Bali - a perfect wedding venue

By Christiane Oelrich Aug 17, 2010, 13:04 GMT

Mengwi, Indonesia - More and more couples are travelling to Indonesia to marry under blue skies, surrounded by palm trees and sun-kissed beaches.

The procedure is relatively simple, although marriage partners must have the same religion, which has to be declared. Otherwise, one partner has to make a written declaration of change of religion.

'We wanted something completely different,' German bookkeeper Kai Ritter said ahead of his wedding to fiancee Sandra Meier on the island of Bali.

Before the ceremony, Ritter sat nervously on a couch while the bride had the final touches put to her hairstyle in a neighbouring room.

Wedding organizer Gery Nutz took the first photos of the bride as he tried to create a relaxed atmosphere ahead of a wedding taking place 12,000 kilometres from home, away from the pair's parents, friends and acquaintances.

'My mind is a complete blank at the moment,' the bride said as Nutz asked her to pose with a bouquet of flowers on a bed.

The 32-year-old, however, made clear that she wasn't upset by the absence of her best friend or mother.

'We want to have a memory that is just for the both of us,' she said, adding that a second ceremony featuring a religious service would take place next year at home in Germany with relatives and friends present.

The ceremony in Bali began on time at 3 pm, with two local beauties leading first the groom and then the bride over a sea of flowers into a pavilion at Nutz's Villa Kompiang in the principality of Mengwi.

The service was carried out by Wayan, who like many Indonesians goes by only one name. He reminded the couple of their duties to God and each other.

The rest of the ceremony had been formulated by Nutz, including the part where the couple looked into each other's eyes and expressed their delight at spending and sharing their lives together.

The local registrar was also present to ensure that the pair were marrying voluntarily. He sealed the partnership with three bangs of a hammer.

The marriage was later registered with the German consulate to ensure that it would be legally recognized once the couple returned home.

The ceremony was concluded with the traditional kiss, exchanging of rings and, of course, a glass of champagne.

However, unlike formal events at home, the groom cut a relaxed figure in a polo shirt and shorts, while the bride wore flat sandals under her white wedding dress - quite useful as the wedding photos were taken on the beach.

According to official figures, over 100 foreign couples tie the knot each month in Bali. The majority are Australian, but a significant number of Europeans also make the journey.

Many hotels offer special deals. On this occasion, Nutz had organized the wedding in his own garden.

The Austrian has lived in Bali for over 20 years and his Balinese wife often carries out the roles of hairdresser, registrar and priest. He, meanwhile, also acts as translator, witness and photographer.

A candlelit dinner can also be arranged, followed by a night in a honeymoon suite. The entire package costs 1,400 euros (1,800 dollars).

'My business is to make people happy,' Nutz said.

The newly married couple felt that Nutz had been successful in his efforts.

'It was more beautiful than I expected,' the groom said, as his new wife wiped away a tear.