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Does Bucuti plan destination weddings at the resort?
Yes!!! Bucuti's "Dream Beach of the World" has been the location of hundreds of intimate weddings.
What is the minimum and maximum size of a wedding?
We often do weddings with only the couple; however we can accommodate a maximum of 50 persons.
We have noticed that in your wedding packages it is stated that the package rate is based on a
maximum of 6 guests. What is the package rate if I have more than 6 guests?
All our packages are based on 6 guests. We have a US $150 setup fee for up to an additional 13
people and US $250 Setup fee for up to 44 people above the original 6 persons.
Setup is for the ceremony/reception, including site, tables with linen, classic dark wooden chairs
or elegant white covered chairs, china, glassware and cutlery.
Cake sizes and champagne for the toast
are also some items to be considered. For example our Emerald Wedding Package includes a 2 tier cake
that will serve 20 persons. If you have more than 20 persons, you will need to upgrade to a three tier
cake. This serves up to 35 persons and the price difference between a two tier and a three tier
cake is about US $75. One champagne bottle serves about 6 persons. Extra bottles are
needed in order to serve more than 6 guests for a toast! Ask our on-site coordinator for a
personalized package quotation at weddings@bucuti.com
Where do your weddings take place?
All our weddings to date have taken place on our fourteen acre beach. We have no indoor
meeting rooms or facilities. However if desired, we do have a garden/courtyard area which
as another location option.
We have noticed that you do not encourage families with children at Bucuti. What if we will
have guests with children?
While Children may attend the ceremony and reception, we do not recommend our resort for families.
We have a small number of rooms in our Bucuti Wing that will accommodate a maximum of one
child. Adjacent to us on either side we have two resorts, our neighbors, only a one minute
walk away, who are wonderful family resorts. Please consult with the wedding planner for
information on how to contact these resorts for families attending with children.
Do you have a dedicated wedding planner on site? How can we reach her?
Yes, Nashette Wouters is our Wedding Coordinator. Nashette handles all wedding planning and
execution for couples and will guide you through the entire process. All couples will have
unlimited consultation with Nashette prior to arrival and on site after their arrival.
You may email her at weddings@bucuti.com with your questions and to begin planning your
wedding at Bucuti. Or you may call directly at 297-583-1100, extension 145.
What services does your wedding planner provide? Is there a fee?
Arrangements for the officiator, flower orders, decorations, photographer, videographer,
wedding cake, music, entertainment, civil & beach ceremony, and dinner reception on the
beach will be handled entirely by the Wedding Coordinator. All fees for our services are
incorporated into the package rates.
How do I begin to plan my wedding at Bucuti?
We suggest that you begin by looking at our wedding packages.
Choose the package best for you and then contact Nashette Wouters, our wedding planner, with your
questions and date. The minimum package for Bucuti to host/plan your wedding in Aruba is our
Dream Beach of the World Ceremony package at US $885.
May I marry at the Bucuti Beach Resort utilizing another wedding planner?
No, to insure the quality and timeliness of your experience at our resort, we limit the
planning and execution of the planning to our wedding planner exclusively.
May I marry at the Bucuti Beach Resort if I'm staying at another resort?
No, we perform weddings exclusively for guests of Bucuti.
Can I add or subtract items and services from your wedding packages?
You may not subtract items from a package, however you may add services not already included
in a package, however all services must be contracted through our wedding planner. We
have had negative experiences with brides contacting and using their own suppliers.
By not having contracted with the supplier, Bucuti cannot be responsible for their timeliness or
performance and we have had unfortunate situations out of our control in the past.
How many weddings do you do in one day?
One! Only yours, you have our full attention.
How much time would we need to reserve our wedding in advance?
To marry in a Civil Ceremony in Aruba you must submit your name at least 30 days prior to
your desired wedding date, and we require all the needed paperwork to do that. Therefore you
must get your paperwork to us 30 days in advance. For legal ceremonies and in order to reserve your date,
many couples begin to dialogue with us almost a year in advance.
For non-official beach ceremonies or a Renewal of Vows Ceremony, there are no advance legal
requirements, however we need sufficient time to reserve your requested services. We can do this in a
relatively short period of time depending how elaborate you wish your ceremony to be.
Do you require a down payment? How much? When is the balance due?
Yes, we do require a non-refundable deposit of US $250 to hold a date for your wedding as we
will be turning down other requests. This deposit will be applied as a credit to the final
invoice for your wedding. Final pre-payment for our services is due one month prior to your arrival date.
What is your cancellation policy?
Couples may cancel up to one month prior to the planned wedding date and will forfeit 50% of the total
amount as payment for planning and arrangements already done by Bucuti Beach Resort.
How do I reserve my room at the Bucuti Beach Resort?
You may reserve through our website at
our secure full-time reservation
system. You will receive an instant reservation confirmation number.
To interact with our reservations department please fill in our
online reservation form.
Our reservations department will reply within one business day. You may also contact Jill Blase at
our USA reservations office at 1-888-4-Bucuti, or call Bucuti directly at
297-583-1100, extension 104.
Is there a special room rate for wedding couples? And a group rate if a block of rooms is reserved
for the wedding party?
For our wedding couples we offer our One Happy Honeymoon Package which includes room
accommodations and a variety of additional amenities.
We do offer a special group discount for friends and family when the number of rooms reserved reaches 10 or
more. In order to take advantage of this discount, we must receive the reservation directly
via our website.
