Caribbean Weddings

Aruba Beach Weddings

The island of Aruba is situated in the southern Caribbean Sea and forms part of the southern chain of the Lesser Antilles Group. It is only 33km long with a land area of just under 200 square kilometres and a population of approximately 100,000 who are full Dutch citizens. This means that visiting the island is a relatively simple matter for EU citizens. If you are in doubt or are not an EU citizen, you should contact the Aruba Tourism Authority by emailing aruba@aruba.com.

One of Aruba's many beautiful beaches

Unlike many other Caribbean islands, Aruba benefits from a pleasantly dry climate and, since it is not part of the hurricane belt, has a stable and temperate weather pattern all year round. This has made it a popular tourist destination and a dream destination for your Carribean Wedding.

Tourism is a vital part of Aruba’s economy and honeymooners will find just about every sort of entertainment and distraction on this small island. Whether you want to spend your holiday on the beach, at the casino, surfing, dancing or watching the exotic wildlife in the Arikok National Park, it will be there for you.

Aruba’s principal beaches are located in its Southwest corner and are world-famous for the whiteness of their sand against the backdrop of a coral sea. The most popular is Palm Beach and this is where the majority of the hotels and resorts are to be found making it particularly popular with families.

For those looking for a more dramatic setting, why not consider the Boca Grande Beach which is over towards the Eastern edge of Aruba? Its breaking waves give it a strong presence but the equally strong currents mean that it is not a beach for children.

Another beach worth a mention is the Arashi Beach at the Northwestern end of the island and near the California Lighthouse. This can offer a more secluded and private location.

Anyone wanting to get away from the tourist scene but not wanting complete isolation should look at Handicurari Beach which is more orientated towards fishermen than tourists. It offers an exotic setting with a traditional touch.

Other beaches include Eagle Beach, Grapefield Beach, Boca Tabla-Bachelors Beach, Dos Playa Beach, Druif Beach, Malmok Beach, Mangel Halto Beach, Rodgers Beach, and Punta Brado Beach.

Couples should be aware that wedding ceremonies must take place in Aruba’s town hall (open weekdays 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm) and the beach ceremony is effectively, therefore, just a blessing. It is a good idea to be in Aruba a few days before the actual wedding just in case there are any problems although these tend to be very rare occurrences.

It is generally recommended that a wedding planner is used as he or she will have local knowledge and can advise on the most suitable location and suppliers of services. For example, they can help you locate a beach that won’t be too crowded given your preferred day and time for the ceremony. It is possible, of course, to do it yourself as long as you allow enough time in advance to check out all the options.

Whichever beach you choose, Aruba’s compactness will mean that it will only be a short journey from the hotel to the town hall and from the town hall to the beach.