Port Douglas Romance at Sheraton Mirage

Port Douglas Romance at Sheraton Mirage
Location: Sheraton Mirage, Port Douglas

» 5 nights Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort accommodation
» Full Buffet Breakfast Daily in Lagoons Restaurant
» Half hour massage
» Three course a la carte dinner in Il Pescatore Restaurant
» Pamper Pack on Arrival
» Return Limousine Transfers (Cairns Airport - Sheraton Mirage)

White sands and blue waters will greet you at the five-star Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort. Situated on Four Mile Beach, our beachfront hotel is tucked between the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort, voted “Australia´s Best Resort" in Luxury Travel and Style Magazine´s Gold List 2005.

With 130 hectares of tropical landscaped gardens, a championship 18-hole golf course, and two hectares of magnificent swimmable saltwater lagoons, great resort living is at every turn. Our warm and experienced staff can set up snorkeling lessons for you and your family. See firsthand the magic of Australia with our tour/excursion service.

Share great conversations over delicious meals in our three award-winning restaurants, from seafood to Mediterranean and local dishes.

A Superb Choice of Luxury Accommodation

Deluxe Garden View and Deluxe Lagoon View rooms are 41 square metres featuring king or double/double beds with bath and shower.

Mirage Garden rooms are 51 square metres king-bedded with balcony verandah and Jacuzzi spa bath.

Superior Lagoon rooms are guaranteed ground floor rooms either king bedded or double/double with bath and shower.

Premium Mirage rooms are oversized executive rooms (also 51 square metres) on the ground level, 2nd or 3rd levels, overlooking the five acres of saltwater lagoons, featuring both private and/or exterior balconies, king size bed, Jacuzzi spa bath and an oversized bathroom.








Full Buffet Breakfasts Daily in Lagoons Restaurant
Enjoy sumptuous full buffet breakfasts everyday in the beautiful Lagoons Restaurant. The Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas resort has a superb choice of dining options to make your stay unforgettable and a gastronomic delight! Enjoy the all-day dining with an elaborate buffet breakfast, superb á la carte lunch, and magnificent buffet dinner.

Half Hour Massage
Enjoy a relaxing massage, a soothing moment of self indulgence to enhance your well-being and make your romance holiday a truly unique occasion!

3 Three course a la carte dinner in Il Pescatore Restaurant
Your Romance package also includes a mouth watering 3 course dinner.

Alfresco dining takes on a whole new meaning in our signature Il Pescatore Restaurant.

Breathtaking views of the evening lights over the sparkling blue lagoons combine with cascading waterfalls, backlit palm trees, and the soft sounds of the Coral Sea for a most unique ambience. Savour exquisite Mediterranean cuisine with a tropical twist complemented by the finest vintage wines.

Return Cairns Airport - Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Limousine Transfers
Your limousine driver will greet you at Cairns Airport and whisk you away to your World Class Resort in shameless luxury and style! When it´s time to return to reality, end on a high note and leave as you came... in style!










Pamper Pack on Arrival
To mark the special occasion of your arrival, a Bvlgari Bath Amenities pack awaits you. Sink into a long, hot bath and let luxury wash over you, you´re here!

source by : easywedding.com.au

Honeymoon in Rydges, Australia

Cairns Reef, Rydges Tradewinds
Location: Rydges, Cairns

» 5 Nights Rydges Tradewinds Cairns Superior Accommodation
» Full buffet Breakfasts daily
» 1 Two course dinner including a bottle of Australian wine at stylish Latitude 137 Restaurant
» 1 Dinner at Home - Two course room service dinner including a bottle of Australian house wine
» 2 Great Lunches at the Rydges E Bar
» Reef Magic Outer Barrier Reef Cruise
» Dinner or Lunch at the Reef Casino Pacific Flavours
» Chocolates and small bottle of liqueur in the room on arrival
» Return Airport Transfers from the Domestic or International Terminal

5 Nights Rydges Tradewinds Cairns Superior Accommodation
Rydges Tradewinds Cairns is a 4.5 Star Hotel for reef and rainforest discovery, ideally located on the Cairns Esplanade overlooking the Coral Sea. Rydges Tradewinds is just a few minutes walk along the Esplanade Boardwalk to the Cairns lagoon precinct, City Centre, Restaurants, shopping and departure points for the Great Barrier Reef. The hotel is just 6kms from the Cairns Domestic and International Airport. The hotel offers a range of accommodation options to suit everyone, from the corporate traveller to families. Dine inside or poolside in the tropical ambience of Latitude 137 Restaurant & Bar. Enjoy a cool drink on the deck of E Bar whilst watching the birdlife and sunset over the Esplanade waterfront.

Chocolates and small bottle of liqueur in the room on arrival 5 nights accommodation in a Superior Water View Room or Ocean Front Room

The Hotel features a resort style walk-in pool with spa and waterfall set amongst tropical landscaped gardens furnished with sun lounges, 24hr reception, Internet lounge, wireless Internet hot spots, porter service, laundry and dry cleaning service, poolside service, tour desk, complimentary pool towels for use at hotel pool, and secure valet undercover parking for only $7 per day.

Resort Facilities

• Pool	• Laundry Service	• Parking	• Bike Hire
• Conference Facilities	• Courtesy Bus	• Airport Shuttle	• In-room Modem Access
• Internet Facilities	• Money Exchange	• Room Service	• Non-smoking rooms
• 24-Hour Reception	• Disabled Facilities	• Spa Ensuite Rooms

Full buffet Breakfasts daily
The great Continental and Full Buffet Breakfasts served up daily by the pool at the Rydges Tradewinds Cairns make for a great start to every day of your holiday!

