Bali Wedding Ceremonies: Know Your A-B-Cs

What are the types of ceremonies that I can arrange for at my Bali wedding?

Legal, non-legally binding, vow renewal ceremonies, commitment ceremonies…the list goes on!

Does the mention of these variety of ceremonies leave you confused and confounded?

We do understand that dealing with the ceremonial and legal aspects of your wedding can prove to be rather intimidating for new brides and grooms-to-be. Thus, we present you a short and simple summary:

Religious Marriages

Who?

• Couples who want to renew their vows.

• Brides and groom who have conducted a legal wedding in their home countries

• Those who do not wish to have a legal marriage for personal reasons.

What do I need to be aware of?

• Religious marriage ceremonies do not have any legal implications.

• Religions that are recognised in Indonesia include Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christian-Protestant, as well as Christian-Catholic.

• Under the local law, the bride and groom must hold similar religious faiths. Couples who declare different religions will have to submit a statement letter indicating either party’s willingness to marry into the religion of the other, and that this agreement was done willingly. This letter requires legalisation by either the local government, or the consulate offices.

• Couples of Islamic,Hindu, Buddhist and Christian-Protestant faiths can have their wedding ceremonies held at any location, apart from Balinese temples.

• Brides and grooms who want to marry under the Catholic faith are required to conduct their wedding ceremony in a Catholic church. However, do note that these regulations may be subjected to changes or updates. It is best that you confirm the regulations with your wedding organisers.

Legal Marriages

What Do I Need to Know?

• Religious wedding ceremonies are part and parcel of a legal marriage, and the ceremonies are usually conducted with the aid of an Indonesian civil registry, before the legal wedding service.

• All couples intending to hold a legal marriage in Indonesia have to declare a religion. This applies to foreigners, as well as the locals.

• Do note that Agnosticism and Atheism are not recognised as religious faiths in Indonesia.

• Muslims undergo a religious ceremony carried out by an official from the ‘Kantor Urusan Agama’. Unlike the religious ceremonies of other faiths, this ceremony has legal implications. As such, Muslims do not have to participate in an additional civil ceremony.

Vow Renewal Ceremonies

Who?

• Couples who have been married for a relatively long period of time, and wish to celebrate with a renewal of wedding vows.

• Partners who lead an alternative lifestyle, and are unable to have a legal marriage.

What Do I Need to Know?

• Commitment and Balinese blessing ceremonies fall under this category. Commitment ceremonies are performed by a lay Officiant, while a Balinese Officiant presides over the blessing ceremony to give the wedding couple his blessings for a good future.

• Government Registrars are not present during these ceremonies.

Engagement Ceremonies

What Do I Need to Know?

• Procedures are carried out by an Officiant, who performs a greeting, does a reading of vows, aids in the exchange of rings, and makes an official pronouncement of the engagement.

For more articles on weddings in Bali, check us out atwww.wedding-bali.com!