The first of our travel blogs on Bali comes from the luxury Alila Manggis resort. We were given such a warm welcome to the ‘Alila way’, and offered the most tantalising insight into why it’s so special to get married in Bali…

Our stay begins on the rugged east coast of Bali at Alila Manggis in Candidasa, where authenticity and a quieter Bali still exist.  The Alila experience begins from the moment you step off the plane and into the airport.  We are warmly greeted by Chuka from Alila who takes us to our transfer.  It is approximately an hour and thirty minutes to this tranquil part of the island but our luxuriously fitted out car is well equipped with squidgy pillows, juices, water and cashew nuts hand wrapped in little paper parcels.  Alila has its own range of toiletries, all made from essential oils and infused herbs.  As we settle into our seats we are given a refreshing Alila face spritz and handed a cold lemongrass infused flannel to refresh as we make our way to the hotel.

Spend evenings listening to a Gamelan under the stars at Alila Manggis

There is something about arriving in Bali at night time.  The smell of incense and cloves seem to be intensified by the day’s heat, while the chatter of geckos and the gentle melody from a Balinese Gamelan provide a typical setting for a balmy evening in Bali. Alila Manggis blends beautifully into this peaceful scene.  Its architecture mixes Balinese tradition with modern design.  If you are looking for high-end glitz and glamour then this is probably not for you (although there will be an Alila resort that is).  This is an understated luxury.  The resort’s beautiful stone and muted colours are a calming welcome in the lobby with mid-century modern armchairs adding a touch of inspired design.  This neutral palette also sets the perfect tone for the vast green coconut grove where landscaped gardens and palm trees surround the large pool.  I can already see how this could be an idyllic spot for a sophisticated beach wedding with Mount Agung, Bali’s most sacred mountain, quietly sitting in the background.

If you love the beach and sea, then Alila Manggis is a wonderful choice for a combined wedding and honeymoon.  The coral reef in this part of the island is unspoilt meaning vibrant underwater gardens teeming with colourful fish still exist – something that is sadly becoming harder to find in today’s environmentally challenged world.  Our trip out on a traditional Balinese Jukong (wooden boat) was an exhilarating experience and would satisfy any adventure loving guest, however, the hotel has a strict no touch policy as part of their commitment to conserving the reef and replanting new coral.  Newly married couples are currently invited to plant a piece of their own coral with their names placed next to it on a natural plaque.  There is also talk of underwater weddings in the near future whereby couples will, via specially designed underwater headgear, be able to hear each other exchange vows.

A traditional Balinese wedding ceremony 

Sunset reception in the coconut grove

If, however, you are looking for something a little simpler, luxurious beach weddings are what Alila Manggis do best.  Take over part, or all, of the hotel and celebrate amongst the coconut groves, under the stars.  Choose to have a traditional Balinese ceremony under an altar of tropical flowers by the ocean or hold your event in a nearby Balinese Palace.  As with all the Alila Hotels, a list of the islands best make-up artists, florists and decorators are at your disposal.

Puri Gede – The Karangasem Royal Palace and courtyard

Catering at Alila Manggis

Food at the resort is beautifully presented by executive chef Rachmat Ridwan Hakim and during our stay, we were treated to a taste of his talents.  A selection of canapes typical of those served at a wedding included a bite-sized Caesar salad placed on a parmesan crisp, a mini Vietnamese roll bursting with fresh Asian herbs, tuna on crostini, a wonton crispy and three types of satay.  What is so refreshing with Alila, as a whole, is that they provide authentic Asian cuisine rather than the usual watered down versions provided for westerners. Similarly, their western menus are equally appetising.  For bride and groom, the choice is theirs, and menus can be tailored to whatever is desired.

The allure of Bali

The romance at Alila Manggis resonates throughout, making it an easy place to stay on for a luxurious honeymoon.  From the spacious suites overlooking the ocean to the couples’ spa bale where one can be massaged to the sound of the sea or the romantic organic garden where newlyweds can enjoy their first candlelit dinner.  Adventure seekers can take a Jukong out for diving or snorkelling while those wanting to relax can do so by the resort’s beautiful pool.  A stay at Alila Manggis always includes daily yoga sessions and a complimentary afternoon tea serving Asian cakes by the pool.

