Yes! Please check your passport ASAP. Current processing time is 3 months. You can pay fees to expedite your application if you have run short on time. See attached LINK for more information
For those who will be arriving to Aruba early, there will we a welcome Sunset Cruise and Dinner on Wednesday evening, May 22nd. The sunset cruise will be from Pelican Pier (in front of the Holiday Inn Resort). Boarding is at 5:00 PM and the boat ("The Camilla") departs at 5:30 PM sharp and will return to the dock at 7:30 pm. Dinner will be at 7:45 PM. at the MooMba Beach Bar and Restaurant. Guests are invited to attend either event or both. Everything will be in walking distance from the Marriott Hotel (approximately a 7 minute walk to Pelican Pier, and about a 5 minute walk to MooMba).
The Wood and Deutsch families will be including everyone as part of the rehearsal dinner which will be at Pinchos Grill and Bar (L.G. Smith Blvd. #7 at Aruba Surfside Marina Oranjestad, Aruba • +297-583-2666). The rehearsal dinner will be Thursday, May 23, 2023.
A group transfer from the Marriott Lobby will be departing at 6:00 PM and will return at approximately 9:30 PM.
For those of you who have not made your hotel reservations yet, we are holding a block of rooms that range from $309++ (Resort view), $334++ (Partial Ocean View) and $364++ (Premium Ocean View) at the Marriott until March 22, 2024. These rates are valid from May 20, 20024 – May 28, 2204 – and can be cancelled up to 7 days prior to arrival.
This room block is being held until March 22, 2024
There are also several other hotels located on and around Palm Beach in Aruba – but these rates should be very competitive for staying on Palm Beach.
Please note there will be a local Aruban “SOUL FESTIVIAL” going on during the weekend of the wedding, so many hotels will sell out. Strongly recommend that if you plan to attend, you make reservations as soon as possible.
If you have trouble booking a room, please let Michael or Alexis know.
The wedding will be Saturday, May 25, 2024 on PALM BEACH, at the Marriott Stellaris resort and casino. Official start time will be 5:30 PM and the wedding festivities will continue to approximately Midnight.
The Stellaris Casino and casino bar is open to 4AM for those who wish to continue later into the evening.
Please check your invitation and your welcome packages for any changes to this current plan.
“Summer Cocktail Attire" No need for elegant evening wear or ties for the men. Sports jackets are optional! Slacks and collared shirts are requested. Women should feel comfortable in sundresses or other summer type dresses or attire. A light sweater might come in handy for the beach, as Aruban nights can get windy. Please NO bathing suits, golf attire, shorts or flip flops.
Yes, there will be a brunch on Sunday Morning at 11 AM at Mercat (formerly known as La Vista Restaurant) at the Marriott. On Sunday's, Mercat offers a "Las Vegas" style type brunch (including unlimited mimosas) with something for everyone at the buffet!
Aruba is situated 12 degrees 30' north of the equator. The weather is tropical but not extreme, with a median and fairly constant temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius).
It is important to mention that Aruba lies south of the general hurricane paths and usually only experiences fringe effects of nearby tropical weather. Nonetheless it is not unknown that tropical systems forms close by and do have their effects on the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao).
Spring. April, May, and June are also some of the best months to explore Aruba, with temperatures ranging from 79℉ (26.1℃ ) to 89℉ (31.6 ℃). Even though the chance of rainfall increases to about five percent, the amount of precipitation remains low, hovering about 0.2 inches (5mm) each month.
Trade winds cool the island, making lying in the sun on one of the many beaches much more tolerable although care should be taken since this is deceptive. The sun is strong, in particular between 11am and 2:30pm and the use of high-SPF sunscreens is strongly recommended especially for fairer-skinned people
The temperature on Aruba is measured in Celsius and is fairly constant throughout the year. On average the temperature varies between 26 and 32 degrees Celsius. (80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit).
