How to Infuse Your Wedding With Balinese Wedding Traditions

There’s almost nowhere else that’s as dreamy as Bali when it comes to a destination wedding. Aptly nicknamed the Island of Gods, Bali has a magical quality that lends itself well to romantic weddings worth getting to the other side of the world for. Choosing to have a wedding in Bali means you’ll not only be creating the most memorable day of your life – but you’ll be inviting your loved ones to have one of the most exciting trips of their lives.

And since you’re reading this, we’re guessing Bali is already tugging at your heartstrings and you’re doing some research for your planning. Something you should definitely consider - make your event more unique by infusing local Balinese culture and tradition into your wedding.

Balinese blessing ceremony
Beyond the lush rice paddy fields and clear blue seas, Bali hides a deeply spiritual and mystical core. Majority of the island locals subscribe to the Hindu religion, believing that the harmony of life is maintained by keeping good and bad forces in balance. For a Balinese bride and groom, the wedding is more than just a union with their spouse - it’s as much a life event as it is a spiritual milestone. Upon the completion of the wedding ceremony, called pawiwahan, the bride and groom are regarded as full citizens of their villages, with all the rights and obligations thereof. 

If you prefer to save yourself from the hassle that comes when you want to get legally married in Bali, do the paperwork in your own home country. Then, have a Balinese blessing ceremony at your destination wedding instead, like at Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort. The ceremony is conducted by a Mangku (Balinese priest) and includes a purification ritual where the couple receives burnt rice, holy water and a dadap leaf as a sign of cleansing and purification of the spirit and body. As a couple, this not only purifies and unifies you but also gives you a chance to experience one of the most exclusive Bali customs and cultural elements.

The colourful wedding costumes
For the ultimate photo opportunity, why not save your white wedding dress for your dinner reception, and start your day in a traditional Balinese wedding costume? You’d be in the good company of like-minded couples who appreciate these elaborate getups - like John Legend and Chrissy Teigen!

Balinese bride and grooms wear wedding costumes typically made from a material called songket that has layers of golden thread. These costumes come in bright hues like blue, yellow or red to represent celebration and happiness. While the groom wears a head cover close to the head, the bride carries a crown with golden decorations. The height of the crown generally symbolises the wealth of the family she is from. Resorts like Nandini Jungle Resort & Spa can provide you with not just the outfits, but also makeup and a photographer.

Mystical decorations
Swap the roses for something a little more exotic - frangipani flowers! Bali’s signature flower is not just meaningful (symbolising a new beginning) but these delicate and pure flowers are also subtly fragrant.

A Balinese wedding reception usually takes place at the house of the bride or groom’s parents. A tent would be set up in front of the house, with lines of chairs for the guests and food served buffet style.

We like Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa ‘s Puri Wiwaha wedding package because it uses frangipani flowers as part of the decor and you can choose to have your reception at the Celebration Pavilion (which looks like a modern, comfier version of a tent!). As a bonus, you’d also get to walk down the aisle escorted by Balinese flowers girls and umbrella boys whilst accompanied by the shimmering sounds of a live gamelan troupe.

Getting help to plan the wedding
Planning a wedding is never easy and challenges are always to be anticipated, so Balinese couples would typically get help from their community to organise the ceremonies. Since hosting a wedding in a foreign country you’re not all that familiar with can be even trickier, take a leaf out of a Balinese couples’ book and get help from our wedding concierge team at Hitchbird!