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Let the Celebrations Begin!

Text by Tina Causey-Bislick  /  Images by Steve Keith

Most will agree, the best part of a wedding is the reception.  The formality and jitters of the “I dos” are over, the couple can let out a big exhale, and we all get to eat! The reception is a time when the couple can express themselves through the elements they chose for their reception—from food and flowers to the décor and entertainment—which reflect their individual and combined tastes. After all, it’s their first time as a married couple to break bread with family and friends!

Here on Aruba, the destination-wedding scene is growing every year, and those who contribute to this genre of tourism—from wedding planners and decorators to florists and culinary teams—work very hard to stay on top of their game and on-trend.

We tasked six resorts to each create a reception based on themes and styles in both food and beverage and décor.  The results are impressive and make me want to get married (or at least have a reception) all over again!  Oh, and these ideas are not specific to wedding receptions; any of these themes can be implemented for a variety of wedding-related events, including welcome parties, rehearsal dinners, bridesmaid or groomsmen events, engagement celebrations, anniversaries, and beyond.

Decorators:  Letz Aruba, Phone +297-587-9215  /  House of Mosaic, Phone +297-594-8096  /  The Perfect Team Event Planners, Phone +297-738-7417

Florists:  Shar’s Flowers, Phone +297-583-2727  /  Koolman Flower Shop, Phone +297-582-3161

 

Divi Phoenix Beach Resort Aruba

Cocktails at 6

Aruba destination wedding reception on the beach

The Vendors: Aruba Weddings for You (the exclusive wedding planners for Divi Resorts), Letz Aruba, Shar’s Flowers, Divi Resorts’ culinary team, Pepia Est (mixologists)

Whether you call them hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, tapas, tastes, small plates, or bites, allowing guests to graze at their leisure on a variety of foods presented in small or bite-sized portions assures that there is something on the menu for everyone and keeps your reception “fluid,” encouraging guests to move around and mingle. Pairing beverages with food takes it to the next level, allowing guests to sample a variety of drinks while also upping the “wow” flavor factor of the cuisine.  The Divi culinary team worked with local spirits distributor Pepia Est to present six winning food-drink combos, where flavors, colors, and presentations were all considerations.  The décor reflected a tasteful mix-and-match vintage look with a bit of nautical inspiration tied in.

Aruba wedding reception on the beach
Aruba destination wedding reception on the beach
Aruba Weddings for You beach wedding setup at Divi Resorts in Aruba, an LGBT Aruba resort

The Menu

  • Mini fish tacos paired with mini margaritas
  • Beef sliders paired with beer shots
  • Lamb lollipops paired with gin and tonics
  • Beef and shrimp brochettes paired with tequila sunrise tasters
  • Seafood paella paired with white sangria
  • Watermelon and feta bites paired with mini mojitos
Aruba destination wedding - food at the reception on the beach
wedding reception food and drink Aruba
Aruba destination wedding reception on the beach

 

Tierra del Sol Resort & Golf

Brunch at the Club

Aruba destination wedding reception at Tierra del Sol

The Vendors: The Restaurant at Tierra del Sol‘s culinary team, Koolman’s Flower Shop, The Perfect Team Event Planners

The grounds of the clubhouse at Tierra del Sol—with expansive and stunning views of the Robert Trent Jones II desert links golf course, the California Lighthouse, and the coastline—offer couples a wedding venue that epitomizes casual Caribbean sophistication.  We can think of no better setting for a wedding brunch than right here.  Much like the weekly Sunday brunch at The Restaurant at Tierra del Sol, this wedding reception, set up on the restaurant’s back lawn, is served in small-plate style, allowing guests to sample a variety of tastes.  For the décor, crisp white is softened with pink, blush, and cream flowers and a touch of lace for a classic wedding look.

Aruba destination wedding reception at Tierra del Sol

The Menu

  • French toast with cinnamon butter, fresh fruit, and bacon
  • Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon
  • Lobster cappuccino with saffron cream and fresh herbs
  • Mini croissants filled with pastry cream and drizzled with hot chocolate sauce
  • Escargots and shrimp in a lightly spiced garlic sauce with fresh herbs
  • Pan-seared sea bass with saffron quinoa, oyster mushrooms, asparagus truffle crème, and grilled pineapple & tomato antiboise
Aruba destination wedding reception at Tierra del Sol
Aruba destination wedding reception at Tierra del Sol
Aruba destination wedding reception at Tierra del Sol

 

Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

Bohemian Beach Chic

beach wedding reception in Aruba

The Vendors: The Perfect Team Event Planners, Marriott’s banquet and culinary teams

This reception idea from the team at the Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino delivers the ultimate toes-in-the-sand wedding experience.  The low-key, boho vibe is enriched with layers of bold and bright colors and fabrics of varying textures.  Vases of differing sizes and shapes filled with loose flowers complement the relaxed setting. The reception’s seaside setting inspired a menu of seafood served small-plate style, as well as Caribbean lobster tail grilled tableside.