1 Two course dinner including a bottle of Australian wine at stylish Latitude 137 Restaurant
Latitude 137 Restaurant is renowned for delivering you a most enjoyable dining experience set in a tropical and stylish ambience. Your Romance package includes a delicious two course dinner as well as a bottle of Australian Wine. We really have though of everything!

You will be served by our very friendly and informative restaurant team.

1 Dinner at Home - Two course room service dinner including a bottle of Australian house wine.
Your Cairns Tradewinds Romance at Rydges also includes a mouth watering 2 course Dinner at Home evening.
Enjoy an evening of intimate dining in your own room. Room service will deliver a two course dinner of your choice. Just sit out on the balcony in the balmy tropical night, sip your chilled wine and enjoy!

2 Great Lunches at the Rydges E Bar
The E Bar offers a relaxed atmosphere nestled beside lush tropical gardens where you can sit back, relax and take in the views around the resort style pool and across the Esplanade Boardwalk towards the Coral Sea.
Sit back and relax and watch the world go by on the Cairns Esplanade Boardwalk whilst sipping on a Cocktail or boutique beer. The perfect alfresco dining spot for a light dinner, a quick bite or afternoon refreshment.

Reef Magic Outer Barrier Reef Cruise
The Reef Magic Cruises experience is fully catered for including a licensed bar on the vessel and a range of snacks available throughout the day.

Guests aboard Reef Magic II receive a full 5 hours of privileged access to the purpose built Marine World activity platform, located on a private outer reef location of the highest standard.

Activities suit all ages and swimming abilities from the non-swimmer or beginner snorkeller to the most experienced certified diver.










Dinner or Lunch at the Reef Casino Pacific Flavours
This distinctive and stylish restaurant provides contemporary buffet cuisine in a relaxed environment. You´ll be spoilt for choice! - The Reef Casino´s outstanding Pacific Flavours Brasserie features a spectacular buffet with fresh salads, soup, pastas, carvery, hot dishes and an array of tempting Desserts.
This is a dining experience of culinary abundance and variety to please every taste.

Return Airport Transfers from the Domestic or International Terminal
Your Cairns Tradewinds Romance includes return transfers to and from Cairns International Airport.

source by:http://www.easyweddings.com.au

Honeymoon in Maldives

Club Med Kani, Maldives
Location: Club Med Kani, Maldives



From a distance, Kani emerges like a garden island, bathed in turquoise waters. This little paradise in the Maldives archipelago, exclusively reserved for Club Med Resort guests, is dotted with 75 Suites on Stilts* which, viewed from above, resemble a giant palm tree growing out across the lagoon. At the heart of a luxuriant natural world surrounded by multicoloured birds, the rooms offer tailor-made services for demanding Robinson Crusoes. Between diving* in the underwater depths and the pleasure of sampling the exquisite flavours of Asia, Kani is an Eden for all lovers of discovery. You will find a sumptuous fine sandy beach circling the Village and extending into crystal clear waters at 28°C...

The all Inclusive
Your Club Med All-Inclusive holiday includes:
» Airfares, transfers, taxes are included
» 3 gourmet buffet meals per day
» All day bar and snacking
» Your choice of accommodation: Superior, Deluxe or Suite Room
» A range of sports and activities
» Open bar and snacking
» Nightly entertainment
» Plus the warmest, friendliest team of professionals to ensure your holiday experience is exceptional
Enjoy now the Most Refined Holiday Experience!

Facilities
• 239 two-storey bungalows and 75 freestanding Suites on stilts
• Built overlooking the ocean
• Bungalows have either a terrace or a balcony
• 2 restaurants and 2 bars
• Swimming pools



Available Activities

• Scuba diving ^	• Aquafitness	• Fitness with Club Med Gym®
• Sailing	• Snorkelling	• Windsurfing
• Beach soccer	• Beach volleyball	• Football
• Kayak	• Volleyball	• Water-polo

^Additional cost.

The Honeymoon Package

Superior Package	Deluxe Romance	Suite Dreams
Champagne	Champagne	Champagne
Fruit Basket	Fruit Basket	Fruit Basket
Photo shooting	Photo shooting	Photo shooting
All Sport activities	All Sport activities	All Sport activities
Nightly entertainment	Nightly entertainment	Nightly entertainment
Spa massage for 2	2 wedding gifts	2 wedding gifts
	1 romantic diner	1 romantic diner
	Spa massage for 2	Spa Package for 2

source by : www.easywedding.com

Romantic Honeymoon

Romantic Weekend Getaways in the USA and Canada

What couple hasn't dreamed of stealing away for a romantic weekend to a place that's peaceful, pretty, and private? A getaway where dining is a sensual delight... and where the two of you can chill out, kick back, and explore places locals journey to when they're in love.

To clue you in on the best places for a weekend escape, we've spanned North America for favorite getaway spots for lodging, dining, and smooching.

Every couple needs private time together in a stress-free setting. Using the links provided, choose a place (they're all wonderful), make a reservation, and go! Your better half will thank you for it.

Romantic Weekend City Escape Guides
Great Getaways from Major U.S. Cities

Romantic Weekend Getaways by State

The Southeast:

• Florida
• Georgia
• Virginia

The Northeast

• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island

The Midwest

• Illinois
• Michigan
• Wisconsin

The West & Hawaii

• Arizona
• California
• Hawaii

The Best Places for Lovers in Canada:

• Quebec
• Montreal
• Niagara Falls

See Before You Go: Take a Virtual Vacation

More of This Feature

The SouthMid-AtlanticMidwest

More of This Feature

The West and HawaiiCanadaMajor US City Getaway Guides

Suggested Reading

USA for CouplesInexpensive GetawaysVacation Ideas

source by :http://honeymoons.about.com

Our Guide to the Best Place to Honeymoon

Finding the Best Place to Honeymoon in the USA,

Canada and Around the World

We're pleased to present our ideas for the top honeymoon locations. The top honeymoon spots for couples include Hawaii, Mexico, Tahiti, Florida and Jamaica. These are some of the world's most romantic and exotic honeymoons, and they're superb places.

