We recently caught up with one of Bali’s favourite wedding planners Tash, from Plan A to ask her what questions continue to pop up when dealing with new couples. Nothing was off the table.

We talked about if you should have your long lost cousin DJ or be your photographer at your Bali wedding, whether it’s a good idea to even have a planner or how to tell if the vendors you’re speaking with can legally work in Bali.

Strap yourselves in for some inside knowledge on Bali Wedding Planner questions and what to ask next!

Top 5 Bali Wedding Planner Questions asked

How much is a Bali wedding?

This is a hard one. It’s kind of like asking how long is a piece of string?
Weddings will vary in cost due to so many factors. The cost of the venue, which vendors you
decide to go with, what alcohol and food packages you choose, how many guests you invite
and so on.

Something like pampas grass which needs to be imported is going to cost you a hell of a lot
more than local green foliage, a stand up cocktail menu will be much more affordable than a
three course sit down menu due to less man power and equipment needed, and providing
drinks for 40 people will be a lot cheaper than providing for 80!

The first thing you’ll need to work out is the budget you’re prepared to spend. From there
look at the venues you love the most. Once the venue is accounted for, how much does that
leave you with? What can you go without and what is a non-negotiable?

Speak to your wedding planner about your remaining budget, and give them a detailed idea
of the look and feel you want for your wedding. Your planner will then be able to tell you
whether your budget is realistic or not, and if it’s not, they’ll suggest some ways to cut out
what you don’t need.

Alternatively, they’ll put everything you want on an invoice, and by seeing how much you’re
over (if you’re over) you’ll be able to take away what isn’t crucial until you’re happy.
So how much is a Bali wedding? It all depends on what you want and how many you’re
catering for.

 

Can our friend/family member be the photographer/celebrant/DJ/makeup artist?

Unless they are a registered business or have the correct paperwork and valid working visa,
the answer is no.

Indonesia has super strict laws and regulations, and have zero tolerance for those who work
or provide services without the right registrations. It’s a long and expensive process to set
up a company in Indonesia, where the owner(s) need to comply with certain laws and pay
their taxes. Those working without the correct authorization are seen as evading the law,
and taking jobs away from those who have taken the time (and finances) to do it properly.

Even if your friend or family member are doing it for free or as a gift, they still see it as
taking the place of someone who could potentially be earning an income, and going ahead
with such plans could result in deportation, hefty fines, and loss of license to your planner
for allowing it in the first place.

 

What if we need to cancel, can we get our deposit back?

This will totally depend on the individual planner and vendors you engage, although I’d say
for the majority, it would be a straight up no.

Whether it’s a personal reason you are cancelling, or its due to a Force Majeure, deposits
are required to secure your date with your chosen suppliers. Once they lock in your date,
they often have to say no to all other enquiries for the same date. So, one reason it’s
nonrefundable is the fact that they have saved your date, and missed out on other clients
who may have wanted the same date, and not cancelled. By you cancelling they’re then
missing out on the balance of their payment.

Further to this, deposits are necessary for the general running of a company. The deposit
isn’t JUST for your item. A deposit covers overheads such as storage facilities, transport, salaries, office rent,
and so on. Asking for a deposit back when it’s already been put towards the general running and upkeep of a
business is an impossibility.

Lastly, and this is specifically in reference to vendors who you have been in constant contact
with such as your planner, or in some cases your florist, they have actively worked for you
right up until the point of your cancellation, so asking for a deposit back on work completed
isn’t generally a done thing, in any business in any country.

What I can recommend is getting wedding insurance in the case of a cancellation. Most
vendors are also happy to give you a credit for the services or products should you want to
sell them on to someone else or use them at a later date.

 

Do we even need a planner?

I wouldn’t say NEED no, but I’d definitely strongly advise you to get one.

A planner is great for so many reasons.

They are your eyes and ears on the ground, they represent you, and are there when you
cannot be. They’ll be there to negotiate with your vendors, do your site inspections, and
give you seasoned, unbiased advice and opinions on what you should be doing for your big
day.

They’ll keep you up to date with what payments need to be made, what you should be
doing at any given time in the lead up to the big day, and are there as your sounding board
if you have any doubts or concerns.

Once the big day comes along, you literally need to do nothing except enjoy your big day!

They’ll be there from morning ensuring the layout is as you want, all the vendors are there
on time and the services or products you’ve ordered are exactly as you envisioned.

Most villas now will require you to hire a planner in order to have a wedding there, and with
all the quotes and invoices you’ll be getting when deciding on vendors, it’ll be much easier
getting it from one source than twenty!

 

 

How do we know that you and/or the vendors are legit?

Your planner and vendors should be able to provide you with all the legitimate
documentation and proof of their valid working visas if you ask.

It’s a long and arduous task to get your business registered in Indonesia so your vendors
would only be too happy to show you that they are the real deal.

Be dubious of anyone who avoids showing you or keeps delaying it. Don’t be afraid to ask,
and if they say “its coming” or “I can’t seem to find it right now”, keep the peace but move on you don’t want
legal dramas down the road.

 

 

See more of The Bali Bride Wedding Tips Here!