Getting there
Porter flies nonstop both ways. Pick the option that matches your RSVP. Prices were checked in September and will move, so book once Mrinal gives the go-ahead.
Option 1 · Staying all four days
Thursday, March 25
Toronto 7:50 am to Aruba 1:00 pm. Porter nonstop, 5 hr 10 min.
Monday, March 29
Aruba 2:00 pm to Toronto 7:29 pm. Porter nonstop, 5 hr 29 min.
Round trip from about CA$527.
Option 2 · Heading home Sunday
Thursday, March 25
Toronto 7:50 am to Aruba 1:00 pm. Porter nonstop, 5 hr 10 min.
Sunday, March 28
Aruba 6:30 pm to Toronto 11:59 pm. Porter nonstop, 5 hr 29 min.
Round trip from about CA$444. The evening flight means you still get all of Sunday on the beach, but you'll head to the airport around 3:30 pm and miss the farewell dinner.
Porter's basic fare includes no carry-on and charges for a checked bag, so add a bag when you book. Both flights leave from Toronto Pearson.
The plan
A rough agenda, not a schedule. Beach time is sacred and naps are encouraged.
Thursday, March 25
Welcome to paradise
Tonight's dress code: the bride in white, the crew in tropical prints.
- 5:00 am
At Toronto PearsonPorter flight leaves at 7:50 am. It's a holiday weekend, so give yourself the time.
- 1:00 pm
Land in ArubaTaxis wait outside arrivals. Most hotel areas are about 20 to 30 minutes away.
- 2:30 pm
Check in and welcome drinksSash, veil and bride surprise moment.
- 4:00 pm
First swim at Eagle BeachShake off the flight.
- 7:30 pm
Welcome dinner on the beachToes-in-the-sand dinner to kick things off.
Friday, March 26 (Good Friday)
Boat day
Dress code: matching swimsuits by day, flamingo pink by night.
- 9:00 am
Slow breakfastSunscreen on before we leave.
- 10:30 am
Catamaran snorkel sailSnorkel stops, lunch and drinks on board.Booked in advance
- 3:00 pm
Pool and nap timeRecharge for tonight.
- 6:30 pm
Sunset drinksPalm Beach has the best sunset bars.
- 8:00 pm
Dinner and a walk along the Palm Beach stripGood Friday is a public holiday in Aruba, so some spots close early.
Saturday, March 27
The big night
Dress code: clothes you don't mind getting dusty by day. Tonight, the bride in white and the crew in gold and sparkle.
- 8:30 am
Off-road tour of Arikok National ParkDesert, caves, and a swim at the Natural Pool. Wear sneakers and bring a bandana.Booked in advance
- 1:00 pm
Lunch at a local fish shackFresh catch by the water. Bring some cash.
- 3:00 pm
Rest and get readyBlowouts, playlist, snacks.
- 7:00 pm
Pre-drinks and bach gamesHow well do you know the bride?
- 8:30 pm
Group dinner, then dancingPalm Beach bars until we can't anymore.Dinner reservation needed
Sunday, March 28 (Easter)
Golden hour
Dress code: sunset tones for photos. Think yellow, orange and coral. The bride in white.
- 10:30 am
Recovery brunchEveryone's together, whether you're flying home tonight or not.
- 12:00 pm
Beach dayBaby Beach for calm, shallow water, or lounging back on Eagle Beach.
- 3:30 pm
Goodbyes for the Sunday crewHead to the airport for the 6:30 pm flight home.
- 5:30 pm
Sunset photos by the divi-divi treesEagle Beach at golden hour.
- 7:30 pm
Farewell dinnerToasts and speeches for the bride.Easter Sunday: book ahead
Monday, March 29
Home, sun-kissed
Dress code: comfy travel clothes and big sunglasses.
- 9:00 am
Last breakfast and one last swimPack the night before.
- 11:00 am
Check out and head to the airportPlan to arrive about 3 hours before the flight.
- 7:29 pm
Land in TorontoBack to reality, sadly.
The theme
Bride on Island Time. Each day gets its own colour, borrowed from Aruba's brightly painted houses. The bride wears white every night, and the crew follows the colour of the day.
WhiteThe bride, every night
Tropical printsThursday
Flamingo pinkFriday night
Gold and sparkleSaturday night
Sunset tonesSunday photos
Need to know
Passport
You need a valid passport. Canadians don't need a visa for Aruba.
ED Card, done online before you fly
Everyone fills out their own ED Card at edcardaruba.aw within 7 days before arrival. It includes a $20 USD sustainability fee paid by Visa, Mastercard or Discover. Use the official site only, since copycat sites charge extra.
Money
US dollars and credit cards work almost everywhere. Bring some small bills for taxis, tips and the fish shack.
Holiday weekend
Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays in Aruba, so some shops and restaurants keep shorter hours. Everything important will be booked ahead.
Sun
The sun is strong and the breeze makes it easy to forget. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, and reapply after every swim.
Pack
- Passport and ED Card confirmation
- Swimsuits, plus your matching boat-day suit
- An outfit for each night's colour
- Sneakers for the park tour
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
- Sunglasses and a cover-up
- Credit card and some US cash
- Phone charger and a power bank
The rules
- The bride pays for nothing
- No talking about work
- Every sunset gets a group photo
- What happens in Aruba stays in the group chat
- Hydrate between cocktails
- Nobody gets left behind at the bar
Still being confirmed
- Where we're staying
- Which flight option you're booking
- Cost per person and payment dates
- Room assignments