UK weddings to Aruba double
The sun-kissed Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba is becoming a favourite for loved-up UK couples looking to tie the knot, with bookings for wedding packages for 2010 already at twice the number sold this year.
The figures come from leading specialist operators Thomson and First Choice, and the Aruba Tourism Authority is anticipating further growth with increased accessibility from the UK next year, with Thomson Airways offering weekly services to Aruba from both London Gatwick and Manchester as of May 2010.
Aruba’s breathtaking sunsets, world-class beaches and year-round warm weather make the island a picture perfect place for a destination wedding. Couples choosing to get married in Aruba usually opt to have their civil ceremony in the morning at the historic, sea-coloured Civil House first, followed by a blessing on the beach or at one of Aruba’s luxurious hotels and resorts later in the day.
Joanna Walding, Aruba Tourism Authority UK Director, said:
“Aruba is really capturing the imagination of couples looking for a romantic, sun-drenched destination for the wedding of their dreams, with the island’s powder white sand beaches and turquoise shores providing the ideal setting”.
She continued:
“Unlike other popular destinations, most resorts and hotels in Aruba will only hold one ceremony per day so weddings have a more intimate feel – and with Aruba now becoming more accessible than ever to British travellers we are confident that the trend will continue”.
All First Choice and Thomson wedding packages include planning and administration (with a wedding representative taking care of all the arrangements); the all-important ceremony at the Civil Town House; venue decoration; marriage licence, certificate and registrar fees; a bouquet for the bride and a buttonhole for the groom; wedding cake; and sparkling wine toast.
First Choice offers 14 night holidays in Aruba staying all-inclusive at the 5 Sun Occidental Grand Aruba from £1685 per person, based on two sharing, departing from London Gatwick on the 8th May 2009. Guaranteed to take your breath away, the Occidental Grand Aruba offers luxury in every sense of the word, with a truly elegant decor, beautiful rooms and countless facilities. Special features like its beach massage service and Japanese garden restaurant make this hotel unforgettable.
Weddings at the Occidental Grand Aruba start from £1609; for further information please go to www.firstchoice.co.uk or call First Choice’s dedicated weddings team on 0872 664 0131.
Thomson offers 14 night holidays in Aruba staying all-inclusive at the 5T Riu Palace Aruba from £1699 per person, based on two sharing, departing from London Gatwick on the 8th May 2009. Set on the breathtaking Palm Beach, with its talcum-powder-soft sands and bright blue water, Riu Palace Aruba has one of the best settings on the island. It offers a fabulous range of restaurants and bars, along with sports and relaxing beauty treatments.
Weddings at the Riu Palace Aruba start from £1739; for further information go to thomson.co.uk.
All holidays are subject to availability and booking terms and conditions. Prices include flights, transfers, fuel surcharges, air passenger duty, and accommodation.
For more information on Aruba visit aruba.com.