But in our travels, we've come across some extra special honeymoon destinations. A few of these are familiar, and there are some you perhaps haven’t heard of or considered before.

Have you ever dreamed of watching a storm on the Pacific from an oceanfront cabin? Or relaxing in a small luxury hotel on the cliff of an extinct volcano!

Of course, no one destination is the right place for everyone. Our choice of honeymoon can depend on:

• When you get married and want to getaway
• How much time you have
• How much money you can spend on your honeymoon

And while some couples prefer total seclusion, others need to be near the action. There are newlyweds who like to travel independent, and those who dream of all-inclusive honeymoon vacation packages where everything is looked after. So in these honeymoon places, you’ll find a nice mix of both.

Here's a few of our top honeymoon spot choices. We'll be adding more soon, so keep checking back for more on the best place to honeymoon!

---

1. "Tucked-Away" on the Pacific Coast

A Romantic Tofino Resort on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Seclusion, wilderness, wildlife and the ocean. Tofino's incredible setting makes it a superb romantic destination.

2. Soak Up the Mexican Riviera Sun

Mayan Riviera All-Inclusive Resort The "quieter" coast of Mexico has gorgeous white sand beaches, constant sun, and a string of all-inclusive resorts along the coast, any of which would make for a fantastic honeymoon.

3. A Taste of Europe in Canada

Quebec City Bed and Breakfast The Small Hotels and Inns of Quebec City's Old Town have all the romance and atmosphere you'd find in Europe. Find out more about a romantic getaway to the heart of French Canada.

4. Small-Town South Pacific

Cook Islands Vacation Tropical, friendly, secluded and affordable - that's the Cook Islands. A picture perfect paradise in the south seas.

5. Laid Back Key West

Honeymoon in Key West Florida Follow US Hwy 1 to the southernmost point in the country, and you arrive in Key West. It's one of America's most romantic honeymoon spots, and the sunsets are some of the best!

More Romantic Honeymoon Ideas:

Get 2 Nights Free plus Save up to 45% at Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa - couples are raving about the new river suites (swim up to your room!) at this all-inclusive Negril Jamaica honeymoon resort.

A Guide to a Romantic Paris Honeymoon - things to see in Paris for couples, the top honeymoon hotels, packages and more.

Anastasis Apartments, Santorini Greece - one of the most romantic honeymoon suites in the Greek Islands. Accommodation features a canopy bed, jacuzzi tub and private terrace overlooking the sea. A memorable honeymoon spot in Santorini situated on the side of volcanic cliff!

We Hope This Helps You Find the Best Place to Honeymoon!

source : http://www.excellent-romantic-vacations.com

BALI GUIDE Continually Updated Insider Information About Bali

BALI GUIDE
Continually Updated Insider Information About Bali

Click here for more details
Click here for a printable Bali map

GUIDE TO BALI

This BALI GUIDE is maintained and updated regularly by foreign residents living in Bali, usually once a week – sometimes more often. You're invited to visit frequently and to bookmark this page.

You'll find on this site current information on the island of Bali in Indonesia and down-to-earth advice, sometimes biased by personal experiences but never influenced by commercial considerations. (The server space is provided by Balivillas.com/Bali.com Ltd as a free service to all visitors to Bali.)

BALI — THE "ULTIMATE ISLAND"

In spite of many changes caused by the rapid development of Bali's economy, local and international tourism, and communications (television, fax, pagers, GSM hand phones, Internet), the influx of people from other Indonesian islands, and the strong influence of the government and "big business" in Jakarta, the island of Bali in Indonesia is year after year voted by the readers of all major travel magazines the most enchanting travel and holiday destination in the whole world.

Bali's wide variety of attractions, the physical beauty of the island, and the year-round pleasant climate make Bali a place regarded by many visitors as the "Ultimate Island".

The friendly people and the absence of any serious criminal activities guarantee visitors a totally relaxing stay – which is a very pleasant surprise for guests who repeatedly felt threatened in Barbados, Jamaica, and other "dream islands" in the Caribbean. To read comments of recent visitors to Bali, please visit the BALItravelFORUM.

INTRODUCTION TO THE ISLAND OF BALI

• Detailed Bali Map (39k).
  Probably the most up-to-date and detailed map of the island of Bali on the Web. "Stolen" by many other web sites, but we'll keep it up-to-date for you.
• Geography, Climate, Population, Economy, and What Makes Bali so Special.
  General information, facts you might find useful, and some personal impressions.
• Kuta Sweats Sex.
  Report by Denise Dowling (Urban Desires, September 1996).
• Ubud, the Heart of Bali.
  Report by Jamie James (The Atlantic Monthly, August 1999).
• The Paradise Paradox.
  Report by Keith Loveord (Asiaweek, October 1997).
• Real-time Bali & Indonesia News
  Read the latest news about Bali and Indonesia, pulled in real-time from hundreds of reputable international news sources and information services.

