The Ultimate Bali Wedding Guide
Written & Compiled By Bali.Love
It's time to kick-start your wedding planning.
Congratulations on your engagement!
If you choose to marry in a tropical paradise, you’ll be able to take advantage of spectacular settings, luxury, and low costs. However, if you don’t have reliable information or helpful individuals on your side, planning a Bali wedding may be quite difficult.
For your big day in Bali, we’ve compiled an A-Z guide to Bali weddings. It will supply you with all the information you need before setting a wedding date, choosing a wedding planner, or signing any agreements.
In our years on the isle, we’ve acquired a lot of information. From the most ideal wedding locations to the most dependable vendors, this guide tells all. It’s the result of years of study by professionals, and it’ll assist you in planning your dream Bali wedding.
You can also download the full guide in a PDF here.
Ready To Get Your Planning On?
Your Dream Wedding Awaits...
Chapter 1:
❤ Newly Engaged
You’re getting married, woohoo!
We couldn’t be prouder to have you on this journey with us, and we hope you have the greatest Bali wedding ever. Once the engagement festivities die down a bit, you can begin the wedding planning.
Where Do We Begin?
The secret to having a successful Bali wedding is to stay on top of things. There will be a lot of emails and phone calls between now and the big day, so being prepared is crucial.
When planning for a wedding, you can expect to deal with even the smallest of details. There will be times when it’s worth pushing back, and other instances when going with the flow is the best option. Knowing when to push and when to give in during the process would make things a lot simpler.
In this guide, we’ve included some wedding planning tools as a way to help you during the first phase.
Wedding Planning Tools
The finest wedding planning applications on the market are listed below.
All you have to do is fill in the blanks. We adore Joy; it allows you to build a website for your guests to use before the wedding.
Having a pair of hands on the ground in Bali, however, is far better than relying on apps to keep you organized. Learn more in the “Choosing a Planner” section of this article or visit Bali Love’s planning services here.
1. Joy
3. Wedmate
Don't Be Afraid to Set High Expectations
After seeing more than our fair share of Bali wedding, we’ve learnt a lot about what works and what doesn’t. There are some common pitfalls that couples fall into, so we’d like to point them out to spare you from the same error. The objective is to set your expectations as high as possible!
To ensure you’re further prepared, we’ve also included a list of vital questions to ask your Bali wedding planner before you pay any deposits. You can find that in the next chapter of this guide.
Chapter 2:
Do Research
Planning a Bali wedding may be enjoyable in the research stage. You’ll be gobsmacked by gorgeous photographs of lush jungle locations, stunning gowns, and breathtaking sunsets. The trick is to know where to look and what questions to ask while you begin forming your own ideas.
While it may be tempting to simply search for “Bali wedding” and see what comes up, you’ll get better results if you visit specific websites, so that you can compare your choices.
Keep your preliminary research general for now. In other words, try restricting yourself to photos that define the appearance and feel you want for your big day before you click on the pricing links for a certain wedding company.
Keep it simple by employing Pinterest boards or, if you prefer, a bookmark folder on your computer. The aim is to enter the planning stage with some pre-saved photos on these two fundamental points. One of the first things a wedding planner will want you to do is create a mood board.
1. Pick Your Setting
Do you prefer a beach wedding, a jungle-style ceremony, a cliffside ceremony, a waterfall setting, or an event held in a villa? Each has advantages and disadvantages, but they can all be overcome along the way! In the venues chapter, you’ll learn more about Bali wedding locations.
2. Decide on Colour Themes
Take into account the various colour combinations utilized by other couples. Select the one that best complements your skin tone and preferences. These are decisions you need to make as the colours of your costumes will be refracted into the atmosphere later on.
You’ll be a lot closer to making the critical decisions for your Bali wedding once you’ve mastered these two ideas. Of course, as you look at gowns, haircuts, and cakes, don’t forget to bookmark them!
In the next chapter, you’ll discover more about wedding colours! Below, we’ve compiled a list of websites and social media platforms to get you started. These are Bali’s most well-known wedding service providers and Australian firms that organise events on the island.
To name a few, there are hundreds of these websites that you can use to aid your search. We suggest the first one on the list since it’s Bali’s closest equivalent to a wedding magazine. It covers a wide range of weddings and is free of prejudice towards vendors and locations.
The Perfect Spaces to Do Your Research
Chapter 3:
❤ Legalities
The legal requirements for a Bali wedding differ based on your religion, country of residence, and whether or not there is a consulate for your home nation on the island.
In many situations, the legal intricacies make it much easier for couples to complete the paperwork in their home nation before having their wedding ceremony in Bali. Keep on reading to find out if this is the case for you.
Declaring a Shared Religion
If you want to officially marry in Bali, you are required by law to have a religious ceremony, and each of you will need to declare the same religion.
The religions recognised in Indonesia are as follows:
- Islam
- Protestant Christianity
- Roman Catholic Christianity
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
- Confucianism
Due to Indonesia being such a religious nation, you’ll both be required to declare a common faith in one of the aforementioned religions, or you may have a non-religious, symbolic ceremony with the official signing of papers done at home.
Skip down to the Symbolic Ceremonies section to find out more about this.
The Documents You Need for a Religious Ceremony
If you both follow one of the above religions, then you can confidently begin preparing the documents you will need to have an official ceremony here.
