Home >> Our Aruba Destination Wedding >> DAY 1
Although we were all exhausted, we knew that the early morning flight with a short connection in Atlanta GA., would get us to Aruba by the early afternoon.
Most of my family had arrived a few days earlier, and Scott's mom would be landing at Queen Beatrix Airport a little after us.
Passing through the customs office was the most exasperating part of traveling to Aruba. Mostly because we were so eager to get out into the sunshine that the 20 minutes or so in line seemed like forever.
A shuttle bus took us to the car rental agency where we all piled ourselves and our luggage into the 12 person van that we had rented. Scott got directions to our hotel from the person at the counter, and he courageously drove the huge vehicle in unfamiliar terrain, though Oranjestad, past the Low Rise Hotels, and the end of the High Rise Hotels to our little boutique hotel –
The Boardwalk.
We dropped everyone off, and headed back to the airport to get his mom. But, when we got there, she was nowhere to be found. Her plane had landed and everyone aboard had claimed their luggage. After franticly searching the small airport for her, we called the hotel. Apparently there was a miscommunication and thankfully, she was not lost...she had taken a cab and had already checked in. (Ah, the perils of group travel!)
We got back and checked into the Boardwalk Hotel, just in time to freshen up, and go across the street to the Marriott to meet with the wedding planner, Desiree. She went over all the details and walked us through from seating the guests to the photos at sunset. I gave her the cake top that I had bought for our wedding cake, and also the engraved glass vases to be used for the sand ceremony that thankfully made the trip safely via my carry-on. These would all be set up prior to the ceremony. It’s all in her good hands.
We met our parents for dinner. I’m sure that it was good, even though it had been such a long day that I don’t even remember chewing.
Before I fell into bed that evening, I couldn’t help but take a refreshing and relaxing swim in the pool. As I floated on my back and looked up at the stars framed by the green swaying palm trees, I thought to myself…We’re really here!
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Day 2 - Rehearsal Dinner & Ladies Brunch
