With 93 years combined experience as destination wedding specialists, we can help ease your anxiety about your upcoming wedding. Here is a list of our most frequently asked questions:

1. How much in advance do I need to book the wedding?
   It is normally best to book at least 8-14 months in advance to insure you get the resort you want and there are enough seats on the plane.
2. What’s included in my all-inclusive travel package?
   Your package includes: food, drinks, accommodation and transfers.
3. When should I send the invitations to my guests?
   Send the wedding invitations (or at least the `save the date’ cards) once you have confirmed the wedding at the hotel and deposited the group space, or as soon as possible.
4. What happens when I get to my destination?
   A representative from the tour operator will be waiting at the airport to escort you to your transfer where you will be taken to the resort.
5. How many wedding guests do I need for my wedding?
   A minimum of 10 wedding guests are required to receive a group rate for a destination wedding.
6. What happens if I have guests coming from out of the province or country?
   We can make the necessary travel arrangements for all of your guests so they arrive at your wedding destination and on time.
7. What documents do I need to be legally married?
   This varies by destination. It is best to consult us for specific details.
8. Do I have options for where the wedding ceremony takes place?
   Options for your ceremony may include: a sunrise beach ceremony, gazebo ceremony, garden ceremony, banquet room and evening ceremonies. There may be more choices available to you depending on the hotel you choose – ask your destination wedding specialist!
9. Is there a special wedding dinner?
   Yes, but you need to reserve the menu and your preferred restaurant with the hotel prior to arriving at the destination. Options will vary by resort and private event fees may be applicable.
10. Will there be a hair stylist and make-up artist available?
    Yes, a hair stylist and make-up artist will be available and can be requested upon booking. Charges may apply and services vary by resort.
11. Do I get a deal if I stay for my honeymoon?
    Yes, most tour operators offer the bride and groom a special wedding & honeymoon package.
12. Do all my guests have to book with Weddings By Oceans?
    No, though we recommend that they do (even if it’s a guest who books “last minute”) in order for them to receive the group rates and travel with the group on the same plane.
    As a side note: guests who book outside of the group do not count towards your complementary concessions and may get “bumped” to another property in the event of hotel overbooking. Passengers who booked as part of a group are usually not affected in these cases.
13. What colour scheme and decorations are available for my wedding?
    The resort’s Wedding Coordinator will give you a list of colours to choose from for your wedding day. (Varies by each resort)
14. Does my destination wedding specialist accompany me to my wedding?
    On a personal level, we would love to attend your wedding! However, if we accepted every Beachside Brides’ wedding invitation we’d be flat broke! On a professional level, yes, you may request and retain the services of your Weddings By Oceans’ destination wedding specialist on location for a fee.
15. Why should I choose your wedding destination company?
    Weddings by Oceans is specifically devoted to and focused on destination weddings. Nothing else. Our wedding specialists have more combined years of experience than any other destination wedding company in Canada and have personally visited the destinations we recommend.

Have we answered all your questions? If not, please feel free to ask us your questions in the comment section below or even better, contact a Cyber Maid of Honour at Weddings By Oceans and speak to a destination wedding specialist.

Related posts:

1. General Destination Wedding Planning Process
2. #1 Destination Wedding Ceremony Planning Tip
3. Bridezilla, Be Gone! Wedding Planning Tips

HOTELS

Occidental Grand Aruba
The Occidental Grand Aruba is a fabulous property! It manages to be sophisticated, laid back and energetic all at once.

This property has a great free-form pool with a very tropical feel. Located on Palm Beach, they have plenty of palapas (thatch roof) umbrellas and chairs.

The buffet lunch has a wide selection and the food was very tasty. The a la carte dinner was lovely as well.

Divi Aruba Beach Resort & Tamarijn Aruba Beach Resort
This is where I want to get married!

The Divi Aruba Beach Resort is located on the most beautiful beach I have ever seen! The wide beach has sand is as soft as powdered sugar and the water is so clear and blue! I had a great time floating in the water on the gentle waves.

All rooms are steps from the beach!

I had the opportunity to meet with the wedding coordinators while I was there. They offer a variety of different wedding packages that can be customized to create your dream wedding.

One benefit of getting married at the Divi Aruba is that they have 4 properties in their brand (Divi Aruba Beach, Divi Aruba Golf, Tamarijn Aruba & Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach). Although the wedding ceremony must be held at the hotel where you are staying, you’re free to have your reception at any of their properties!

Another great point about the Divi properties is the exchange privileges – you have access to all of the restaurants at the Divi Beach and the Tamarijn Beach. That’s 9 restaurants! And the food is soooo good!

If you are a golfer this is the resort for you – the golf course is right across the street at the Divi Aruba Golf Resort.

Holiday Inn Aruba
This is a clean, comfortable, basic hotel. Nothing too fancy but it has everything you need. The beach is fantastic and if you love water sports you are in the right place! Take a short walk down the beach in either direction and you will find plenty of vendors offering catamaran trips, deep sea fishing, jet skiing and more!

The Holiday Inn Aruba was the busiest and liveliest hotel on Palm Beach. Guests from other hotels come over in the late afternoon & evening for drinks.

This hotel is EP (no meals) with an optional All-Inclusive plan. I really recommend taking the all-inclusive plan as the cost of food and drink can really add up. Lunch for 2 (with 1 drink each) at the Sea Breeze beach front al la carte restaurant came to $50 USD.

EXCURSIONS

Island Tour
This tour really puts into perspective just how small Aruba is! You can tour around the island in under 2 hours.

Aruba is made up of 3 main areas: Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba and downtown Oranjestad, where you can find great bargains on souvenirs, nightlife and restaurants; Palm Beach, where all of the high-rise hotels are located along with tourist class shops, bars and restaurants; and St Nicholas, which is an industrial town, not a tourist centre.

Other sites to see in Aruba include a quaint church, a lighthouse and the cactuses.

Catamaran & Snorkelling Tour
This is my most favourite snorkelling trip I’ve even been on!

Aruba has the largest and most accessible shipwreck in the Caribbean just off the coast and I was lucky enough to see this shipwreck not once but twice! This snorkelling tour made 2 stops – the first to fairly shallow area with lots of tropical fish and the second to the shipwreck (sunk during WWII). It was amazing getting so close to a wreck like that and seeing the life that has developed around it!

The food and drink on the catamaran were great great! The Pina Coladas were to die for (made with real pineapple and coconut milk – not the bottled mix). The staff made sure to explain key points of the island’s history without interrupting the party atmosphere.

I even got to drive the boat for a minute!

Seaworld Explorer Semi-Submarine
We boarded the transfer boat at Pelican Pier just outside of the Holiday Inn which took us to the Seaworld Explorer. The Seaworld Explorer is part boat/part submarine (the top part is out of the water, the bottom part under water).

This is a great tour for those who want to see the shipwreck and underwater life but who are uncomfortable being in the water.

I got some great photos!

Have you had a destination wedding in Aruba at one of these hotels? Tell us about it! And if you liked the sound of any one of these Caribbean properties for your destination wedding, contact us for a quote.

Related posts:

1. Riu Palace in Aruba
2. Riu Palace Aruba Wedding: Margaret & Alan
3. Real Brides’ Hotel Review: Riu Palace Paradise Island