Wedding traditions of Ubud
A Balinese cultural centre where couples marry in the family compound with priests, offerings and gamelan.
Balinese Hindu weddings take place at a lucky time chosen by a priest. The couple are purified, the groom comes to take the bride, and the ceremony is held in the compound.
A wedding here
A Balinese wedding has the mekala-kalaan, a rite of cleansing in which the couple are touched with a bunch of leaves and walk around a symbolic fire. Offerings of flowers, rice and coconut are laid out. Brides wear gold headdresses and woven songket.
Where weddings happen
In family compounds, in village temples and in villas for visitors. Foreign couples usually need a legal marriage elsewhere, since Indonesian law requires a religion-based marriage.
The season and the calendar
Dates follow the Balinese Pawukon calendar of 210 days. Some days, called dewasa ayu, are considered auspicious and others are avoided.
Wedding customs of Ubud
Also part of it, and being written: Balinese wedding (The rites.), Mekala-kalaan (The cleansing rite.), Gamelan (Bali's music.), Canang sari (The small offering.).
A wedding trail idea for Ubud
- Ubud Palace A royal house and venue.
- Ubud Art Market A market for cloth and flowers.
- Goa Gajah A temple site.
- Tegallalang rice terraces A setting for photographs.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, venues and wedding-season dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
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