Royal Balinese Wedding in Bali

Royal Balinese Wedding in Bali

There are two types of Balinese wedding theme, first the simple or regular Balinese wedding and the Royal Balinese wedding. The Royal Balinese wedding theme is inspired by the Royal Balinese wedding conducted by the royal society in a Puri (royal palace). Feel like a Balinese king and queen in your special wedding day. The simple or regular Balinese wedding theme is as simple as dressed up in regular Balinese wedding costume, entertained by Balinese dances and music, etc.

The Royal Balinese wedding ceremony will take place in a Puri and you will dress up like Balinese king and queen. If you prefer to stay in your religion (instead of bind in Hindu religion), you may carry out a simple blessing by a Hindu priest (Pemangku) as Balinese tradition; but this will not bind you legally marriage.

The procession in brief starts with the Balinese Hindu or your own religion wedding procession. If you’re not Balinese Hindu and wish your marriage in Balinese Hindu religion; you will need to enter Sudi Wadani ceremony. This ceremony will conform and declare you as Balinese Hindu. If you don’t want yourselves bind in to religion wedding ceremony, then a simple blessing by Hindu priest (Pemangku) will be sufficient as a tradition only (once again this will not legalize you as marriage couple).

After the ceremony you will bring to the Puri and there you dress up in royal Balinese wedding attire. A royal horse chart including a baleganjur (Balinese traditional music parade) is waiting for you to carry you along the street surrounding the Puri and back to Puri again. There is a royal podium or stage prepared for your seat accompanied by bridesmaid in traditional Balinese costume, and then you and your guests will be entertained by some Balinese dances and music. A reception is also prepared at the same area or in the open garden; the menu depends on your choice western or Balinese menu. It is a very unique experience right? Be a king and queen on your memorable wedding day.

Balinese Hindu Wedding Ceremony in Bali

Balinese Hindu Wedding Ceremony in Bali

Balinese Hindu wedding ceremony or Pawiwahan is a sacred wedding ritual and consists of series of ceremonies that should be followed. Couple who want to marry in Full Legal Balinese Hindu ceremony should prepare themselves to hold Hindu religion by entering Sudi Wadani ceremony and declared in the paper that you intended to hold Hindu religion without force from other party.

If you don’t want yourselves bind in to Hindu religion, you may consider a Balinese wedding theme ceremony (Hindu blessing wedding ceremony) instead of Hindu religious wedding. In Balinese wedding theme ceremony you can dress up in Balinese traditional wedding costume also entertained by Balinese dances and traditional music. A simple blessing by Hindu Priest (Pemangku) is also available if needed.

Please also aware that Balinese Hindu wedding ceremony is different from Indian Hinduism wedding ceremony. The same like other religious marriage, Hindu marriage needs to be registered at the Civil Office Registry to get legalization.

The information below will help you to learn about the Balinese Hindu marriage procession in brief:
Bride and groom have to stay in hide away place for about three days and the priest (Pemangku) will conduct a ceremony to legitimately their marriage in Hindu. This procession usually conducts between the internal families only.

On the wedding day, the main wedding ceremony (Pawiwahan) held at the groom’s Sanggah Kemulan (family ancestor house-shrine). This ceremony is to convey to the family ancestors who live in the house-shrine that there will be a newlywed couple join the family member and continue to deliver their descendants. The whole family members from the groom and bride shall attend the ceremony.

This ceremony will continue with other ceremony called Mepamit (farewell) which will be held at the bride’s house-shrine. The meaning of this ceremony is to farewell to the family ancestors because she is a married person and belongs to her husband’s family responsibility.

The wedding reception will be carried out after the ceremony at the same place or in a hotel, restaurant or villa.

All the costs and fees for the wedding and farewell ceremony usually borne by the groom’s family. In Balinese tradition, the guests bring offerings, presents or money in an envelope for the newlywed.

These are major document requirements:
1.         Copy of passports
2.         Copy of birth certificates
3.         Copy of decree absolute if divorced
4.         Widower must present a copy of death certificate of the former spouse (bride)
5.         Copy of passport two witnesses (we can provide the witnesses if required)
6.         Permit letter from the related consulate
7.         Statement letter that bride and groom are intended to get married in Hindu religion and to hold Hindu religion without force from other parties (For Full Legal Wedding in Hindu only).
8.         4 (four) pieces of photograph size 4 x 6 side by side in color (the groom should be on the right hand side of the bride).

