I have to admit that I’m not a ‘barefoot in the sand’ type beach bride that dreamed of getting married in Aruba. We were initially planning a fall Puerto Vallarta wedding when Mexico starting having problems with violence and the US issued a travel advisory. Unfortunately that time of year there aren’t a lot of ‘tropical wedding’ options thanks to hurricane season in the Caribbean.

After we ruled out other US options and Costa Rica a friend suggested we consider Aruba. It sure sounded better than Florida so we went to work and arranged a site visit.

We were happy to find that we love Aruba! The people are super-friendly and overall the place is pretty low key. A lot less commercialized than I expected, definitely not pretentious and free of the poverty your confronted with on so many other Caribbean islands.

The weather is great – hot but with the trade winds that keep you comfortable and is out of the ‘hurricane belt’. The beaches are beautiful and there is plenty to do. There seems to be something for everyone whether you want to shop, lay on the beach, eat fantastic food, seek out adventure with water sports or jeep tours, golf, go on a leisurely sunset sail or hit the night clubs. There is plenty to do yet you don’t have the sense that there are things you ‘need to do’.

Aruba is also easy to get to with many airlines flying into it.

And I know I’ve already mentioned it, but the people are Aruba’s biggest asset. So helpful and friendly. Never any pressure or sales pitches.