Please add in the comments section that they are guests attending your wedding party and the date
of your wedding with the request for the group discount rate so our reservations team knows
how to process the booking and the rate.
We have noticed you have a standard minimum stay requirement for 5 nights and for 7 nights
on certain periods during the year. Is this a hard and fast rule?
We will be flexible when possible, have us check your dates. We have recommendations for
shorter stays if we cannot provide them. In general for groups we require the 5 night minimum.
If a guest is unable to confirm a short stay, is there a nearby resort that you would recommend for
guests staying for less than 5 or 7 nights?
For your guests who may want to stay for a shorter time, there are many resorts to chose from.
Nashette, our Wedding Coordinator, will be able to provide you with a list of nearby resorts.
Do you have a wedding or honeymoon suite?
While we do not have designated wedding/honeymoon suites, we offer a variety of rooms and
suites popular for honeymoons. Our Tara Beach Suites and Penthouses are located in our
upscale Tara Wing. These accommodations offer an adults-only atmosphere, romantic luxury
decor and its own spa facilities.
Are beach weddings legal?
No, according to Dutch Law, all legal marriages must take place at the Civil House, also
known as Town Hall. Most guests marry legally in the afternoon and have a beach ceremony at sunset.
Can I have a priest perform a legal marriage?
No, priests do not have legal jurisdiction.
What are the conditions and requirements for civil ceremonies?
- To marry in Aruba you must submit your name 30 days prior to marriage date
- All civil ceremonies must take place at the Bureau Burgerlijke Stand (Civil Town House) in Oranjestad
- Ceremonies are performed Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 12: noon
and from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Ceremonies may be performed on Saturdays depending on availability and for an extra fee
- Proper attire is required for all civil ceremonies i.e. slacks and sports shirt for men,
sundress for ladies. More formal attire is also acceptable should you wish to do so
- All documents must be submitted by FedEx to the Bucuti Beach Resort at least one month prior
to wedding date
What type of legal documentation is required for Civil Ceremonies?
- Birth-certificates of the couple (with names of parents) along with an Apostille
given by the Secretary of State where the birth took place
- Original document of Letter of Non-Impediment (a search given by the Department of Health or
Department of Vital Statistics Record) also known as Single Status Report or a declaration of unmarried
- If previously married or widowed: divorce-certificate or death-certificate of your previous
spouse(s), Also with an Apostille by the Secretary of State
- Color copies of the couple's passports
- A Letter of intent filed by both bride and groom
Printable PDF copy of the Letter of Intent
- Color copies of passports of both witnesses
- All documents must be submitted by FedEx to the Bucuti Beach Resort at least one month prior
to wedding date
What does the Ceremony fee include?
- Certificate by Ministry of Justice
- Translation of Dutch marriage certificate into English
- Special Government Stamp
- Marriage Book
- Authorization of translated copy of marriage
- Courier for translated marriage certificate back to client
When will we receive the marriage certificate?
Usually within one month after the Civil Ceremony. The Bucuti Beach Resort will send the
certificate by courier to the wedding couple.
What are the requirements for witnesses?
Witnesses are required for all Civil Ceremonies. You need at least two witnesses and may
have as many as four. A witness must be at least 18 years old. If you cannot arrange witnesses,
they can be provided for a charge of US $40 per witness.
What time of day do most weddings occur? Why?
We schedule our Beach Sunset Ceremonies to start at about 6:15 pm. This time is optimum
for a combination of favorable sunlight and temperature and the sunset which occurs just over
the ocean behind your ceremony. The time changes slightly during the year due to shorter
days in the winter than the summer. Check with us about your dates.
Is live music available??
Yes, we can arrange a live steel pan player, DJ entertainment or put together a play list of your choice.
Can we supply our own music on CD?
Yes, you may bring the CD to the pre-wedding consultation with the Wedding Coordinator so we may
test the CD in advance.
What can you arrange for a wedding cake?
We can order double layer, single tier, two tier or triple tier wedding cakes. Our cake
price includes the decoration, either a fresh flower of your choice or real sea shells.
Wedding cakes can be prepared in many flavors, including Chocolate, vanilla, Butter Crème,
Vanilla, Strawberry, Mocha and Chocolate Swirl. We use fondant as icing.
How many of my guests will the wedding cake serve?
A single tier cake will serve up to 6/8 persons; A 2 tier cake will serve up to 20 persons;
A 3 tier cake will serve up to 35 persons and a 4 tier cake will serve up to 45 persons.
What types of flowers are available locally? Is there a florist onsite?
All flowers are seasonal and imported weekly. The price depends on the type and
the country of origin. While we do our utmost to get the flowers that
meet your wishes, we ask for you to provide us with a second choice of dependable flower types.
All our wedding packages include a Tropical Nosegay bridal bouquet and matching groom's boutonnière.
The tropical flower types include Orange Lilies, Orange Bird of Paradise,
Statis, Red Anthurium and Yellow Calla Lilies.
What do brides and grooms typically wear at Bucuti for destination weddings?
You may wear any combination of a casual short dress, shorts and shirts, formal long dresses
and suits. We do suggest a light fabric considering Aruba's tropical temperatures. Check our Wedding
Photo Album to see dozens of previous weddings at Bucuti.
What do you do if I schedule an outside ceremony and reception and it rains?
In case of rain, we will move the wedding indoors to our elegant Tara Lounge.
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