Getting married in Bali

Getting married in Bali

Getting married in Bali with a legal wedding ceremony or non-legal wedding ceremony is popular with both foreign and local couples and what better place could be chosen than an island of such beauty and magic, the Island of the Gods.  Bali Mystical Weddings & Functions is a very new, innovative, spicy, flexible, competitively priced professional wedding & functions company in Bali offering a range of ceremonies for couples to select from for their special celebration in Bali and specialize in coordinating a legal wedding ceremony for those couples not yet legally married choosing to get legally married in Bali with the exchange of intimate vows & rings, for those couples already legally married with the celebration of a Vow Renewal Ceremony allowing the couple to reaffirm their love & devotion to one another, and for those couples yet to be married and not wanting to undertake a legal wedding ceremony in Bali, the choice of 3 non-legal wedding ceremonies, Commitment Ceremony, Religious Only Ceremony and Balinese Blessing Ceremony.

Not only can we coordinate a legal wedding ceremony or non-legal wedding ceremony in Bali but also coordinate group celebrations for those groups choosing to enjoy their special celebration in Bali with a celebration such as an engagement party, birthday celebration, family & friends gathering, surprise party or New Years Eve Celebration with a full function or reception dinner.

For couples wanting to get legally married in Bali and follow the religions of Protestant (Christian,) Catholic Buddhist, Hindu and Moslem can be legally married with a legal wedding ceremony in Bali which consists of two ceremonies, firstly the religious ceremony which is officiated by the relevant religious body according to the couples selected religious ceremony and secondly the civil ceremony officiated by The Civil Registry Office, with both ceremonies taking place consecutively at the couples selected ceremony location. The only exclusion to this is a Moslem Wedding Ceremony which is officiated by Kantor Urusan Agama “KUA” meaning Department of Religion and not the Civil Registry Office.

Any couple getting married in Bali by undertaking a legal wedding ceremony need to comply with relevant documentation requirements according to the Civil Registry Office and also those documentation requirements relevant to the couples chosen religious ceremony.  For Moslem couples wanting to be legally married in Bali documentation requirements will be those relevant to Kantor Urusan Agama / KUA.

Foreign couples are required to supply us with photocopies of such documents as bride & groom birth certificates, details page of bride & groom passports & 2 witnesses, divorce or death certificate if relevant and photos of the couple standing together that will appear on the couples wedding certificates.  All documents are required to be submitted to us prior to their ceremony taking place so the relevant lodgments can be made on behalf of the couple.

For Indonesian Citizens wanting to get married in Bali they will need to supply photocopies of KTP Card, KK Card, birth certificate, divorce or death certificate if relevant and depending on the religious ceremony they choose either photographs of the couple standing together or in the case of a Moslem Wedding Ceremony individual photos of the couple prior to their wedding ceremony taking place.

Please note if a couple choose to undertake Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu and Moslem Legal Wedding Ceremony further documentation will need to be provided to us with additional documentation relevant to the chosen religious ceremony, with all required documentation provided to us prior to the wedding ceremony taking place.

Proof that the couple are free to marry is also required to be applied for by those couples wanting to get married in Bali with a legal wedding ceremony and for foreign couples undertaking a legal wedding ceremony, application is required to be made for “Certificate of No Impediment” or similar document at the couples consulate in Bali and supporting documentation will also be required to be submitted with each nationality having its own specific requirements and procedures.  If the couple’s consulate is not represented in Bali then relevant information will be provided on how application should be made.  Application should be made no more than 3 months in advance of the wedding ceremony taking place with the original presented to us prior to the ceremony to enable presentation to relevant parties.

Indonesian Citizen’s getting married in Bali with a legal wedding ceremony are required to obtain and complete Surat Lurah N1 – N4 and have it signed and stamped by Kantor Desa / Kelurahan.  Application will then need to be made for Surat Keterangan at Kecamatan at place of residence.  The original Surat Keterangan will then need to be taken to Kotamadya at place of residence for signing and stamping.  Those Indonesian Citizens who are of the Moslem Religion are required to complete Surat Lurah N1 – N4 and have it signed and stamped from Permerintah at place of residence. With application for Surat Keterangan made at Department Agama KUA at place of residence.  Other documentation may also need to be applied for in accordance with the applicant’s gender, age and marital status and should be checked with each office at the time of application.  Supporting documentation such as original KTP, KK card may also need to be provided at the time of application so we therefore recommend that a check is done with each office on what supporting documentation you will need to bring with you.  All original documents issued will need to be provided to us prior to your ceremony taking place.

For a couple choosing to undertake a non-legal wedding ceremony you will find documentation requirements to be less stringent as there are no legalities attached to the ceremony and for a Commitment Ceremony or Balinese Blessing Ceremony simply require the full names of the couple and if having witnesses to the ceremony their full names and a copy of the couples marriage certificate if the couple are already legally married.  For couples choosing a Religious Only Ceremony we will require photocopies of documents relevant to the chosen religious ceremony such as bride & groom birth certificates, details page of bride & grooms passports & their 2 witnesses, divorce or death certificate if relevant and photos of the couple standing together with further documentation requirements if a couple chose to undertake a Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu or Moslem Wedding Ceremony.

We do not offer set wedding ceremony or celebration packages and pricing and instead prefer to take a more flexible approach and firstly take the time to obtain a general understanding of the type of wedding ceremony or festivity that is to take place, personal requirements, expectations, budget & associated components and then design a personalized wedding ceremony or celebration package with pricing relevant to the coordination and assistance that we will be supplying, being unique to each couples specific wedding ceremony or celebration requirements and by taking this more flexible approach allows us to work with in the boundaries of any couples budget and also ensures that the couple are not offered items and services that are irrelevant to their particular needs and paying for items and services that they simply do not require or want which only causes time wastage and confusion.

For those couples choosing a non-legal wedding ceremony or those couples preferring to get married with a legal wedding ceremony in Bali, which is one of the most important days a couple will celebrate together, the couple will be provided with their own personal wedding consultant who will liaise with them starting from their initial wedding enquiry all the way through to the completion of their wedding day, with this service also provided to group celebrations and festivities.  We find this very important as having one contact point always makes the information flow much easier providing less risk of a communication breakdown and less of a chance of things being forgotten or mistakes being made.

The couples consultant will provide full information relevant to the legal wedding ceremony or non-legal wedding ceremony the couple are choosing to undertake, such as the legalities of getting married in Bali (if undertaking a legal wedding ceremony), documentation & photo requirements, obtaining Certificate of No Impediment or similar document declaring freedom to marry (for a legal wedding ceremony), witnesses, ceremony text, religious and civil ceremonies (if undertaking a legal wedding ceremony), working with the couple every step of the way being available to answer any queries or requests for information that they may have along the way, as well as providing opinions & recommendations should they be required, ensuring  no end is left untied, removing all the stress related to organizing such an occasion and all it encompasses, leaving ever lasting memories of the couples special celebration.

As it is of most importance that everything runs as clockwork on your wedding day or special occasion a final checklist will be sent you prior to your departure to Bali which will confirm all details of your ceremony or special celebration with full details on components you have chosen to incorporate in your ceremony and day.  There will also be a list of any outstanding items, documentation or monies that will need to be provide to us prior to your ceremony or special celebration taking  place which can be done at your pre-ceremony or celebration meeting.

Our professional team will have the pleasure in coordinating your unique affair, whether it be for those couples getting married with a legal wedding ceremony in Bali with the intimate exchange of vows and rings, or one of the non legal wedding ceremonies such as a Commitment Ceremony declaring your love and commitment to each other, a Balinese Blessing Ceremony providing the couple with a more spiritual uniting, the very personal Vow Renewal Ceremony re-declaring your love and devotion to one another, or one of the many special celebrations such as an engagement party, family gathering, birthday party, New Years Eve celebration or surprise party, according to your theme, budget, dreams and desires.

We work with a number of professional local and western companies on the island and will be able to provide you with many options and recommendations on such components as location, food and beverage, wedding ceremony & reception set up and decorations, entertainment, bouquet and buttonhole, hair and beauty, photography, videography, slide show, even other activities that you and your guests may like to enjoy whilst here on holiday, such as a scenic day tour, a shopping tour or relaxing spa and massage day for the ladies or a game of golf, white water rafting, trekking or cycling for the gentlemen.

We can coordinate an intimate affair such as a sunset wedding ceremony on the beach with a romantic dinner for the bride and groom, to the more elaborate villa wedding ceremony and function encompassing your wedding ceremony and reception set up and decoration requirements, traditional Gamelan with dance performance whilst you and your guests relax and enjoy canapés and cocktails, light acoustic entertainment for your reception dinner, post reception dinning entertainment with a DJ or band with professional Salsa and Latin dance performances, finishing with a magnificent fireworks display and champagne toast.