The paperwork includes:
- Passports proving you are over 18 years old.
- Copy of Decree Absolute if divorced.
- Copy of Death Certificate of a former spouse if applicable.
- Copy of documentary evidence of any change of name (i.e previous marriage certificate/deed poll).
- Birth certificates are generally required by the Indonesian authorities, and it is recommended that you bring these with you.
- Money (the amount varies) to pay the embassy.
- A certificate of non-impediment.
The Process for a Religious Ceremony
Further to your declaration of shared faith, each of the religions has slightly different rules to follow. We have laid out the process for the three most common religions on the list, and you can visit the embassy website for more information.
Protestant Weddings in Bali
If you want to get married in Bali, the simplest and most frequent approach is to declare your religion as Protestant. To plan a wedding of this sort, follow these steps.
Step A: Inquire a Notice of Intention to Marry
To do this, you must go to the civil registry office in the region you will be residing in Bali. There are eight regions, but we recommend that you go to the Badung or Tabanan offices since they have more English-speaking employees. Once you’ve found the appropriate workplace, contact them and inquire about a document known as a Notice of Intention to Marry. This must be completed and submitted at least six weeks before your wedding date.
The regions: Denpasar City, Badung Regency, Tabanan Regency, Gianyar Regency, Bangli Regency, Bangli Regency, Karangasem Regency, and Buleleng Regency.
Here is a regularly updated tourism website with the office addresses.
Step B: Get a Certificate of Non-Impediment (CIN)
This document basically states that there’s no reason you shouldn’t be married. You will be able to secure it in one of three ways. Either from your home country before you leave, from your embassy here in Bali, or with a quick flight to your embassy in Jakarta.
Here is some more information on the CIN and how to apply for it here in Bali.
Note: Not all countries have an embassy here in Bali. You can refer to this website to discover whether yours is on the list and determine whether you will need to fly to Jakarta.
Muslim Weddings in Bali
Muslim weddings are quite easy to organise as Indonesia is predominantly a Muslim country. You also don’t need to have your wedding in a mosque. All you need to provide is proof that you are Muslim and contact the Office of Religious Affairs who will send out an official to marry you.
Catholic Weddings in Bali
For Catholic weddings, things are a little more difficult. To begin with, you’ll need a Catholic priest to officiate the ceremony. There are a few lovely churches in Denpasar or Nusa Dua, but this limitation eliminates the chance to utilize Bali’s other gorgeous wedding locations. Of course, throwing a big party in a beautiful location following the wedding is perfectly legal. Second, there’s considerably more paperwork to be completed.
- Baptismal certificates.
- A letter of freedom that states you have never been married.
- A letter of delegation that states your own parish does not object.
- A copy of your pre-marriage course certificate.
Symbolic Ceremonies
Symbolic ceremonies are an excellent option for those who follow a religion that’s not recognised in Bali or those who aren’t religious at all. For foreigners, the number of symbolic ceremonies held in Bali outweighs the number of formal weddings, so this may be the better option for you too. Discover the benefits below.
- No paperwork required other than the forms you complete in your own country at the registry office.
- More cost-effective as you won’t need to pay embassy fees.
- A celebrant can marry you instead of a priest.
- There’s no need to declare your faith or to share the same faith.
- Freedom of ceremony style – you can have religious themes or make it non-denominational.
Same-Sex Marriages
Unfortunately, same-sex marriages are not allowed in Bali, therefore same-sex couples may wish to choose another wedding location. While a personal symbolic ceremony is an option, you should be aware that authorities are extremely tough. Due to Indonesia’s strict legislation, it’s a risk we don’t advise taking.
Chapter 4:
❤ Venues
Choosing a venue is the most important and expensive decision you’ll have to make while planning your wedding. In Bali, you will not lack alternatives. We’ve included a list of options below, as well as some key questions to ask yourself, so that you can be sure of what you want before making a selection!
Important Questions to Ask:
Q: Do you want an indoor or an outdoor wedding?
How much does a Bali wedding venue cost in the winter season? If your wedding will take place during the winter season, consult this post to see what options are available to you. The rainy season generally begins in December and lasts until early April. It may not be raining every day during these months, but if you’re thinking about an outdoor venue, make sure it’s included in the budget.
Q: How many people will you be inviting?
The general rule is that the more people you invite, the fewer options you have. While there are bigger venues that can seat and cater for as many as 200 guests, you may want to consider cutting numbers. This way, you can take advantage of smaller, more exclusive venues.
Q: Do you want your venue to include accommodation?
The ideal wedding location offers the bride and groom their own private space. Alternatively, arrange transportation to a hotel or villa nearby. Some wedding locations are large enough to feed the entire bridal party, but few will have enough space for all of your guests.
Q: Will the reception be held in the same place?
If you want your wedding to be held in a church, you’ll need to reserve a separate reception room. The ideal wedding venue offers enough area for everything. When the day starts with welcome cocktails and continues through the ceremony, then into a photoshoot session, and finally the reception, Bali weddings are fantastic. It is entirely feasible to arrange transportation for guests between locations, but this takes time and effort, so keep an eye out for an “all-in-one” spot.
Q: How much privacy do you want?
