, discuss with your wedding planner. if you don't have a wedding planner let us know and we can help you research. welcome to the forum Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Please, I'll have a Grande' decaf Mocha Latte' with a shot of liquid tranquilizer.

03-27-2011, 03:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
mdrnj Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 2	Thanks for your help. I was interested in the Chapel of Alto Vista. Does anyone know if they will do a catholic wedding there? All I could find out about it was that they have mass there every Tuesday evening. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

03-27-2011, 05:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
Robert Banned Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 27 Images: 6	As far as I know they don't perform wedding ceremonies in the Alto Vista chapel. If the chapel is realy important for you, a romantic blessing performed by a non-denominational minister infront of the chapel is possible. Regards, Robert Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

03-28-2011, 09:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
Karen Lutzker Banned Join Date: May 2007 Location: The beaches and the sea Posts: 381 Images: 9	Aruba Catholic Church Wedding Ceremonies I had contacted Santa Ana Catholic Church a couple of years ago regarding a wedding ceremony being performed inside Alta Vista Chapel. I was advised that Santa Ana's priest is in charge of Alta Vista Chapel and unfortunately will not perform a wedding ceremony inside Alta Vista Chapel. Also, at that same time I asked about a Catholic Ceremony being performed at at Santa Ana Church and was told that the priest who was there at that time did not perform wedding ceremonies for Tourists at Santa Ana Church. However, I had attended 4 Catholic ceremonies at another Catholic Church in Aruba in past years. The first two ceremonies, the priest at this particular catholic church performed the ceremonies, but one of the rules was that the couple getting married had to have their own parish priest from where they live contact the priest at that particular church. However, with the other two ceremonies, the rules changed again whereas the other two couples had to bring their own parish priest to perform their ceremony, plus their priests had to contact the Aruba priest. There was a lot of red tape that had to be gotten through for all 4 couples, but happily in the end, they had their Aruba Catholic ceremony. One quick note, the Aruba priests leave their parish from time to time and a priest will come in that has his own set of rules. If you truly want a catholic ceremony in Aruba, the only thing that I can suggest is one of Aruba's non-denominational clergy can perform a catholic style ceremony, but not all the religious aspects that are done in the catholic church. Lastly, a catholic priest will not perform a catholic ceremony on the beach as I was once told. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook misslatin likes this.

08-04-2011, 10:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
ricky59 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 187	the first time we renewed our vows was at the san francisco church, sent documents required by fax to the parish. attended the 5;00 mass, my wife had no clue until the priest requested we stand, my wife being very attractive was not dressed for saturday mass! then the funniest moment was when she turned around and seen the church filled to capacity and she stated I CAN'T BELIEVE ALL OUR FRIENDS ARE HERE!!!!!! it was the local congregation. ha ha great moment. so you can marry in a catholic church in aruba. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook Jason_Margarita and misslatin like this.