A dream wedding on the One Happy Island of Aruba means that there will be a minimal chance of rain, virtually no chance of having the party tents blown away by a passing hurricane, and a constant supply of sunshine combined with a cooling breeze to keep everybody from getting too hot. Additionally, Aruba is an island with award-winning white sand beaches, some of the best hotels in the Caribbean, incredible all-inclusive Caribbean wedding packages, and first-rate wedding planners willing to go above and beyond the call of duty.
But what makes Aruba such a special spot for a destination wedding? Here are 7 reasons Aruba is the best island for Caribbean weddings:
1. Perfect Weather
Have you ever heard people say that Aruba is the sunniest island in the Caribbean? Guess what, it’s absolutely true! Although Aruba has some hills, there aren’t any high mountains to trigger rainfall and the climate is typically dry and arid. More importantly, this sunny island is located outside of the hurricane belt and has never been directly hit by a hurricane. Never. That means future brides don’t have to worry about weather on their big day! Even better, they don’t have to plan for ways to cool down either, as constant refreshing trade winds cool the air.
2. Safe and Reliable
Not only is Aruba safe from bad weather, it’s also safe from just about everything else. As a matter of fact, Aruba is one of the safest Caribbean islands according to the United Nations. This is thanks to its very stable, tourism-driven economy. Aruba is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which accounts for Aruba adopting the same welfare, social, and educational systems as Holland. Aruba has been ranked a “high income” Caribbean island (per the World Bank), allowing the locals to have a high quality of life, making people happy, and generally reducing the threat of crime.
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3. Top-Rated Wedding Packages
Nothing makes for a better wedding planning process than having all of the costs bundled together in a Caribbean destination wedding package. Who has the time to investigate and compare the prices of all of the different vendors needed to plan a wedding? If your travelers don’t have a wedding planner at their disposal, this can be a tiring and time-consuming task. Luckily, the hotels in Aruba offer multiple wedding packages ranging from budget-friendly to all-inclusive Caribbean wedding packages, to the more deluxe, luxury packages so couples can plan the perfect beach or ballroom wedding, depending on what they want.
4. Accommodations
As a premier Caribbean wedding destination, Aruba offers a broad range of accommodations such as: high-end luxurious resorts, charming boutique style hotels, adult-only hotels and family-friendly properties. Aruba has an abundance of choices, making it a great destination for any bride-to-be.
All-inclusive resorts can make it easier to keep the costs under control. Or, if travelers are looking for a more personal lodging approach they can consider staying in one of the smaller sized properties in the low-rise area of the island. Low rise hotels are situated on the award-winning Eagle beach (voted third best in the entire world) and Druif beach, both of which are tranquil, picturesque beaches simply perfect for weddings and honeymoons alike. Looking for more buzz? The high-rise hotels along the Palm Beach strip are perfect for active nightlife.
Those seeking an ultra-luxurious experience can rent a luxury villa for the entire wedding party to stay in. Aruba has a bounty of high-end, top-rated vacation rentals, ranging from beachfront villas to rustic, but well-appointed ‘cunucu’ houses scattered throughout the Aruban countryside.
5. Convenience
Traveling to Aruba is easy. The award-winning Reina Beatrix Airport receives more than 16 daily flights from the U.S. and Canada most of which are direct flights. Make sure travelers have their online ED-card filled in and they can even escape the lines at customs. Upon the return trip back home, the Aruba Airport offers U.S. pre-clearance allowing travelers to skip customs upon arriving back in the United States.
After landing in Aruba there are plenty of taxis and tour operators ready to take visitors to their hotel or vacation rental.
If travelers prefer to start exploring Aruba immediately there are plenty of car rental companies outside the airport.
6. Affordability
Budget-minded couples can rest easy knowing Aruba is a fantastic place to have a Caribbean beach wedding on a budget. Instead of staying in a luxury hotel travelers can opt to stay somewhere more affordable without having to sacrifice much. Try calling hotels to check for early-bird rates if your couple wants to stay at a beach-front resort and knows their wedding date well in advance. This can help save a significant chunk of cash. Also, don’t forget to check for group rates if there will be a larger wedding party.
7. The One Happy Honeymoon Program
With limited vacation days and perhaps budget constraints, couples may want to consider combining their destination wedding and honeymoon. Couples interested in this option can enter Aruba’s One Happy Honeymoon program, which features enticing perks and discounts.
Book with a participating resort or hotel and let them know it’s your honeymoon to receive:
- Preferred check-in service
- A bottle of champagne upon arrival
- Special gifts
- A free night when couples return for their anniversary
- Discounts and special offers on activities and attractions