PLANNING YOUR BALI HOLIDAY

• How to Select the Right Company to Book Over the Internet.
  A step-by-step guide on what to look for before you make any commitment over the Internet. This applies to Internet bookings wherever you go, not only to Bali.
• New Visa Regulations Introduced since February 2004.
  Which nationalities qualify under the new regulation for a "visa free" stay, and which nationals can take advantage of the VISA on ARRIVAL (VoA) facility.
• How to Fly to Bali. Links and Books to Buy.
  Contains links to most airlines, private aircraft charter companies, and to some air ticket consolidators who offer discounted air fares to Bali.
• Where to Stay in Bali.
  Brief guide to the main hotel and resort areas in Bali.
• Getting Married in Bali.
  Formalities and Legal Procedures required to get married in Bali.
• Bali for Families - the Kids (and Parents) Love It.
  Excerpts from the International Herald Tribune.
• Cruising the Spice Islands from Bali.
  Cruises and private charters from Bali to visit fierce dragons who have survived from the Jurassic age on Komodo, and to experience ancient tribes and cultures in the Lesser Sunda Islands.
• The Cost of Your Stay in Bali.
  Costs to expect for accommodation, daily food & drinks, transportation, etc. You'll be VERY surprised when you compare these prices with other destinations around the world.
• Potential Hazards for Visitors to Bali.
  Daily updated information on the social situation in Bali as well as maps, charts and satellite images of the region showing the areas affected by any smoke or haze, the cloud situation, and the winds affecting Bali.
• The "BALI travel FORUM"
  News & Views from the "Ultimate Island". Benefit from experiences of residents and recent visitors. Don't hesitate to ask questions. This is one of the busiest "Forums" on the Internet!
• Worldwide Embassy & Consulate Directory
  Just in case you have some questions regarding an entry visa or a permit for an extended stay in Bali - or any other country.

CHOOSING YOUR BALI HOTEL, VILLA, OR RESORT ACCOMMODATION

• Bali Hotel & Resort Bargain Finder
  Find the GUARANTEED lowest rates at famous boutique hotels, luxury resorts and budget hotels in all parts of Bali. Reserve on-line to save 70% and more. Now with Extra-Special Offers valid for limited periods only.
• Your Best Choice: Private Vacation Villas in Bali
  Choose from the most beautiful villas in Bali with two to seven bedrooms, a tropical garden with your own swimming pool, trained house staff including a cook and maids, an air-conditioned car with driver, etc. to take care of you around the clock. Check here for Last Minute availabilities and special offers. This "luxury" will be much less expensive than you think.

BALI INSIDER'S GUIDE (continually updated)

• Bali Weather Report & 5-Day Forecast.
  This report is for the whole island of Bali: this means even if you see rain showers announced these might only be in Ubud and in the mountains while the coastal areas are sunny.
• Currency Exchange Rates.
  Local exchange rates quoted daily by BII - Bank Indonesia Internasional.
• VISA ATM Locator.
  Listing of all VISA ATM machines worldwide – including Indonesia and Bali.
• Internet Access from Bali.
  How and where temporary visitors can access the Internet during their stay in Bali.
• What You can See and Do in Bali.
  The most important tours and excursions; Balinese dance performances; Wayang Kulit & traditional drama; museums & exhibitions; sports & many other leisure activities, and shopping.
• Food & Restaurants to Enjoy in Bali.
  Prices & opening hours; "Chaîne des Rôtisseurs" events; International cuisines; Indonesian cooking, Padang food & Balinese delicacies; beer, wine & local alcoholic beverages. Restaurant suggestions: where to eat in Sanur; restaurants in the Kuta area; seafood in Jimbaran; eating out in Nusa Dua; Ubud & surroundings.
• The Food of Bali – Recipes and Instructions.
  Lavishly illustrated recipes for 75 Balinese delicacies and detailed instructions how to prepare them. Compiled by Bali's food guru Heinz von Holzen.
• Bali after Dark.
  The most popular pubs, bars and discos for tourists and residents in the Kuta area, Sanur, Nusa Dua and Ubud. Updated frequently!
• Drugs: Don't even think about it!
  The use (or just ownership) of narcotic drugs is illegal in Indonesia and punishable by death. Drugs offered on the street are of questionable content, and often mixed with toxic substances. Many street vendors cooperate also with the police. If you buy you will be arrested soon afterwards, and you will be released only after paying US$60,000 or more – if at all!

Thank you for visiting our Bali Guide pages, Bali's most up-to-date source for everything to do with the "Ultimate Island" — resorts, boutique hotels, luxury villas, holidays, travel, tours, cruises, exchange rates, weather and more. Make sure you return again soon for the latest information on the island of Bali in Indonesia.

source by:baliguide.com

BALI WEDDINGS Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married in Bali

BALI WEDDINGS
Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married in Bali

MARRIAGE LAWS, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is subject to Indonesian Laws. Every couple considering getting married in Bali must comply with these Laws.

In accordance with Law No. 1 of 1974 concerning marriages in Indonesia (Article 2 (1): "a marriage is legitimate if it has been performed according to the laws of the respective religious beliefs of the parties concerned."

All couples who marry in Indonesia must declare a religion. Agnosticism and Atheism are not recognized. The Civil Registry Office can record marriages of persons of Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian-Protestant and Christian-Catholic faiths. Marriage partners must have the same religion, otherwise one partner must make a written declaration of change of religion.

The Religious Marriage under Islam is performed by the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama) in a ceremony at a mosque, the home, a restaurant, or any other place chosen by the couple and is legal immediately after the ceremony.

A Christian, Hindu or Buddhist marriage is usually performed first in a church or temple ceremony. After the religious ceremony, every non-Islamic marriage must be recorded with the Civil Registry (Kantor Catatan Sipil). Without the registration by the Civil Registry these marriages are not legal. Recording by Civil Registry officials can be performed directly at the religious ceremony for an additional fee.

Persons of non-Islamic faith are required to file with the Civil Registry Office in the Regency where they are staying first a 'Notice of Intention to Marry' as well as a 'Letter of No Impediment' obtained from their consular representatives.

