If you’re a bride-to-be, then you probably can’t think of a more perfect venue to host your wedding than the top of a cliff. After all, it’s the stuff movies are made of! Just picture yourself there: The salty ocean air flowing through the venue, fluttering the lace and chiffon train of your gown. Soft, romantic music playing in the background while the waves crash below. Imagine all of your nearest and dearest gathered together, waiting for you to walk down the aisle in your gorgeous dress. Then picture yourself standing at the altar with your groom - rocky terrain below and in the distance, the breathtaking sight of the ocean and horizon. Ahhhh - it’s a feast for the senses.

For many brides there’s no better place on earth to say “I do’ than in a cliff-top wedding at sunset with a scarlet sky as the backdrop, and Botanica offers just this at a variety of gorgeous venues. If you've already set your heart on a clifftop venue then just click here to have a no obligation chat with one our staff. We can give you an idea of costs and if you're ready, we can even help you start the wedding planning process.

It Sounds Sublime, But Is It Realistic On My Budget?

Credit: Smart

These are likely the words that come to mind after indulging in the fantasy of what we described above. But don’t squish your dreams until you have all the information. It could be closer and easier to achieve than you think. It’s true, weddings cost couples a lot! They take time to plan, as well as financial and emotional investment, so it’s important to find a place that ticks every box and leaves a lasting impression on you and your guests. This is why we’ve taken the time to compile a little list of things to watch out for if you’re researching a cliff top wedding venue.

Five Cliff top Wedding Mishaps to Avoid

Of all the cliff top weddings we have planned (hundreds) we’ve noted a few common mistakes that we can advise you now, NOT to make. So, when you’re doing your research and speaking with possible venues make sure you ask as many questions as possible and keep the following potential mess-ups in mind.

1. Don’t fail to offer suitable shelter from the weather

You’ll definitely have checked the forecasts and planned the wedding during the dry season - but hey, Mother Nature is an unpredictable beast, and anything could happen weather-wise. If the weather does turn from bright and clear to oh dear, you’ll be kicking yourself if you failed to organise suitable shelter for your guests.

2. Ensure that flowers and chair dressings won’t blow away

So you’ve spent hours comparing and selecting the perfect decorations and embellishments. You’ve made sure that the flowers convey the perfect mix of elegance and passion; that they match the ribbons which go with the chair sashes, which compliment the table cloths, which suit the candle holders perfectly… But suddenly you find that the breeze turns into wind, and half of them have blown away together with your customised place name cards! We don’t mean to horrify you, but if they're not secured, entire tents, chairs and linens can blow out to sea. So just in case you hadn’t considered it, please remember to make sure your decorations and shelters are breeze-friendly and sufficiently pinned down.

3. Don’t skimp on photography and videography

Your wedding photographs are an immortalisation of your perfect day. They’re something look back on time and time again, show the grandkids and display proudly in your home (and your Instagram account!). That’s why it’s important to have a highly professional photographer who captures the moment and scenery perfectly. You’ve spent all this time and effort to ensure such a gorgeous day and you've only got one chance to get it right. Half the wonder of a cliff top wedding is the gorgeous view of the horizon at sunset – so make sure the photographer understands this and captures that perfect shot from every angle you want.

4. Advise your guests about appropriate footwear

Many outdoor weddings are hosted on grass lawns and it might not be the best idea to wear high-heeled shoes. That’s unless you want to walk on your toes all night or feel your heels sinking into the ground every time you take a step (though these can help). Wedges, sandals and large chunkier heels might be suitable. But if you’re going for an organic venue scene like a cliff top or beach setting it may be best to skip the stilettos all together and let your guests know they’ll be walking on grassy terrain.

5. Ensure you cater for the bugs as well as the guests

Naturally, having an outdoor wedding means you’ll be exposed to the elements and some of the annoying little nasties that come along with it. Being in a tropical destination means some uninvited guest like mozzies and flies can show up. You might get lucky and spot some fireflies, but for the most part you won’t want irritating critters ruining the moment. Luckily this is easily navigated. Just have professionals fumigate the area before the wedding, or use citronella oils and burners if you really can’t stand that thought (small bottles of natural repellent work a treat). Don’t fret too much - cliff tops are generally very breezy and far from damp vegetation so it shouldn’t be a major issue.

Now that you’re privy to some of the common problems that can occur during a cliff top wedding you’ll know what to look out for. To be guaranteed that none of these calamities unfolds on your perfect day, just make sure you choose the right wedding planner and venue. More about that later…

Let’s Get Real About The Costs Of A Cliff top Wedding

Credit: Nick Wild Photography

There’s no doubt that a cliff top wedding is absolutely divine when everything goes right, but guaranteeing this usually comes with a hefty price tag, especially if you don’t try to cut corners. In fact, hosting this kind of a wedding in some of the top destination wedding venues like Santorini or the Amalfi Coast could set you back by a shocking $100,0000-$150,000! Of course it’s your special day and you want everything to be flawless with no spared costs - but what if we told you that you could have the cliff-top wedding of your dreams for around half of that?

It may sound like a trick question but the answer lies closer to home than you think and it’s on a small island in Indonesia called Bali. For many Australians Bali is a holiday destination known for its spiritual or party aspects, but what you may not know is that it’s also one of the top wedding destinations in the world. Its low costs compared to Europe or Australia, combined with its stunning scenery make it the perfect place to celebrate your special day. There are also numerous wedding providers to choose from, many of whom host cliff-top weddings with gorgeous ocean views. And although Bali weddings are definitely on the rise, there are still some great deals to be found and some snags to watch out for.

Choosing The Right Operator

Please keep in mind that both the low costs associated with Bali weddings, and the unregulated industry have attracted hoards of unprofessional people looking to make a quick dollar at your expense. It’s the same in every tropical locale but it can be avoided by approaching your wedding planning company selection with a wise head.

There’s no worse way to be sorely embarrassed in front of friends and family than by trusting such a precious moment to incompetent amateurs! So make sure you ask as many questions as possible when you’re interviewing possible venues and wedding planners. To be frank, we’ve heard it all from couples who went with unknown companies; from inedible entrees and caterers running out of drinks, to scams where planners run away with your money never to be seen again! While we understand that everyone is working within budgetary constraints, we urge you to be on the look out. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. So look around carefully and do your research to make sure you don’t ruin this once in a lifetime event by selecting the wrong planner.

We’re Here To Lend A Helping Hand

If having your wedding on the Island of the Gods appeals to you, Botanica Weddings offers gorgeous cliff-top weddings that stand out for their sheer quality. As an Australian-based wedding company, we've set ourselves apart from the masses of other planners available. We offer value, but not at the cost of quality. In fact, we will help you plan and execute the ultimate cliff top wedding in a spectacular Uluwatu venue for around half of the cost of the other places we mentioned.

Your wedding takes place on top of a 500-foot cliff that provides heart-stopping views of the Indian Ocean. Our venue is called “The edge” and contains a vast lawn that provides a stunning space for your guests to assemble. We promise that this spell-binding venue will have you enthralled. Further to this, we are a company that's known for going above and beyond to do everything within our power to make your wishes come true. Whether you envision an exhilarating night of fire dancing and entertainment, or a simpler and more elegant affair, we’ll make it happen.

From ceremony through to the post reception, we guarantee that you’ll be positively delighted. All of our teams are professional, experienced and dedicated. Brides tell us that from day one, their Botanica wedding planner was there to guide them through every step of the way. It's an exciting but sometimes nerve-racking journey to the altar so we wouldn't have it any other way.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us for a chat about your ideas. We can schedule a no obligation, casual phone call at a time that suits you. Simply leave your details here.