Aruba Wedding Planner & Event Staff
For your convenience, the Aruba Marriott has a team of professional, certified wedding planners to assist in planning your dream Aruba wedding.
Chela de Lannoy
Senior Sales Manager
Is in charge of all local functions, local groups, meeting and Aruba wedding functions. She has over 22 years experience in the hospitality business. Chela started with the Aruba Marriott in 1995 and has held various management positions in the Food and Beverage Department, Sales and Events department. She brings with her a wealth of experience and is a certified wedding planner since 2004. Chela speaks 4 languages fluently (English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamento).
Desiree Hietbrink - Bikker
Director of Events
Is in charge of planning and coordinating the Events department and Banquets team with all wedding celebrations and local events. She has been with the Aruba Marriott for over 5 years and started at the Events team as Events Manager. Desiree returned back to the Events department as Director of Events in the beginning of 2011 after gaining knowledge as Front Office Manager. As a certified wedding planner since 2008, Desiree has been planning events for the past years and has done a tremendous job in executing and assisting all international weddings and functions. She has a great eye for detail and exceeds each time in creating dream weddings and events that our guests will always remember. She speaks 4 languages fluently (English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamento).
Verna Dijkhoff
Events Manager
Is in charge of planning and coordinating all Aruba wedding celebrations and local events. She has been with the Aruba Marriott for over 7 years. For the past few years, Verna assisted key executive committee members during a $50 million dollar make over, dealing with guests responses and assisting the general manager and hotel manager. As a great result of her hard work and perseverance she was promoted to the position of Events Manager. With her experience in guest relations and organizational skills, Verna is a great asset to the Events team. She speaks 4 languages fluently (English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamento).
Simone Silooy
Events Manager
Is in charge of planning and coordinating weddings, events small or large. After graduating her Master Degree in Innovative Hospitality Management in 2010 and a succesful internship as Events Manager at the Aruba Marriott, Simone started her career at the resort. She has obtained her Event Planning Standards, Wedding Planner and Events Technology Certificates in the beginning of 2011 and has been executing weddings, events and groups as a true pro. She will assist you in determining an overall vision for your wedding to help you execute all details. Simone’s flexibility, pro-activeness and ability to understand your needs will contribute to an unforgettable wedding. Simone speaks 2 languages fluently (English and Dutch).
Abigail van der Linden
Sales Coordinator
Assists Senior Sales Manager Chela De Lannoy with all duties concerning Aruba weddings and local catering. Abigail started working at the Aruba Marriott Resort in 2008. She finished her Associate’s Degree in Hospitality Management in 2007 and gained more knowledge on hospitality during her previous work experiences at other international hotels and restaurants in Aruba. Abigail speaks 4 languages fluently (English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamento).
Robert Wlodyka
Executive Chef
Chef Robert has 30 years of experience in the culinary field. He graduated in 1977 from the Culinary Institute of America and worked for different hospitality companies. Robert joined Marriott in 1987 and started to work at the Aruba Marriott in December 2007 as Executive Sous Chef. During his tenure he has held the position of Banquet Chef, Sous Chef and Executive Sous Chef. In his current position as Executive Chef, Robert oversees all kitchen and food related staff for all three Marriott properties in Aruba.
Alejo Garcia
Executive Sous Chef
Chef Alejo joined the Marriott company in 1999. He has held several positions in the Food & Beverage field as Food Product Manager. In his most recent position as Assistant Sous Chef at the Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort. Alejo started at the Aruba Marriott Resort in 2008 and in his current role he works closely together with Executive Sous Chef James in assisting Executive Chef Robert. He has great knowledge in incorporating South American cuisine into international menu items.
Maria Carlo
Pastry Supervisor
Maria is our certified pastry expert with 8 years of experience. She has been working at the Aruba Marriott Resort for over 9 years. She makes the most delicious and beautiful wedding cakes for all our wedding celebrations. Maria excels in chocolate decorations and creating unique fondant. Her specialty is the popular pineapple and vanilla wedding cake.