There’s something very special about the gathering between everyone you care about at your wedding, and the presence of tourists or holidaymakers can destroy it. When considering locations for a resort-style wedding, this is something many couples ignore but is quite significant. If you choose a hotel or resort as your wedding venue, be sure to inquire about when and where you will have peace and quiet.
Q: Do you prefer to have your wedding take place in a church?
If you’re having a religious wedding, we can suggest alternative churches for you but you’ll also need to book a reception venue and your accommodation in the area. If you’re having a Catholic or Protestant wedding, ask your wedding planner for help. There are several companies that provide customized Christian weddings with pre-booked locations. Note: there are a few properties with churches incorporated into the design, check them out below.
Q: What setting do you prefer?
Choosing a wedding location is the most fun part of the process. If you’ve already read through the previous chapters, you may have already chosen a jungle, beach, or clifftop location; if not, check out the locations below.
Bali.Love Venues
These wedding venues are located in different spots across the island, but we’ve ordered them according to the venue type – rather than the address – to help you narrow down your search.
You can read more about the pros and cons of having a wedding in the different regions of Bali later in this chapter.
The Regions
If you prefer to choose your venue by area, then you should learn more about the four most wedding-friendly regions of Bali. You can certainly travel to more remote locations but here’s a brief rundown of the most common wedding areas on the island.
Seminyak
Bali’s city center is Seminyak. At Seminyak, you will find a variety of bars, restaurants, shops, spas, and hotels. It’s a good location if you’re having a large number of people at your wedding. However, due to the number of tourists, it’s more crowded with heavier traffic.
Canggu
Canggu is a busy commercial and residential hub with numerous restaurants and cafés. Popular for its beach bars, Canggu was formerly a laid-back surf town, but it has grown more densely populated in recent years. If you visit the neighbouring village of Pererenan, you can still discover some of Bali’s distinctive peace and seclusion.
Uluwatu
Approximately 40 minutes from Seminyak is Uluwatu. The limestone cliff ranges of this coastal region are known for their beauty and offer a variety of lovely wedding locations. You’ll discover unpaved roads, incredible surf breaks, and plenty more seclusion here. It is a growing area, and there are still many restaurants and bars to visit, but you’ll need to travel by scooter since it’s more dispersed.
Ubud
Ubud, often known as the spiritual capital of Bali, is about an hour north of Seminyak. You’ll discover some stunning jungle-style buildings and rice paddies in this area. The air is considerably cooler, and the rain falls more frequently. It’s been a popular destination for yogis and spiritualists in recent years due to its cultural and artistic atmosphere.
Chapter 5:
❤ Time to Plan
A destination wedding may be complicated, and even the most prepared couples will require a trustworthy pair of eyes and ears on the ground in Bali. Using a wedding planner who lives on the island and can communicate in Bahasa Indonesia is the best way to guarantee that your event runs smoothly.
From the start of your styling process to the moment you slip the rings on each other’s fingers, they will be your valued partner.
How to Identify a Top-Notch Wedding Planner
When you’re thinking about choosing a wedding planner, make sure they embody the following qualities:
- Have excellent communication skills and display quick response time to your emails or phone calls.
- Possess the ability to fully understand your wedding vision and communicate it to others.
- Understand mood boards with total fluency and have a vast library of image options to offer when you’re deciding on your wedding style.
- Possess a well-developed sense of intuition to anticipate any negative outcomes and know how to execute damage control.
- Give expert advice on which Bali venue you should choose for your wedding.
- Have an excellent network of vendors for food, entertainment, photography, and floral arrangements.
- Have extensive knowledge of the island and know exactly how to pull together a stunning event without breaking the bank.
- Works well under pressure!
- Friendly and fun — your wedding planner should see your wedding as an important event rather than just another day on the job.
- Reliable; this one goes without saying.
- Possess excellent social skills. Your wedding planner should be able to take charge of others who may be floundering.
Things to Consider with Your Prospective Wedding Planner
When you’re searching for a planner, there are a few main areas you want to get clear on. Read on to find out the right questions to ask.
1. Cost
At your first meeting, the cost is difficult to determine. There are so many variables involved that it’s almost impossible to supply you with an estimate until you’ve had some time discussing your event’s ambitions. One thing you can do is provide a summary of your entire wedding budget, then ask them to find a way to stay under it.
Here are some pertinent questions to ask as you discuss wedding costs:
- If the planner already works for a wedding company, make sure you ask which package would suit you best.
- When considering a Bali wedding package, look for ways to reduce costs.
- Ask early about any hidden costs.
- Inquire about vendor services, such as food and photography, and see if you can get the same value for less by going with a lesser-known vendor or a different kind of cuisine.
- Ask about off-season and shoulder season rates; it may save you some money to book during a less popular time of year.
- Consider asking your planner to assist you in choosing where to cut corners and where to spend more money. Some things are essential, while others may be reduced without anyone being the wiser.
2. Creativity
Ask the planner if they have a portfolio of photos or an Instagram account where you can view their work. The ideal planner would have created weddings in a variety of styles. There are a few Bali businesses that offer cookie-cutter weddings, so stay away from them! You want your day to stand out.
Make sure they comprehend your vision for the event before you begin planning. Ask them if they can create a mood board for your wedding. This will show that they have gotten your concept correctly before staging begins.
