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A love story with heart, high priests, buffalo & frangipani
Well, would you marry your husband again? After we had an unforgettable wedding in the Seychelles in 2012, we decided that our vow renewal should also be very special. When we got married, we promised that we would renew our commitment to each other every 5 years. So, for our 5th wedding anniversary – we wanted to say I do again in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Moving pictures of our beautiful wedding ceremony – by Bali Light Cinema
Our choice for our vow renewal fell on Sumba Island – an almost untouched island in Indonesia. The award-winning Nihi Sumba Island Resort would provide the perfect setting for our spectacular vow renewal ceremony – it is an extraordinary luxury eco-resort in a beautiful bay with a long, secluded beach.
The journey to Sumba is very long indeed – the most beautiful places are probably those not easily reached. And that is precisely why this island has been able to preserve its wild beauty. Once you arrive, after about a 50-minute flight from Denpasar, Bali at the small Tambolaka airport on Sumba, you will be picked up by a Nihi staff member in a cool jeep and then it is about a one and half hour trip across the island to the resort.
We stayed in the beautiful Mendaka villa – one of 32 unique villas in the Nihi Sumba Island Resort (our article) >>.
One of the unique things about Bali and Sumba Island is that a woman is always addressed as Ibu and a man as Babak – that is so sweet and endearing and makes you feel welcome immediately.
On October 5, 2017, it was finally time. While I was being styled and pampered in a beautiful, very relaxed atmosphere on the first floor, Marcus was waiting downstairs on the ground floor at the pool.
After a relaxing manicure and pedicure, Mitha, a dear Nihi employee, did my hair and make-up. In all honesty, I would have preferred to keep my curls, but that’s just the way it was. And if you get married abroad, you should always be open-minded.
I found it a bit flustering that in comparison to the first time, all of a sudden we had four people milling around us. Our photographer, Jason Childs, the two guys from Bali Light Cinema and Hilda from Bali Diva Weddings, the cinematographer.
Loraine, the Nihi hotel manager, made two beautiful Frangipani bridal bouquets herself so that I could choose the one I liked most.
Luckily, after some rain showers, the sun came out in the afternoon. Of course, our first choice was to get married on the beach, but even if it rained, there was a Plan B under the shelter of the trees. Loraine passionately did everything she could to find us the perfect spot.
Of course, if you get married on Sumba, you have to wear a traditional Sumbanese warrior garment.
Renewal of Vow Package from USD 981++
- NihiOka Spa Safari, including a visit to a nearby Sumbanese village, breakfast and lunch on the cliffs, as well as a range of spa treatments, from massages and reflexology to salt scrubs and mud wraps
- Traditional Sumbanese vow renewal performed by Sumbanese high priests
- Romantic dinner in a restaurant of your choice
A proper traditional Sumbanese wedding also would have included chicken heads – but we decided to go ahead without those!
This beautiful backdrop is where our wedding ceremony took place. We love Frangipani and as with our wedding in the Seychelles – they were everywhere.
The Sumbanese farmers bring their buffalo to walk on the beach every day. If you would like to, you can book them for your wedding. A fantastic, unique photo opportunity and apart from that, they are so cute and friendly-natured!
The ceremony was performed by two Sumbanese high-priests. The service was held in the traditional Bahasa language and unfortunately, we did not understand a single word, but it was very touching. Luckily Nina, another kind Nihi employee, was there to interpret for us. Most impressively, they called the gods and asked them to bless us.
Some of the pictures are even from Nina, who took them with her cell phone.
A fire was even lit in our honor. And after a glass of sparkling wine and sushi (!), we still had time for a few photos before sunset.
The fact that the buffalo were there during the entire ceremony was a dream came true!
The endless long beach belongs to the resort, so you really have it all to yourself – that is the ultimate luxury and a one of a kind experience.
Since I am a wedding photographer myself, of course, I just had to take a few of my own pictures.
After the wedding, we directly went back to the resort and had a romantic dinner on the beach in a beautiful quiet and romantically decorated spot. One of a kind!
The loving attention to detail and kind service are exceptional at Nihi!
And when Mitha, Asna and Nina serenaded us, the floodgates opened… As a highlight, there were fireworks – just for us on the beach! Simply fantastic!
In the villa, everything was lovingly decorated and there were even a personal message and a small gift.
Once again, we experienced a moving, heartfelt day with an unforgettable wedding by the sea. Just like the first time, it was exciting, romantic and beautiful! And of course, I just had to go into the pool to trash my dress.
The Nihi team went out of their way and surprised us time after time. Whether with the stunning frangipani bridal bouquet, the buffalo, the fantastic decoration of the wedding venue, the sparkling wine and sushi on the beach, the wedding cake, the touching serenade or the stunning fireworks – with so much love they made our day extraordinary.
The day was unforgettable and will remain in our hearts forever!
Further information
Wedding Cinematography – Bali Light Cinema
We sincerely thank Bali Light Cinema and Bali Diva Weddings for accompanying us on our special day and for capturing our memories. They are just beautiful and now we can experience the day again and again. For weddings in Bali and the surrounding areas, we can really recommend them for photos and cinematography!
Photography – Jason Childs
Australian photographer, Jason Childs shot the great pictures. Actually, he is a famous surfer photographer and only shoots weddings for friends. We are so grateful that he accompanied us to our vow renewal ceremony.
NIHI SUMBA ISLAND
Front Office: (+62) 811 3978 550
fo@nihi.com
www.nihi.com
Leading Hotels of the World – Elite-Mitglied
The World’s Most Romantic Hotels – Travel+Leisure 2018
#1 Hotel in the World – Travel+Leisure 2016, 2017
Destination Resort of the Year – AsiaSpa Awards 2015
Our Dream Wedding in the Seychelles:
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Note: We financed the Wedding Vow Renewal Package ourselves.
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Monique De Caro
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