Not surprisingly, Bali is a dream destination for many couples who are organising a wedding abroad as it combines a truly exotic location with some of the world’s most luxurious hotels.
Most of the beach resort hotels will organise weddings, while some in Ubud offer elaborate ceremonies set against a stunning backdrop of rice terraces.
Balinese bridesmaids or local musicians can be provided on request to add an extra touch of romance, and couples can even hire local costumes for a more authentic service.
Unfortunately, the 16hr flight from the UK and the amount of red tape couples have to overcome once they get there has acted as a deterrent to many who might otherwise have tied the knot in Bali.
In order to ensure the wedding is legally binding in the UK – something Jerry Hall failed to do when she said her vows to Mick Jagger on a Balinese beach – couples must first travel to the British embassy in Jakarta to be issued with an affidavit.
This means spending at least one night in the capital.
The affidavit allows couples to marry anywhere in Bali providing the groom is over 23, the bride is over 21 and are both of the same religion.
Additionally, they must also spend a minimum of seven working days in Bali before the service can take place.
Silverbird managing director Jerry Quinn said: “Weddings are not big business in Bali because of the logistics, but couples who do marry here will enjoy a very unusual ceremony.
“Often half a village will turn out to throw flowers, and in Nusa Dua and Sanur where a lot of hotels do wedding packages, ceremonies are very picturesque.”
British Airways Holidays product manager Mandy Miller said wedding packages were relatively cheap compared to getting married in the UK.
Prices with BAH start from £360 per couple at a three-star property, excluding flights and accommodation.
Most hotels in Bali also offer honeymoon couples added extras such as flowers and wine in their rooms, or even free upgrades depending on availability.
For those who want to honeymoon elsewhere, there are plenty of flights to neighbouring islands, such as Lombok.
We asked three operators to recommend a hotel for a wedding or honeymoon in Bali. Here’s what they told us:
Francis Torrilla, head of product, Kuoni:
“The Ritz Carlton in Jimbaran Bay is our top hotel for weddings. Here couples can have something special, such as Balinese bridesmaids and traditional Balinese music.”
Cost: Ritz Carlton wedding package are priced from £1,139 per couple with Kuoni, excluding flights and accommodation.
Marilyn Trust, product manager, Hayes and Jarvis Far East:
“The Garden Villas at the Melia Bali in Nusa Dua are really ideal for honeymoon couples. Each one has its own pool and they are completely private.”
Cost: a week at the Melia Bali starts from £717 per person room only in a superior room, including flights. Villas cost extra.
Mandy Miller, product manager, BAH:
“The Four Seasons hotel is the best on the island for honeymoons. It has individual pavilions and you can have candlelit dinners served in your own courtyard.”
Cost: five nights at the Four Seasons costs from £1,499 per person on a room-only basis.