For the issue of the Letter of No Impediment to Marriage by your Consular Representative you will need to present for youself and your fiance(e) your Passport(s) valid for more than 6 months and Certified Divorce Decrees (absolute/final) and/or Death Certificates regarding the termination of all previous marriages. Please contact the Consular Representative of your country for details well before your intended date of marriage.

The following countries have Consulates or Consular Representatives in Bali. The telephone and fax numbers must be prefixed with 62-361 when calling from abroad. Australia (Consulate, also representing Canada, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries in emergencies), Jalan Hayum Wuruk No. 88 B, Tanjung Bungak, Denpasar, Tel. 241-118, Fax 241-120; France (Consular Agency), Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai No. 35, Sanur, Tel. 285-485, Fax 285-485; Germany (Honorary Consulate), Jalan Pantai Karang 17, Sanur, Tel. 288-535, 288-826, Fax 288-826; Italy (Honorary Vice Consulate), Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, Jimbaran, Tel. 701-005, Fax 701-005; Japan (Consulate), Jalan Raya Puputan, Renon, Denpasar, Tel. 234-808, Fax 231-308; Mexico (Honorary Consulate), Jalan Moch. Yamin 1A, Renon, Denpasar, Tel. 223-266, Fax 231-740; Netherlands (Consular Agency), Jalan Raya Kuta 99, Kuta, Tel. 751-517, Fax 752-777; Norway & Denmark (Honorary Consulate), Kawasan Bukit Permai, Jimbaran, Tel. 701-070, Fax 701-074; Spain (Honorary Consulate, currently vacant); Sweden & Finland (Honorary Consulate), Jalan Segara Ayu, Sanur, Tel. 288-407, Fax 287-242; Switzerland & Austria (Consular Agency), Kompleks Istana Kuta Galleria, Blok Valet 2 No. 12, Jalan Patih Jelantik. Kuta, Tel. 751-735, Fax 754-457; United Kingdom (Honorary Consulate), Jalan Mertasari 2, Sanur, Tel. 270-601, Fax 270-572; U.S.A. (Consular Agency), Jalan Hayam Wuruk 188, Denpasar, Tel. 233-605, Fax 222-426.

For the Notice of Intention to Marry you have to submit the following documents for both partners to the Civil Registry Office (show the original and present a photocopy):

• Certificate of the religious marriage;
• Passport for foreign citizens, or KTP (Identity card) for Indonesian citizens;
• Certified birth certificate;
• Certified divorce decree (absolute) or death certificates regarding the termination of all previous marriages;
• Four 4x6 cm photos, both partners side by side;
• Foreign citizens:
  • 'Letter of No Impediment to Marriage' issued by your Consular Representative for Bali or Indonesia;
• Indonesian citizens:
  • Never married: letter Surat Keterangan Belum Kawin from Kepala Desa or Lurah (mayor);
  • Men aged 18-21 and women aged 16-21: parental letter of consent, signed across the materai/tax stamp Rupiah 2,000.

Before the marriage, you and your fiance(e) also may wish to file with the Civil Registry a prenuptial Property Agreement (Surat Pernyataan Harta) which must be signed before a local Notary Public. This contract is necessary if you wish to hold property separately during the marriage. In the absence of such a document, Indonesian marriage law assumes joint ownership of property, and subsequent property acquisitions by the Indonesian partner will be regulated according to the laws restricting foreign property ownership.

Two witnesses over the age of 18 are required. They must show the originals and present photocopies of their passports if they are foreign citizens or KTP (identity cards) if they are Indonesian citizens. Civil Registry employees can act as witnesses.

The Civil Registry office has a Mandatory Waiting Period of 10 working days from the date of filing. This waiting period may be waived for tourists presenting a guest registration form (Form A).

Islamic Marriage Certificates (Buku Nikah) issued by the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama) are legally valid in Indonesia and do not require registration with any other agency if you are going to live in Indonesia. However, if you might move somewhere else in the future (and who knows?), get a marriage certificate issued by the Civil Registry and an officially certified translation right away (see below).

All other Marriage Certificates will be issued by the Civil Registry usually on the same or next day. A sworn English translation of the marriage certificate should be obtained for use abroad. It is not necessary for the marriage certificate or translation to be registered by your Consular Agency. However, to have the sworn translation of the marriage certificate verified or a special translation made by the Consulate of your home country or the Consulate of your country of residence might prove useful.

WEDDING ARRANGEMENTS

Balivillas.com offers a FREE Wedding Ceremony if you book one of the more luxurious villas for 7 days or more. We will also assist with villa decoration, catering & party service and transportation. Please visit Romantic-Weddings.com, our associated Wedding Co-ordinator, for additional Bali wedding arrangements such as more elaborate ceremonies, handling of legal formalities, rental of bridal dresses, hair styling, make-up, flowers, dancers & musicians, photo & video shooting etc.

Special Bali Honeymoon Accommodation

No matter if you want to stay at a romantic private villa, a resort on the beach or a secluded hotel, Balivillas.com can arrange just the right honeymoon accommodation to meet your needs and make your honeymoon truly special and memorable.

source by: baliguide.com

Greek Marriage and Weddings

Resources on Greek weddings, marriage customs, and age of the bride.

Greek Eros and Philia Love Magic
The needs of men and women in the arena of love were different and required different types of magic; the men using eros magic, and the women philia or agape magic.

Books Covering Greco-Roman Sexuality and Sex Roles
Review - Kirk Ormand's Exchange and the Maiden
Review of Kirk Ormand's Exchange and the Maiden: Homosocial Marriage in the Tragedies of Sophocles - Deianeira, Antigone, Jocasta, Alcestis, and Tecmessa.

