Eagle Beach served as the lovely backdrop to the Caribbean’s largest vow renewal ceremony. After a two-year hiatus, the event returned bigger than ever, more romantic, and just perfect!
It was the fourth time that Aruba Tourism Authority organized it, with the help of Event Specialist Lissy Lampe, Wedding Official Andy Osborne and Master of Ceremony Edjean Semeleer.
ArubaIdo attracted about 200 people, I did not count. They came to Aruba to pledge: “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.”
It was very romantic, and personable, and intimate.
According to the ATA CEO, the event got a strong response, meeting and exceeding goals for 2022, including local couples, gay couples, old timers, and newlyweds.
Andy Osborne is the consummate wedding official, talked sincerely about love and commitment, allowing his humor to shine through. The surprise of the evening was singer Edjean Semeleer as the master of ceremony who interacted with his audience gracefully. Kudos on how he handled the challenging occasion.
Edjean started with a cute Q&A session: Where are you from? How many years have you been married? Did you tie the knot or honeymooned in Aruba?
Not surprisingly, a great number of participants have been here before, and enjoyed emotional ties to the island. The most senior married couple reported 53 years of bliss, the youngest got engaged last night.
Europe was represented by Italians and Dutch, South America sent representatives from Brazil, Chile and Colombia.
I liked the casual, spontaneous, unrehearsed and non-commercial beach ambience, one could reach out and touch love. The sand and sunset were priceless.
Two steel pan players, Instagram beach props, arches, letters, flowers, a ton of photographers, a chilled champagne toast in branded flutes, Edjean singing a fantastic rendition of Abo So, and two more improvised songs including Perfect. Couples swaying to the music in the sand.
It was perfect.
As the light dimmed, the buses loaded up the lovebirds and left.
The beach emptied, only memories remain.
