Cliff-top wedding bliss at AYANA Resort and Spa Bali

One of southeast Asia’s most awarded resorts, AYANA Resort and Spa Bali offers 77 hectares of stunning cliff-top gardens overlooking Jimbaran Bay on Bali’s south-western peninsula. The only hotel in Indonesia to be listed amongst Asia’s top 15 resorts – and the world’s Top 100 – in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Readers Survey 2009, AYANA’s landscaped tropical gardens are home to six distinct and ultra-exclusive wedding venues, spread out across the property to enjoy maximum privacy. These include:

* Two cliff-edge, all-glass wedding pavilions, Tresna and Astina, with illuminated glass aisles leading to magnificent glass altars
* AYANA Wedding Gazebo, located on the edge of the cliff within the 3,000sqm grounds of the three-bedroom AYANA Villa, Bali’s most exclusive venue for a wedding ceremony, reception and honeymoon all in one location
* Bale Kencana, a traditional Balinese thatch-roofed gazebo secreted behind ornate volcanic and limestone walls and surrounded by a tranquil pond, with 180-degree ocean views
* Asmara, a 350-year-old Javanese joglo, a ceremonial pavilion featured in the palaces of royalty in central Java
* Champa Garden, an avant-garde 20,000sqm multifaceted outdoor event space designed to host grand scale wedding ceremonies and receptions for up to 2,000 guests in complete seclusion

The resort’s latest addition is the ultra-glam Rock Bar, located on natural rocks 14 meters above the ocean at the base of towering cliffs. Accessed via an inclinator, this is a dramatic venue for a sunset cocktail party or recovery brunch to celebrate a new union.

These unique venues are complemented by the dedicated team of wedding specialists, honeymoon planners, hair and beauty stylists, florists and the White Door Bridal Boutique staff. With such a wealth of experience, it is still refreshing to know that no two weddings ever follow a standard formula. There is always something unique; be it special flower arrangements, requests for particular music or a song, to couples creating their own wedding vows, reception themes and menu options.

“It’s a new creation with every bridal couple who choose to marry at the resort. We have to be innovative in raising the bar for unique and tailored weddings as demand for weddings in Bali grows,” says the Resort’s resident Wedding Manager Vivi Susanti.

Taking their vows at AYANA is a very Cinderella-like experience, with special touches such as scented Rose Petal or Frangipani Flower Shower, fireworks over the Indian Ocean or an exclusive horse-drawn carriage riding off into the sunset. And let’s not forget about the cuisine, a major highlight of the AYANA experience. Whether it’s an intimate dinner for two or a wedding feast for 200 prepared by the award-winning team of chefs, a wedding at AYANA is a truly exquisite experience. Everything from an exotic cocktail reception serving canapés, plated sit-down meals to extraordinary banquets is easily accommodated.

With such a stunning range of venues and services to choose from, many couples from around South East Asia and beyond are increasingly favoring AYANA as the place to tie the knot. Traditions such as the bride and groom embarking on a separate voyage for their honeymoon are being replaced by honeymoons shared with family and friends. The more relaxed and informal approach where the whole wedding experience becomes a magical event also provides opportunities for exciting travel and discovery.

“Most bride and grooms are far more relaxed when they have their wedding away from home. Somehow everyone seems to enjoy the celebration more, probably because all the worries of a wedding are really taken care of by somebody else,” comments Vivi.

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The love story

The proposal: For my birthday in 2007, I asked Viv if we could go to Hong Kong Disneyland and I planned to propose to her after the fireworks show. On my birthday I wanted to give the best gift to myself and that would be asking Vivienne to be my wife. A soon as the fireworks show was over, I explained how much Hong Kong meant to me and how special it was for us to be at Disneyland together. I then asked her to marry me, and unfortunately, had the engagement ring box upside down. In the dark, she couldn’t see the ring and thought I was just joking. I then turned the box right side up and told her I was serious. Luckily, she said ‘Yes’.

The wedding theme: The tea ceremony theme was oriental with the bold colour of red. This was to reflect Viv’s ancestry and for me to experience a traditional Chinese wedding. I came on a trishaw to pick up my bride. For the wedding reception, Viv incorporated many travel themes because we both had travelled extensively. We wanted to
keep the travel theme as romantic as how our love story had started.