Matrimonium
Article on Matrimonium (marriage) in ancient Greece and Rome, from Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898).

Athenian Wedding Rites
Short section from "A Day in Old Athens," by William Stearns Davis (1910), says the bride married at about the age of 15 and gave away her toys to Artemis before the ceremony.

How to train a wife
From Xenophon, On Household Management [Oeconomicus] 6.17-10. Ischomachus tells Socrates he explained "to his wife that the role assigned to women by society is natural, since it was ordained by the gods, and that it works to the advantage of both sexes."

Marriage and Funeral Rites in Classical Athens
In "Til Death Do Us Part: Marriage and Funeral Rites in Classical Athens," Jana Shopkorn describes component rituals of marriages and funerals in 5th Century B.C. Athens. Also describes overlapping elements, like dedication of a lock of hair, ritual purification, and use of the veil.

source by: about.com

Greek Weddings

The History of Marriage

These types of marriages were either commonly practiced (or recently made obsolete) around the fifth century. To understand fifth century practices, it is necessary to take a step back and review the history of marriage in Greece, for Sappho, who flourished in the seventh century B.C., drew on patterns of marriage that were as much mythological as sociological, or legal, and for whom marriage as an institution triggered personal responses.

Pandora was the first bride,⁹ as well as the first woman. Didomi, the word meaning to give, from which Pandora's name is derived, reflects that the bride was originally a free gift that came to the groom's home bearing gifts. Leduc explains the importance of the bride-gift:

The free gift was, I believe, the organizing principle of the Hellenic system of legitimate reproduction. From the eighth to the fourth century B.C. a woman was always given (didomi) to her husband by another man, and this man always gave other riches (epididomi) along with her.10

In keeping with the notion of a bride as a gift, the Homeric bride brought gifts to her new oikos.11 This arrangement is a daughter-in-law marriage.12 During the "betrothal," the son-in-law and father-in-law became etai, allies, by exchanging gifts in preparation for the bride transfer. The dora, gifts, were a tangible sign of the alliance between the two households. This exchange also indicated that the bride's family was not just selling or rejecting her. The bridewealth generated by the passive bride, on the other hand, was called hedna and it usually manifested itself in cattle. This gift exchange formalized the legitimacy of a marriage and legitimized the children of the union.
In Homeric epic, a man could also "marry" a girl by winning her in a competition or by stealing her as booty. The Greek heroes left Troy with Trojan women as their "prizes." There was no "polygamy"; instead, a husband might have a wife and concubine, as seen frequently in ancient works about the Homeric heroes. If the wife gave her consent, the children of the concubine could be appointed as heirs. Yet, society demanded that a woman be faithful to her husband, begetting legitimate children.

One compelling motivation for marriage was the political alliance between noble families that the marriage would establish. Gradually, however, money replaced birth as a conduit to political influence, and marriages were consequently not as necessary for establishing political alliances.
Occasionally, sexual attraction would be a reason for marriage, but it was still only the attraction of the man, leaving the woman's feelings unaccounted for. Achilles' anger when Briseis was taken away from him indicates the deep feelings of a man for a woman who was worth fighting for. Helen acts on her own lust, but her actions are considered unique and improper by her peers.13
The daily lives of women during the dom of movement, they were not expected to mix freely with men. Women out of the house were usually in the company of other women.14 Women's activities consisted mainly of ensuring the smooth running of the household, bathing and anointing their husbands, raising their children, and participating in religious festivals. Women also contributed economically to their households through textile production. Vases often depict women weaving, as seen on this Berlin tondo:
The woman seated on a chair on the left has one bare foot propped on a special foot-support. Her chiton and mantle are pulled up above her knees, so that she can twist the loose wool around her leg prepatory to spinning it. She holds a thick strand of red wool in her hands. A basket stands near her ready for the finished yarn ... On the far right, a second wool basket stands on a cushioned stool.15

The women were solely responsible for producing the textiles used by all the household members.

During the era of colonization and unsettled times which followed, many of the characteristics of and motives for marriage, such as political and economic motives, were inherited from the Homeric age. Sentimentality and love prevailed too.16 Convenience was a predominant motive; colonists commonly "married" native women. There was also a movement from bridewealth marriages, in which the groom paid the bride's father, towards dotal marriages, in which dowries went to the groom's family. This gave the father of the bride a personal stake in the marriage: he might be more discriminating in whom he would select as his daughter's groom since he would, in effect, be paying this man to take care of her. If the kyrios picked a whimsical man, the groom might waste the dowry money. The policy of returning the dowry in the event of divorce also deterred the husband from divorcing the woman frivolously. Meanwhile it also set a certain standard of living for the bride in her new household since her father could initiate a divorce and thereby reclaim the dowry if he was unhappy with her arrangement.

Marriage in seventh century Sparta deserves a mention in this context.17 The role of a woman as reproductive mother was equally as important as the role of reproductive father and marriage was viewed simply as a basis for procreation. But procreation was not limited to married couples. Wife-sharing and selective breeding were common practices in the Spartans' quest for the production of strong warriors. Spartan society placed a very high value on physical strength and bred children for strength. So if a man was not physically strong, he would most likely not procreate with his wife and instead would allow a stronger man to impregnate her. If a man did not father boys or did not have the desired Spartan qualities himself, the woman was encouraged to seek another man to impregnate her. Spartan women enjoyed more power and freedom than other Greek women, as their men were often away training for military service and responsibilities both within and outside the household fell to them. Spartan women were allowed out of the house and were encouraged to exercise and stay strong. This is in contrast to other Greek communities which limited women's activities to the domestic sphere only.

