Monday August 4th 2003 was the long awaited day when Tracey from Melbourne Australia married Gede from Tuban Bali.

Tracey has been coming to Bali for years and is actually married to Gede in Australia but here in Bali to be married you’ve got to do it the right way. That means having a traditional wedding in front of the family and the whole village.

A few days ago Tracey performed a ceremony where she converted to Hinduism, one of the stipulations. I think for a lot of people this would be difficult. Tracey said she felt nervous driving towards the temple but afterwards felt very relaxed. I think I could go through with it no worries, Balinese Hinduism seems like a kids pantomine with Ogah Ogah’s, offerings, Barong dances and all that good spirit / bad spirit stuff. Not saying I’d believe in it, just that I’d do it for the family.

The wedding ceremony was to be held at the house of Gede’s family in Tuban close to the airport. The other night at Warung 96 Gede gave me an invitation and I noticed the starting time was 9am. Last night I sms’d my ex girlfriend Yumi to borrow some temple gear (sarong, sash, cover, head-piece etc. ) This morning as the time was moving along I tried to call and her phone wasn’t on, thanks a lot! I called Mick Turnbull to see if he had any gear I could borrow and he was still in Surabaya. My only option, go down to Kuta and buy one.

Funny thing was flying down Jalan Legian I overtook the wedding party on their way in a taxi.

Stopping off at McDonalds in Kuta Square for a coffee I saw the start of the Man U vs. Barcelona game live, amazing thing technology I tell you.

Around the corner at the art-market leading to the beach the vendors were getting going and I picked up a blue sarong for 30,000rp.

Zooming off in the direction of Tuban it didn’t take long before I came to the family’s street. Stopping off at a small store I bought some water as an excuse to ask the owner to help me tie my sarong. I had one on before but it looks untidy when I tie it. She fixed me up and off I rode looking like a bule going to a temple.

Outside the family’s house relatives stood and greeted newcomers. I made a small donation and took a small plate of peanuts and a teh bottle.

Chairs were assembled all the way leading to a central covered courtyard area where the ceremony was to be held. I spotted Dave, Jackie and Pedro from Melbourne sitting in the front and soon after saw Anne and Denise, Tracey’s mum and auntie who were dressed in matching light blue top and sarong. They were taking care of Madison, Tracey’s daughter.

The family compound contained a small temple structure in the rear, a bale ( flat shelter to perform offerings on ) . I could see the pyramidal stack of fruit and other offerings in the background. The walls of the house were decorated with golden cloth. Relatives and friends were already assembled.

Tracey looked like a princess in her marriage outfit and Gede looked awesome too with the red lipstick and covering of white make up. The family had smeared some over his tatts to make them less prominent. Tracey told us the head-piece she was wearing was over a kilo and was fastened with pins and staples. Every time she moved a sharp point jabbed her in the head and it was a painful experience for her to have to wear this thing for so long. She was fitted with a hairpiece at the back which was of course made from Balinese hair, Tracey has brown hair and had the traditional fringe painted onto her forehead. To complete the process she had a generous amount of makeup applied by the family and eyelashes.

I later learned that all the direct ladies female relatives had gone for light blue outfits.

Looking around I saw that the ladies were mostly seated at the front and the men were at the back. The ladies always seem more in weddings anyway so might as well give them the best view. Gede’s father came up to us and told us that breakfast was ready, which was a pretty large affair. The food was buffet style divided into 2 sections, Balinese and Muslim. The Balinese favorite Babi Guling (suckling-pig ) was on one side with chicken and beef being on the other along with assorted vegetables. Tracey said the women of the street had been cooking for 27 hours getting ready for this.

I grabbed a plate of white rice, some Babi Guling, green beans and other unidentifiable items. Seating for the breakfast was informal with drinks being distributed by younger people.

People were tucking into the food and I observed younger people hanging out in small groups and some of the older folks enjoying the day. One wonders how many wedding some of these people have been to in their lives.

Gede’s sister in law sat next to me and told me she was pregnant and got married 3 months ago. This is perfectly normal in Bali and I think the parents prefer it to waiting around for the perfect partner.

