Simple Beach Wedding Questions

[Keith_Julie]

We are trying to plan our wedding day in Aruba, on November 25th, 2010. We are planning to have a very simple beach wedding with no guests... just the two of us and the pastor. We are looking for suggestions for quiet, romantic beach front, reasonably priced (but nice) accommodations (with no casino); low cost photographer; & pastor.

Questions:
1. Is all-inclusive the best way to go?
2. Is a witness required? Do we need to find one or can that be provided?
3. What would be the best beach for a sunrise wedding?

Thank You

Keith & Julie

[hockeymom]

I've seen a lot of beautiful weddings at the Divi All Inclusive. They perform them at sunset and you can go basic to more elaborate. I know they have a wedding planner on site but I don't know any of the details. I'm sure it's on their website. They don't have a casino on property, but there is one walking distance. My opinion - the best beach on Aruba! Good Luck!

[rob o]

Originally Posted by Keith_Julie

We are trying to plan our wedding day in Aruba, on November 25th, 2010. We are planning to have a very simple beach wedding with no guests... just the two of us and the pastor. We are looking for suggestions for quiet, romantic beach front, reasonably priced (but nice) accommodations (with no casino); low cost photographer; & pastor.

Questions:
1. Is all-inclusive the best way to go?
2. Is a witness required? Do we need to find one or can that be provided?
3. What would be the best beach for a sunrise wedding?

Thank You

Keith & Julie

Sounds like you are looking for something similar to what cindyo and I used for our 20th vow renewal a few years ago. We used Reverend Gibson for the ceremony and Rosalie Klein for the photos. They were both very professional and priced very reasonably. The ceremony was at the beach near Divi Phoenix.....no charge for that.

Unfortunately, that site was for a sunset ceremony. But, I would bet that Rev Gibson would have a great sunrise choice.....he helped with our planning.

Most resorts face the west (west coast, sunset side). The Renaissance Ocean Suites (south coast) have a small lagoon beach with a bridge over it that I have seen used for many weddings. It may come as close as you'll get to a resort with a sunrise.

For a real good sunrise, I think you'll have to use a remote area on the east away from the resorts (and most everything else).

[Andrea J.]

over near the remaining natural bridge would be a great spot for a sunrise wedding.
YES witness(es) are needed see link below. you would do the legal/civil ceremony at the town office and the beach ceremony is strictly ceremonial.

suggestions for place to stay.
bucuti would be a suggestion, but it is priced somewhat high.

manchebo shares the same beach as bucuti and is priced more reasonable but is really not fancy.......it is a good place...clean and basic hotel.

amsterdam manor is another place about 3/4 mile up eagle beach. lovely and quaint like bucuti, across the street from the beach but that is of no concern.

you may want to look into doing your civil ceremony at home and then come to aruba and do the beach service.

check out this highlighted link
http://www.aruba.com/SpecialVacation...uirements.aspx

[Karen Lutzker]

The sun does not rise on the natural bridge side of the island.

[rob o]

On November 25, sunrise will be 21 degrees south of due east. In simpler terms, if you look at a map of Aruba, sunrise will be from a little lower than directly from the right. What does this mean? The best sunrise will be at the southeast corner of the island....near Seroe Colorado lighthouse.

[Andrea J.]

near the big anchor?

Originally Posted by rob o

On November 25, sunrise will be 21 degrees south of due east. In simpler terms, if you look at a map of Aruba, sunrise will be from a little lower than directly from the right. What does this mean? The best sunrise will be at the southeast corner of the island....near Seroe Colorado lighthouse.

[rob o]

Originally Posted by Andrea J.

near the big anchor?

Yes....at the big anchor.

I wonder if you could do a ceremony at Alta Vista Chapel. Even though sunrise would not be from directly out over the water (it would be to the right as you face the water, parallel with the coastline), I would bet the view would be stunning.

[Karen Lutzker]

You're right Rob O. Only problem is, will Minister be willing to get up early for a sunrise ceremony? What about the photographer, would he or she be willing to get up that early for a sunrise ceremony? It seems like a good idea though for a two person wedding or vow renewal if the Minister and photographer were willing to come that early in the morning. I cannot imagine it would be easy to bring several guests with them so early in the a.m. Especially, if they had a late night the night before.

[Arubalisa]

I have to say if an officiant and/or photographer were getting paid to perform a service and they did not wish to be there at sunrise, 6:42 a.m. that is fine.

Personally, I would rather give my money to someone who WANTED my business and would accommodate my wishes. After all are these not service industries? There are a good number of officiants and photographers on the island. I would be shocked Keith and Julie if you could not find someone to assist you.