If you’re using a colour scheme or style that the planner has never seen before, ask if he or she has worked on any previous jobs with similar hues and styles.
Ask for styling suggestions and whether you can be given a list of floral and venue decoration templates.
3. Experience
Indonesia does have hospitality schools, but unlike Australia or Europe, none of them provides any specific wedding planner qualification courses. It is ideal to hire a wedding planner who has planned dozens of weddings and would be able to offer testimonials from couples.
Ask how many weddings they do each year, you want to make sure you’re not being crammed into a schedule that’s so full you won’t get the attention you deserve.
Ask if they’ve done weddings at your venue before, if not, ask if they have experience with the type of venue you are interested in using. For example, beach weddings are very different from clifftop weddings, so make sure they know all the difference.
Ask if they can take you on a site visit pre-wedding to check out various venues and whether there is a charge for this service.
4. Communication
Ask them who their ideal client is. You want to determine whether or not you will work well together before you commit to paying a fee.
Ask about their preferred type of communication. Will they be open to hearing from you via Whatsapp or do they prefer email? Will there be weekly phone calls or Skype meetings? Most importantly, will they be available in person for a final meeting before your wedding?
Ask them about timelines. Do they have an idea of when the more significant decisions need to be made? Are they able to stick with a schedule?
5. Connections
Ask about their relationships with the various vendors in Bali. You want to know if you’ll be locked in to use their preferred vendors, or if they are open to you bringing your own people on board.
Ask if they receive a commission for using certain vendors and whether that commission can be translated into savings for you instead of kick-back for them.
Ask if they are willing to collaborate with the whole bridal party and manage all of the different services that you will be hiring.
Ask which staff they will have on-hand during the day as the wedding progresses from welcome drinks to reception.
Bali Wedding Planners We Love
In this section, we have listed a few of our favourite Bali wedding planners. Have a browse and see if anyone stands out to you. Be aware that most wedding companies will offer you a planner as part of the service, so you could save extra time and money by choosing a package.
Wedding Planners
Chapter 6:
❤ Budgeting
One of the most important things to remember when you are creating a budget for your Bali wedding is to be realistic. While it is very affordable to get married in Bali, the growing popularity of the island as a wedding destination means it’s not as cheap as it was five years ago.
However, when compared to the cost of getting married in Australia, Europe, or the United States, Bali still comes out as the clear winner for both cost and quality. A standard wedding in a more developed country will run between 60 to 80 thousand Australian dollars.
A wedding in Bali will cost approximately half that amount and the quality is not even comparable. The venues here are exquisite and the ‘trimmings’ are affordably lush! This is one of the many reasons couples from all over the globe are flocking here to marry.
So the question becomes… how do you take into account the growing popularity of Bali as a wedding destination and still secure a great price?
Here is our best advice:
- Do your planning and set a wedding date early. Specifically, you may want to avoid weekends to get the best price and the best choice of vendors for your wedding.
- Have fair expectations around your budget. Remember that your best bet is to pay a mid-range price for a very high-quality vendor.
- Make the process easy by using a wedding planner who is ready to negotiate on your behalf and can secure you discounts and kickbacks.
- Seek advice from experts rather than inexperienced companies.
Let's Talk About Package Deals...
First of all, wedding package deals can be totally cost-effective! Here are some important factors to consider when choosing the right package.
Is the offer transparent?
You need to make sure you understand exactly what you’re getting for your money. That means checking in on the quality of the wedding vendors.
Is the offer flexible?
Can you change any aspects of the package? For example, can you downgrade the flowers in order to upgrade the bar tab? Do you get to choose from different vendors? Will you be able to switch if you don’t like the celebrant or makeup artist?
Is the offer all-inclusive?
Is everything really included? This means asking about any extra costs in the beginning and making sure the package fairly allocates for all items. One common trap is the bar tab. Check to see how much the drinks are charged out for. While it may seem generous to allocate $2,000 to a bar tab, if they’re charging out each cocktail at $20, then 100 guests will easily plough through that tab and end up thirsty. You need to make sure it says ‘free flow’ to prevent the extra costs.
Setting Your Bali Wedding Budget
Wedding planners in more developed countries will recommend you use a ‘percentage of budget’ allocation to define the costs for each item. In Bali, things are a lot more simple. To help, here is a spreadsheet with the average costs of each expense in your wedding already defined.
P.S. If you’re not a numbers person, feel free to contact Tom at Bali.Love for help. He can sort you out with a sweet budget and you won’t be pressured to use our services along the way.
Chapter 7:
❤ Styling
Styling is what makes your wedding true to you! When choosing a style for the event, make sure you cover the following points with your planner.
It pays to be aware that while some planners do their own styling, others will employ an outside party which could come at an extra cost for you. Your styling options should be made clear from the beginning.
Here are a few points every wedding stylist should know:
Colour Palettes
The first decision in your styling journey is choosing the colour palettes. You may have already determined your preference for colours, but just in case you need more guidance, here’s all you need to know about choosing a colour palette for your Bali wedding.
Start by answering the following questions:
- What colours do you and your partner love?
- What colours do you like to wear?
- What colours do you have in your home?
Six Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Colour Palette
We spoke to a few stylists and came back with the following tips for couples looking to choose a colour scheme for their wedding.
