Community Forum

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: 190 Images: 17	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 Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook Last edited by christene; 11-03-2009 at 09:20 AM. Reason: lots of typos thanks to trying to type on iPhone

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11-02-2009, 07:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
jingle96 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 40	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!! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

11-02-2009, 09:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sheree10 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 81	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. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

11-02-2009, 10:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Liz - Aruba Lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,351	Congratulations on your wedding. It seems like you had a beautiful time. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ http://dinearuba.com

11-02-2009, 10:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor beach bar, alto vista chapel, cooks restaurant, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 12,007 Images: 74	glad it went well congrats!!! 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.

11-03-2009, 09:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
cukiecutr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 205	Congratulations Congratulations! I am glad it all went well! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

11-03-2009, 03:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
MK1 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 31	Congrats Christene!! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba trip #1: Jan 2010 Aruba trip #2: May 2010 Aruba trip #3: coming up! Aruba

11-03-2009, 03:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
cindyo Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Reniassance Island Posts: 3,521 Images: 138	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 Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Cindyo Family Poolside at the Rennaissance suites April 2010 Family with Bully, arubalisa & family Next Aruba trip in Next Aruba trip in

11-03-2009, 03:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,108 Images: 167	Congrats! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Cat Resource Directory ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba

11-03-2009, 05:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
ArubaLovers25 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 17	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 Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook