Wedding in Ubud

Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali, an artists' town set among rice terraces, Hindu temples and river valleys in the island's interior. It is not the beach that draws wedding couples here, but the jungle, the ceremonial traditions and an entirely different rhythm from the beach clubs of Seminyak on the coast. For couples looking for meaning, intimacy and green surroundings rather than a beach party, Ubud is the obvious Bali choice.

Guests fly into Bali's international airport near Denpasar, usually with a connection in the Gulf or in Asia from Europe, and the drive up to Ubud takes longer than the distance suggests because of traffic. Indonesia's entry rules and visa fees depend on your passport and change from time to time, so ask guests to check the current rules for their nationality before they travel. Many of the properties in and around Ubud are villas and smaller resorts, which suits an intimate wedding.

Ubud weddings tend to be intimate, spiritual and close to nature. The classic settings are resorts and villas along the Ayung River valley and the edges of the rice terraces, with ceremony spaces looking out over the jungle and Balinese music combined with your own vows. Prices vary widely with the property, the date and the guest count, so ask each venue for a written quote with your own date.

Balinese tradition is central here. Some couples add a melukat, a Balinese Hindu water purification ritual led by a priest, the day before the ceremony. Tirta Empul, the spring temple north of Ubud, is the best-known place for it. Visitors wear a sarong and follow the temple's rules, and a planner can arrange a priest and explain what is expected. Decoration is often built around frangipani, palm-leaf offerings and bamboo, and local suppliers are used to the jungle setting.

Seasons matter. Bali's drier months run from around April to October, with clearer mornings. From around November to March the wet season brings frequent heavy showers, although the rice terraces are at their greenest then, so outdoor ceremonies need a covered backup. The European summer holidays are a popular time, so book the venue early if you want July or August.

Legal or symbolic. Indonesian law only recognises a marriage performed according to a religion, and both partners must hold the same religion. For non-Muslim couples, the marriage must then be registered at the Civil Registry Office after the religious ceremony, and requirements vary by province. The Australian Embassy in Jakarta sets out the steps and documents. A ceremony without that religious rite and registration is symbolic, so many couples marry legally at home and hold a Balinese-style ceremony in Ubud. Symbolic or legal wedding abroad explains the difference.

Highlights in Ubud

• Rice terraces
• Spirituality
• Art and culture
• Jungle setting

Who is Ubud for?

Couples who want spiritual and natural wedding

Wedding costs in Ubud (our estimate)

€4,500 - €19,500

An estimate, not measured. Replaced by the median budget from couples' briefs once we have at least five.

Our tips

Tegallalang rice terraces most photogenic. Private villas give best experience. Respect temple dress code - sarong required.

Our recommendation for Ubud

We recommend Ubud for couples looking for intimacy, culture and a setting that is anything but beach. Plan it in the drier months between April and October, choose a venue in the Ayung valley or by the rice terraces, and consider a melukat ritual before the ceremony.

Editorial team, Wedding Abroad · Updated: October 2026