Because data from the Homeric Age and Age of Colonization are sparse, many of the details about marriage and the status of women discussed in this study are based on Athenian practices of the fifth and fourth centuries. The formal guardianship of women, the ages of the couple at wedding time, the economic and political motivations for marriage, and the goals of marriage and motherhood for women are just some of the features we recognize from Athenian marriages. The development of the Athenian polis from the seventh century onwards, however, did qualify the role of women. To ensure the stability, strength, and identity of the developing polis, the role of child-producing woman rose in importance.18

Footnotes:
9. For a full explanation of Pandora as the first bride and of marriage in the Homeric age, see Leduc, Claudine. 1992. "Marriage in Ancient Greece" in Pauline Schmitt (ed) A History of Women in the West: Volume I: From Ancient Goddesses to Christian Saints. Translated by Arthur Goldhammer. Cambridge, MA: 233-295. Leduc discusses the relevance of offering gifts with the bride in Homeric times and explores why this ritual was practiced differently by later societies.

10. ibid., 235-36.
11. For a full explanation of marriage in Homeric times (eighth century B.C.), supra n. 9.
12. Examples of daughter-in-law marriages abound. Penelope represents a wife who gave up her own family in order to be incorporated into her husband¹s family. Nausicaa¹s situation, on the other hand, if Odysseus had accepted her hand in marriage, would have resulted in a son-in-law marriage since the husband would have been incorporated into the household of the bride¹s father.

13. There are other women who act on their own desires as well (Medea, Clytemnestra), yet they too are viewed as improper.
14. Nausicaa, for instance, accidentally met Odysseus while waiting at a well, but she did not feel comfortable alone with an unrelated man. She tells her girl servants "Stay with me!" (Hom. Od. 6.213) Her biggest fear, though, is being seen entering the city with an unrelated man by the villagers and makes him follow after her.

15. Berlin F2289, vase description, Perseus 2.0, 1996. New Haven.
16. Periander, tyrant of Corinth in the seventh century B.C., is said to have fallen in love at the sight of his soon-to-be wife Melissa (Athenaeus 13, 589F).
17. Marriage and the status of women in Gortyn have also been examined as a parallel comparison to Sparta, since Dorian women in general shared a freedom other Greek women lacked. Leduc, supra n. 9, also outlines marriage in these two communities.
18. Male babies were needed to maintain the existing number of families, especially during the Peloponnesian War.

source by : by Jennifer Goodall Powers, SUNY Albany

Dating 101: Seven Things No One Tells You About Marriage

Dating 101: Seven Things No One Tells You About Marriage

The surprising, enlightening, and sometimes hard truths married folks all face --
and how they teach us about what love really means.

You're smart. You know life is no storybook. But admit it: Somewhere deep in your subconscious lurk romantic visions of Cinderella, or maybe Julia Roberts. The images may be sketchy and a little outdated, but you can still make out the silhouette of the bride and Prince Charming riding off into the sunset.

In real life, sometimes your Disney fairy tale ends up feeling more like a Wes Craven horror flick -- and you're the chick who keeps falling down and screaming for her life. I've been there. Let's face it, marriage is not for the faint of heart. You want to believe your pure love for each other will pull you through. And it does. But it ain't always pretty.

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That may sound grim. But here's a secret: Sometimes it's the least romantic parts of marriage that have the most to teach you about yourself, your partner, and the nature of love. Read on for some simple truths that will unlock the surprising treasures and pleasures in your imperfect, unstorybook, real-life love.

1. You will look at the person lying next to you and wonder, Is this it? Forever?

When you get married, you think that as long as you pick the right guy -- your soul mate -- you'll be happy together until death do you part. Then you wake up one day and realize that no matter how great he is, he doesn't make you happy every moment of every day. In fact, some days you might wonder why you were in such a hurry to get married in the first place. You think to yourself, "This is so not what I signed up for."

Actually, it is. You just didn't realize it the day you and your guy were cramming wedding cake into each other's faces, clinking champagne glasses, and dancing the Electric Slide. Back then you had no idea that "for better and for worse" doesn't kick in only when life hands you a tragedy. Your relationship mettle is, in fact, most tested on a daily basis, when the utter sameness of day-in/day-out togetherness can sometimes make you want to run for the hills. That's when the disappointment sneaks in, and maybe even a palpable sense of loneliness and grief. It's not him. It's just you, letting go of that sugarcoated fantasy of marriage that danced in your eyes the day you and your beloved posed in all those soft-focus wedding photos. You're learning that marriage isn't a destination; it's a journey filled with equal parts excitement and tedium.

Waking up from a good dream to face the harsh morning daylight may not seem like a reason to celebrate. But trust me, it is. Because once you let go of all the hokey stories of eternal bliss, you find that the reality of marriage is far richer and more rewarding than you ever could have guessed. Hard, yes. Frustrating, yes. But full of its own powerful, quiet enchantments just the same, and that's better than any fairy tale.

2. You'll work harder than you ever imagined.

Early on, when people say, "Marriage takes work," you assume "work" means being patient when he forgets to put down the toilet seat. In your naivete, you think that you will struggle to accommodate some annoying habit, like persistent knuckle cracking or flatulence.

If only it were that easy. Human beings, you may have noticed, are not simple creatures. Your man has mysterious, unplumbed depths -- and from where he sits, you're pretty complicated, too. You have to learn each other the same way that you once learned earth science or world geography. And getting married doesn't mean you're done -- it just means you've advanced to graduate-level studies. That's because every time you think you've mastered the material, he'll change a bit. And so will you. As two people grow and evolve, the real work of marriage is finding a way to relate to and nurture each other in the process.

