Community Forum

JT20 · 01-20-2009, 03:17 PM

Hi Everyone!

I'm new to this board and need some feedback from the newlyweds! I'm trying to plan a wedding in Aruba for April 2010 and have been trying to decide between RIU or Renaissance private island. I am not sure about the costs for either of them as I'm still waiting to hear back. I've heard that Ren island is beautiful but I heard it is much more expensive. I haven't seen any posts about weddings in RIU and I'm reluctant to have the wedding on the beach with people whistling and hollering and ruining my day! Ren island seems to be more private. I'm not sure if they have a private area to hold the beach ceremony and where do they have their reception locations. I have about 35 guests and want them to have fun and have the best experience since none of them have ever gone to aruba! I am also looking to photographers as well as either a DJ or band. I'm looking to not spend a whole bunch of money. I've heard recommendations on DJ Tino and Equator Band, but do not know how they sound. As far as photographers, I've looked into Elnathan Photography. He is reasonably priced and I like his work.

Does anyone else have any suggestions or have worked with any other vendors they recommend or even has had their wedding at RIU that they can share their experience?

Any information would be EXTREMELY appreciated!

Thanks so much!
Jennifer

cindyo · 01-20-2009, 09:18 PM

Jennifer, chech out the photos I have put in the gallery here on this site.
IMOP, I would have my wedding on Renn island if I could do it over again.
Thats where I tell my daughters every year that their weddings will be.
We go every April and have seen many weddings set up there, and in estimation, it is perfect...cindyo

Jarubian · 01-20-2009, 09:19 PM

I do agree with CindyO, the Ren Island is more romantic, and its all your and your guest.

JT20 · 01-21-2009, 08:36 AM

HI everyone! Thanks for your reply.

Cindyo, I checked your pics out and they look gorgeous! Did you work with a wedding coordinator? Would you suggest buffet style or sit down? There's so many to choose from this package list they sent me! And did you go with their services on a photographer/videographer? Music/steel pan band/DJ services?

cindyo · 01-21-2009, 10:12 AM

Jennifer,
We did not have a ceremony on the island, maybe I confused you....BUT, if I were to do it again, it would be there. We got married 21 yrs ago in RI...
Anyway, they have a coordinator at the Rennaissance, I would use them. If I DID do it again, I would be served, not up walking around, just sitting and enjoying the gorgeous scenery.
There is a dance floor under the sand that they sweep off. Bands, don't know about them. I will tell you some singer that my daughters speak of, timba land(sp?) had his wedding there early this year.
If you do decide to do it there I will give you a few tips..
Order a cake that is low, what I mean is, one day my husband and I rode over late one afternoon, and watched a tall cake bob up and down with the waves...they bring it over on the boat...
Wear low shoes or sandals, heels sink
Wear a dress with little or no train, it gets full of sand walking and dragging

A few things about the island
you must ride a boat over, guests really like that
there is a casual restaurant that serves a nice lunch during the day
there are tennis courts, a red sail sports shop, pink flamingos, several bathrooms, nice walkways on both sides, lots of hammocks....
Guests not staying at the Renn must pay 75.00 to go over for the day...
Just a great place...
So, if you have any more questions ask away. cindyo

Bryan Morris · 01-22-2009, 06:08 PM

Wedding at Renaissance Island.
Wedding at RIU
These are images from both locations. I would want to believe that the island would be costlier but it's exclusive and from your post I can read that exclusivity is of great importance.

Hope this helps,

PLEASE private message Bryan for the links
andrea j
Bryan Morris

cindyo · 01-22-2009, 08:37 PM

Jennifer, Bran Morris is a wonderful photographer. The pictures he has posted from past weddings and family events are magnificent. He's just posted, and if I were doing it again,he would be my choice.
Brian, I had not seen those photo's from Renn island, they are gorgeous! cindyo

Angela Munzenhofer · 01-23-2009, 03:08 PM

Hello Jennifer,
Happy planning for your Aruba wedding,
I think wherever you go in Aruba you will be very happy. Through the Renaissance I have heard they have a great deal for wedding packages that cannot be beat with all they offer. Elite, romantic and affordable you can't beat that for a dream wedding. The RIU I cannot give you information since I do not know much of what they offer.
Here are a few links on past weddings that can help you out in seeing what they offer.
Enjoy your Aruba wedding,

See site below
or
Private message angela for info
andrea j

Angela Munzenhofer

cindyo · 01-23-2009, 05:37 PM

Jennifer, Angela is also a very talented photographer., she is at bella aruba....take a look at her site also...don't want to show any preference as I have also seen her great work !!!!!! cindyo

cyclone promotions · 01-25-2009, 10:39 AM

wow by readding all these nice comment it will help JT20 for have everything done by that date

