I’m gonna marry that girl!

Marco Crachat knew from the moment Nilsa Tome walked into a party at a friend’s home and they locked eyes that she was the one.   “I knew right away that was the woman I would live out my days with…I said it to myself probably 100 times that night,” Marco shared.  

The Hartford, Connecticut couple spent their first vacation together on the island of Aruba—loving it so much that they became members of the Divi Resorts Vacation Club so they could return to Aruba every year. Doing their homework and collecting ideas on destination weddings, they also decided that Aruba would be the ideal location for their dream wedding. “We had the main ideas we wanted for our wedding ceremony and reception but we weren't set on location (which beach) and who we would work with.   We decided to take a mini vacation to Aruba to see the top three venues we chose and to discuss some ideas with the coordinators at each location,” explained the couple.  Ultimately, Marco and Nilsa chose Aruba Weddings for You (AWFY), the exclusive wedding planners for Divi Resorts. 

In addition to the convenience of working with AWFY and familiarity with the exceptional service and staff of Divi Resorts, the couple had an instant connection with Marielle Hilkman, their wedding coordinator from AWFY. “Her genuine smile and eagerness to listen to our wants and desires for the wedding just made us feel like we weren't just another couple that was coming from the U.S. to get married on a beautiful island…we really felt like we belonged there.”

Divi Resorts has multiple scenic beach locales, including the Sandpiper Bar on pristine Eagle Beach, which the couple selected as the site for their wedding.  The expansive beach area here is perfect for a true toes-in-the-sand wedding experience.  The couple envisioned a single, long table to accommodate seating their wedding guests together, with a gazebo and dangling lights.  “Marielle made it happen.  When we saw the gazebos put together to make one large one and the lights turned on, the tables set, and the chandelier hanging from the middle, we stood there for a few moments to just take it all in.  Sometimes we stare at the photo of the gazebos and it brings a smile to both of our faces.”  

The Details 

• The color palette for the event was off-white paired with coral and a few touches of slate blue.
• A buffet with a variety of dishes was enjoyed, especially the steaks right off the grill. “The steaks that we had were out of this world. We still talk about them today!”
• In addition to a premium open bar, a signature drink was crafted just for the wedding.  It was a collaboration from the best man and head bartender. “It was a massive hit amongst the guests at the wedding.”
• Nilsa wore a mermaid style wedding dress.  “I am traditional but with a modern view on styling. I didn't want a big traditional dress that was long and flowing, but I also didn't want a small dress that didn't accentuate the fact that I was getting married.”
• Marco wore a simple gray suit with coat and vest from Ralph Lauren, with a pink tie and brown shoes.  “I chose this style because despite the norm for a beach wedding being off-white pants, sandals, and a flowing white shirt, I wanted to remain somewhat traditional, as I consider myself traditional but with a modern edge.”

Notes from the Couple

 Aruba is truly a paradise.  The perfect weather year-round, the kindest locals you'll ever meet, and the genuine smiles everyone has really does make Aruba "One happy island."  My (Marco) family took me golfing on the morning of the wedding to prepare me for my big day and the golf course at the Tierra Del Sol was amazing. The views were outstanding and the course was fantastic.  Many of our guests also did the jeep tours and every single one of them loved it.  They said it was exciting, fun, and allowed them to appreciate a lot of what the island has to offer.  Shopping in the capital was also great and allowed everyone to explore as much as they could around the island.