With happy clients and years of experience, Wonderland Bali knows how to plan and style an Indian wedding. Here are their expert insights.
If you’re searching for experienced Indian wedding planners in Bali, there’s no better team to have on speed dial than Wonderland Bali. Not only are they one of the most trusted wedding planners in Bali, they’ve become the go-to events team for a culturally rich Indian wedding. Their reputation speaks for itself, with 10+ years of experience, countless glowing reviews and a long-standing portfolio of flawlessly executed events.
So, to find out the secrets to their success (and to understand why so many Indian couples are choosing Wonderland Bali as their wedding planner), we sat down with the Founder, Anastasia Wolf, to hear all about Bali’s colourful Indian wedding scene…
Founder Anastasia Wolf leads the Wonderland Bali team with her creativity, sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of Indian wedding traditions. They tailor each wedding to suit the couple’s bold vision, from Mehndi to Mandap.
My husband and I had the absolute pleasure of working with Wonderland to plan our wedding, which was a two-day celebration that included a Western ceremony, a Hindu ceremony, and a welcome dinner. It was a big undertaking, and truthfully, we weren’t very hands-on. We fully trusted Wonderland to bring our vision to life, and they 100% delivered
– Caylin and Sriram
Hi Anastasia! In your opinion, what makes Bali such a great destination for Indian weddings?
There are so many reasons why Bali is such a popular destination for Indian weddings. First off, the island is full of stunning locations – from open-air garden resorts to beachside ballrooms, there’s no shortage of picture-perfect settings. Bali is also incredibly welcoming to all religions. And with Hinduism deeply rooted in the culture here, it adds a layer of comfort and connection for many Indian couples.
On the practical side, Bali is well connected with direct flights from India, and it serves as a strategic middle point for guests travelling from the US, UK, Singapore, Australia and Malaysia. Compared to other destinations, it’s also more budget-friendly for hosting large-scale events. And of course, we have access to amazing Indian caterers and chefs, so the food is always a highlight.
What are your Top 5 tips for Indian couples planning their wedding in Bali?
- Perhaps consider hosting your event in a villa or dedicated venue. Villas can offer a lot of flexibility in terms of catering, alcohol options, styling, and vendors. You can still accommodate guests in nearby hotels and resorts – but the creative possibilities at a villa are endless, so it’s worth considering.
- Be smart with your schedule. Instead of stretching the celebrations over 4–5 days, think about condensing the events into two or three meaningful days. For example, combine the Mehendi and Sangeet into one day, and host the Ceremony and Reception on the next. Each event is essentially its own production, and for large guest lists, the budget can escalate quickly. It’s better to do two incredible days than four diluted ones.
- Plan for the weather – Bali is hot and humid, and ceremonies under the midday sun can be draining. If your ceremony is outdoors, make sure to include shaded areas, refreshing drinks, fans, ice towels and a shorter, one-hour format if possible. You’ll also want to go lighter on the makeup, with a few scheduled touch-ups!
- Think about catering variety – mix it up! Try a street food market-style setup for the Sangeet with Indian, Indonesian and international live stations.
- Tie everything together with a strong concept that carries through from decor to food, music, stationery and flow – this is where your planner really shines.
Are there any challenges or considerations they should keep in mind?
Yes – weather and heat are a big factor, especially during the day. Make sure your ceremony isn’t scheduled at peak heat times unless you’ve planned adequate shading and comfort for guests.
Venue choice is also important. Some venues don’t allow outside catering, or they charge corkage fees if they do. So it’s best to check ahead since food plays such a big role in Indian weddings. Also, try to keep your venue spend to no more than 30 – 40% of your total budget. Food and drinks alone can range from USD $60 to $250 per person, depending on your selections. And that’s before you consider decor, entertainment, sound, lighting, photography, makeup and so on.
If you’re bringing in international artists or performers, keep in mind that they’ll need a working permit to perform legally in Bali. Fortunately, we have a wealth of amazing talent right here in Indonesia.
Indian weddings are famously large, vibrant, and multi-day. How does your team handle the scale and complexity of these events?