The official currency of Aruba is the Aruban Florin – but there is NO NEED to convert US dollars to travel to Aruba. US dollars are accepted everywhere.
With Aruba's tropical climate, you will be comfortable in casual summer wear plus some light evening wear for restaurants, nightclubs and casinos (men might need a light jacket for some of these). Shorts and slacks can be worn on the streets of Oranjestad. Bikinis should preferably be reserved for beaches and swimming pools and are not permitted in shopping and business areas.
There are several restaurants on site at the Marriott that are all very good and conveniently located including
• Starbucks – open every day from 6AM to 2:00 AM
• Mercat – Casual, Oceanfront dining – open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (formerly known as La Vista renovation completed summer of 2023)
• Waves Bar and Grill – on the beach – lunch only 11AM to 5 PM
• The Lobby Bar – serving Sushi and Sashimi – Noon to 1 AM every day
• Atardi (reservations required) – Dining on the beach – dinner only – 6 to 10 PM
• Ruth's Chris Steakhouse – dinner only – 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM
In addition, there are hundreds of restaurants in Aruba. Some of our favorites include:
• Papiamento Restaurant – Reservations required – short taxi drive from the Marriott - highly recommended!
• Madame Janette – Large portions – reservations required – short taxi drive from Marriott - +great food – highly recommended!
• Passions on the Beach – at the Amsterdam Manor – reservations required - Eagle beach (taxi ride from Marriott) – great fish and local dishes - dine on the beach – highly recommended!
• Giannis Restaurant – Italian – 12 to 15 minute walk from Marriott – very popular!
• La Petit Café – Local dishes – 10 minute walk Marriott
• Hadicurari – 5 minute walk from Marriott
• Pure Ocean at Divi Aruba – 15+ minute walk – seafood – reservations suggested – Seafood
• Papillion Restaurant - French Food – reservations required – 12 -15 minute walk from Marriott
• Restaurant Tierra Del Sol - at the golf course – short taxi drive from the Marriott – Italian – Scenic views of Aruba – reservations required
• Wacky Wahoo’ s – WALK IN ONLY – known for local fish dishes and large portions!
The concierge at the Marriott should be able to help you our with reservations and any of the above restaurants and/or help you find some else that you might be looking for.
In addition, although we have not eaten at any of the below restaurants, the following establishments in Aruba cater to those who are Vegan. Again, please check with the concierge for additional information about any of these restaurants.
• One Happy Bowl
• Yemanja Woodfired Grill
• Aruba Experience Café
• Garden Fresh Café
• Ike’s Bistro
• Elements at Bucuti
• Opus Ocean and Grill
Aruba is known for its beautiful, white sand beaches. However, the sun is hot due to its close proximity to the equator. For those hanging out at beach for the day, it is strongly recommended to reserve a palapa. Palapas at the Mariott, run free to $30 a day depending on when you rent them and where they are located on the beach. These rates and policies change often, so please check back on this website as the wedding approaches to learn of any changes to this process.
For those of you who are looking for something else to do besides hang out at the pool and/or beach, please check with the concierge for ideas and reservations.
There is a great half-day jeep land tour that some might be interested in taking. There are also multiple snorkeling trips to choose from. There are several beachside water activities to do including Para Sailing, Jet Skiing, waterskiing, wind surfing lessons and rentals etc…
There is also a wonderful Spa (Mandara Spa) located at Marriot Ocean Club – right next door to the Marriott if you would like to book a treatment (including oceanside massages). The spa is open to the public.
There is also a large, two-story gym located at the Marriott that is available to use all day and night.
Yes – especially for weekend or holiday travel. Please remember you will be clearing US CUSTOMS in Aruba (prior to boarding your flights), so that is part of that three hours time block. In addition, you will go through two security checks (one US and one Aruban).
If everything goes smoothly, you can go through the entire check in process in 75 - 90 minutes, but quite often it can take 2+ hours to get to your boarding gate.