There wasn’t a floral arch waiting at the end of the aisle. Instead, layers of greenery and soft blooms framed the ceremony while the Ubud jungle remained the main attraction. It set the tone for a Balinese wedding filled with unexpected color, local traditions, and thoughtful details that gave guests a glimpse into the culture of Bali.

New York-based couple Ella and Daniel planned a destination celebration that reflected both where they live now and the place they had chosen to gather the people they love. From a locally crafted engagement ring to a reception welcomed by Balinese dancers and a 20-piece Gamelan orchestra, the weekend blended familiar touches with the traditions of their destination.

What We Love About This Wedding

• A ceremony without a traditional floral arch, leaving the Ubud jungle in full view
• Layered greens paired with butter yellow, lilac, ivory, and marigold blooms
• A grand reception entrance accompanied by Balinese dancers and a 20-person Gamelan orchestra
• Calling on Bali’s Rain Stoppers after a week of relentless rain
• A doughnut wall that quickly became one of the reception’s most popular stops

Skipping The Ceremony Arch Let The Setting Speak For Itself

Working with Junebug vendor The Wedding Mood, Ella and Daniel took a different approach to their ceremony design. Instead of building a large floral installation, layered greenery and soft florals framed the aisle while the jungle remained fully visible beyond it.

Their color palette combined layered greens with butter yellow, lilac, ivory, and touches of marigold. The range of greens added depth, while the softer florals lightened the design without taking attention away from the landscape.

Rather than relying on oversized installations, the reception design stayed focused on sculptural florals, layered greenery, and long tables that looked at home in the open-air setting.

Bringing A Little Bit Of New York To Bali

Although Bali became the setting for their wedding, New York still found its way into several meaningful details.

Daniel proposed with a ring from Anna Sheffield, a New York jewelry designer whose work already held significance for the couple since the city is home. Choosing someone local made the ring feel even more personal.

Ella continued that connection with a gown from Jaxon James Bridal Atelier in New York City. From the front, the dress was sleek and understated, while sculptural draping across the back added movement as she walked through the lush surroundings.

Her bridesmaids wore a mix of muted olive and soft blush dresses instead of matching looks, while the groomsmen wore linen suits in varying shades of warm brown that suited the tropical weather.

A Local Tradition Helped Clear The Skies

Outdoor weddings always come with an element of unpredictability, and Ella and Daniel spent the week before their celebration watching the forecast with growing concern.

“Although our wedding fell during the peak of summer, we had faced a week of relentless rain, which caused quite a bit of anxiety since our celebration was entirely outdoors. The skies looked as though they would never clear, and we worried the weather would upend our plans entirely.”

Instead of changing venues, they turned to one of Bali’s long-standing traditions by hiring Rain Stoppers, or pawang hujan. Traditionally called upon for temple ceremonies, weddings, and other important events, these practitioners perform rituals believed to guide rain clouds away from a specific location.

“Thanks to their guidance, the rain cleared just in time, allowing our outdoor ceremony and reception to unfold perfectly and leaving everyone in awe of this unique Balinese tradition.”

Featured Vendor:
The Wedding Mood

Welcoming Guests With Music, Dance, And Dinner

As Ella and Daniel descended the venue’s sweeping staircase after the ceremony, Balinese dancers welcomed them into the reception while a 20-person Gamelan orchestra filled the jungle with music.

“It felt like the perfect way to mark the beginning of the celebration—not just a grand entrance, but an experience that immersed everyone in the spirit of Bali.”

The performance continued with the traditional Barong Dance, which tells the story of the balance between good and evil, before the evening shifted into dinner and dancing.

Guests chose between pan-seared duck breast, king prawns, Black Angus beef tenderloin, or seared barramundi, with cocktails served alongside the meal.

Dessert combined tradition with something a little more playful. After cutting their wedding cake, Ella and Daniel invited guests to help themselves to a doughnut wall that quickly became a favorite during the reception.

“The combination allowed us to honor tradition with the cake-cutting moment while also reflecting our personalities and love for casual, joyful touches.”

Making Bali Part Of The Celebration

From the ceremony overlooking the jungle to the sound of the Gamelan orchestra carrying through dinner, Bali remained present in every part of the day. Instead of treating local traditions as entertainment, Ella and Daniel invited guests into customs that have long been part of celebrations on the island.

Between the Rain Stoppers, the Barong Dance, and a reception that ended with guests gathered around a doughnut wall, their Balinese wedding unfolded through a series of thoughtful choices that gave everyone a deeper connection to the place where they chose to get married.