WEDDING ORGANIZERS

| How They Can Help |

These days there are a multitude of wedding organizers on the island of Bali - all tout themselves as experts with lots and lots of experience but, in reality, the majority of them are newcomers to the world of organizing weddings and have limited experience. Many, in fact, have been opened only a few months!

There is currently no government body or association concerned specifically with wedding organizers in Bali and for this reason unlicensed people can get away with operating freely. The down side of this from your point of view, is that there is absolutely no recourse if any such organization or individual disappoints you in any way.

We recommend you exercise extreme caution in making your selection from those on the island claiming themselves as wedding organizers, since the vast majority see organizing your wedding as a way to make a quick dollar rather than as something special they should be totally dedicated to do. Few can offer suitable experience or the required expertise and knowledge to ensure your wedding ceremony goes off without a hitch.

Such organizers may be able to present a wonderful website and some may even be found these days on the larger search engines but remember a website itself does not make an organization professional!

Our research has shown that despite a fairly decent looking website the vast majority of wedding organisers in Bali don't have a license let alone an office, but operate privately from their residence.

The fact that they do not have an office is generally disguised by such organizations in statements such as "we will come to your hotel after your arrival to save you the trouble of having to travel to our office" or, "we are the only company who will come to you for your pre-wedding meeting" and other similar statements.

Since you probably have to travel to your Consular Representative anyway after arriving in Bali, we would suggest that it is not a problem for you to pop in to your organizers' offices on the same day. At least you will then know you are dealing with a professional organization.

The wonderful worldwide web makes it possible for anybody to create a .com name and a website these days but, we at A WEDDING IN BALI .COM urge you to look beyond the site. Look for an address, ask for a license number (a copy if you wish), do they have a company bank account etc., or are they just individuals trying to make a quick dollar?

We strongly recommend you give serious consideration to entrusting the most important day of your lives to an "unofficial" wedding organizer.

We suggest that you make a decision regarding the professionalism of the various
companies you approach based not on their websites, but on other matters such as;

*
Whether they have an office to which you may visit when in Bali.
*
Whether they offer more than just email for contact.
*
Whether they have a bank account in the name of their company. If it is in a personal name or in the name of some other totally unrelated business name then it is probably an account borrowed to receive your funds. Not having a bank account in the name of their company indicates that they do not have a license to operate because a business bank account cannot be opened in Indonesia without the proper company documentation being presented to the bank.

We certainly recommend that you do not send your hard earned money to a personal bank account or any account which appears to be unassociated with the name of the wedding organizer you have selected.

Remember that if something goes wrong when dealing with an "unofficial" operation you have absolutely no recourse in the case of your needing to request a refund for any reason and no way of ensuring your claim is settled.

The issue related to bank accounts and payments is particularly important when you are being asked to send your hard earned money in advance.

It is understandable that payments for wedding services are required in advance - this is an appropriate practice however, we are saying that you must take great care!

If the company is a registered company, their legal name will be preceeded by a PT (Proprietry Limited).

Again we would remind you that A WEDDING IN BALI .COM is not a company which organizes weddings and will never offer to do so.

Likewise we are not opposed to people getting ahead in life by offering this service to you without all they should have to ensure perfection but, we do however, want you to be aware of as many different points as possible before making your decision. This way you can make a totally informed decision based on all the pros and cons.

Having been involved in travel to and within Bali and other parts of Indonesia for some 3 decades however, we are very concerned that a wedding in Bali for every couple who may choose to have one will be a wonderful experience and result in nothing but happy memories for brides and grooms, as well as any family and friends who may join them to celebrate in Bali.

A wedding ceremony is far too important to be allowed to go wrong in any way!

Take our advice and entrust your wedding to a professional wedding organizer.

How They Can Help

So you have decided to marry in Bali!! Congratulations on a wonderful decision!!

Provided everything is handled the right way, we are confident that your decision to marry in Bali will be a decision you'll have no cause to regret.

Now it's time to start thinking :

Will your wedding be a formal, semi-formal or casual style of event? Where is the place most suited to your own special requirements for the type of ceremony and reception you seek? What reliable vendors are available in Bali for things such as still and/or video photography, hair & makeup, catering, music, flowers, etc.? Will you have a buffet or sitdown meal? Will you serve cocktails and canap?s? What is the best schedule to follow? What special gifts can you organize for your guests?

You could spend months researching and still not get to the most experienced and most professional vendors available in Bali - most don't have websites after all and that makes it even harder.

Don't put yourself through it! Engage a professional wedding organizer to do it all for you! You just give them specifics of what you want and they'll give you detailed information on every little item.

