Experience an Enchanting Balinese Wedding at the Artful Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana Bali

Hidden among the lush undulating hills of Bali’s culture-rich highlands, Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana sits among verdant rice fields and luscious Bali greenery. Your fairytale dream of a wedding will certainly come to life at this magical venue! Since this is formerly an estate of a respected architect and art collector, the villas are even more beautiful on the inside, furnished with an array of traditional Balinese decor and artefacts. In this article, we will share 7 reasons why you should hold your fairytale sunset wedding at Tanah Gajah, A Resort by Hadiprana.

7 Reasons to Hold Your Enchanting Balinese Wedding at Tanah Gajah, A Resort by Hadiprana 

1. An artful affair

As the former estate of Hendra Hadiprana, one of Indonesia’s most respected architects and art collectors, you can truly expect an artful affair at Tanah Gajah. Every inch of the estate is decorated with local artefacts from the renowned Hadiprana collection and showcases the best of traditional Balinese design. Beautifully landscaped gardens, exquisite Balinese decors, a big lotus pond that resembles Balinese water palaces – the details they put in on the estate are simply praiseworthy! These elegant designs perfectly complement the tradition, romance, and ambience of Bali, especially in the famous art centre of Ubud. 

The resort boasts its very own Gajah Putih, a boutique gallery featuring local arts and crafts curated by three generations of the Hadiprana family. Before, this space was utilised as a dining room by the Hadiprana Family, but at present, it has become a place to showcase the fine quality of Indonesian brands to elevate the shopping experience of all guests. Just looking around felt exciting and we were able to see such interesting finds. 

2. Romantic Balinese-style wedding

This artistic luxury resort sits on a five-hectare space of a rolling rural landscape, so you will also get to enjoy scenery that looks like it was straight out of a Balinese postcard. That said, we must say that Tanah Gajah is a perfect place to hold your wedding, especially if you are planning to hold a romantic Balinese-styled one. 

Tanah Gajah customises various special spaces across their property to meet the needs of your wedding. You may opt to hold your wedding indoors (in private meeting rooms or restaurants) or outdoors in their beautifully-landscaped sprawling gardens. Their outdoor spaces can accommodate up to 250 guests, though it would still depend on the seating set-up.

Among all the possible wedding venues inside the resort, our favourite is The Amphitheatre. Located near the main swimming pool, this venue provides a unique pair of elephant tiers forming a Balinese gate as a backdrop. Sunset is the most magical time here as the beautiful golden rays touch the fields – the perfect backdrop for a once-in-a-lifetime moment. We believe this venue is everything a couple could imagine for a beautiful Balinese wedding.

On some nights, The Amphitheatre turns into a candle-lit outdoor venue for a spectacular Kecak dance performance. If you have not heard of this yet, basically, it is a Balinese Hindu dance and music drama performed mostly by talented men from the local community. The Kecak dance performance is then followed by a Royal Balinese Dinner, which I believe is a must-try when visiting Tanah Gajah. If it rains, the performance will still be performed as usual while guests are comfortably seated at the pool bar area.

3. Tastefully designed suites for a luxurious honeymoon 

After the wedding, stay in a suite or villa that showcases the best of traditional Balinese design combined with contemporary comforts. The resort boasts 20 art-filled units, which all come with plush queen-sized beds, cosy living areas, hand-crafted furniture and mesmerising views. Some suites even come with an outdoor plunge pool – a really relaxing spot to unwind a day after the wedding. You and your partner can simply sit on a daybed by the pool, and watch as the vibrant sky turns into a starry night.

For couples who prefer a much larger space, we recommend the Two Bedroom Club Family Pool Villa, a one-of-a-kind state-of-the-art, spacious flat-level family villa. We stayed here just recently, and the beauty and privacy it offers are just perfect. The living room was massive, and there was even a huge daybed that our little ones loved to relax on. To add, the villa also comes with a dedicated butler who will cater to your every need. 

4. Get a bird’s eye view of majestic Ubud via a magical hot air balloon ride

Ubud is famous for its picturesque views, and it could be better to see this spectacular display from above through Tanah Gajah’s hot air balloon experience. With this, you no longer need to travel far to Cappadocia (but please still do – it is amazing there!), just to experience riding a hot air balloon. It will be perfect for couples on a honeymoon, as well as families. Our tip? Go for a ride at sunset – the view would be so breathtaking and romantic. Though you may also opt for a ride at sunrise if you are a couple of early risers.

What’s also great about the sunset ride is that you can enjoy a complimentary afternoon tea (4 to 6 pm) amidst the majestic padi view right before it. Afterwards, enjoy free-flow cocktails from 6 to 7 pm, in which you can choose from four specially crafted cocktails. Some were really strong as well, so get ready to feel some buzz as they are very generous with the hard liquor.