1. Start browsing
If you’re stuck on which colour combo to use, then try one of these free applications or websites.
ColorHunter
This website lets you upload an image to extract the exact colours you see in the photo. It’s a great way to get the perfect match.
This website has a nice layout that shows you how your colour choices will look when matched together. It’s almost like choosing from different paint samples at your local home decor store.
2. Make the colour palette global
Remember, it’s not just the dresses and the flowers that will reflect your colour scheme, it’s the whole event! Everything from the stationery to the table dressings to the background of the photos must be taken into account.
3. Try choosing just one colour
Try choosing just one colour and ask your stylist to recommend some complementary colours that will set your favourite colour off perfectly.
4. Don’t forget to contrast
Contrast is impactful so it pays to choose one darker toned colour in your palette and then use medium or light toned colours to complete the look. This applies unless you’ve chosen to have a light coloured, shimmery wedding.
5. Don’t be too enthusiastic
Try not to mix and match bold colours, you may love purple and orange, but it’s best to pull back and use one or the other as you may run the risk of the event’s colour scheme clashing.
6. Pull in natural elements
If your Bali wedding venue has a lot of wood, stone, or bamboo, then consider incorporating that into your colour palette. It’ll make for incredible photos!
Themes
When deciding on a wedding theme, remember to consider the tones, textures, and angles of your wedding.
Making sure your theme is reflected and recurring throughout will mean it’s effectively received by your guests, AND captured in the wedding imagery. One small example is the typography and the table dressings you use, making sure they match is an easy way to get your theme across without too much effort.
Thematic Options
Below, we’ve listed some theme ideas for your Bali wedding. Keep in mind that some of them will be more costly to assemble, but follow your heart if they genuinely intrigue you! A wedding planner in Bali can most certainly make it come to life for you.
1. Vintage
Vintage-style weddings are simply stunning. A taste of the old world can be incorporated into everything! You could have a vintage car to drive you away like Bonnie and Clyde, or even a horse and cart if you want to evoke an earlier era. You can ask for antique decor and music or even set the theme for a certain decade.
One lovely example is to have your bridesmaids dressed as sophisticated flapper girls of the 1940s – with long pearl necklaces, lined stockings, and curled hair. The great thing about vintage themes is that you can simply choose an era and give your planner or stylist a brief to get creative.
2. Alternative
Alternative weddings are for those who just don’t like tradition. The scope for this theme is wide and varied! We suggest you start with an edgy colour palette and scrap all formality. Try punchy colours and mismatched furniture. You can do anything you like, but attempt to use some of your personal interests to guide the theme. One tip; even if you don’t like tradition, the day still needs to have some structure.
Maybe you have a late-night ceremony, a shaman to marry you, a bonfire with belly dancers, or even just an anti-wedding party where the drinks flow all night and you don’t make much of the ceremony. There are so many cool ways to express your personality so don’t be afraid to push your stylist until they’ve found the perfect theme for you.
3. Eco-Friendly
A biodegradable or green wedding is not only good for the planet, but it’s also likely to save you money. In this case, think paper plates and cups, second-hand dresses, plants instead of flowers, candlelight instead of electricity, donations to charities instead of gifts, and an eco-friendly venue. Bali has many amazing eco-village-type venues!
4. Bohemian
The guiding principles of the bohemian style are cool and carefree. Bare feet, flowy dresses, casual low seating, and lots of throw pillows. You can use tribal-style artwork, have quaint glass bottles as candle holders, and so much more.
Conveniently, Bali is particularly famous for its hipster and bohemian lifestyle, which means there are oodles of crochet and macrame weaved accessories here.
5. Romantic
A romantic wedding theme is typically very feminine and soft. The flowers will play a huge part in the day and your colour palette will be more pastel than bright. Think calligraphy, arches dripping with roses, and subdued lighting. We love the look of hanging chandeliers, wicker bird cages, soft linen napkins, and dresses in classic white or cream for this theme.
Chapter 8:
Flowers
There’s nothing more beautiful than the moment you walk down a rose petal scattered aisle and stand under a canopy of flowers to say ‘I do’.
High-quality flower arrangements will really up the ante on your wedding day. Plus, they provide a backdrop for stunning images. They visually create a romantic atmosphere, but their scent will also make the moment of your wedding day a lasting memory. A memory that can be conjured up anytime you smell your favourite blooms in the future.
The Challenges of Getting Flowers in Bali
The main challenge to sourcing flowers in Bali is the climate. Not too many flowers are grown locally, most are generally imported from other places in Indonesia. Surabaya and West Java are the most common regions florists will source their flowers. This is due to the soil quality and overall temperature being better there. For you, this means ordering your flowers early and factoring in an extra cost for the freighting fees.
However, not all flowers used in Bali weddings are imported. There are some talented florists on the island who can use local blooms while still creating amazing arrangements.
Choosing Your Bali Wedding Flowers
Choosing flowers for your Bali wedding is actually easier than it sounds. Yes, it does pay to know the names of your favourite blooms, but the most important factor is your colour palette. On top of that, you should also consider your venue location. If it’s on a clifftop, for instance, the flowers should be arranged more sturdily to compensate for any rough winds.
Working with a good florist will ease the process, and your planner can probably connect you with them in person. See our list of florists below if you want to interview any of them now!
