Singaporebrides | Real Weddings
January 2020
Alison and David’s Magical and Intimate Wedding at Tirtha Uluwatu Bali
David and Alison’s love for travel has brought them to say “I do” in the beautiful Tirtha Uluwatu in Bali for a destination wedding.
David Steven, 34, Investment Director, and Alison, 33, Trader, first met ten years ago before crossing paths again through a mutual friend a few years later. As the couple are both avid travelers, it was not a difficult decision for them to decide to hold their wedding celebration in Bali at Tirtha Uluwatu. Mixing in their own style and personality into the celebrations with DIY bars and fireworks, the couple tied the knot in a gorgeous glass chapel overlooking the Indian Ocean, and celebrated this milestone with their close family and friends.
How did you meet? Tell us a little bit about your journey as a couple.
Alison: Love really has no boundaries; we first met at a Singapore embassy event in Shanghai a decade ago, but didn’t keep in touch until our paths crossed again a couple of years ago through a mutual friend. We love to travel, gain experiences together and challenge ourselves from our comfort zones. Even though David is based overseas as a part of his work now, we are enjoying every bit of this LDR and are always looking forward to our weekend grinds every fortnight.
Our relationship has brought us to many places: our many travel vacations, annual ski trips in Niseko, our proposal in Iceland, our pre-wedding photoshoot in Cappadocia where I fulfilled my childhood dream of a hot air balloon tour with the only man I love, and to cap it all off, our destination wedding in Bali with our immediate family and close friends (part one of #LOHmanceallnightlONG)!
What do you love most about your partner? What made you fall in love with your partner?
David: Her wittiness and how she always makes the first move. She asked me out on our first date! She taught me to love without asking for anything in return.
Alison: He gives his 101% to everyone out there, and he’s a natural giver without any qualms. Most importantly, he makes me a better person.
What was the proposal like?
Alison: David chose to propose at Arnarstapi, immortalised in Jules Verne’s novel “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”. It started out as a day trip from Reykjavik to the Western part of Iceland on 7th August 2018. A photographer, who pretended to be David’s friend, joined us and was casually taking pictures of us together until David popped the question in the evening, before we celebrated with some champagne. It was a private and quiet affair, just like how I’d hoped it would turn out.
What inspired you to hold a destination wedding?
Alison: David and I are in love with Bali; it’s almost like a second home for us since we go there pretty often. Plus I wanted something intimate and personal for immediate family and close friends so we decided to hold two weddings – one destination wedding in Bali, and another one in Singapore.
What was the theme of your wedding, and what was wedding planning like, from overseas?
Alison: I was inspired to hold a destination wedding and an overseas pre-wedding photoshoot after reading a couple of SingaporeBrides’ articles. They gave me ideas and inspiration on the “not so mainstream” celebrations and parties held around the world. The chapel in Bali had a whimsical and dreamy theme, whereas I chose not to have a particular theme for the dinner celebration as I didn’t want the hassle of guests having to dress up.
For us, we wanted something interactive for our guests to be able to be involved in the celebrations, so we had a DIY drinks and taco bar during the reception. We also showcased our journey and story as a couple through a photo gallery and a self-produced video montage. We had a Q&A during the dinner as well for guests to get to know us better, and the top three winners were awarded with shopping vouchers.
Wedding planning wasn’t easy without hiring a planner, especially when I had to put everything together from the décor, the flowers, the programme, the coordination, the logistics, the menu, to the after party. I was blessed to be assigned a wedding coordinator from Tirtha who assisted in liaising with the various external vendors and handled the logistics for us. One of the more difficult things to coordinate, however, was the accommodation and transport plans for our guests.
Tell us what your wedding day was like.
Alison: It was truly magical and surreal. We started off with a typical gatecrash as most Singaporeans do, only ours was in Bali. The chapel ceremony in the afternoon was memorable. It was more like an engagement ceremony conducted by a celebrant as we had to hold our matrimony in our Parish church back in Singapore.
The march-in was unforgettable! I walked into a glass chapel with the view of the Indian Ocean as the flower girls scattered petals on the ground and a live choir sang wholeheartedly.
The evening was spent at the Glasshouse where we held our reception and wedding dinner. The spectacular night ended with a Jägerbomb train instead of the usual champagne tower and a round of fireworks lighting up a sky full of stars.
What was the most memorable moment of your wedding?
Alison: The chapel march-in!
The Size of the Wedding: 35-40 guests
The Cost of the Wedding: About SGD30,000 (this includes an after party and paid accommodation for all guests)
The Ceremony Venue: Tirtha Uluwatu, Bali
The After Party Venue: Ulu Cliffhouse
The Wedding Day Photographer: Gusmank Photography
The Gown: Eliza from Wedding Crafters
The Bride’s Shoes: The White Atelier
The Suit: J.E. & Company
The Groom’s Shoes: Earnest & Collective
The Engagement Ring: Jumbo Gold & Diamonds
The Wedding Bands: Groom – Cartier, Bride – Bvlgari
The Bridesmaids’ skirts: Zalora
The Bridesmaids’ hats: Fort Bridal Novelties
The Groomsmen’s outfit: Batique Singapore
The Hairstylist and Makeup Artist: Mami-san
The Wedding Cake: Tirtha Bridal
The Florists: Sandat Floral
The Event Stylist: Tirtha Bridal
The Pre-Wedding Photographer: Cihan Hakki Inal
The Videographer: Evermotion Photo
The Invitations and Paper Goods: twenty O four and Deedoe Design
The Wedding Favours: Mini Makers Singapore
The Wedding Props: The Isle Co and Props & Crafts
Credits: Images by Gusmank Photography
Want to see your love story featured on SingaporeBrides too? Submit your wedding here!
All content from this article, including images, cannot be reproduced without credits or written permission from SingaporeBrides.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram for the latest article and promotion updates!