After �breakfast’ we all assembled in the central area for the wedding ceremony that started off with Gede and Tracey sitting side by side behind a priest who’s only job is to do weddings. He was leaning over a table loaded with offering ringing a bell and waving incense. If good karma could be asked for this was the guy you’d want asking. Anne was looking after Madison who was getting a bit impatient but kept herself together.

Pedro, Dave and myself were busy trying to get a shot at every special moment. Some of my favorites were the feet washing performed by Gede’s sister, the Kris (ceremonial knife ) drawing and cutting of a banana leaf, the receiving of holy water from an older lady and most of all the laps around the table. A fire was started and another older lady led the way around the table chasing off the demons. This one was quite funny and laughter broke out when Tracey, clutching plant had to circle the table and squat on a coconut followed by Gede. This was repeated a few times. A part of her costume fell off and I think the audience felt a connection with this westerner blindly going through the motions.

Tracey is a trooper though and maintained a great attitude throughout. I said that even though this might seem a bit awkward just think how cool it is to have so many people involved in your wedding. Definitely not just another registry office gig.

Anne and Denise were told to go and relax on the mat and obliged.

When these important steps were taken care of it was time for photos and we snapped every possible arrangement of relatives against the back wall. People were eager to get their photo taken there was an air of enjoyment.

Soon after people started to leave and drink were passed around. Tracey’s relatives and I kicked back on the bale sipping a beer and talked about the whole process we’d just watched. There were to be 2 more events today, lunch and dinner. Gede had taken care to invite people in shifts, 50-100 per time and there was a schedule on the wall detailing the ceremony. Getting married here isn’t cheap if you want to do it the right way.

Around 1pm I said goodbye and rode off to Kuta. Gede had arranged a ride back to the hotel for Tracey and the crew. The hard work is over for them, the other gatherings are really a reception and less detailed. Hope Tracey gets some time off as she’s been stuck in the house helping for the last few days.

Today was a interesting look at a Balinese wedding and also what a westerner can expect while going through it. Basically you’re going to end up doing it their way and if you relax and go along with it everything works out.

Gede’s family seemed very nice people and Tracey can feel at home with them I can see.

I’ll meet up with Tracey and the crew in the coming few days and get their latest update.

Monday August 4th 2003 was the long awaited day when Tracey from Melbourne Australia married Gede from Tuban Bali.

Tracey has been coming to Bali for years and is actually married to Gede in Australia but here in Bali to be married you’ve got to do it the right way. That means having a traditional wedding in front of the family and the whole village.

A few days ago Tracey performed a ceremony where she converted to Hinduism, one of the stipulations. I think for a lot of people this would be difficult. Tracey said she felt nervous driving towards the temple but afterwards felt very relaxed. I think I could go through with it no worries, Balinese Hinduism seems like a kids pantomine with Ogah Ogah’s, offerings, Barong dances and all that good spirit / bad spirit stuff. Not saying I’d believe in it, just that I’d do it for the family.

The wedding ceremony was to be held at the house of Gede’s family in Tuban close to the airport. The other night at Warung 96 Gede gave me an invitation and I noticed the starting time was 9am. Last night I sms’d my ex girlfriend Yumi to borrow some temple gear (sarong, sash, cover, head-piece etc. ) This morning as the time was moving along I tried to call and her phone wasn’t on, thanks a lot! I called Mick Turnbull to see if he had any gear I could borrow and he was still in Surabaya. My only option, go down to Kuta and buy one.

Funny thing was flying down Jalan Legian I overtook the wedding party on their way in a taxi.

Stopping off at McDonalds in Kuta Square for a coffee I saw the start of the Man U vs. Barcelona game live, amazing thing technology I tell you.

Around the corner at the art-market leading to the beach the vendors were getting going and I picked up a blue sarong for 30,000rp.

Zooming off in the direction of Tuban it didn’t take long before I came to the family’s street. Stopping off at a small store I bought some water as an excuse to ask the owner to help me tie my sarong. I had one on before but it looks untidy when I tie it. She fixed me up and off I rode looking like a bule going to a temple.

Outside the family’s house relatives stood and greeted newcomers. I made a small donation and took a small plate of peanuts and a teh bottle.