Things to keep in mind when you’re speaking with a florist – other than the colours – are the budget and style of your wedding. If you’re going for a classic or romantic theme, then they’ll recommend soft, feminine arrangements with orchids, roses, and more classic blooms. If you want an edgy or alternative look, then you can ask for more unique flowers like heliconia, fresh bamboo, and anthuriums.
One really good tip is to hand over the reins on the decision-making and send your florist a mood board of the wedding style. Afterwards, you can ask for their recommendations and take full advantage of their creativity and knowledge.
Your Flowers Checklist:
There are many different types of floral arrangements beyond the basic bridal bouquet, so take a look at this list and discuss with your planner which flowers will suit your venue.
- Bridal and bridesmaid bouquets
- Groom and groomsmen’s boutonnieres
- Hair flowers or crowns for the bridal party
- Flower girl posies and petals to scatter
- Altar flowers in an arch or canopy
- Aisle flowers in urns to decorate the seating
- Centrepiece flowers for the reception tables
- Registration or cake table flowers
- A pathway of rose petals for you to walk down
Discover a Florist’s Dream
During our research for this chapter, we asked a well-known florist in Bali to think about the best, most beautiful flower arrangements he could recommend for a wedding. His response was inspiring and gives weight to the idea that it’s better to trust the florist’s creative vision than try to control everything yourself. Oh, and don’t worry, we’ve included the names and pictures of all the different types of flowers below so you will know what you’re talking about!
“My dream wedding client would allow me to use masses of phalaenopsis orchids, clumped succulents, mauve dolcetto roses, canopies of flowers, and foliage over the guest tables to give a luxurious and lush appearance. We would also provide elegant table decoration using classic candelabras and a trail of flowers down the centre of each table to match the bridal theme.”
“The ceremony area would be dressed in all white and green. We’d use a classic French-styled iron gazebo covered in white roses, trailing white phalaenopsis orchids and tropical foliage. Flower urns would be placed down the aisle and then filled with matching flowers and branches with hanging crystals for the bridal party to walk under. Of course, there would be a thick pathway of all-white rose petals for the bride’s grand entrance.”
The level of creativity and joy florists embody when they’re imagining weddings is beyond most of us! Our best advice is to find a florist with good reviews and then trust them to create a wedding that resembles a dreamland! Below are some of our favourite Bali florists, so check out their websites and get excited!
Bali Florists We Love:
Your Bali Flower Dictionary
This list isn’t 100% complete but we’ve tried to include as many flowers as we can in this guide.
Keep in mind that these are the flowers that grow on the island of Bali.
Tropical Flowers
Heliconias, anthuriums, ginger flowers, phalaenopsis orchids (purple and white), and lotus flowers (seasonal).
Classic Flowers
Roses, gerberas, chrysanthemums, tuberoses, sunflowers, marigold, bachelor button, and frangipani.
Flower Dictionary
– Gypsophila Excellence
– Limonium Caspea Purple
– Lisianthus CH White
– Lisianthus Champagne
– Lisianthus Light Pink
– Lily Double Petals White
– Lily Double Petals Pink
– Eu. Populus
– Eu. Berries
– Eu. Cinerea
– Eu. Parvifolia
– Gr. Ruskus Italy
– Gr. Herbs Olive
– Viburnum With Berries
– Calla Lily Pink
– Bouvardia White
– Cymbidium White
– Cymbidium Red
– Cymbidium Orange
– Cymbidium Green
– Tulip Pink Dynasti
– Tulip Royal Virgin
– Tulip Strong Gold Yellow
– Carnation Peach Apple Tea
– Carnation Light Pink
– Carnation Green
– Roses Lavender Ocean Song
– Roses Amnesia
– Roses Sandy
– Roses Hypnoses
– Roses Red Explorer
– Grose Mayra Red
– Grose Caraluna
– Hydrangea White
– Statice CH White
– Protea King Pink
Chapter 9:
❤ Furniture
Choosing your Bali wedding furniture is exciting! This is where you’ll start to see the shape of your wedding come into focus. However, this stage requires taking into account a few important factors. Fortunately, your planner will be able to guide you through most of the process.
Below is a list of things to consider as you begin looking at your wedding furniture options.
1. Guest Numbers
This is an obvious one, of course, you want to make sure everyone has a seat at the table and ceremony! However, the number of guests you invite is also relevant as you begin to select the bar furniture. You should anticipate around 50% of your guests wanting a seat in these areas.
2. Theme and Colour
Your furniture choices should fit the theme and colour palette of your wedding. A chair is so much more than a chair! The furniture at your wedding is the foundation on which your colours will be built.
3. Venue Configuration
Is it an indoor or outdoor space? Do you have multiple rooms to cover? Where will people be relaxing? Where will the coats and bags be stored? Do you have a smoking area? Does the bar area need seating? And will you set up a lounge space for guests to use while you and your partner have your photos taken? These are all necessary questions!
4. Visuals
To assist with your furniture decisions, it’s important to imagine your wedding as if you were a guest. As each person arrives, they will need to drop off their gift at a gifting table, sign the guest book, and then enjoy a welcome drink at the venue entrance. Afterwards, they may head to the bar and begin mingling with other guests in a lounge or other casual area. Finally, they will need to sit down for dinner somewhere and maybe even make a speech before they move onto the dance floor.
