The island of Aruba, located roughly 18 miles off the coast of Venezuela, offers a beautiful setting for a destination wedding.
We visited the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa and Casino (aruba.regency.hyatt.com) and consulted with their Romance Planning Manager, who coordinates some 90 weddings annually.
She suggested pampering before your special day at ZoiA Spa. In the local dialect, ZoiA means “balance and poise,” and that’s reflected in the spa’s tranquil setting. Their Couples Botanical Massage could be a romantic beginning to your lifelong journey as spouses.
You can also plan a rehearsal dinner at the Ruinas del Mar, which serves contemporary cuisine in an open-air environment designed to resemble ancient ruins. It’s sure to make for some fun after-dinner photos.
Couples who want to celebrate their big day out in the sunshine and sea air can plan a ceremony on the property’s elaborate wooden deck or get their toes in the sand and say, “I do!” right on the beach (pictured below).
Though a wide variety of music is available, you can incorporate local sounds with a steelpan player or a steel band. Nothing gives a reception the feel of the islands like these uniquely melodic percussion instruments.
Both before and after the wedding, the island offers more than fun on the beach. You and your guests may want to explore the Arikok National Parks (arubanationalpark.org ) with its extraordinary caves, curious rock formations, sweeping views, and beautiful natural pools. Other places to check out include sights both manmade (the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins or the California Lighthouse) and natural (the Malmok Reef or the Natural Bridge).
Last modified: October 16, 2017