A professional wedding organizer will assist the bride & groom from start to finish - in the selection of locations, photographers, florists, caterers, musicians, meals, entertainers, etc. They will make suggestions for decorating, choosing ceremony texts, ensure you meet all the required procedures for having a wedding in Bali and much more. A professionial wedding organizer is someone who will minimize stress.

Unlike other countries, wedding organizers in Bali tend to charge a flat rate to make all arrangements for you and then charge for any additional items you may select over and above your ceremony.

Some may think a wedding organizer is an unnecessary expense - this is not true! It is also the reason some couples will make their choice based on the lowest price rather than on professionalism, experience and solid reputation. It is only when something goes wrong those couples regret their decision to try to save money on this very important service.

Wedding organizers can actually save you money because of the amount of repeat business they give to certain vendors and, they will most definitely provide you with services of quality in each area they organize. A professional wedding organiser will not utilize a vendor who is less than professional because their own reputation is at stake and a wedding organisers' best advertisement is a satisfied couple!

DOING IT YOUR SELF

It is possible, of course, to organize your wedding in Bali yourself but, if you plan to do so, be prepared for a frustrating time in getting your message across, obtaining accurate information and having things work out exactly the way you want them to.

There are a number of reasons you should think very carefully about organizing your own wedding in Bali.

First of all the language barrier - this is a definite concern because you may either end up with something you do not want and expect or alternatively, you may end up without something you particularly wanted and expected.

Although Ministers and Registry Officials can speak English, most do so rather haltingly in matters apart from their own or regular text scripts and their written English is certainly not wonderful. This should be a real consideration because you will be orgnaising everything long distance.

Secondly, there is the simple issue of different cultures and therefore different concepts. It is just a matter of a Balinese or Indonesian finding it difficult to comprehend the needs, thoughts and requirements of a western bride and groom.

Indonesians, and particularly Balinese, are the most happy and helpful people in the world and will definitely do whatever they can to help you. However, where your wedding is concerned, a lot more than a friendly smile is required to make everything run smoothly and you will want much, much more than a smiling apology afterwards if things don't run to plan and you feel disappointed.

Sure, you will save yourself the cost of a wedding organizer by doing it all yourself but, we must ask you - is it really worth it?














The last thing you want is to travel all the way to Bali and experience a lot of stress and worry about your wedding. Isn't one of the reasons you chose to be married in Bali was to avoid the stress and worry generally associated with organizing a wedding ceremony back home?

A wedding in Bali can be even more stressful than at home if arrangements are not made precisely in keeping with your own personal requirements and if you have any reason to be uncertain whether you will or will not receive exactly what you want!

We strongly recommend you give this very careful thought if you are not prepared
for the strong possibility of regretting your decision afterwards. Just ask yourself "Is saving some money worth the risk of having the most important day of your life spoiled?" And, "are we willing to take a chance?"

CELEBRANTS

Unlike other countries of the world, it is not possible in Indonesia to be married by a Civil Celebrant and, in fact, there is no such thing in Indonesia. The only way for non-Moslem couples to be legally married (as mentioned above) is to have a religious ceremony followed by the Government Registration of the marriage.

Overseas Celebrants are only licensed and legally permitted to perform a wedding ceremony and provide a Certificate of Marriage to a couple when the marriage they perform takes place in the country where they are licensed to practise as a Marriage Celebrant. They are not legally permitted to provide such a service in Bali or anywhere else in the world.

We understand that Australia is currently (and in fact has been for quite a long time now) giving consideration to allowing licensed Marriage Celebrants to perform ceremonies overseas but, if and when this is approved, it will apply only to marriages performed by the Australian Marriage Celebrant on Australian soil, ie: in the Australian Consul General office in Bali or the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.

A marriage performed by a foreign licensed Celebrant would not be a legal marriage if performed in Bali or anywhere except in the country in which the Celebrant is licensed to operate.

DO NOT BRING A FOREIGN CELEBRANT TO BALI TO PERFORM YOUR MARRIAGE AND EXPECT TO BE LEGALLY MARRIED !

Australian couples may reconfirm this information with the Australian Registrar Generals' Office in Canberra.

For couples from other countries, we advise you to check with your country's
Consulate/Embassy here in Indonesia, or with the particular Government officials
in your country of origin who deal with matters of legal marriage regarding this
issue.

We have used Australia as the example here, not to give Australians any particular special attention, but simply because the statistics to date show that the majority of weddings taking place in Bali currently originate from Australia.