In our web site you will find general information on getting married in Bali with a legal wedding ceremony for those couples choosing to have a legal wedding ceremony in Bali, various ceremony options for those couples choosing to have one of the non- legal wedding ceremonies and special celebration options with various items & components you make like to incorporate for your easy reference.

We would be more than happy to provide you with your personalized package and pricing based on your individual wedding ceremony and / or function or special celebration requirements and simply require you to click on the enquiry form located on the home page and select your choice of ceremony (if having a ceremony) plus any item or items that you would like included in your wedding ceremony and/or function or special celebration, provide information where necessary and that you feel relevant and forward the completed enquiry form back to us by simply clicking on submit.  Please ensure that information is provided in those areas that are marked “*” or your enquiry form will not be sent to us.  A verification notice will appear shortly after you have clicked on submit which will confirm that the enquiry form has been forwarded to us.

Balinese Marriage-2

Balinese Marriage-2

A Balinese marriage is another ceremonial occasion, as it is in almost all cultures in the world. Marriage varies from village to village. There are two ways to get married in Bali, one is called 'ngerorod' and the other is 'mapadik'.

An ngerorod marriage is one of elopement, yet more dramatically than Western elopements. In this marriage the bride is 'kidnapped' by the husband-to-be or his friends and family. She must then fake distress and pretend to fight her 'kidnappers' off. She will then be taken to a pre-arranged location where she is united with her husband-to-be.

Her father will raise the alarm of this theatrical 'kidnapping' and will organise a fake search party. They will search, but without luck, and will return tired and exhausted. During this time, the husband and wife will be living as though they are married, making offerings to the gods.

Days later, the groom and father of the bride will discuss the union and settle on a payment for the daughter/bride. An official celebration will follow, which is merely a formality as they are already considered married in the eyes of the gods.

The Balinese people enjoy the theatrics and drama associated with the 'kidnapping' marriage. It is also a cheaper way for people to get married.

A mapadik marriage is dramatic and practical and is more traditional. It occurs more commonly amongst those  who are able to fund a lavish ceremony. Prior to the wedding ceremony there are a number of visits between the families, where gifts and food are exchanged. It is the groom's family that will arrange the wedding, as well as pay for it.

On the day, guests are entertained by professional musicians and an enormous banquet. The ceremony can vary greatly depending on the family, but elaborate clothing is commonly worn and after the ceremony the bride and groom will feed each other food. They will then imitate their domestic duties whilst being watched and encouraged by their family. This is a symbolic act of their future life together. Other rituals and blessings are then bestowed upon the couple, followed by their reception.

Prearranged marriages still occur in Bali but with the consent of the boy and girl involved. Mixed-caste marriages are less likely to occur but do happen. Women are not allowed to 'marry down' in relation to caste.

BALINESE MARRIAGE TRADITION

BALINESE MARRIAGE TRADITION

Balinese traditional law which is called " adat " regulates various aspect of life, one is about the status of a man in the banjar or desa organization. As a member of the organization he is only given the full right and obligation when he has been married, following to the conduct of the adat. This law is mostly already written with small variation between banjar to banjar. The full responsibility of a family is at father's hand since Balinese is following the tradition of patrilineal. The purpose of marriage according to the tradition of Bali is to give freedom and limit the romance in the society which is underlying factor of the harmony of the world and heavenly structure. A man or woman ideally married once for life, nurturing children for maximum of 4 persons which is appear from the number of birth given name. Although it is exist that a man married many times and the king of ancient Bali also practiced polygamy, the society consider the polygamy is a deviant. Illegal bond is greatly taboo and is forbidden by adat. In case a man and woman found to have love affair without legal marriage ceremony, they will be fined with big ceremony to clean the bad spirit might caused by this lawless action. In case illegally couple have child this child is considered impure and must be given certain ceremony to return child's nature. So that is a hard burden for Balinese who tried in offending the adat rules of conduct for love affair.

Some banjars in Bali even practice night time of visit from a youth to a girl, like a curfew, that if a youth found to still hosted by a girl in her house without witness of her parents, or relative usually at that time they will be brought to the village hall and given the ceremony of marriage, and ask both parents to complete the wedding. Today this tradition has been discarded, yet practiced in more refiner ways. Marriage in Balinese does not introduce dowry like other ethnic groups in Indonesia, yet a feast, not big which is probably the influence of Christian Wedding reception is organized by certain villages, but only small number of it. This reception at some banjars sometimes need big costs as to cook big pig, chicken, fish or others into various cuisines to host the relatives of both sides, and some good friends in their own banjar organization or from outside. The feast is basically only eating together the best Bali food for those who have better economy, and just standard cooking for fare economy. The work for preparation of the feast is done by families or member of the banjar who are invited with no fee. Some feast, due to time strain or other consideration hiring a banqueting service and catering a modern way to organize a feast like an event for modern wedding reception. It is not rare also the wedding reception is organized at special place such as hotel or meeting hall, after the ritual steps are completed.

Until as late as 1940s the marriage between castes were still having objection, especially woman from higher castes would not be allowed to merry lower castes. If it was happened a punishment will be given to the couple who will be exiled from his village to certain place far away. The punishment is called " maselong " During the ancient kingdom of Bali around 18th century the couple was said to be sent to Selong in central Lombok for punishment, that was the origin of the word. Basically it was the feeling of higher castes that they would feel being humiliated when their daughter married lower castes, as the status would be going down since a woman will follow her husband status based on patriarchart tradition.

The procedure toward marriage between man and woman in Bali has many guide lines such as strongly forbidden and recommended. Forbidden are among families which is still related patriarchart until at least 4 generations, brothers merry sisters for example older brother of an A family merry older sister of a B family then younger brother of A family merry younger sister of B family, and also older brother of A family merry older sister of B family, and younger sister of A family merry younger brother of B family and in turn.

Myth of sanctions for these infringement are sickness, instability or disharmony, and other imbalance of life for the couple, families even to the wider environment such as banjar organization. A married man or woman who still have love affairs with others also have punishment after death at the here after. A family is ideally giving children in the past maximum 4. While since 1970s Balinese has a strong awareness of the responsibility of growing children and limit their family for maximum of 2 children. This is the difference between modern Balinese and Javanese, South Sulawesi, and Lombok, although in the root of descendant is the same. Today almost 99% Balinese family has 2 children while in Java, South Sulawesi and Lombok a family of 40 years old can be found to have 8 to 12 children especially among poorer areas, and some at more learnt people. In Lombok with the existence of seasonal mass marriage has doubled the number of population within 5 years. An indication of high growth of Population in Indonesia outside above mentioned areas seems exist in South Kalimantan, at Banjar, and Madura island. Javanese does not yet see this critical responsibility. Some of the story concerning marriage in Bali can be seen in the form of pictures like a comic on the ceiling of Kerta Gosha the remains of Klungkung kingdom in the city of Klungkung( now Semarapura ). This place is one stop for a sightseeing to east Bali or Besakih temple. A site with information on Balinese and mariage arrangement can be visited here Wedding on Bali Diving tour to Tulamben east Bali can also stop here as it is on the way back from the site.

If we see the steps of a wedding ceremony which is in Bali called "Nganten" is consist of some stages. Now days a Nganten will always be initiated by the couple from making acquaintance of each other until coming to the consensus of living together tied in the marriage with the witness of both parents and families. If all of them agreed and the step toward the marriage got approval, then the parent and families of the man will come and inform the parent of the woman that their son firmly request their daughter. This step is called Memadik, meaning informal request while introducing the parent and families of the man to parent and families of the woman. Let's say that from woman parties basically agreed. Second step is a formal request called " Ngidih " or " Ngunduh ", where the parents, families and the formal and informal leaders of the village of the man will come to escort the family of the man to the parents of the woman. Here the involvement of village formal leader will discuss about the demographic status in relation with the residency requirements, while the traditional leaders will discuss about the traditional obligation and right of a woman that married to outsiders or insiders resident in their village and the obligation of the parents of the man toward the village of the woman.