The venue: Cyberview Lodge Resort & Spa
The rings: Brilliant Rose Solitaire diamond from Soo Kee Jewelry for the bride and Eternity diamond band from Fairy’s Inc, Singapore. The groom’s ring is from The Carat Club.
The wedding gowns: Renee L for wedding gown & MTM kua from The Red Wedding (Singapore).
The groom’s suit: Raffles Tailor Suit (Singapore).
Moments to treasure: Viv says it was the point of walking down the aisle. All the stress of the planning didn’t matter anymore when she walked towards the man who was going to be her partner for life. It was an emotional moment when she saw me standing there, waiting for her.
Dream Team: I Do Weddings
Photography: The Photoz

more wedding photos

Whether you’ve had your fairy-tale wedding planned since you were five, or want to plan a wedding with the latest trends, we’ll keep you calm, focussed and even smiling throughout the process ! Let us show you how to get started :

1. IMAGINE YOUR WEDDING
Before you announce your engagement to the world (and suffer the risk of having everyone assume that they are invited to your wedding), discuss some of most significant details of your nuptials with your partner, such as style, size, day, time, and guest list. These should reflect your tastes as a couple. For inspiration, visit our Who Are You section to get a sense of your bridal style, then browse through the wedding flowers and wedding cakes galleries for the latest in stunning wedding looks.

2. YOUR BUDGET
The fact is, all the wedding glamour and glitter cost money, therefore setting a realistic budget will save you (or your parents) from a nasty shock on your wedding day. So get your calculator out, call your folks, and work out a realistic budget. But set your priorities before you start number crunching! Are having all your guests present more important than having your wedding in an exotic location? Once you know what you cant live without, you will have a much clearer idea on how to allocate your money.

3. YOUR GUEST LIST
Separate your guest list into two categories ­ a must have A list and a would like to include B list. As most of your guests may have a spouse of significant other, an invitation will count for two people. Remember to mail the invitations early !

4. START A SCRAPBOOK
Pictures tell a thousand words. Whether printed from the internet, cut out from wedding magazines or collected from actual weddings, these should inspire you for themes, settings and any accessories you might want to recreate for your own wedding. Your wedding planner may also understand you needs better, making the process easier.

5. CHOOSE A DATE
Choosing your wedding day should be thoughtful. If you are planning an outdoor wedding in Malaysia can be a little tricky, the last thing you want for your beach wedding or a garden reception is bad weather, neither raining nor too hot and humid. Some research on the weather in the wedding venues is a good idea! Do prepare to fork out some extra budget for mist fans and etc to make sure your guest is comfy throughout your wedding.

Also check your city calendar to make sure there isn’t a holiday or a major sporting event on your desired wedding day so that you and your guests do not end up with scarce or more expensive hotel rooms and services. Select two tentative dates ­ it is important to have a back-up in case your first choice isn’t available.

6. CHOOSE YOUR CEREMONY AND RECEPTION LOCATION
Botanical gardens, historic buildings or poolside party with food stations : let your imagination run wild when selecting a location. But remember, the best place is one that is accessible and able to accommodate your guest count. You’ll want to find out how many events each location hosts per day, and if there are hidden fees and charges.

7. SELECT YOUR WEDDING PARTY
She’s been your best friend since kindergarten; it’s a no-brainer that she will stand up with you on your big day. But what about everyone else? Ask valued friends and family members to do a reading, be an usher or oversee your guestbook table. The point is, don’t worry! There is a role for everyone and no need for an awkward situation.

8. SHOP FOR THE WEDDING DRESS
Be aware that most bridal houses or designers need at least six months to order or make your wedding dress, so start early! Bring along any printouts from our fashion section to your fitting sessions so that the experts can get a sense of your style and preferences. Remember to bring stockings, shoes, a strapless bra and a hair clip to your appointments! (Now is also a good time to start a fitness programme and get into shape to look your best!)

9. BOOK THE BASICS
Top wedding locations and vendors are booked as early as a year in advance. So, as soon as you have agreed on the date and the type of wedding you want, make your bookings! Reception sites go particularly fast but many will allow you to put a courtesy pencil hold on the date, for two weeks without deposit. Finding your ideal location isn’t easy, so, if a site meets 80% of your requirements, reserve it !

10. SET UP YOUR GIFT REGISTRY
In this shopping frenzy, remember that your guests are going to want to buy gifts for YOU. You will enjoy the convenience of viewing your gift registry and making changes any day or time, and your guests will be thrilled to have one place to find all your gift choices. If we may suggest, you will have loads of fun at www.mychocolatemousse.com. (a gift registry is the way to not end up with endless supplies of cutlery sets, 2 hair dryer or 4 irons)