Sometimes when we’re really, really lucky, things just fall into place, or, as Amy and Michael discovered – crazy coincidences happen! “We proposed to each other on the same day – without knowing that the other was planning to propose,” reveals the bride. Held in Bali and shot by the talented Alexandra Cohen, scroll down for one hell of a wedding…
THE VENUE “Our venue decision was fraught with disaster. The villa rental agency double booked and so we had to move our entire wedding plans to another villa. Then they told us that our original villa was available after all and so we moved the plans back again.”
FAVOURITE DETAIL “I loved the flowers (by Martha Florist). The garlands framing the altar and the colourful flower petals were just stunning. My family helped to DIY the flower petals. We had someone drop off bags full of marigolds from the market early in the morning. They picked all the petals and placed them in the baskets. But, my favourite was our Barong procession from the ceremony (Villa Levi) to the reception. It was at sunset and it had been raining, so the sky was an incredible gold colour. We were all walking in a big group with our Barong along the rice fields. Lots of locals came out of their houses to wave and cheer for us.”
CUTE CUSTOM “We got married on a wedding rug that is a family tradition for Michael – his parents and sister both got married on it, too.”
THE DRESS “I was planning to wear a red and black gown that I had bought with Michael on a trip to Paris. We weren’t engaged at the time but when he saw me in it he said ‘that’s your wedding dress’. It was a very quick decision. My friends eventually convinced me to save it for the reception and to wear white for the wedding, but I couldn’t face the idea of wearing a traditional gown for a Bali wedding. I saw a vintage 70’s Lanvin dress on Vestiaire Collective and loved that it was simple and cotton. I ordered it online – luckily it fit!”
A WORD OF ADVICE “Be very careful about your choice of villa management if you’re getting married in Bali. I was lucky to have an amazing person living there who helped me troubleshoot (Sophie Gargett from SOUQ) – I would have been lost without her. She provided many of the connections to vendors and worked closely with me to style the food, flowers, and overall experience.”
STANDOUT VENDORS “Sophie from SOUQ Bali was extraordinary in every way. If you don’t want a cookie-cutter Balinese wedding (who does?) she is the perfect person to help your style the event.”
This wedding was originally published in our 2018 Real Weddings Special. If you’d like to check out more from this issue, limited copies are available via our online store. Keen for even more inspo? Our 2019 Real Weddings Special has just been released and you can get both mags for the price of one via our online store. Get in quick!
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Alexandra Cohen Event Planner, Stylist & Catering SOUQ (Sophie Gargett) Florist Martha Florist Ceremony Villa Levi Reception Private Property Entertainment DJ Lady Flic Celebrant Celedra Gildea Engagement Ring Gillian Conroy THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Vintage Lanvin via Vestiaire Collective Wedding Band Vintage Tiffany & Co. Shoes Tabitha Simmons Hair & Makeup Yeanne Intasari THE GROOM Suit Massimo Piombo Wedding Band Gillian Conroy Shoes Santoni Watch Vintage Jaeger-Le Coultre Sombreros Antonio Garcia KIDS Flower Girl Outfits Designed by SOUQ