TYPE OF CEREMONIES

| Legal Wedding | Religious Only - Non Moslem |
| Balinese Blessing Ceremony | Commitment Ceremony |


Firstly, there are certain types of ceremonies available :

1. Legal Wedding Ceremony non-Moslem involving a
Religious Ceremony followed by Civil Registration to legalise
the marriage.

2. Religious Only Ceremony involving a Religious Official, but no
Government Registrar.

3. Balinese Blessing Ceremony involving a Balinese Officiant
only, and no Government Registrar.

4. Ceremony of Commitment involving an lay Officiant
only, and no Government Registrar or Religious Official.

5. Legal Wedding Ceremony - Moslem involving a Moslem
Official, but no Government Registrar.

Note: Unless otherwise specified, all information on this site refers to couples other than Moslem couples. Specific information related to Moslem Marriages can certainly be answered, however, by direct and specific request once proof of your Islamic religion is received.

Legal Wedding

It is not possible to be 'legally' married in Bali or indeed anywhere in Indonesia without first having a religious ceremony and, only after such a ceremony has taken place will the Government Registry Officials register and legalise your marriage.

Without Government Registration of the marriage a marriage will not be recognized as a legal marriage either here in Indonesia or anywhere else in the world.

Documents which will be received :
One (sometimes more: depending on your religion) Certificate of Marriage from your religious official and two (always) legalizing Certificates of Marriage from the Government Registry Office.
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Religious Only - Non Moslem

A Religious Only Ceremony is a 'spiritual ceremony' based on the couples' own faith ie: Protestant Christian, Catholic, Buddhist or Hindu and has no legal implication at all. This type of ceremony is most often selected by couples who are already legally married to each other and wish to renew their vows or couples who, for some reason, do not wish to be legally married.

Document which will be received :
One Certificate of Marriage (sometimes more for some religions) from your religious official.

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Balinese Blessing Ceremony

A Balinese Blessing Ceremony is just that - a simple Blessing in Balinese style. This ceremony has no legal implications and, because it is only a blessing rather than a formal ceremony it allows a Balinese Officiant to pray for good things for the future of the couple and to bless their new beginning.

Document which may be received :
One Certificate of Blessing with no religious or legal implications.
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Commitment Ceremony

A Commitment Ceremony is performed by a lay Officiant and, like the Religious Only and Balinese Blessing, is a ceremony for couples wishing to experience a ceremony with special meaning to them in Bali - perhaps to renew their vows. It is also suitable for couples who are unable to be married to each other because of enjoying an alternative lifestyle but who wish to make a commitment to each other for a life together.

Document which may be received :
One Certificate of Commitment with no religious or legal implicatoins.
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A Wedding in Bali

A site designed to provide information and advice
to couples planning to marry in Bali!

A wedding is, without a doubt, one of the most important events in the lives of any couple and, the island of Bali in Indonesia is, without a doubt, one of the most beautifully spiritual places in the world to celebrate such an important occasion.

A WEDDING IN BALI .COM is not a wedding company and will not ever offer to organize your wedding for you. We are, however, a site designed specifically to offer helpful information to couples who may be considering celebrating their wedding on this beautiful island.

We would advise every couple who may be thinking of marrying in beautiful Bali to read through this site before making any decisions on how you will organize your wedding since we believe it will give some valuable guidance, and will answer some of the initial questions you may have in mind at this stage of your planning.

Of course, if you find this to be so, the final decision-making process should then prove a lot easier for you.

We at A WEDDING IN BALI .COM sincerely believe that Bali, the very spiritual Island of the Gods, is a wonderful place to celebrate a wedding.

Many, many couples have had the privilege of doing just that in past years and the demand is growing steadily. Fortunately, though, since there are so many wonderful choices of location, theme styles and items available to create something special from which you can choose, your wedding will remain a very personal and beautiful experience - if handled correctly.

There are a few important things to know about planning a wedding in Bali and, here at A WEDDING IN BALI .COM we wish to let you know, and help you understand some of those things.

Corporate Taxation in Indonesia

This is a brief overview of the calculation and payment of corporate tax in Indonesia.

