Saturday May 13, 2017
The Hilton Aruba
2962 days 20 hrs 28 mins ago
Story
Does anyone really ever meet someone at a wedding? It turns out they do. Andy and I met at Sarah and Kenny's wedding in Riveria Maya, Mexico in May 2009. I was at the wedding as a friend of Sarah's (we met when we both lived in D.C.) and Andy was there as Kenny's best man (Andy and Kenny both went to Texas Tech). Andy saw me when I was checking in and wondered about the cute woman with the short hair. We did not really get to know each other until the night of the wedding a couple days later. When we talked that night we discovered we both played golf so we decided to play golf the next morning. After staying up way too late we each woke up the next morning regretting the agreement with the other to play golf but we both showed up to play. I have no recollection of how either of us played but I cannot imagine it was well. What I do remember is both of us laughed a lot and talked a lot. I am not sure if the butterflies I was feeling were from excitement or from Andy almost driving the golf cart into a bunker. After the round of golf we spent the next couple of days together and found it difficult to say goodbye. In fact, at least three times, we packed our bags, said goodbye to Sarah and Kenny and left our room, only to change our minds and decide to stay for one more day. I have no doubt Andy's brother Adam got sick of us calling him to change our flights. We stayed so long we crashed Sarah and Kenny's honeymoon and ended up riding with them to the airport. And it only took eight years to get from their wedding to our own.
Tidbits
What nicknames do you have for each other?
No one should be surprised that we do not have nicknames for each other.
Who made the first move? How?
Andy did but he had to check with Kenny first to remind himself how that sort of thing was done.
Who's going to take out the trash?
Whoever happens to be closer to the trash.
What was your most memorable date?
The first time I visited Andy in Dallas it was the end of May. I am a big Yankees fan and the Yankees were playing the Rangers that weekend, so Andy got tickets to the Memorial Day game. Andy is not a baseball fan. At all. He bought great seats right behind the Yankees dugout. Well, in theory the seats were great. In reality we sat directly in the hot Texas sun the entire game. Andy is also not a fan of sitting in the sun. At all. Even though he was pretty miserable and the game was a blowout (the Yankees won 11-1) we stayed for the entire game. That is real love :-)
What's your favorite activity together?
Scuba diving and golf are two we agree on. Andy would love to add fly fishing!
Where are you going for your honeymoon?
Wherever we are we expect Sarah and Kenny to be there (see Our Story).
What's the best meal you have eaten together?
It isn't about the best meal for us but about dinner time in general. Dinner time is the most consistent time we have together on weekdays. Even if dinner isn't fancy (it is rarely fancy) and even if the food is burned (because I was cooking) it is a good time for us to catch up with each other.
What's the most memorable trip you have taken together?
We have been on quite a few great trips over the last eight years but the most memorable was the trip to Napa where we got engaged. Thanks to Jamie and AJ for giving us the reason to travel to Napa!
Who will be most excited you are married?
Griffon, if he gets food from the reception.
Schedule
Travel
Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino
The Hilton is where the wedding and reception and most other wedding activities will be held.
We have reserved a block of rooms at a discounted rate.
Standard Option:
Garden View Room $199 (plus resort fees, taxes).
To book one of these rooms click the link above.
Additional Upgrade Options:
(These options cannot be booked using the link above. To book one of the following options you must call 1-800-250-0134 and mentioning the Hanson/Lassetter wedding. )
Partial Ocean View Room (Aruba Tower) ($259),
Ocean View Room (B&C Towers) ($259),
Ocean View Room (Aruba Tower) ($289)
Bonaire Suite Room ($319)
The block will be available until April 13, 2017 or until sold out.
There are plenty of other hotels on the island but if you can stay at the Hilton we would love it!
The airport code for Aruba is AUA (Oranjestad)
Multiple airlines fly into Aruba, including American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Southwest and Spirit. There are direct flights from Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Houston, JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Orlando, Philly, IAD and BWI.
Search From Dallas:
Search From New York City:
Budget Car Rental
Avis Car Rental
Aruba is not a large island (only 20 miles long) and safe to drive around. Cabs are expensive; fares are not metered and depend on the driver so we recommend renting a car. There are a few locations (the sand dunes and parts of Arikok National Park) where a four wheel drive vehicle is required but for most driving any car will do. Parking at the hotel is complimentary.
Things to Do
There are many different fishing (both deep sea and flats), diving and snorkeling spots. The hotel can help you arrange a trip or look below.
Restaurants
Q & A
For all our friends and family who have lots of questions, please check out our FAQ first!
Are the ceremony and reception locations wheelchair accessible?
The ceremony and cocktail hour are on the beach so it might be tough navigating a wheelchair but we will have chairs set up on the beach. The reception is wheelchair accessible.
When is the RSVP deadline?
April 1, 2017 but we would like to know as soon as you know!
What should I wear?
Officially the wedding is cocktail attire but it is the beach. Wear what you want.
Are kids welcome?
Yes! My nephew Austin (9 years old) will be there.
Whom should I call with questions?
Pam Hanson, pamela.s.hanson@gmail.com, 917.903.1107
Wedding Party
Kim Hanson
Luckiest Big Sister on Earth
Adam Lassetter
Luckiest Younger Brother on Earth
Sue Hanson
Viking Queen
Don Hanson
The Viking King
Austin Howard
Most Energetic Member of the Wedding Party
Ellen Lassetter
First to Hit the Dance Floor
George Shankle
Oenophile of the Wedding Party
Betty Jo Davis
Most Likely to Yell at the Groom
Gene Turnbow
The Fishing Buddy
Registry
We do not need ANYTHING. We currently have four different storage units holding all of our stuff that will not fit into our apartment. If you would like to do something for us please consider donating to one of the charities listed below or to any charity of your choosing.
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