Our Aruba Marriott - October 31

christene · 11-02-2009, 07:21 PM

Our October 31st Aruba Marriott Wedding

As we are nearing the end of our Aruba visit, I thought I'd take a moment to tell you how awesome our wedding and reception were. Our original estimate of 20 people grew to 43 which included people coming from as far away as India!

While there were a few bumps along the way, the final outcome exceeded our expectations. From the minute we got here the Marriott went above and beyond for us.

While I will elaborate in more detail later on the blog, for the moment I just want to acknowledge the people that helped us so much. Desiree and Chela were in the lobby to greet us the moment we arrived. We were given a gorgeous suite and were incredibly grateful for the extra space. They have both been awesome to us throughout the process.

Desiree and Eveline helped us throw a wonderful welcome party complete with bhangra music and the best tamarind margaritas. The food was great and they even packaged up and held the extra fruit and cheese for us to take on the sailing excursion the next day.

We privately chartered Mi Dushi for our guests on Friday and everyone has a really great time! The crew was fun without being 'in our faces'.

The wedding itself was awesome! Luckily we weren't too bothered the tourists and laughed off the speedos that seemed to try to get in the portrait photos.

The reception was outstanding! No one could believe how good the food was! It far exceeded our expectations! Among other things, the indian food they made for us (sonething that isn't on their menu) blew us away!

Edwina did an awesome job with our decor which included a tent she invested in on our behalf. She and has crew worked SO hard for us.

Mark Benson and DJ Randolph did a phenomenal job with the music. Our group was dancing until the end!

The only let down was the Mandara Spa. They were very very nice, but getting hair and makeup right was a challenge. Luckily I had the photographers blessing to wipe a lot of the make-up off and reworked my eyes myself. I think the stylist is a very sweet lady but found it hard to work with someone that didn't speak English...

Yesterday we did a trash the dress shoot at the ruins and at Eagle Beach which was a lot of fun!

Weather has been perfect the whole time and I think out guests had the time of their lives. Now we have 2 more days to relax and enjoy Aruba!

Thanks to everyone here on the forum for your help and support!

(Walking down the aisle with dad...)

Christene

jingle96 · 11-02-2009, 07:34 PM

CONGRATS!!! I'm so happy for you and can't wait to see your blog to read about it!! Thank you so much for all the help you've given us brides!!

Sheree10 · 11-02-2009, 09:26 PM

Congrats Mrs.! I thought about you this weekend. I'm so happy for you and glad that it all worked out for you. I look forward to hearing more about the wedding. Thanks for sharing, you've been so helpful to your fellow Aruban brides.

*Liz - Aruba Lover* · 11-02-2009, 10:05 PM

Congratulations on your wedding. It seems like you had a beautiful time.

*Andrea J.* · 11-02-2009, 10:50 PM

glad it went well

congrats!!!

cukiecutr · 11-03-2009, 09:01 AM

Congratulations! I am glad it all went well!

MK1 · 11-03-2009, 03:04 PM

Congrats Christene!!

cindyo · 11-03-2009, 03:25 PM

Christene, the WHOLE board lived thru this wedding planning with you.
Glad it went well and that you were pleased....NOW, you owe more pictures !!!:}
Enjoy the rest of you stay and being married, best wishes <3

*Arubalisa* · 11-03-2009, 03:38 PM

Congrats!

ArubaLovers25 · 11-03-2009, 05:43 PM

Congrats!!! So glad everything worked out for you and that you're having an amazing time! Hope to see more pics once you are back home

11-02-2009, 07:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
christene Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 126 Images: 18	Our Aruba Marriott - October 31 Our October 31st Aruba Marriott Wedding As we are nearing the end of our Aruba visit, I thought I'd take a moment to tell you how awesome our wedding and reception were. Our original estimate of 20 people grew to 43 which included people coming from as far away as India! While there were a few bumps along the way, the final outcome exceeded our expectations. From the minute we got here the Marriott went above and beyond for us. While I will elaborate in more detail later on the blog, for the moment I just want to acknowledge the people that helped us so much. Desiree and Chela were in the lobby to greet us the moment we arrived. We were given a gorgeous suite and were incredibly grateful for the extra space. They have both been awesome to us throughout the process. Desiree and Eveline helped us throw a wonderful welcome party complete with bhangra music and the best tamarind margaritas. The food was great and they even packaged up and held the extra fruit and cheese for us to take on the sailing excursion the next day. We privately chartered Mi Dushi for our guests on Friday and everyone has a really great time! The crew was fun without being 'in our faces'. The wedding itself was awesome! Luckily we weren't too bothered the tourists and laughed off the speedos that seemed to try to get in the portrait photos. The reception was outstanding! No one could believe how good the food was! It far exceeded our expectations! Among other things, the indian food they made for us (sonething that isn't on their menu) blew us away! Edwina did an awesome job with our decor which included a tent she invested in on our behalf. She and has crew worked SO hard for us. Mark Benson and DJ Randolph did a phenomenal job with the music. Our group was dancing until the end! The only let down was the Mandara Spa. They were very very nice, but getting hair and makeup right was a challenge. Luckily I had the photographers blessing to wipe a lot of the make-up off and reworked my eyes myself. I think the stylist is a very sweet lady but found it hard to work with someone that didn't speak English... Yesterday we did a trash the dress shoot at the ruins and at Eagle Beach which was a lot of fun! Weather has been perfect the whole time and I think out guests had the time of their lives. Now we have 2 more days to relax and enjoy Aruba! Thanks to everyone here on the forum for your help and support! (Walking down the aisle with dad...) Christene Last edited by christene; 11-03-2009 at 09:20 AM. Reason: lots of typos thanks to trying to type on iPhone

11-02-2009, 10:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Liz - Aruba Lover Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,323	Congratulations on your wedding. It seems like you had a beautiful time. __________________ http://dinearuba.com Aruba Lover since 1985

11-02-2009, 10:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: eagle beach alto vista chapel arashi beach amsterdam manor beach bar LePonderosa or Gold Mine Ranch about 30' off shore @ eagle beach..ahhhh Posts: 4,203 Images: 40	glad it went well congrats!!! __________________ Aruba Jan 21 for 2 weeks!

11-03-2009, 09:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
cukiecutr Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bucuti Marandi Smokey Joe's Madamme Jeanettes Eagle Beach Posts: 22	Congratulations Congratulations! I am glad it all went well!

11-03-2009, 03:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
MK1 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 25	Congrats Christene!! __________________ Aruba

11-02-2009, 07:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
jingle96 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 10	CONGRATS!!! I'm so happy for you and can't wait to see your blog to read about it!! Thank you so much for all the help you've given us brides!!

11-02-2009, 09:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sheree10 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 24	Congrats Mrs.! I thought about you this weekend. I'm so happy for you and glad that it all worked out for you. I look forward to hearing more about the wedding. Thanks for sharing, you've been so helpful to your fellow Aruban brides.

11-03-2009, 03:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
cindyo Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Reniassance Island Old Man and the Sea Restaurant Posts: 3,249 Images: 72	Christene, the WHOLE board lived thru this wedding planning with you. Glad it went well and that you were pleased....NOW, you owe more pictures !!!:} Enjoy the rest of you stay and being married, best wishes <3 __________________ Cindyo Family at Rennaissance Island April 2009 Next Aruba trip in \ 13th visit Dec 2009 14th visit April 2010

11-03-2009, 03:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,602 Images: 68	Congrats! __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba Back to paradise Trip #19

11-03-2009, 05:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
ArubaLovers25 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 12	Congrats!!! So glad everything worked out for you and that you're having an amazing time! Hope to see more pics once you are back home