If you’re wondering where to get married, or need some dreamy anniversary ideas or hot honeymoon destinations, read on! We have options for a beach wedding in Thailand, a destination wedding in Bali, and some island resorts a short boat ride away that are perfect for a romantic getaway from Singapore.
A wedding in Malaysia
Just a few hours from Singapore by car or ferry, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort and Villas is a beach escape on the South China Sea coast where loved-up couples can stay, explore and celebrate. Select from rooms with ocean views, villas by a pool or lagoon and residences beside the beach.
Has a destination wedding always been your dream? The resort has just introduced a brand new wedding package. The idea is to create a personal, private and elegant experience with a serene ocean backdrop. Called the “Everlasting Love Ceremony”, the package is suitable for up to 30 guests. It combines a Beach Residence ceremony with a catered dinner by the Anantara’s chefs. Plenty of extras, too!
If you choose this resort for your wedding in Malaysia, you’ll get two nights of accommodation in the three- and four-bedroom beach residences with breakfast included. These are suitable for six adults and three children or eight adults and four children respectively.
Each of these new abodes has a spacious deck, private pool and flowing spaces where the seaside landscape can be seen from almost every room. Hosting options abound – from the shaded dining area to the ground floor with full-length windows looking out onto the sand.
The Anantara Desaru Coast resort also organises everything for your wedding from pre-dinner welcome drinks, canapés and wedding favours for guests to the floral decorations, a wedding arch, marquee tent with fairy lights and air coolers and in-house sound system. In addition, the wedding couple receives welcome amenities, an in-residence champagne breakfast and a 60-minute spa session.
For a final touch, guests can conclude their Beach Residence ceremony with dinner in the Herbs Garden. The twinkling fairy lights add a special touch! This magical setting by an infinity pool and surrounded by tropical gardens comes with the “Together Forever Package”.
For more information on a wedding in Malaysia at Anantara, visit anantara.com/en/desaru-coast. Email desaru@anantara.com with any wedding enquiries.
For destination weddings in Bali
The Legian Seminyak, Bali is located on a lovely stretch of beach, backed by landscaped tropical gardens. It’s home to several secluded locations ideal for a destination wedding, including two main options for the ceremony itself.
For couples deciding between garden or ocean venues, why not have both? The first option for your wedding in Bali is to say “I do” in a manicured outdoor area overlooking the beach. These ceremonies can also start at “The Stairs of Heaven”. This outdoor stairway is inspired by the steps of Borobudur Temple in Yogyakarta, Central Java. You can also opt for a traditional Balinese Gamelan orchestra to accompany the day.
Alternatively, if you’re after a more intimate space for your wedding in Bali, book the Beach House and you’ll have a private villa, a garden surrounding a large swimming pool and beach access. Whether it’s canapes or a sit down meal, the fully-serviced private kitchen allows the resort chefs to prepare fine dining for large events.
An island wedding destination near Singapore
To make your wedding day reflect your unique partnership, it’s important to ensure your venue is open to customising the celebration. This is what the team at Telunas Resorts promise to do. They offer everything from fireworks at midnight, a sunset reception, beach bonfire and intimate vow exchange on a pier to a menu collaboration with the resort chef and entire island booking.
What makes this property one of the best wedding venues in Asia comes before the big day. The bride and groom-to-be can relax together with an overwater massage at sunset. This pre-ceremony pampering session is an ideal break for couples to have a quiet moment together before their guests arrive and they’re swept up in their celebration with loved ones.
Telunas Beach Resort and Telunas Private Island are just 90 minutes by ferry from Singapore. Ideal for a destination wedding, there’s plenty of accommodation for guests including overwater villas on the private island that cater for up to 85 people. Alternatively, the beach resort has capacity for 104 guests.
A private wedding or honeymoon destination
Keen to book an entire island to celebrate your wedding? Nikoi is an amazing destination wedding spot. The 15-hectare private island off the east coast of Bintan, Indonesia just two and half hours away (with no airports involved). The island is ringed with sandy white beaches and surrounded by colourful reefs and granite boulders, and it’s home to a rainforest filled with native Banyan trees.
You can have Nikoi all to yourself for two nights or more for a private celebration. Or just spend a couple of days in a regular beach villa for your honeymoon or to celebrate your anniversary, even if it’s just your first! Other anniversary ideas include adding on a couple’s spa session. To check availability on Nikoi, email relax@nikoi.com.
A Balinese retreat for romantic getaways
Bali is a well-known destination for romantic occasions. And there’s a good reason why, when resorts like the Kelapa Retreat & Spa offer beautiful traditional Balinese or modern Western wedding ceremonies. Plus, they handle all the arrangements for your destination wedding in Bali. That means the bride, groom and guests can relax and enjoy the special day. This is also one of the best honeymoon destinations in Bali if you’re interested in a private villa retreat with plenty of add-on experiences including spa treatments, sunset horse rides on the beach and candlelit dinners.
Anniversary ideas close to Singapore
We’ve found one of the top romantic getaways from Singapore very close to home. The Residence Bintan has a striking natural setting, surrounded by jungle but also with ocean views. Designed with nods to the local Indonesian style, the resort’s villas invite guests to soak up the indoors as much as the outdoor spaces – which include a private deck, pool, gardens and a sandy beach. At this beautiful honeymoon destination, the room is adorned in island flowers and a bottle of wine is gifted on arrival. During the stay, you’ll also enjoy daily breakfast, a private romantic dinner, complementary resort activities and more.
A beach wedding in Thailand
Offering something a bit different compared to a Phuket resort celebration, Hua Hin blends the best parts of Thailand’s cosmopolitan life with a relaxing beachfront escape. The region also offers easy access to explore the countryside.
The Aleenta Hua Hin Pan Bui is perfectly positioned for a beach wedding in Thailand. And it also provide a personal wedding planner! If you’re also searching for honeymoon destinations, why not add on one of their packages? Alternatively, if you’re not ready to tie the knot but want a romantic getaway from Singapore instead, there are plenty of packages at Aleenta to have a look at. You’ll also findanniversary ideas and offers.
This article featuring honeymoon destinations, a beach wedding in Thailand, anniversary ideas and more first appeared in the June 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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