Why did you choose a destination wedding?
We chose the destination because of the venue. I always wanted to be married by the water, and the water wedding was the ultimate setting.
Why did you select the destination and venue you did?
The resort opened the same year that we met. I remember receiving a press kit where
I worked and said that it would be the perfect place to get married. Years later, after Santiago proposed at the Bulgari store in Sydney, it was only natural that I live out my dream.
Did you have guests attend, and if so, what was their reaction to you having a destination wedding?
We had 50 guests at our wedding and they were incredibly thrilled to be part of such a special trip. We look forward to having the Bali reunion and sharing our anniversaries with our guests also.
What is your favourite memory of the day?
Every moment of that day is eternally etched in my memory, however nothing will ever compare to the dancing. As soon as our amazing DJ played Barry White’s Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe everyone, young and old, completely let go. I remember looking at the joy on everyone’s faces. It was blissful.
What was the best thing about having a destination wedding?
The people that made the trip and the friendships that have been formed as a result of it. We are all very close, like a family. We feel truly blessed to have such generous and loving friends and family.
What theme or style did you base your wedding decorations on?
We opted for the romantic and soft hues of pink and white using traditional and local flowers like frangipanis. The location was picturesque enough, I didn’t want to detract from it, just compliment the surroundings. The Bulgari team did a fantastic job!
How did your wedding coordinator assist you?
Although we ended up going through a few wedding coordinators, the one that finished the job, Febrini, was amazing. Most of the communication and requests were done over email, she was very helpful and accommodated everything we requested. She organised everything – the decorations, the cake, the videographer, even the traditional Russian bread that is used as a symbol to welcome the groom into our family. It just made our lives so much easier that we didn’t have to hunt around – it was all organised, we just had to show up.
Did you honeymoon in the same location?
We spent a couple of days at the Bulgari then joined some of our guests at the W in Seminyak. It was actually nice to share our honeymoon with other people.
The Details:
The Couple: Valeria Gosse & Santiago Ramirez Date: 7 October 2012 // The Ceremony: A water wedding atop a floating altar at Bulgari, Bali // The Reception: Bulgari, Bali // The Accommodation: Luxury Villa at the resort complete with a private plunge pool and stunning views // Gown: Rosa Clara Photographer: Milque Photography & Films bulgarihotels.com