"It's like losing weight," says Andrea Harden, 45, of Buffalo, NY. "You want it to be a one-time deal. You lost it, now just live. But then you learn it's a lifestyle. That's marriage. The effort is a forever thing." So don't be too hard on yourself -- or him -- on those days when you feel like you're struggling through remedial math.

3. You will sometimes go to bed mad (and maybe even wake up madder).

Whoever decided to tell newlyweds "Never go to bed angry" doesn't know what it's like inside a bedroom where tears and accusations fly as one spouse talks the other into a woozy stupor until night meets the dawn. If this scenario sounds familiar, I've got three words for you: Sleep on it.

You need to calm down. You need to gain perspective. You need to just give it a rest. I've found that an argument of any quality, like a fine wine, needs to breathe. A break in the action will help you figure out whether you're angry, hurt, or both, and then pinpoint the exact source. Maybe the fight that seemed to erupt over the overflowing garbage can is really about feeling underappreciated. Could be you're both stressed out at work and just needed to unload on someone. Taking a break will help you see that, and let go. Or maybe you really do have a legitimate disagreement to work out. Without a time-out, sometimes a perfectly good argument can turn into an endless round of silly back-and-forth, rehashing old and irrelevant transgressions as you get more and more wound up.

Even when you do manage to stay focused and on topic, there are some fights that stubbornly refuse to die by bedtime. And if you stifle your real feelings just to meet some arbitrary deadline, your marriage will surely be the worse for it. "This was a huge lesson for me," says Andrea. "As women we've been trained to make nice. But the whole kiss-and-make-up thing just to keep the peace was eating me up inside. I'd let things build up inside me until I just exploded. Now I wait a while to get hold of myself -- let the emotions settle a bit -- and state my position. Even if that means reopening the fight the next day."

4. Getting your way is usually not as important as finding a way to work together.

I can be a bit of a know-it-all. There, I said it. It's really not my intention to be hurtful or brash with people I love. It's just that a lifetime of experience has taught me that in most areas, at most times, I am right about most things. What shocked me several years into my marriage, though, was the realization that the more "right" I was, the more discontented my husband and I were as a couple. See, oddly enough, throughout his life Genoveso has been under the misguided impression that he's right most of the time (go figure!). So we'd lock horns -- often. That is, until I learned a few things.

Namely, that when it comes to certain disagreements, there is no right or wrong -- there is simply your way of looking at things and your husband's. "I used to be very black-and-white earlier in our marriage," says Lindy Vincent, 38, who lives in Minneapolis. "Now I see that I'm not all right and my husband is not all wrong. There's more gray in life than I thought, and that's taught me patience and the value of compromise."

5. A great marriage doesn't mean no conflict; it simply means a couple keeps trying to get it right.

Maybe you think that because of my newfound wisdom, Genoveso and I never fight anymore. Ha! As important as it is to strike a balance, it's also important to have a big, fat fight every now and then. Because when you fight, you don't just raise your voices; you raise real -- sometimes buried -- issues that challenge you to come to a clearer understanding of you, your man, and your relationship. I wouldn't give up our fights for anything in the world, because I know in the end they won't break us; they'll only make us stronger.

6. You'll realize that you can only change yourself.

Ever seen the '80s sci-fi cult classic "Making Mr. Right?" When the stylish heroine, played by Ann Magnuson, is hired to teach a robot how to act like a human, she seizes the chance to create a perfect guy. A hotshot commercial whiz, she uses her marketing prowess to shape John Malkovich's android character into her personal version of the ideal man -- sensitive, eager to please, and willing to listen.

There is a bit of that makeover fantasy in all of us -- something that makes us believe we can change the person we love, make him just a little bit closer to perfect. We may use support and empathy or shouts and ultimatums, but with dogged conviction we take on this huge responsibility, convinced we're doing the right thing.

Whatever our motives, the effort is exhausting. Transforming a full-grown man -- stripping him of decades-old habits, beliefs, and idiosyncrasies -- is truly an impossible task. And you will come to realize, sooner than later if you're lucky, that it is far easier to change the way you respond to him.

7. As you face your fears and insecurities, you will find out what you're really made of.

There were clues when Genoveso and I were dating, especially with the trust thing. Early on, I was supersuspicious of him. He used to say things like, "I'll call you at 8." Then, just to try to trip me up, he'd call at 8. I knew he was up to something, I just couldn't figure out what. The same kinds of experiences followed after the wedding. Except occasionally he would actually mess up. And I had no sense of scale when it came to rating his offenses; everything was a major violation. Whether he teased me about a new haircut or came home late, I seethed for days and even let thoughts of divorce creep into my head. I figured, if he loved me -- really and truly -- this stuff wouldn't happen.

I'd like to be able to say that this irrational behavior lasted only a few months and I eventually worked it out. Kind of, sort of, is closer to the truth. After years of looking deeply into my soul and talking to good friends and the best sister a girl could ever have, I've come to recognize certain things about myself. Not to get all Dr. Phil about it, but I've had to examine my history with an emotionally distant dad and a strong-willed mom and face up to all the ways, both good and bad, that those relationships have affected how I approach my marriage.

That's the strange beauty of marriage: It's full of hard times and hard lessons that no one can ever prepare you for. But in the end, those are the things that give richness to your life together -- and make your love even deeper and stronger than when it began.

More Dating Tips:

• Dating 101: Everything You Know About Affairs Is Wrong
• Dating 101: Seven Warning Signs of a Troubled Relationship
• Dating Challenge: Overcoming Jealousy
• Dating 101: Will Your Guy Cheat on You?
• Debunking the Dating Scarcity Myth
• What's Behind the Trend of Women Dating Younger Men?

source: Ylonda Gault Caviness for Redbook