Sarah Jobela always knew what kind of wedding she would have. Growing up, Bella dreamed of a small, intimate wedding attended by only a handful of guests, on the island she loved the most. When she finally met someone who shared the same dream, she knew it was a match made in heaven.

“I’ve always been in love with Bali. I like the ambience and the warmth of the people there,” she said.

Her wedding to Nerfa Valiano Salean, a Kupang-based pilot, took place on a balmy August day last year at a resort in South Kuta. The couple then stayed on the island a bit longer to enjoy their honeymoon.

“The only thing we missed out on was the chance to take group photos. I suppose we were all having too much fun that we forgot to take pictures, but overall, my wedding was perfect,” she said.

Doing her part to help Bella’s vision of a picture-perfect wedding come true was seasoned Bali-based wedding organizer Dyan Ervandi, whose company Bali Jepun Wedding International has been assisting couples in designing, planning and managing their weddings in Bali for more than 15 years.

To begin with, the fact that Bali is paradise to many helps.

“Bali is such an ideal place and is one of the best wedding destinations in the world,” said Dyan. “People here are more open-minded and there’s definitely the wonderful nature.”

Indeed, Bali is famous for its endless options of outdoor wedding setups from rice field terraces to tropical gardens and golden sandy beaches — definitely not the usual ballroom type. Upping your romance here can also mean exchanging vows early in the morning — as early as sunrise for that ethereal photo quality you get only at first light — or at sunset for a romantic backdrop. Top that with the fact that there are plenty of choices even for budget-conscious couples.

“Weddings in Bali come with various offers that are affordable to every market segment,” said Dewi Anggraini, director of marketing communications at the Westin Resort Nusa Dua.

At the Westin Resort Nusa Dua, couples get to choose from three options: Summer Garden, a garden-themed venue perfect for Indian weddings; Beachfront Temple Garden, a manicured lawn that flows into the white sands of Nusa Dua Beach; and Temple Garden, where a traditional Balinese Hindu shrine stands as a backdrop.

Wedding organizers in Bali are well aware that the island attracts those seeking non-traditional venues and with a preference for smaller, more personal gatherings over larger-scale ones. The weddings should still have all the elements — invitations, reception and dinner — but allow more personalized and memorable moments.

This was exactly what Jakarta-based entrepreneur Nova Grace had in mind when planning her 2016 wedding. She was clear on what she wanted: a low-key but meaningful day with no more than 50 “nearest and dearest” guests. She found the perfect space at Tirtha Uluwatu, a stunning location set atop a cliff on the southern part of the island.

“I like it that Bali allows us to plan our wedding in such a special way and within a budget that may not be possible elsewhere,” said Nova.

Planning for the big day

Because planning a wedding can be overwhelming, let alone doing it from afar, many recruit professional help. This comes in handy especially when dealing with nitty gritty details and any potential long-distance complications. The first rule of thumb, experts say, is to give yourself plenty of time.

“One thing I always recommend my clients is to plan ahead of time. Weddings in Bali are usually an intimate affair, so there’s a lot of efforts spent on making each one special and different from the others. This is your chance to make your wedding stand out, so do plan carefully,” said Laura Hehakaja, a wedding organizer who spent many years working in Bali.

At the Westin Resort Nusa Dua, the average recommended length to prepare for a wedding, big or small, is six months. During that time, couples are invited to come for site inspection and talk about package options. “Once they decide on the venue, there will be an agreement followed by more discussions on wedding details,” said Dewi.

Some brides, including Nova, find planning weddings from afar to be less stressful than actually being physically there. The key, experts say, is to know what you want. This means, among other things, confirming your date before contacting vendors and envisioning your flowers before designing them, according to theknot.com.

Last but not least, prevent any unpleasant surprises but do be prepared for any hiccups. Since the majority of weddings in Bali take place in an outdoor setting, it is thus important to heed the weather and any other potential problems. As they say, you may never know when the storm will strike, but you can prepare for it.

“Since most weddings are held outdoors, the weather poses the greatest challenge when it comes to preparing the set-up and the back-up plan,” said Dyan, wedding director at Bali Jepun Wedding International. For her part, in addition to planning and coordinating, Dyan also often takes the role of the master of ceremonies, being well-versed on every single detail of the rundown from ceremony to dinner party.

Bottom line is, always prepare a plan B. Other unexpected scenarios, such as last-minute cancelations to name one, may be equally frustrating, but don’t let any of them keep you from ultimately enjoying your big day with your loved one — in the company of the people you love and care about the most.

Popular

PDI-P will likely be part of opposition: Ganjar

Indonesia one step from Olympics after beating South Korea

Bahlil leads task force to boost sugar, bioethanol production in Papua