1. Indonesia operates a self-assessed taxation system that is similar to many other countries.
2. Rates are stepped and top out at 30% of taxable income.
3. Expenses are deducted from revenue to arrive at taxable income.
4. Indonesian GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) is very similar to those of other countries.
5. Revenues are revenues in any language and should be declared and can be subject to tax audit. Reimbursements are not considered as revenue, but any mark-up will be.
6. Expenses are normal operating expenses of a company but there are some expenses that cannot be included for tax purposes:
7. Fringe Benefits (What the company pays on behalf of the employee that the employee would normally pay for himself/herself).
8. Fines and interest for late reporting/payment of taxes.
9. Vacation airfares, housing and schooling for expatriate staff and families.
10. There are also some strange interpretations by the tax office on other expenses that need knowledge of the relevant rules to argue against.
11. Taxes are paid throughout the year to maintain even flow of funds into the State treasury and maintain a reasonably even cash flow for the company.
12. One twelfth of the tax due for the previous year is paid each month in the current year less corporate tax withheld by third parties.
13. When you import into Indonesia there is corporate tax withheld by Customs and paid to the Tax Office on your behalf.
14. When customers pay you for services there is corporate tax withheld and paid to the Tax Office on your behalf.
15. Likewise when you make payments to your suppliers there may well be corporate tax that you withhold and pay on behalf of your supplier.
16. These rates of withholding tax vary dependent upon internal Indonesia, external Indonesia and what type of service/supplies was concerned.
17. The aim of the company is to finish the year in a tax underpayment situation as to receive a tax refund or carry forward means a tax audit must be performed. Good planning ensures this.
18. On top of corporate tax there is a wide-ranging VAT/GST system mainly rated at 10% and some items will also attract a luxury sales tax. Exports are rated 0% but refunds must undergo a field audit by the tax office.
19. VAT/GST allows for monthly offsets of inputs over outputs and excess inputs can be carried forward to the subsequent months. Or a refund claimed.
20. All tax payments are made via the banking or the postal system to receive credit for them.
21. Proof must be given or received where withholding tax is involved to obtain the credit.
22. Of course there are variations in taxes within certain industries with tax facilities that are too detailed to be listed here.
23. Indonesia has Double Tax Treaties with a number of countries and with good planning your firm may well be able to utilize available benefits.
24. Tax withheld by Indonesian resident companies to overseas will be treated as prepaid tax in the recipient country.

How to find a tax consultant

Most of the large international accounting firms have staff that can help you to prepare your taxes, both Indonesian and foreign.

Expatriate Associatoins in Indonesia

Just as in your home country, joining a business association is a great way to learn more about what is going on in the local business community and to meet colleagues. In Jakarta, there are several well-established country-specific business associations with memberships of hundreds of business people.

Staying informed, learning about how Indonesian government rulings are affecting business, meeting new people and widening your business contacts is perhaps even more important in a foreign posting where the conditions that affect business will be unknown to a newcomer. Becoming involved and setting up a good network will benefit you in many ways.

Below is a listing of contact information for expatriate business associations. We encourage newcomers to contact their national association and learn about what services they offer.

American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia (AmCham)
World Trade Center, 11th floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29-31
Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia 12920
Tel. (62-21) 526-2860
Fax (62-21) 526-2861
Email info@amcham.or.id
Website www.amcham.or.id
Joe Bartlett, President
Mark Smith, Executive Director
Membership - 400

Indonesia-Australia Business Council (IABC)
World Trade Center, 11th Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29-31
Jakarta 12920 Indonesia
Tel (62-21) 521-1540
Fax (62-21) 521-1541
Email secretariat@iabc.or.id
Website Indonesia Australia Business Council (IABC)
Mr. S.D. Darmono, President
Mr. Vic Halim, Executive Director
Membership - 200

British Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia (BritCham)
Wisma Metropolitan I F/15
Jln. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29 - 31
Jakarta 12920
Indonesia
Tel. (62-21) 5229453
Fax (62-21) 5279135
Email bisnis@britcham.or.id
Website www.britcham.or.id
Chairman : Mr. Malcolm Llewollyn
Executive Director: Chris Wren
Business Development Manager: Lukas Rahmidin
Membership - 800

Indonesia Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC)
Sampoerna Strategic Square
South Tower 17th floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav 45
Tel. (62-21) 2555-2243
Fax (62-21) 5795-1177
Email ediccc@cbn.net.id, iccc@cbn.net.id
Website www.iccc.or.id
Mr. David Beynon – President ICCC
Vita Antasari – Executive Director

Danish Business Council
Jl. Kencana Permai V no 15
Pondok Indah, Jakarta Selatan
Tel. (62-21) 750-3204
Email michael@wivvies.com
Website www.dba.co.id
Jakob Friis Sorensen and Michael Lundager
Membership -

Finnish Business Council
Embassy of Finland, Menara Rajawali, 9th floor
Jl Mega Kuningan, Lot 5.1, Kuningan, 12950 Jakarta
Tel. +62-21-576 1650
Email sanomat.jak@formin.fi
Website www.finland.or.id
President Risto Poskiparta
Members: 23