Chairs were assembled all the way leading to a central covered courtyard area where the ceremony was to be held. I spotted Dave, Jackie and Pedro from Melbourne sitting in the front and soon after saw Anne and Denise, Tracey’s mum and auntie who were dressed in matching light blue top and sarong. They were taking care of Madison, Tracey’s daughter.

The family compound contained a small temple structure in the rear, a bale ( flat shelter to perform offerings on ) . I could see the pyramidal stack of fruit and other offerings in the background. The walls of the house were decorated with golden cloth. Relatives and friends were already assembled.

Tracey looked like a princess in her marriage outfit and Gede looked awesome too with the red lipstick and covering of white make up. The family had smeared some over his tatts to make them less prominent. Tracey told us the head-piece she was wearing was over a kilo and was fastened with pins and staples. Every time she moved a sharp point jabbed her in the head and it was a painful experience for her to have to wear this thing for so long. She was fitted with a hairpiece at the back which was of course made from Balinese hair, Tracey has brown hair and had the traditional fringe painted onto her forehead. To complete the process she had a generous amount of makeup applied by the family and eyelashes.

I later learned that all the direct ladies female relatives had gone for light blue outfits.

Looking around I saw that the ladies were mostly seated at the front and the men were at the back. The ladies always seem more in weddings anyway so might as well give them the best view. Gede’s father came up to us and told us that breakfast was ready, which was a pretty large affair. The food was buffet style divided into 2 sections, Balinese and Muslim. The Balinese favorite Babi Guling (suckling-pig ) was on one side with chicken and beef being on the other along with assorted vegetables. Tracey said the women of the street had been cooking for 27 hours getting ready for this.

I grabbed a plate of white rice, some Babi Guling, green beans and other unidentifiable items. Seating for the breakfast was informal with drinks being distributed by younger people.

People were tucking into the food and I observed younger people hanging out in small groups and some of the older folks enjoying the day. One wonders how many wedding some of these people have been to in their lives.

Gede’s sister in law sat next to me and told me she was pregnant and got married 3 months ago. This is perfectly normal in Bali and I think the parents prefer it to waiting around for the perfect partner.

After �breakfast’ we all assembled in the central area for the wedding ceremony that started off with Gede and Tracey sitting side by side behind a priest who’s only job is to do weddings. He was leaning over a table loaded with offering ringing a bell and waving incense. If good karma could be asked for this was the guy you’d want asking. Anne was looking after Madison who was getting a bit impatient but kept herself together.

Pedro, Dave and myself were busy trying to get a shot at every special moment. Some of my favorites were the feet washing performed by Gede’s sister, the Kris (ceremonial knife ) drawing and cutting of a banana leaf, the receiving of holy water from an older lady and most of all the laps around the table. A fire was started and another older lady led the way around the table chasing off the demons. This one was quite funny and laughter broke out when Tracey, clutching plant had to circle the table and squat on a coconut followed by Gede. This was repeated a few times. A part of her costume fell off and I think the audience felt a connection with this westerner blindly going through the motions.

Tracey is a trooper though and maintained a great attitude throughout. I said that even though this might seem a bit awkward just think how cool it is to have so many people involved in your wedding. Definitely not just another registry office gig.

Anne and Denise were told to go and relax on the mat and obliged.

When these important steps were taken care of it was time for photos and we snapped every possible arrangement of relatives against the back wall. People were eager to get their photo taken there was an air of enjoyment.

Soon after people started to leave and drink were passed around. Tracey’s relatives and I kicked back on the bale sipping a beer and talked about the whole process we’d just watched. There were to be 2 more events today, lunch and dinner. Gede had taken care to invite people in shifts, 50-100 per time and there was a schedule on the wall detailing the ceremony. Getting married here isn’t cheap if you want to do it the right way.

Around 1pm I said goodbye and rode off to Kuta. Gede had arranged a ride back to the hotel for Tracey and the crew. The hard work is over for them, the other gatherings are really a reception and less detailed. Hope Tracey gets some time off as she’s been stuck in the house helping for the last few days.

Today was a interesting look at a Balinese wedding and also what a westerner can expect while going through it. Basically you’re going to end up doing it their way and if you relax and go along with it everything works out.

Gede’s family seemed very nice people and Tracey can feel at home with them I can see.

I’ll meet up with Tracey and the crew in the coming few days and get their latest update.