Aruba Weddings Caribbean in Focus

Get Married in Aruba! This Dutch Caribbean island, just 15 miles off the coast of South America, boasts miles of pure white sand, turquoise waters and year-round sunshine. The capital of Oranjestad has charming Dutch-style architecture and is known for its vibrant nightlife. Top properties: Bucuti Beach Resort, Radisson Aruba Resort, Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, TheWestin Resort. Hot spots to watch: Arikok National Park, which takes up almost 20 per cent of the island’s land mass and reopened after an extensive three-year infrastructure upgrade, and the surreal ‘wish-stone garden’: you can have as many wishes as rocks you can pile on each other but if the tower falls down, your dreams disappear with it! Landscape: Aruba’s eclectic geography is rarely found in the Caribbean: white sandy beaches line its idyllic south coast, rugged cliffs and black pebbles mark its tempestuous north and its striking red, arid interior boasts rock formations and cacti. Activities: Sea-trekking (a way of walking on the sea-bed without getting your hair wet), wreckdiving, off-road jeep safaris, horse riding and a special moonlight walk through Arikok National Park. Marriage Requirements: British couples must hold a legal ceremony at the Civil Town House. The couple may then hold another ceremony at the beach, on a boat or other venue. Residency Requirement: None. Documents Required: Marriage certificate for religious ceremony. Proof of divorce if relevant. Authorisation of eligibility to marry required from a notary or government official. N.B. All documents must be in Dutch, English or Spanish. Fees: To be advised locally. Witnesses: Two required. Witnesses can be provided locally at $50 each by a wedding planner. TOP TIPS Go for a picture-perfect beachfront wedding: The natural backdrop with Aruba’s breathtaking sunset is ideal for capturing everlasting memories. (Don’t) take the weather with you: The Caribbean may be affected from hurricanes from time to time but it is summer every day in Aruba. The island is outside the hurricane belt, enjoying year-round sunshine, a gentle breeze and glorious average temperatures of 28° C. Make sure you’re the one: Unlike other popular destinations, most resorts and hotels in Aruba will only hold one ceremony per day so your wedding will have a more intimate feel. The gift is right: Aruba is the first Caribbean nation to offer an online bridal registry. Couples can register for the most romantic activities, from sunset sailing, dinner cruises and underwater sightseeing to horseback riding, spa treatments and special accommodation add-on packages. For more information on Weddings in Aruba Visit: http://www.perfectweddingsabroad.co.uk/destination/Caribbean/Aruba Source: Information kindly supplied by Caribbean Tourism Organisation: http://www.caribbean.co.uk/content/files/CaribbeanWeddingGuide2011.pdf