To ensure the flow and comfort of your guests, every stage of your wedding has different furniture requirements.
5. Start from the Beginning
This may seem overwhelming so just start from the beginning and work your way up.
Your Wedding Furniture Checklist
Here is a list of every piece of furniture you could possibly need to fit out your wedding. Of course, you may not want everything on this list, but it will help you to understand the ingredients you need to throw the event of a lifetime.
- Entryway furniture to relax in upon arrival
- An easel for your wedding signage
- A gift table with a guest book for them to write in
- Coat racks for storing bags and jackets
- Ceremony chairs for your guests
- A signing table for you and your beloved
- An arch to dress the ceremony stage
- The bridal table at the reception
- The cake table for people to cruise past
- Benches for the smoker’s area
- Lounge suites for the older guests to congregate
- Low coffee tables and beanbags as a cheaper option
- A dry bar or drinks table for the wine and beer service
- Stools for the bar area
- Umbrellas for shade or decoration
- Cocktail tables for the bar area
- Reception chairs for the number of guests you have
- Dining tables; round or long for dinner service
- A photobooth to capture memories
- Letter lights for the photos
- Cushions and rugs for a bohemian look
- Backdrops or hanging installations
- Dance floor if you don’t want to use grass
- Neon frames for photos opportunities
- Love seats for private moments
- A DJ table and sound system
The combination of the furniture you choose will depend on your budget and your venue space. Still, don’t hesitate to speak with your planner about the costs and logistics of hiring any of the above items for your Bali wedding.
Chapter 10:
❤ Lighting
While the natural light in Bali is exquisite, the tropical heat means most weddings are scheduled as evening affairs. Your event will typically last from 4 pm and run as late as 2 am depending on the location.
As the sun sets at around 6:30 pm in Bali, the majority of the event will be in the dark, which makes artificial lighting an essential factor. Couples who want to create an unforgettable, mystical atmosphere for their guests should be prepared to plan this carefully with a wedding planner.
Luckily, it’s not too difficult. The key is to design your lighting to suit your venue. There are excellent options to consider, and your lighting choices can vastly boost and compliment the overall style of your wedding.
The Language of Lighting
Below are some of the terms you can expect to come across as you research venue lighting. The combination of these lighting elements will vastly change according to your venue.
- Fairy lights
- Canopy lighting
- Festoon lighting
- Spotlighting
- Garden lighting
- Chandeliers and table lighting
- Gobo lighting
- Pin spotting
- Colour wash
- Landscape lighting
- After-party lighting (mirror balls and strobes)
- Uplighting or underlighting
- Tripod lighting
- Par lamps
- Banana trunk candles
- Tiki torches
Your Ideal Lighting Triad
The three most important areas of your wedding to address are property lighting, reception lighting, and after-party lighting. Each should be considered and discussed in relation to your venue.
1. Property Lighting
The first thing to consider is the venue’s existing in-built lighting — most wedding dinners and after-parties are planned outside to take advantage of the tropical gardens. Therefore, an early review of the property’s outdoor lighting is a must. While some venues have been purpose-built for weddings, the vast majority of villas/venues will need additional outdoor lighting.
The most common lighting options used for general event setup are basic par lamps on tripods, banana trunk candles, and planted tiki torches. If your venue doesn’t permit the use of naked flame in this way, then LED lamps or candles can be used. Fairy lights draped in the boughs of trees or wrapped around tree trunks are a great way to spruce up your venue’s outdoor lighting and create an atmosphere.
2. Reception Lighting
The reception lighting refers to the lighting arrangement at the seated area where everyone will be eating. The most common option couples choose is a lighting canopy that extends over the dining area and can be built up to also light the after-party area. These canopies are usually created from a combination of fairy lights, or festoons weaved through with greenery and then installed with a pole and anchor system.
Most venues will allow this kind of pole/anchor setup, and it’s widespread in Bali. Some venues have fixed anchor points for lighting rig installation, which can help the setup/tear-down time but doesn’t lead to any cost savings for the couple.
To cover larger spaces where there are no fixed venue or anchor points, you may need truss-style elevation or rigging. This is more expensive to set up as the larger the area is to cover, the heavier it will be, and the more truss and rigging gear will be needed. These types of setups can also be influenced by venue rules which are set by owners or managing agents to ensure guest safety and reduce any potential damage to the property. Your wedding planner will need to check the general contractor rules and the agreement or house rules to figure out the best approach.
Don’t just rely on the lighting canopy over the main reception tables to provide enough illumination. You may also need candles (real or LED) to further enhance the ambience at the table. These should be thoughtfully laid out throughout the tables to create the perfect balance of overhead and underlighting.
Another popular option is to boost the light of the canopy with the use of chandeliers that hang down over the tables. In these cases, the extra weight and cabling that’s needed to install the chandeliers can significantly add to the cost of the setup, but you can’t beat them for a romantic, dreamy atmosphere that can be complemented by hanging greenery.
One common trick for stunning lighting at your reception is to erect an extra lighting canopy just for the bridal table. This draws attention to the couple and makes for beautiful photographs. Many couples also opt for light-up letters that spell out the couple’s name or simply the word LOVE. These are fantastic Instagrammable backgrounds.