Indonesian French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI)
Jalan Wijaya II No. 36
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta 12160
Tel. (62-21) 739-7161
Fax (62-21) 739-7168
Email contacts@ifcci.com
Website www.ifcci.com
President: Mr. Alain-Pierre Mignon
Director: Nora Guitet
Membership - 130

German Indonesian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (EKONID)
Jl. H. Agus Salim No. 115
Jakarta 10310 Indonesia
(P.O. Box 3151/JKT, Jakarta 10031)
Tel. (62-21) 315-4685
Fax (62-21) 315-5276
Email info@ekonid.or.id
Website www.ekonid.com or www.ekonid.org
Mr. Jan Rönnfeld, Director
Membership - 530

Economic Association of Indonesia and India (ECAII)
Intarti (Iin)
c/o PT Tripar Multivision Plus
Komplek Perkantoran Roxy Mas Blok C2 No. 27-34
Jln. K.H. Hasyim Ashari Kav. 125B
Jakarta Pusat – 10150
Tel. +62-21-6335050 Ext 219, +62-21-6324329
Fax +62-21-6324370
Website www.ecaii.org
Chairman Marzuki Usman
Membership - 80 Corporate Members

European Business Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia (Eurocham)
World Trade Center, 8th Floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 29-31
Jakarta 12920
Phone (62 21) 521-1650
Fax (62 21) 521-1651
Email info@eurocham.or.id
Website www.eurocham.or.id
President, Patrick Jonathan

Italian Business Association Indonesia (IBAI)
Wisma BRI II, 15th Floor, Suite 1501
Jl. Jend. Sudirman No. 44-46
Jakarta 10210 Indonesia
Tel. +62 (21) 571-3540
Fax +62 (21) 571-9013
Email luigicarlo.gastel@pirelli.com
Dr. Luigi Carlo Gastel, President

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
Summitmas I, 6th Fl.
Jl Jen. Sudirman Kav. 61-62
Jakarta 12190 Indonesia
Tel. (62-21) 520-0264 / 5251-3650
Fax (62-21) 520-0261
Email
Website www.jetro.or.id
Mr. Kusaoke Sadonoobu
Membership -

Korea Trade Center (KOTRA)
Wisma GKBI, 21st Floor, Suite 2102
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 28
Jakarta 10210
Tel. 62-21-574-1522
Fax 62-21-572-2187, 572-2204
Email: kotrajkt@kotra.or.id
Website www.kotra.or.id
Mr. Kim Byung Kwon, Director General

Indonesian-Netherlands Association (INA)
Indonesian-Benelux Chamber of Commerce
Menara Jamsostek, Tower A - 20th floor, Room 2002
Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto No. 38
Jakarta 12710
Tel. (62-21) 5290-2177
Fax. (62-21) 5290-2178,
Email ina@ina.or.id
Website www.ina.or.id
Mr. Elmar Bouma, Director
Membership -

Indonesian Norwegain Business Council
c/o Tirta Samudera Caraka
Cordova Tower, Lt. 2
Jl. Pasir Putih Raya Blok E No. 3
Ancol - Jakarta Utara 14430
Tel. 62-21-645 7624
Fax 62-21-645 7628
Email inbc_sec@ inbc.or.id
Website www.inbc.or.id
Mr. Tor Fjæran, President
Membership -

Swedish Business Association in Indonesia
Swedish Business Association c/o Embassy of Sweden
Menara Rajawali, 9th floor 3, Mega Kuningan Lot #5,1
Kawasan Mega Kuningan Jakarta 12950
Fax (021) 4261033
Email michael_olsson@bmolsson.net
Website www.sba.or.id
Mr. Michael Olsson, Secretary
Membership - 36 Members

Taiwan Business Club
Jl Raya Kelapa Hibrida Block QH
Kelapa Gading
Jakarta 14240 Indonesia
Tel. (62-21) 451-3525
Fax (62-21) 451-3524
Email tbcjkt@indosat.net.id
Website
Mr. Frank Lee, Director
Membership -
Indonesian Business Associations Overseas

American-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (AICC)
317 Madison Ave., Suite 1619
New York, NY 10017 USA
Tel. (212) 687-4505
Fax (212) 687-5844
Email aiccny@bigplanet.com
Website www.aiccusa.org
Mr. Wayne Forrest, Executive Director
Membership - 195

Australia Indonesia Business Council (AIBC)
Website www.aibc.com.au

Indonesia New Zealand Business Community
Website www.indonz.com