The Big Bali Wedding
Friendships that last a lifetime are very special. So when Gab told me she was getting married in September this year - IN BALI - and wanted me to come, I was like "Hell yes"!
Who wouldn't want to A: Go to a longtime friends wedding to her life partner and B: Go to Bali!
So flights were booked and plans were made along with a tribe of others who were also attending.
We flew into Denpasar late'ish and went straight to a Hotel at Legian Beach. We spent two nights there, acclimating to the temperature and hustle bustle of the streets of Bali. The smell of incense permeated the warm air and the sound of motorbike horns blended with the croaks and burps of frogs and crickets. Our days were spent diving into pools and drinking cold beverages under umbrellas or walking the streets looking at the paraphernalia and being rattled by the bartering system that prevails.
The wedding was held at a beachside location along the western coast of Bali, 2 hours north of Legian by van. It is only something like 35kms away but in Bali traffic, it takes 2 hours! Gab had arranged our accomodation for the 4 days surrounding the wedding, so that was taken care of.
Our accomodation, La Balian, is a retreat venue, ideal for sole occupancy group bookings complete with an infinity pool lapping over the rice fields and a yoga platform. HEAVEN!
What a stunning place it was! I managed to do yoga every morning whilst I was there, and take in the stillness of the surroundings. The kids frolicked in the pool endlessly, until their skin was worn off (literally!). Sore toes from bouncing on the bottom of the pool and sore fingers from doing 12,000 hand stands a day!
The big day finally arrived. A stunning clear blue sky day with a scorching temperature of around 30 degrees. The sun has sting, even in the late afternoon hours before sunset so sunscreen or protective clothing was a must. The venue was at Helen Villa - a stunning, more traditional style large villa (sleeps 12 people or so) perched on the edge of the cliff virtually overhanging Balian Beach.
If anyone could arrange a more perfectly thought out, culturally appropriate, stylish wedding then please speak up now! This was a wedding of all weddings! Fairy lights draped across the evening sky between the villas, thatched roof bars serving coconut cocktails and cold drinks, traditionally clad balinese men seated under the shade of the pergola playing bamboo xylophones, an alter constructed of bamboo and draped with white cotton and local flowers and views to die for.
The ceremony was simple and serene. The guests were seated and given sun umbrellas and fans to ensure their comfort. Frangipani petals lined the aisle for the bride to walk along to meet her love. The sun shone, a slight breeze cooled our skin and tears flowed like rivers.
The evening kicked off with a delicious Balinese meal served as a help yourself style and a live band playing old classics from the 60's, 70's and 80's. It was a sultry, summer vibe and smiles as big as watermelons beamed off the bride and grooms faces.
We all danced the night away, talked and laughed so hard til it hurt.
Congratulations Gab and Brad and thank you... from the bottom of my heart, for including me in your special day. It was AMAZING!
Who wouldn't want to A: Go to a longtime friends wedding to her life partner and B: Go to Bali!
So flights were booked and plans were made along with a tribe of others who were also attending.
We flew into Denpasar late'ish and went straight to a Hotel at Legian Beach. We spent two nights there, acclimating to the temperature and hustle bustle of the streets of Bali. The smell of incense permeated the warm air and the sound of motorbike horns blended with the croaks and burps of frogs and crickets. Our days were spent diving into pools and drinking cold beverages under umbrellas or walking the streets looking at the paraphernalia and being rattled by the bartering system that prevails.
The wedding was held at a beachside location along the western coast of Bali, 2 hours north of Legian by van. It is only something like 35kms away but in Bali traffic, it takes 2 hours! Gab had arranged our accomodation for the 4 days surrounding the wedding, so that was taken care of.
Our accomodation, La Balian, is a retreat venue, ideal for sole occupancy group bookings complete with an infinity pool lapping over the rice fields and a yoga platform. HEAVEN!
What a stunning place it was! I managed to do yoga every morning whilst I was there, and take in the stillness of the surroundings. The kids frolicked in the pool endlessly, until their skin was worn off (literally!). Sore toes from bouncing on the bottom of the pool and sore fingers from doing 12,000 hand stands a day!
The big day finally arrived. A stunning clear blue sky day with a scorching temperature of around 30 degrees. The sun has sting, even in the late afternoon hours before sunset so sunscreen or protective clothing was a must. The venue was at Helen Villa - a stunning, more traditional style large villa (sleeps 12 people or so) perched on the edge of the cliff virtually overhanging Balian Beach.
If anyone could arrange a more perfectly thought out, culturally appropriate, stylish wedding then please speak up now! This was a wedding of all weddings! Fairy lights draped across the evening sky between the villas, thatched roof bars serving coconut cocktails and cold drinks, traditionally clad balinese men seated under the shade of the pergola playing bamboo xylophones, an alter constructed of bamboo and draped with white cotton and local flowers and views to die for.
The ceremony was simple and serene. The guests were seated and given sun umbrellas and fans to ensure their comfort. Frangipani petals lined the aisle for the bride to walk along to meet her love. The sun shone, a slight breeze cooled our skin and tears flowed like rivers.
The evening kicked off with a delicious Balinese meal served as a help yourself style and a live band playing old classics from the 60's, 70's and 80's. It was a sultry, summer vibe and smiles as big as watermelons beamed off the bride and grooms faces.
We all danced the night away, talked and laughed so hard til it hurt.
Congratulations Gab and Brad and thank you... from the bottom of my heart, for including me in your special day. It was AMAZING!
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