In most cases during Ngidih, the temple ceremony called "Mapamit" is organized at once. Mapamit means such as farewell, but not a party, where the woman ask permission to their parents, families, traditional organizations where she was member, ancestors, and the spirits of what her families believe in, including the manifestation of the almighty gods that she and her people in the village always worship. This is followed by a religious ceremony at the village of the man such as an information to the whole entities of the village that the village receive a new member and be considered as the same status of the other members. Here again the making of offering for ritual become the most focus of man families. The ritual is called " Masakapan " or Maperebuan ". Third step is informing back to the parents and family of the woman that all procedures are fulfilled at the village of the man. This step also involves the making of offerings to be sacrificed to the family temples, village temples, and the family temple of the woman. This step is called " Ngaba Jaja" meaning bring souvenir. Traditionally the event of Nganten up here is finished. At some village still some additional event such as a sacrificial event called " Klaci " meaning that the parents of the woman must conduct a ceremony at the village temple and donating a pig, or rice to the member of the village to make the ceremony conducted. This ceremony is probably come from a tradition of ancient resident group that prevent their member from living out their group, so senses a fine. This type of ritual is very rare

In most cases all above steps are not at a one time finish. Between Mamadik, Ngidih, Masakapan and Ngaba Jaja can be quiet a distance of time, depending on the economic situation of the family of the man. Masakapan and Ngaba Jaja for example can be realized years after the Ngidih and Maperebuan. Some are even after having grand children, or after death at some places due to the complicated ritual requirements. Where is wedding could be attributed for Balinese marriage? It is really hard to make the comparison, yet very recently, not older then 1960s, the tradition of Christianity such as wedding reception does influence Balinese Nganten, especially inviting far distance friends, superiors, or s taffs. Normally this reception is organized together during the Ngidih event which is directly followed by Masakapan. But some organized this reception during Ngidih, and some during Masakapan. During Masakapan without the influence of Christian tradition, the member of the village or relative will without invitation come to the event bringing rice, coconut, sugar, egg, or any product of the farming. With the influence of wedding reception, now the member of the village or far relatives if they know will come at the time of reception. Indeed delicious meals are prepared for. Very lately a new tradition again influenced the process of Masakapan that is the making of envelope box. Even some has enough courage to write an invitation card, and further even have bold courage to write on the invitation " sorry we do not receive souvenir " and this phrase has been in acclamation translated into money in envelope.

Balinese Marriage

Balinese Marriage

A couple's marriage will not be acknowledged in the society if it is carried out without a traditional sacred ceremony according to the Hindu religious beliefs. In addition, the couple will be excommunicated from their village.

There are three kinds of marriage styles in Bali: "Ngerorod" (elopement), "Memadik" (more respected) and "Nyentana" (where a man moves permanently into his wife's home). The most common of these is eloping, whereby the man and woman arrange to meet somewhere out of sight of the girl's parents and spend the night together at a friend's house. Sufficient publicity is ensured so that people find out what is going on. Under these circumstances the girl is not allowed to return to her parents and resume life as before, but in most cases the girl's parents are not in the least surprised. However, they make a great show of pretending to be outraged at the impudence of the boy and his family for plotting the downfall of their daughter.

"Memadik" is a marriage form in Bali in which the boy's parents and other family members come to the house of the girl's parents and respectfully ask for their daughter. This is a costly process as large ceremonies and offerings are involved, but needless to say accords significantly more respect from the girls parents as compared to the clandestine night-time elopement. Form the man's point of view, however, it's more risky as the parents of his bride-to be must give their approval.

"Nyentana" is the marriage system in Bali in which the boy leaves for the girl's house and thereafter belongs to the girl's family. This happens when the girl's parents have no sons to look after their property - the man is effective assumed into the family to continue the male lineage. In this case, it is the man's parents who must give their consent.

The morning after the proposal or elopement, a priest performs a simple ceremony called "mekala - kalaan", which is similar to a small civil wedding in the west. It is a very private affair and the couple wears only the simplest of traditional Balinese clothes. Then they are legally married.

Often the family of the boy will put on a more elaborate, formal wedding ceremony in which everyone dresses up in traditional Balinese clothing and a priest presides. The boy generally has a reception for friends of the couple who were not invited to the traditional ceremony. The reception is strictly western style. Three days after the wedding procession, the family of the boy visit the family of the girl, at whose house the "Ketipat Bantal" ceremony is performed. At this ceremony, the two families become united.

Mantras are chanted and offerings given in order to purify the sperm and the egg in the hopes that the two will be free from the influence of evil and demons will not interfere in the formation of the embryo.

Years ago in the days of Bali's kingdoms, the marriage system was very strict. Only couples from the same caste were allowed to marry, in order to maintain the purity of the caste system. Anyone braking these marriage rules was banished from their village and often sent out into the jungle for the rest of their days. These days, however, while still very much respected, the caste system no longer holds such an iron-like grip over the Balinese and greater flexibility is permitted.