We carefully plan our team and operations based on the flow of each event. Setups often happen overnight, so we have two rotating teams working day and night shifts. For morning ceremonies, this means having everything ready by sunrise – which is why we always advise couples to book the venue for an extra day, just for setup.
We also do multiple venue inspections and create detailed timelines to keep everything running smoothly. And yes, we bring in additional crew when needed – everything is mapped out in advance so we’re fully prepared for the scale.
From Mehendi to Sangeet, Haldi to the main ceremony – how do you bring each event to life in a Bali setting, while staying true to Indian traditions?
Bali’s Hindu culture aligns beautifully with Indian traditions, which makes the island an ideal setting. We have access to professional Indian caterers and priests, and the bright, tropical setting lends itself perfectly to the vibrancy of Indian weddings.
Personally, I love Indian culture – I own about 10 Indian outfits myself and never say no to a good biryani! The blend of colourful gardens, tropical flowers and cultural understanding makes it easy to bring Indian traditions to life here in a way that feels authentic and respectful.
You’ve planned many Indian weddings – can you share a few creative ideas or standout moments you’ve helped bring to life?
One of my favourites was a wedding we themed around the “Four S’s”: Sunset, Sea, Sun, and Sky.
- The Sunset Sangeet was a barefoot beach party with market-style food stalls, coconut cocktails and laid-back lounge seating.
- The Sea-themed Ceremony took place on a transparent platform over a pool, with white and blue flowers, a wave-shaped mandap, and a mirrored aisle with light smoke for effect.
- The Sun Lunch featured spicy dishes, dosa stations, and bright orange florals.
- The Sky Reception used hanging fairy lights to mimic a starlit sky, with baby’s breath clouds, cotton candy cocktails, and menus designed with tiny stars.
Each event tied into the overall theme, and the guests were completely wowed.
Thank you for being the ultimate partner in crime. Working with you has been an effortless dream. You have always matched my energy and excitement (if not even more!) for all our ideas, and put in your heart and soul to bring them to life. And gosh, how beautifully you did it – better than we could even imagine. We had a dream and you made it happen – all thanks to you & your wonderful A-star team.
– Anisha and Roshiv
Why do you personally love planning Indian weddings in Bali?
Indian weddings are the most creative and energetic events we plan. There’s so much richness in the traditions, and every family brings their own flair. What I love most is the collaborative spirit – it’s a team effort with the couple and their families, and the energy is always high.
Indian guests know how to have fun – they dress beautifully, and they love bold, vibrant concepts, just like us. We also feel very connected to Hindu culture and values, which adds another layer of meaning to every wedding we do. It never feels like “just a job” – it feels like being part of something really special.
What makes you uniquely equipped to plan Indian weddings here in Bali?
In short – experience, cultural understanding, and strong relationships. We’ve worked on Indian weddings of all kinds – North Indian, South Indian, Sindhi, mixed-culture – and we know the nuances that come with each. We understand the traditions, the flow of events, and the expectations.
Personally, I love working closely with families. We often stay friends long after the wedding, and I treat every client like they’re part of our extended family. That emotional connection is what makes our events so special.
Beyond her talent and expertise, we found something even more special. We found a friend in Ana. Her warmth, passion, and kindness made a lasting impression, and through her, we’ve built a meaningful connection to Bali that we’ll carry with us forever. Thank you, Ana, for making our dream wedding a reality
– Nipun and Harmeet
Is there anything else we should know?
A few fun facts! I have a growing collection of Indian outfits, I regularly attend Hindu ceremonies, and our team even calls ourselves “spiritual extremals” because of how immersed we are in the cultural side of things.
Our junior planner is vegetarian and a total expert when it comes to vegetarian Indian cuisine. I’m obsessed with Indian food and taste it wherever I travel – from London to Dubai to Mumbai.
We’ve planned Indian weddings not just in Bali, but also in Italy and Dubai. So wherever your dream destination may be – we’re ready!
Ready to plan your Indian wedding in Bali? Call in Anastasia Wolf and her team at Wonderland Bali!