Wedding Blog
Yes, in about 3 1/2 months, this is what Mr. S and I will be looking at:
We’re both getting really excited about honeymooning in Aruba! It was very important to me that we take a honeymoon immediately after the wedding… I wanted that feeling of jetting off after the big day and being just “us” for a while before real life came back into the picture. But unfortunately, we weren’t sure what we could really afford to do. In stepped the Stiletto parents, who never took a “true” honeymoon, and didn’t want us to miss the opportunity. They ever so generously gifted us 1 week of their timeshare, ours to trade for whatever location was available for our desired week.
We looked at the Dominican Republic (not the best location, we decided, for September) and I daydreamed about Thailand, Bali and New Zealand…
However, even though the accommodations were covered, we still had to get ourselves there!
On one of my daily searches through the timeshare web site last November, Aruba popped up. I started talking to different people who had been, and heard fabulous things - clean, safe, hot (seriously, their only season is, you guess it, HOT!), and far south, outside of that pesky hurricane zone. Check it out, Aruba is WAAAY down there:
We decided we needed to jump on this opportunity and book the trip… after checking flights, of course! We were able to get round trip airfare with short layovers in Miami each way for around $900 for the two of us. Fan-tastic! If we had waited until about now to secure a location, I’m sure there would have been many more options - timeshares are great for trading at the last minute. But I’m very glad we took care of this when we did. We booked our flights in December, so other than meals and activities, everything is paid for.
We’ll be staying here, at Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club.
We’ll have more of a small condo equipped with a kitchen, rather than just a room. There is a Marriott resort right by the timeshare, where we should have access to all of the amenities such as their pool, spa, and casino, should we want to gamble away our wedding gifts (I kid, I kid).
Mr. S and I are so grateful for my parents’ generosity and helping us have a beautiful, relaxing honeymoon! At this stage in the game, it’s also great to know that we won’t have to shell out tons of money to make this happen… it’s one less thing to be budgeting at this point. Plus, Mr. S has never been to the ocean before and it’s been years since I’ve been! He was a wee bit hesitant about the trip at first, thinking we’d be bored. Now I think he’s realizing that the “boredom” will really be “relaxation” and will be very welcome.
What part of your honeymoon are you most excited about?
|
Share this post: It’s Gonna Be a Hot, Hot Honeymoon!
FABULOUS! I totally wanted a tropical honeymoon, but am concerned that, in March, it won’t be hot ENOUGH. 
You absolutely MUST eat at the Flying Fishbone. It’s this tiny little place where the tables are directly in the sand on a quiet little bay. The food is fantastic! Here’s a link to their website & pictures:
Also, that’s the same place that I stayed a few years ago and it’s gorgeous! Marble floors and perfect sandy beaches. If you go out to the beach and turn left then walk for a mile or so, there’s a great little open air bar on the beach(called Mango something or other) that has cheap, yummy breakfast and good music.
He’s never been to the ocean before? Ever? I grew up on the beach so it’s like telling me you’ve never seen the sun!
What fun that you get to do that together.
I second the Flying Fishbone. Food is great and its super romantic!
i stay at this hotel every september. it is my favorite place. the resorts is amazing and away from all the downtown stuff.
The Beach, getting away from it all, and spending time with my new hubby. I’m excited! Is it August yet?
We are honeymooning in Aruba too! Probably down the beach from your resort! haha YAY for no hurricanes there!
I’m most excited about wine and alone time with my new husband.
All the sights of Italy will have to remembered in pictures, because they will be fun, but not first focus!
I’ve never been to Aruba, but we also took our honeymoon right after the wedding. We had a Friday evening wedding and left first thing Saturday morning. I’ll tell you, it was amazing! You’re going to love it. It felt so magical and dreamy to have this amazing day and then get whisped off to a tropical paradise to reflect and enjoy eachother for days and days….
Please eat at El Gaucho!!!!!! Erinsdesmar knows what she is talkin about. One of my favorite restaurants in the World!!! Literally. Make reservations before you leave.
I am using a timeshare too from my FH mom! We are on waiting lists to be placed, and I think this place is one we are listed to go to! RANDOM!
Awww, so sweet of your parents — glad to hear this worked out well for you two!
we honeymooned in Aruba as well and LOVED it. I recommend a horseback ride through the national park. 3 hours includes a trip to the natural pool, galloping through dunes and, riding through mountains and just an amazing fun-filled time. Aruba is known as “One Happy Island” and its completely true. The locals are relaxed and kind and not hustling hard. Also I recommend renting a car, because cabs are insanely expensive.
Thank you all of the suggestions for places to visit in Aruba - I’m adding them to the spreadsheet right now 
It’s also nice to hear some positives about the place we’ll be staying, since it’s such a chance when you book something.
I’m getting SO crazy excited for our trip!! Whee!
We stayed at the Surf Club for half of our honeymoon and really enjoyed it as well. I totally agree about the Flying Fishbone - we went for my husband’s birthday which happened to fall during our honeymoon. Within walking distance for you though, from the Ocean Club, if you walk down the beach, toward the left if you’re facing the water, just past the Surf Club there is a nice little open air restaurant that we ate at a couple of times - nice for that end of the island if you don’t wanna get a cab. Also, we really enjoyed the helicopter tour - I think their website is http://www.arubahelitours.com/ but it won’t come up for me at the moment. It’s run out of a little hut downtown by the marina. Lots of fun! Feel free to PM me for more info if you want.
PS - The little restaurant next to the Surf Club that we liked was called Hadicurari(http://www.hadicurari.com/). DH found it for me cuz he’s good like that
| Visit our sister sites | Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Fertile Thoughts Infertility Support |
Mrs. Stiletto, Chicago
Age and Occupation: 26, Non-Profit/Fundraising
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Engineer and Photographer
Engagement Date: March 2, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009
Venue: The 19th Century Club
About Me: My fiance and I love living in the city of Chicago with our cats Basil and Linus, and vow to never move to the suburbs if we can possibly avoid it! We’ve poured ourselves into planning a wedding that reflects our personal style - modern and high contrast with a vintage twist. Blogging keeps me creative, baking keeps me happy, and grande nonfat no foam sugar free vanilla lattes keep me sane.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 |
Latest Gallery Pics