A civil wedding

[ShortNoticeBride]

I'm planning a wedding in Aruba for late April. Keeping it casual, with a few family members and close friends. I understand that all civil marriages must be done at the courthouse, and then you're free to have "a religious blessing" afterward.

We would like to have a beach ceremony after we do the legal stuff, but we are not religious whatsoever. I have an aunt who is a judge in the U.S.; would it be doable for her to preside over that ceremony (with the understanding that it's purely symbolic) or would there be a problem with that?

Due to the short time frame and the fact that guests will be coming and going on different dates, we've picked two hotels that are close together — the Mill Resort and the Holiday Inn Sunspree — to encourage guests to stay at (chosen because they look decent and have relatively low rates, and budget is a concern). Any experience with these two resorts? which of the two would you recommend (both for overall quality and for a venue to have the ceremony and/or reception?) Any thoughts on the wedding planners at the Holiday Inn? (Mill Resort doesn't seem to have one). Any input is appreciated.

[Andrea J.]

hi snb

the aunt can preside over the beach ceremony

that ceremony is purely symbolic chose who you want!

there are things to be done at that symbolic ceremony that are interesting...joining of sand from vases that symbolize unity.

if the only 2 choices are MILL and HOLIDAY INN for your ceremony (very limited choice,)
i guess i would chose the holiday inn....but not enthusiastically.

throwing a wrench into the works
if you are looking for an economical place for the wedding ceremony and the reception look into MVC eagle beach restaurant TULIP or PAM PAM

we have a wedding planner member here.
Karen Lutzker
she may be "just your ticket!"

Originally Posted by ShortNoticeBride

I'm planning a wedding in Aruba for late April. Keeping it casual, with a few family members and close friends. I understand that all civil marriages must be done at the courthouse, and then you're free to have "a religious blessing" afterward.

We would like to have a beach ceremony after we do the legal stuff, but we are not religious whatsoever. I have an aunt who is a judge in the U.S.; would it be doable for her to preside over that ceremony (with the understanding that it's purely symbolic) or would there be a problem with that?

Due to the short time frame and the fact that guests will be coming and going on different dates, we've picked two hotels that are close together — the Mill Resort and the Holiday Inn Sunspree — to encourage guests to stay at (chosen because they look decent and have relatively low rates, and budget is a concern). Any experience with these two resorts? which of the two would you recommend (both for overall quality and for a venue to have the ceremony and/or reception?) Any thoughts on the wedding planners at the Holiday Inn? (Mill Resort doesn't seem to have one). Any input is appreciated.

[Arubalisa]

The following map views show the resort's proximity to the beach

http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.5653079&lon=-70.048576&z=18&l=0&m=b the Mill is bottom right hand corner

http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.575502&lon=-70.0450033&z=18&l=0&m=b the Holiday Inn Resort is directly oceanfront

[ShortNoticeBride]

Thanks for the replies! We ended up booking our rooms at the holiday inn through a local travel agent. I'm definitely open to other venues for the reception (actually I'd prefer it); we just need to keep the hotel costs under control since we're subsidizing a few (recent college grad) guests. The next step is booking a venue and a planner.
-What is a good (read: pretty and not too crowded) beach on which to have a ceremony?
-As far as planners, I've contacted Karen, Lissy (gets good buzz on here) and edwina (of e2) for more info. any others you'd recommend?

[Angela Munzenhofer]

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.
To answer your question on resort I have to say your travel agent did good to to choose Holiday Inn.
For a venue I suggest MooMba which is right next door, walking distance. I have a few galleries you can look at if you P.M me. I can tell you that MooMba is a great place, reasonably priced beside the ocean. Very nice Ambiance and great staff. You can choose the menu of your choice at whatever budget you see fit. I think you will be very happy and so will your guests. By the way you can also do the civil part at your hometown and have your friend the judge bless you on the beach. Just a thought.....

Happy Planning,

Angela Munzenhofer

[Karen Lutzker]

Hello,

Congratulations! Yes, Holiday Inn is a lovely resort and right on the beach. There are many wonderful private beach ceremony locations as well as wonderful reasonably priced locations that are very special and very private for your wedding reception.