01-20-2009, 03:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
JT20 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 19	Seeking ADVICE - Aruba Wedding in RIU or Ren. Private Island Hi Everyone! I'm new to this board and need some feedback from the newlyweds! I'm trying to plan a wedding in Aruba for April 2010 and have been trying to decide between RIU or Renaissance private island. I am not sure about the costs for either of them as I'm still waiting to hear back. I've heard that Ren island is beautiful but I heard it is much more expensive. I haven't seen any posts about weddings in RIU and I'm reluctant to have the wedding on the beach with people whistling and hollering and ruining my day! Ren island seems to be more private. I'm not sure if they have a private area to hold the beach ceremony and where do they have their reception locations. I have about 35 guests and want them to have fun and have the best experience since none of them have ever gone to aruba! I am also looking to photographers as well as either a DJ or band. I'm looking to not spend a whole bunch of money. I've heard recommendations on DJ Tino and Equator Band, but do not know how they sound. As far as photographers, I've looked into Elnathan Photography. He is reasonably priced and I like his work. Does anyone else have any suggestions or have worked with any other vendors they recommend or even has had their wedding at RIU that they can share their experience? Any information would be EXTREMELY appreciated! Thanks so much! Jennifer Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

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01-20-2009, 09:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
cindyo Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Reniassance Island Posts: 3,523 Images: 138	Jennifer, chech out the photos I have put in the gallery here on this site. IMOP, I would have my wedding on Renn island if I could do it over again. Thats where I tell my daughters every year that their weddings will be. We go every April and have seen many weddings set up there, and in estimation, it is perfect...cindyo 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

01-20-2009, 09:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jarubian Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Renaissance Hotel, Baby Beach Posts: 424 Images: 3	I do agree with CindyO, the Ren Island is more romantic, and its all your and your guest. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Love Aruba

01-21-2009, 08:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
JT20 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 19	HI everyone! Thanks for your reply. Cindyo, I checked your pics out and they look gorgeous! Did you work with a wedding coordinator? Would you suggest buffet style or sit down? There's so many to choose from this package list they sent me! And did you go with their services on a photographer/videographer? Music/steel pan band/DJ services? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

01-21-2009, 10:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
cindyo Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Reniassance Island Posts: 3,523 Images: 138	Jennifer, We did not have a ceremony on the island, maybe I confused you....BUT, if I were to do it again, it would be there. We got married 21 yrs ago in RI... Anyway, they have a coordinator at the Rennaissance, I would use them. If I DID do it again, I would be served, not up walking around, just sitting and enjoying the gorgeous scenery. There is a dance floor under the sand that they sweep off. Bands, don't know about them. I will tell you some singer that my daughters speak of, timba land(sp?) had his wedding there early this year. If you do decide to do it there I will give you a few tips.. Order a cake that is low, what I mean is, one day my husband and I rode over late one afternoon, and watched a tall cake bob up and down with the waves...they bring it over on the boat... Wear low shoes or sandals, heels sink Wear a dress with little or no train, it gets full of sand walking and dragging A few things about the island you must ride a boat over, guests really like that there is a casual restaurant that serves a nice lunch during the day there are tennis courts, a red sail sports shop, pink flamingos, several bathrooms, nice walkways on both sides, lots of hammocks.... Guests not staying at the Renn must pay 75.00 to go over for the day... Just a great place... So, if you have any more questions ask away. cindyo 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 Last edited by cindyo; 01-21-2009 at 10:14 AM.

01-22-2009, 06:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bryan Morris Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: The entire island Posts: 134	Wedding at Renaissance Island. Wedding at RIU These are images from both locations. I would want to believe that the island would be costlier but it's exclusive and from your post I can read that exclusivity is of great importance. Hope this helps, PLEASE private message Bryan for the links andrea j Bryan Morris Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Last edited by Andrea J.; 01-23-2009 at 04:34 PM.

01-22-2009, 08:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
cindyo Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Reniassance Island Posts: 3,523 Images: 138	Jennifer, Bran Morris is a wonderful photographer. The pictures he has posted from past weddings and family events are magnificent. He's just posted, and if I were doing it again,he would be my choice. Brian, I had not seen those photo's from Renn island, they are gorgeous! cindyo 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 Last edited by cindyo; 01-22-2009 at 08:39 PM.

01-23-2009, 03:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
Angela Munzenhofer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Arashi & Boca Catalina for snorkeling Posts: 131	Hello Jennifer, Happy planning for your Aruba wedding, I think wherever you go in Aruba you will be very happy. Through the Renaissance I have heard they have a great deal for wedding packages that cannot be beat with all they offer. Elite, romantic and affordable you can't beat that for a dream wedding. The RIU I cannot give you information since I do not know much of what they offer. Here are a few links on past weddings that can help you out in seeing what they offer. Enjoy your Aruba wedding, See site below or Private message angela for info andrea j Angela Munzenhofer Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Capturing the passion and love of your special day in paradise. bellarubaphoto@yahoo.com Last edited by Andrea J.; 01-23-2009 at 04:33 PM. Reason: to delete links that could be perceived as self promoting

01-23-2009, 05:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
cindyo Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Reniassance Island Posts: 3,523 Images: 138	Jennifer, Angela is also a very talented photographer., she is at bella aruba....take a look at her site also...don't want to show any preference as I have also seen her great work !!!!!! cindyo 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

01-25-2009, 10:39 AM	#10 (permalink)
cyclone promotions Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: beaches Posts: 135	wow by readding all these nice comment it will help JT20 for have everything done by that date Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ www.cyclonepromotion.com Professional Island DJ's For All Your Weddings And Party Needs. We Create Your Party