From Long Island to Renaissance Island

“It was the best day of our lives,” shared bride Christine Castiello.  The Long Island resident and her groom, Raymond Sanicola, knew they wanted to get married on a beautiful beach at sunset. Ultimately, they chose Aruba as the locale for their destination wedding, “because the beaches are absolutely beautiful, the food is always amazing, and the people are just lovely,” Christine explained. 

Aruba boasts a variety of beaches, each unique in setting and ambiance. The privacy of Renaissance Island really appealed to the couple as the venue for both the ceremony and reception. 

The lush, tropical setting of  the evironment lent so much visually to the event that there was no stress when it came to décor. 

Christine went with a palette of aqua and grey to harmonize with the natural beauty of the island, adding little beach-inspired touches like seashell holders for the table numbers and accenting the wedding cake with seashells and starfish.  

For her dress, Christine wanted something more formal than what is often seen at beach weddings.

“My dress was designed by Maggie Sottero and had lots of beading and details…it looked beautiful with the sun setting and the beading shimmering…I took layers out of my train so it was see-through on the sand,” she explained. 

The culinary team with the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino catered the reception on the private island.Passed hors d’oeuvres included coconut shrimp, lump crab cakes with coconut relish, arancini balls, and vegetable spring rolls.
 

 Buffet stations featured a lavish seafood display with crab claws, gulf shrimp, and steamed mussels and oysters on the half shell; an international fruit and cheese display; an antipasta station; sushi and sashimi station; carving station with roasted prime rib; a market-style fresh salad bar and artisan breads and spreads; lobster bisque, and an entrée station with baby lamb racks, grilled filet mignon, broiled Caribbean lobster tails, and a selection of side dishes.

“My guests raved about the food,” said Christine.