Dinner by candlelight is magical in the organic garden

Spa by the sea

A Seaside Suite is ideal for brides and grooms or honeymooners

Alila Manggis is for couples who want a relaxed wedding vibe that also provides luxurious amenities and premium service.  Whether you are getting married, honeymooning or holidaying at Alila Manggis, you can be assured that you will be looked after in every way by your hosts at this warm and attentive resort.

Five Reasons to get married at Alila Manggis:

• Beautiful oceanfront setting
• Luxurious but relaxed resort in a quieter side of Bali
• Affordable luxury allowing couples to hire out entire hotel
• Romantic destination to continue a honeymoon
• Perfect spot for water lovers with some of Bali’s best beaches nearby

For more information on weddings at Alila Manggis visit www.alilahotels.com/manggis/weddings

Photo credits: Abbie Ting | Thierry Dehove, Courtesy of Alila Hotels and Resorts.

2015 Weddings: Luxury, style, and more than a bit of daring! Here is part 2 of our highlights…

What a year 2015 has been for the luxury wedding industry. We’ve seen so many of our brilliant suppliers take their luxury products to the next level, whether it’s dress design, event planning, or weaving floral masterpieces. We’re looking back on 2015 – a year in which we expanded our writing team and launched our slicker, faster, and more beautiful website and logo – and have chosen some of our highlights from the year. In the final part of our rundown of 2015, we’re remembering highlights from July to December – read about January to June, here.

July – Berta Bridal gets pulses racing with the launch of the fall collection

We had to include a dress range on our yearly highlights, and while we had so many to choose from we just loved this Berta Bridal Fall collection we featured in July. The range, launched at a catwalk show at the magnificent Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London, is all about daring necklines and intricate embellishments. See the whole beautiful range, read more.

August – Finding the best photographers worldwide… using Instagram!

What better way to find the world’s best wedding photographers than via the premier photography social network, Instagram? In August we trawled the Insta-verse, using the hashtag #weddingphotographer, to see what gems we could find by professional photographers from the USA to Europe to New Zealand. See the stunning array of wedding photos (from real weddings, no less) that we found via Instagram in part 1, part 2, and part 3 of our in-depth blog on wedding photographers.

In the second of our four-part series on weddings in Bali with Alila Hotels and Resorts, we travel from Alila Manggis on the rugged east coast to the centre of the island – Ubud.

Ubud is the cultural hub of Bali where the tropical jungle is the backdrop to a vibrant town.  It is here where you will find Bali’s traditional Kecak dance, some of the island’s best Babi Guling (suckling pig), pretty shops and delicious cafes.  Ubud has long been a spiritual home for yogis and hence has a happy living vibe reflected in the many vegan and raw food cafes dotted around the town.  It is, without a doubt, a positive place to start married life.

Image: Bali Bali Beach

Alila Ubud is located just outside of Ubud’s main town, amongst the rice paddies and on the edge of the jungle valley.  The winding road that takes you to the hotel is lined with paddy fields and is a beautiful way to arrive.  The serene drive belies the dramatic views that greet guests at the end – a breathtaking emerald green infinity pool perches on a terrace and appears to float above the plunging Ayung River valley below. The pool is surrounded by stone-tiled sun decks that feature luxurious sun-beds and attractive Balinese umbrellas. It is stunning and plays host to many weddings.

Alila Ubud Villas

Our personal hosts at Alila Ubud show us to our Valley Villa.  Let me just say here that this is luxury jungle living at its absolute best.  The indoor/outdoor villa is nestled on the edge of the rainforest with the Ayung River below.  A romantically draped four-poster bed sits in front of glass bi-fold doors which open up onto panoramic jungle views.  In the room, a pair of binoculars beckons to be used on the large wrap around balcony outside.  Walk from the bedroom to an outdoor bathroom and then into an air-conditioned dressing area complete with his and her sinks and Alila toiletries.  The villas are the perfect indulgence for wedding couples or honeymooners.