3. Party Lighting
Even with a few drinks in them, people can be reluctant to get up and dance. This means the after-party lighting is almost the most important! You have to create the right ambience to make sure everyone feels comfortable being themselves.
From a lighting point of view, you need to make sure you get this right. Typically this means using a mirror ball, par LED lights, moving heads, strobe lights, and the all-important smoke machine to give a sense of mystery to your once-shy Aunty Judith.
How to ‘Up the Ante’ on Your Party
For many couples, the after-party takes precedence over the actual ceremony. In our experience, making your guests comfortable will require more than just lighting. Below are some extra additions that will make your party fabulous.
- A built-in dance floor that’s stable and big enough
- A projector to playback images of the evening
- A bar service that’s close by to dispense social lubricant
- Waiters with snacks, water, and refreshing towels on hand
- A great sound system with good quality speakers
- A DJ who can read the crowd and take guest requests
- Cocktail chairs and little tables for people to catch their breath
The Setup
With all of the electricity being used, it’s essential to get the setup right. Make sure you speak with your wedding planner about how the technical elements are being managed. Reputable wedding companies will always use a professional production manager and possibly call on subcontractors to assist in more tricky setups.
To take care of your power consumption needs, you will need at least one generator to take care of your lighting. As caterers usually expect the planner to provide them with the power, it’s often best to hire two generators to take care of the surge in kVA.
Also, you should be aware that most venues will limit the amount of power you can use from their primary local connection. In Bali, the local provider is not 100% reliable, so it is good practice to run your event from a generator. The risk is small, but the last thing you want is your event ruined by a power blackout!
Chapter 11
❤ Photography
Other than cost, there are several things you should keep in mind while making this pivotal decision.
Do Your Research!
Ask to see the portfolios of each photographer you consider and be detail-oriented as you look through them.
Here are some questions to ask yourself.
- Does the photographer capture the entire wedding? From the makeup and preparation shots to the ceremony itself and the reception afterwards?
- Do the shots look well-framed and considered or cluttered and rushed?
- Is the focus clear and do the images seem crisp and well-lit?
- Are the shots sensitive to emotion and has the photographer been able to snap the couple’s most intimate moments?
- Do the guests and couple look relaxed in the photos?
- Is there a dominant style or a mix of different styles in the portfolio?
- Do the photos tell a story?
Personality Matching
Once you’ve narrowed down a few different options for a photographer, it’s time to get on the phone with them. You want to make sure they understand the type of people you are, and whether or not their personality will be a fit with your own! After all, they are going to be a big part of one of the most important days of your life.
What Style of Photography Suits You?
If you’re not clear yet on the style of photographs you want, then take some time to do the research. Below, we’ve laid out a few of the most common options you can think about.
1. Traditional
Traditional wedding photographers will be able to capture the key moments in your wedding with skill and ease. There won’t be any surprises but you can trust them to capture the sunset moment, and especially nail those posed family shots that are important to your mum.
2. Adventurous
This style is for couples who are looking for something different. The photographer should be ready to go the distance and make the most of the venue. They will take your lead and be willing to follow as you jump into the waves at the beach, pose on mountain bikes, or even lay in a rice paddy.
3. Editorial
This style is what you see in glossy magazines. If you’re working with an editorial photographer, you can expect chic but dramatic images that are a little moody!
4. Photojournalist
This style is all about candid images that tell the story of the day. Rather than posed shots, you can expect a photographer or videographer to be watching for moments that require no staging.
5. Alternative
A special effects photographer will have a portfolio with images that are interesting after being altered and ‘improved’ in post-production. Their portfolio will likely include photos that look like old movies with different tones and light effects. This is a super cool style but it’s not for everybody.
The Details
If you’re not a photographer, there will be things that you won’t think about when you’re in the process of hiring one. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back, so read on to make sure you cover these points before you pay your deposit.
1. Delivery Time
It usually takes around a month to get all of the photos back after your wedding. This is because the photographer will be shooting raw files which are then edited after the big day. Editing a wedding shoot takes around 40 hours, so you’re paying for that time as well in the overall fee. If you need the photos more quickly, make sure you mention this before booking.
2. Format
Other than asking how many images you will receive for the fee, make sure you ask what format the photos will come in. Ask if they are high resolution and if you will receive the negatives or data files. Then make sure you confirm any retouching costs before the photographer goes ahead with the edit. You should expect a set of proofs or unedited photos initially, as most photographers know that you want to post on social media as soon as possible.
3. Ownership
Many photographers will retain the right to the photos so they can use them in the portfolios on their websites. Ideally, you want to own the images. However, for a discount, some photographers will keep the rights and offer to supply your photos with watermarks for their own advertising purposes. They may also ask you to tag them in any posts on social media.
4. Packages
- Does the package cover just the shooting fee or also the edits?
- What type of album do we get for the package?
- How many hours do you cover in the package?
- Do you do any pre or post-ceremony photography?
- If your wedding is large, ask if they offer any extra shooters?
Bali Photographers we love
The cost range for a wedding photographer is between $2,000 and $10,0000 AUD in Bali. If you decide to go with a wedding company, ask whether their package includes a photographer or not. You could save a whole lot of money in this area if a photographer is already contracted to them.
