A Luxurious and Organic Wedding Weekend at Amankila, Bali

Leeana and Tim’s love story unfolded in a way they least expected. They crossed paths at work, and a subtle attraction grew unnoticed. By chance, a seating shuffle at work lead to more conversations where they grew closer. Going to work in the mornings were something they both looked forward to. When Tim took the plunge and asked Leeana out, it propelled a whirlwind romance. Six months in and Tim knew Leeana was the one he was going to marry.

In 2019, Tim proposed to Leeana whilst vacationing in New Zealand, but their wedding plans hit a snag due to the pandemic. When it came time to select a venue, the choice was obvious. Having spent meaningful time in the island of Gods at Leeana’s family ‘Joglo hut’ in Ubud during their maiden trip as a couple, their deep connection with Bali brought them back. They chose to celebrate their momentous day amidst the enchanting embrace of Amankila, Bali. With its tranquil location, set on a lush hillside beneath the sacred Mount Agung, flanked by the Lombok Strait, the name “Aman” seemed fitting as it reflected the serene vibe they were after. Amankila’s charm was irresistible, making it the perfect setting for this couple who appreciates nature and design. The lush landscape and harmonious architecture blended inconspicuously with its earthly surroundings, , providing a backdrop that mirrored their aesthetic preferences.

Intimate yet inclusive, with 50 close friends and family members in attendance. Immediate family and cherished friends journeyed from around the world, turning their wedding into a meaningful reunion. “We wanted the red thread for our wedding to be all sustainable and local. We wanted to give back to the Bali community, especially when they were hit hard over the pandemic, so we sourced locally as much as we could,” shared the bride.

Each event spotted a unique theme. For their welcome dinner, the theme was Tropical Glam. The attention to detail completed the brief. Guest are greeted by Balinese flower girls and vibrant tropical installations at the entrance of the safari-like tent perched amidst towering coconut trees, befitting of a luxurious tropical vacation in Bali. Inside, the decor featured rattan furniture, colourful local floras and fruits. “What was absolutely magical was that these installations attracted butterflies and local bees, which really added to the entire vibe,” recalled the couple. The menu was a mouthwatering reflection of the local cuisine. Thereafter, a fire dance performed on the lawn entertained the guest and couple alike. Tim and Leeana also managed to steal a private moment down by the beach to soak it all in before the big day the next day.

A welcome bag was curated to greet wedding guests at their hotel rooms upon arrival. The couple opted for a beach rattan bag and filled it with carefully selected items such as a handmade turkish-inspired beach blanket, an organic reef-safe sunscreen from Republic of Soap Bali, a natural essential oil bug spray by Bali Utama Spice, and delicious local snacks to be enjoyed.

As guests were shuttled in from their respective villas began to arrive, they walked through the lush jungle-filled limestone steps which opened up to unobstructed coastal views of the Lombok Straits. They were handed fresh cold towels and handmade palm leaf fans to keep them cool amidst the tropical weather. In the background, a string quartet created the perfect ambience. The bride looked stunning in her A-line custom Kyha Studios gown featuring gorgeous off-shoulder puff sleeves. She completed her look with natural soft glam makeup and a low bun.

For the reception dinner, the couple stayed true to the type of aesthetic style they love which was organic modern, involving earthly whites, greens and natural elements. “Incorporating textures and elements that are true to the natural landscape was important to us. Sandat Floral and Sweet Bella Project, helped bring our vision to life. We had a specific vision in mind, and they absolutely delivered. Together, we designed the floral installations, customised menus, and curated the decor to match the wedding theme while complementing the surroundings. Being rattan obsessed, we carefully hand selected the chairs and placemats to match the beautiful landscape. Amankila is already a beautiful space – we really wanted the venue to speak for itself and ensure that the decor and aesthetic elegantly goes together with its location.” Leeana shares.

This pair of creatives even went as far as to customise their tablescape elements. Whenever they visited Bali, they enjoyed collecting handmade ceramics from local artists. Tying in apart of their story to the decor, they sourced dinnerware from local ceramic boutiques, Gaya Ceramics and Jenggala. They then dressed the tableware with customised Batik handkerchief that Tim designed himself. The Batik doorgifts reflected Leeana’s Malay culture, while New Zealander fern designs on the motif represented Tim’s background.

The dinner was marked by heartfelt speeches and joyful conversations. After dinner, the couple shared their first dance. Albeit being slightly nervous, they executed it flawlessly and had so much fun in the process! Sparklers helped set the mood. The live band played “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”, which broke the ice and cued for guests to join the dance floor. Not wanting the night to end, the party adjourned to the couple’s villa, where everyone enjoyed each other’s company and night-caps before winding down for a much needed rest after. Among all these memories, it was the shared experiences, conversations, and exchanged glances that stood out the most. Their wedding wasn’t just about a single day; it was a culmination of their unique journey.

“This may sound cliche, but we’re not lying when we say there was not a single account we didn’t find to be memorable. We think that it’s because our wedding was intimate, we got to make the most of the moment spent with our close friends and family.” they reminisce. Leeana and Tim’s advice to other couples planning their wedding is simple; ” the wedding should be about you, so really lean into that! Personalising our wedding to what suits us, and prioritising what mattered most really helped with the planning process.”