Chela de Lannoy
Senior Sales Manager
Is in charge of all local functions, local groups, meeting and Aruba wedding functions. She has over 22 years experience in the hospitality business. Chela started with the Aruba Marriott in 1995 and has held various management positions in the Food and Beverage Department, Sales and Events department. She brings with her a wealth of experience and is a certified wedding planner since 2004. Chela speaks 4 languages fluently (English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamento).
Desiree Hietbrink - Bikker
Director of Events
Is in charge of planning and coordinating the Events department and Banquets team with all wedding celebrations and local events. She has been with the Aruba Marriott for over 5 years and started at the Events team as Events Manager. Desiree returned back to the Events department as Director of Events in the beginning of 2011 after gaining knowledge as Front Office Manager. As a certified wedding planner since 2008, Desiree has been planning events for the past years and has done a tremendous job in executing and assisting all international weddings and functions. She has a great eye for detail and exceeds each time in creating dream weddings and events that our guests will always remember. She speaks 4 languages fluently (English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamento).
Verna Dijkhoff
Events Manager
Is in charge of planning and coordinating all Aruba wedding celebrations and local events. She has been with the Aruba Marriott for over 7 years. For the past few years, Verna assisted key executive committee members during a $50 million dollar make over, dealing with guests responses and assisting the general manager and hotel manager. As a great result of her hard work and perseverance she was promoted to the position of Events Manager. With her experience in guest relations and organizational skills, Verna is a great asset to the Events team. She speaks 4 languages fluently (English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamento). Simone Silooy
Events Manager
Is in charge of planning and coordinating weddings, events small or large. After graduating her Master Degree in Innovative Hospitality Management in 2010 and a succesful internship as Events Manager at the Aruba Marriott, Simone started her career at the resort. She has obtained her Event Planning Standards, Wedding Planner and Events Technology Certificates in the beginning of 2011 and has been executing weddings, events and groups as a true pro. She will assist you in determining an overall vision for your wedding to help you execute all details. Simone’s flexibility, pro-activeness and ability to understand your needs will contribute to an unforgettable wedding. Simone speaks 2 languages fluently (English and Dutch).
Abigail van der Linden
Sales Coordinator
Assists Senior Sales Manager Chela De Lannoy with all duties concerning Aruba weddings and local catering. Abigail started working at the Aruba Marriott Resort in 2008. She finished her Associate’s Degree in Hospitality Management in 2007 and gained more knowledge on hospitality during her previous work experiences at other international hotels and restaurants in Aruba. Abigail speaks 4 languages fluently (English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamento).
Robert Wlodyka
Executive Chef
Chef Robert has 30 years of experience in the culinary field. He graduated in 1977 from the Culinary Institute of America and worked for different hospitality companies. Robert joined Marriott in 1987 and started to work at the Aruba Marriott in December 2007 as Executive Sous Chef. During his tenure he has held the position of Banquet Chef, Sous Chef and Executive Sous Chef. In his current position as Executive Chef, Robert oversees all kitchen and food related staff for all three Marriott properties in Aruba.
Alejo Garcia
Executive Sous Chef
Chef Alejo joined the Marriott company in 1999. He has held several positions in the Food & Beverage field as Food Product Manager. In his most recent position as Assistant Sous Chef at the Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort. Alejo started at the Aruba Marriott Resort in 2008 and in his current role he works closely together with Executive Sous Chef James in assisting Executive Chef Robert. He has great knowledge in incorporating South American cuisine into international menu items.
Maria Carlo
Pastry Supervisor
Maria is our certified pastry expert with 8 years of experience. She has been working at the Aruba Marriott Resort for over 9 years. She makes the most delicious and beautiful wedding cakes for all our wedding celebrations. Maria excels in chocolate decorations and creating unique fondant. Her specialty is the popular pineapple and vanilla wedding cake.