Getting married at Alila Ubud provides a whole host of options in terms of villas and whilst the Valley Villas were our favourites because of the views, the pool villas would be a great option for those wanting privacy and a pool of their own to hang out in.  Likewise, the Terrace Tree Villas are an incredible space for wedding parties to get ready with interior designed rooms and views of the lush jungle plantations.  The options of rooms and villas combined make Alila Ubud a popular choice for buy-out weddings (hiring the entire venue) with guests being able to choose which level of accommodation they’d like to stay in and families being easily housed together.

The Wedding

One of the nicest things about Alila Ubud is that it feels small but is deceptively large.  Wedding couples are invited to have their ceremony on the property’s hillside retreat of Payangan, where the Sculpture Garden lives. This tranquil space which affords exotic jungle views can be decorated to your taste, with anything from traditional Balinese Umbulumbuls (flags) to more contemporary looks.

Ceremonies can be as intimate or large as you desire.  A ceremony for two may be followed by a romantic candlelit dinner in the hotel’s Bale Bengong located on the pool hillside and overlooking the Ayung River.  Larger parties can enjoy cocktails and canapes in the plantation terrace followed by a feast for the eyes and bellies at the newly designed poolside cabana.  Whilst there are noise restrictions in the cabana after 10.30pm, the hotel’s art gallery provides a place for guests to party until late.

Newlyweds probably won’t want to leave the luxury of Alila Ubud too quickly, so if you are planning to wed here then we’d highly recommend staying on for part or all of your honeymoon too.  The hotel’s incredible spa would be a good place to start your first day as husband and wife, with a choice of beautifully designed indoor and outdoor rooms to accommodate couples.  If you would rather get out and about then the hotel provides a complimentary shuttle several times a day to Ubud’s centre where you can explore the local shops and restaurants.  For those looking at doing something more adventurous, the Ayung River is home to the island’s best white water rafting.  Similarly, Alila can organise experiences to immerse you into an authentic Balinese way of life such as market visits followed by cooking, bicycle rides or guided treks around the rice paddies and countryside.

Alila Ubud is for couples who love the great outdoors and dream of a tropical jungle setting with contemporary twists.  As we experienced first-hand, the service you will receive at Alila Ubud is impeccable with premium luxury and care at front of mind.

Five Reasons To Marry at Alila Ubud:

1. Stunning jungle backdrop creates the ultimate exotic wedding
2. Striking and award-winning* infinity pool which will wow guests
3. A range of accommodation to suit guests’ varied needs and budgets
4. Romantically dressed villas create an ideal abode for newlyweds
5. Location is near to Bali’s cultural centre, Ubud, as well as other Balinese ‘, must visit’ spots

*Smith Hotel Awards 2015

For more information on weddings at Alila Ubud visit alilahotels.com/ubud/weddings

In a four part series on weddings in Bali, 5 Star Wedding Directory has teamed up with the luxury hotel group, Alila Hotels & Resorts to discover how couples can enjoy perfect weddings and honeymoons in either the north, south, east or west of this spiritual island.  It is possible to legally marry in Bali and with so many couples now choosing weddings abroad, we wanted to explore the options on this exotic island in South East Asia.

We have taken a 10 day trip to Bali in Indonesia, to bring you a first-hand review of these very different island locations, all of which are complimented by the sophisticated backdrop of an Alila property.  Alila’s ethos to offer something ‘surprisingly different’ is very apparent at each of their unique hotels, as is their attention to detail and the exemplary service we received during our stay.  We discovered consistency throughout was the ‘Alila way’ and for our hosts to think hard about everything that might be needed, so that we didn’t have to.  We left feeling very well looked after and supremely confident that this exceptional standard in service was a perfect foundation for planning a beautiful and stress free wedding abroad.

So join us on our journey through Bali from the east coast of Candidasa at Alila Manggis, to the cultural centre of the island at Alila Ubud, to the west coast of Tabanan at Alila Soori and the surf loving south coast of Alila Uluwatu.  We were also lucky enough to be in Bali for the opening of the brand new Alila Seminyak – a beachfront hotel in the heart of Bali’s shopping and restaurant district.

Our journey starts weddings in Bali.