beach wedding reception setup in Aruba

The Menu

  • Grilled Caribbean lobster
  • Yellowfin-tuna salad with fresh orange segments, microgreens, roasted tomatoes, red-pepper mayonnaise, and a fresh lime dressing
  • Red-snapper sashimi with cucumber, faro seeds, cilantro, and Madame Jeanette peppers, enhanced with orange foam and sesame & soy vinaigrette
  • Scallops with crispy quinoa, garlic puree, microgreens, red-wine sea salt, Cape gooseberries, and basil vinaigrette
  • Sea bass with a carrot puree and a port-wine reduction, grilled asparagus, radishes, and toasted almonds
  • Red snapper with cauliflower puree, edamame, roasted olluco, and a creamy piquillo-pepper sauce
Aruba wedding reception
Aruba wedding reception
tuna appetizer served at the Marriott Aruba Resort during a wedding reception

 

Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino

 Caribbean Sophistication

Aruba wedding reception at Hilton Aruba

The Vendors: Sunset Grille‘s culinary team, Letz Aruba, Shar’s Flowers

A formal, sophisticated event is not just relegated to a traditional setting like a ballroom. Aruba’s creative decorators and florists can turn an outdoor locale like Hilton’s beachside lawn venue into alfresco refinement with a touch of glam.

The classic white-on-white color scheme allows the silver and crystal of the centerpieces to shine and sparkle, adding understated drama to the look.  If you look closely, you’ll see that every table has a few unique elements while staying true to the overall décor theme. This elegant setup is ideal for a more formal, plated dinner.  The Hilton showcases menu items from its flagship restaurant, Sunset Grille, critically acclaimed for its steak, seafood, and pasta.

Aruba wedding reception at Hilton Aruba
Hilton Aruba wedding reception
Hilton Aruba wedding reception

The Menu

  • Lobster bisque with a touch of brandy and sherry foam
  • Burrata Caprese salad with beefsteak tomatoes
  • Colossal-shrimp cocktail
  • 100% Certified Angus Beef filet mignon
wedding reception Aruba
wedding reception Aruba
wedding reception Aruba

 

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort

Enchantment in the Garden

wedding reception Aruba

The Vendors: Hyatt’s pastry team, Koolman’s Flower Shop, House of Mosaic

The garden wedding will always be a classic go-to—it radiates romance and fairy tales.  The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino recently unveiled a new event venue to add to its grand beach palapa, catering deck, and ballroom options.  The area is known as the “Gold Mill Ruins,” (inspired by the island’s historic Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins) and is anchored by mammoth rubber trees that lend a mystical vibe to the setting.  The Hyatt team chose this venue to showcase a decadent way to end a wedding reception.

The wedding cake is the traditional dessert served at wedding receptions, and that will certainly always be the case.  However, many couples are opting to give their guests options, such as an array of confectionary delights, served in bite-sized portions so guests can sample their way through dessert.  And like an hors d’oeuvre and cocktail reception, the presentation entices guests to get up from their seats and mingle, keeping the reception from becoming static.

Aruba wedding reception
Aruba wedding reception flowers
Aruba wedding reception flowers

The Menu

  • Mini cupcakes
  • Mini brownies
  • Assorted cookies
  • Petite macaroons
  • Mousse shooters
  • Fruit, ganache, and lemon tartlets
  • Assorted truffles
  • Ladyfingers
Hyatt Aruba wedding reception
Hyatt Aruba wedding reception
Hyatt Aruba wedding reception

 

The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba

Mediterranean Tapas Market

Aruba wedding reception setup at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba by House of Mosaic

The Vendors: The Ritz-Carlton’s culinary team, Shar’s Flowers, House of Mosaic

Guests at this reception can graze on Mediterranean fare presented in a market-style buffet setting. In addition to a gourmet salad bar and an artisan-bread display, action stations featuring chef-carved meats and freshly prepared paella make for a lively reception experience.

A natural, rustic décor was chosen for the outdoor reception on the resort’s lawn, located adjacent to the beachside wedding bridge. The tapas buffet is arranged on thick, wooden farmer’s tables, with simple burlap overlays.  Wooden bowls and platters and cast-iron cookware are used to display food. Floral accents provide a rich, deep pop of color to the décor.  The seating area features round tables with gold tablecloths and gold Chiavari chairs, with a slightly different flower composition on each.  The cocktail/bar area adds a bit of quirkiness and fun to the event, with old clocks, wardrobe trunks, and even an authentic antique Singer sewing machine woven into the setting.

House of Mosaic wedding reception Aruba
Aruba destination wedding reception
Aruba destination wedding

The Menu

  • Gourmet salad bar (marinated olives, grilled mushrooms, pulpo a la gallega, pan con tomate, chorizo Iberico, jamon serrano, Manchego cheese, goat cheese, market salad, tortilla de patata, anchovies en vinagre, piquillo pepper & pulled pork, croquetas de bacalao, assorted breads)
  • Local tomato & watermelon gazpacho
  • Vegetable paella
  • Papas bravas with smoked paprika
  • Escalavida Catalana
  • Clams cacerola
  • Mahi mahi de la Lima
  • Carved beef tenderloin
  • Organic roasted chicken with rosemary and thyme
Aruba destination wedding
Aruba destination wedding
Aruba destination wedding
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