5. Enjoy unique romantic experiences

No worries if you (or your partner) are afraid of heights, as Tanah Gajah offers other activities that are perfect if you want something more mellow.  Tanah Gajah is situated on 5 hectares of land, so it feels like you are staying in an enchanting botanical garden and not an actual resort. There are so many things to see and do, which include feeding white and black swans, and stunning white doves. 

You can also start your day right and in style with a romantic floating breakfast in your villa’s private pool. The photo-worthy presentation serves up your favourite treats on a beautiful wooden tray, plus a bottle of wine. 

For lunch, have a picnic while overlooking endless vistas of thriving rice fields. You can have a bento box lunch of either exquisite Indonesian cuisine or a Western-inspired menu. It can be really hot, though, so of course, you will also be served a refreshing young coconut drink – the perfect thirst quencher.

For dinner, have a romantic dining experience by the rice paddies or by the picturesque pool (complete with floating fairy-tale-like candles!). Let Tanah Gajah arrange a 5-course menu dinner for you and your loved one, and just enjoy the moment under the stars. You may even arrange for a surprise serenade! Whatever your heart desires, you can simply ask the staff to prepare them for you to make your evening even more special. 

6. Experience gastronomic and mouthwatering pleasures

Wherever you decide to eat, Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana will surely not disappoint you. Aside from the unique dining experiences above, the resort also has restaurants where you can indulge in gastronomic pleasures amidst spectacular views. The Tempayan, for instance, offers unobstructed panoramic views of Tanah Gajah’s rice fields and tropical jungle – a view that is more than enough to distract guests from the gastronomic pleasures that lie ahead. Furthermore, The Tempayan is influenced by the designs of Balinese-style pavilions (wantilan) that are the gathering place at the heart of a village. Knowing this, and the fact that the restaurant is surrounded by a vista of rice fields, dining here honestly feels like you are really immersed in an authentic Balinese community. 

The food was just as great as the ambience, all thanks to the renowned Chef Dean from Singapore. We had an Omakase dining experience for only 750K IDR (this is such a steal compared to other top-rated Omakase dining), and it was probably one of the best meals that we have ever had. I would recommend this feast to anyone in a heartbeat! 

Our dining experience started out with Joce’s favourite, Cured Seabass with Smoked Lumpfish Caviar and Citrus Dressing. It was absolutely delicious; it felt like there were fireworks of flavours in our mouths. Next was the Japanese Tuna Salad, my favourite dish of the night. Chef Dean recommended mixing up the beautifully intricate dish so that all the mouthwatering flavours really blend well. It was definitely a huge plus that Chef Dean himself was guiding us on what to do with every dish, as those preparation steps really brought out the best in every bite. 

Next was the very succulent Organic Free Range Peking Duck with sous vide organic egg yolk so smooth that it acted like butter spread for the duck. And last but not least, Chef Dean’s ultimate dish – the Wagyu Short Ribs with Truffle Mash. Beef lovers would surely love this dish as it is packed with lots of flavours, plus the truffle mash definitely did not disappoint (thank you Chef Dean for the additional bowl of mash!). And for dessert, we had the Mango Cheesecake with Bali Vanilla Gelato, as well as a hot pandan ginger tea to round up the incredible feast.

Tanah Gajah is also known for offering tapas-style nibbles inspired by house-smoked and house-cured produce at Panen Padi Lounge. Just like The Tempayan, this dining destination is enveloped with seemingly endless rice paddy fields and the tranquil swan pond, ensuring an elevated Tapas experience like no other.  

Breakfast was pretty great as well. You must definitely order the Truffle-Scented Scrambled Egg (super good!) and their version of Nasi Goreng – absolutely love how the perfect sunny-side-up egg accompanying the dish. I requested Sambal Matah and Sambal on the side, which was the perfect combination in my opinion. Really elevates your staple breakfast in Bali! 

Scrumptious breakfast dishes

7. Be pampered with a luxurious couple spa treatment 

Relax further in Tanah Gajah’s spa, where the views of the rice paddies are as calming as the expert strokes of the resort’s talented spa therapists. The spa has many signature treatments that you and your partner should try, including the Jade Massage (a combination of various massage techniques) and classic Indonesian cream bath for the smoothest skin and silkiest hair. For more spa treatments, do check out their spa menu here.

What’s really great for couples though is their 60-minute couple Ayurvedic Abhyanga Massage, followed by a selection of organic body wash. To end the session on a sweet note, the staff will also prepare a pampering love ritual, complete with a bottle of sparkling wine and some canapés. So romantic! 

Our experience at Tanah Gajah, A Resort by Hadiprana honestly felt like a dream. The place was luxuriously beautiful, definitely a perfect spot for your dream Balinese wedding. If you are looking for someplace really special to start the next chapter of your life, then look no further than Tanah Gajah.

Website: https://www.tanahgajahubud.com Address: Jalan Goa Gajah, Tengkulak Kaja Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571 Contact: +62 361 975 685 Email: info@tanahgajahubud.com Facebook |  Instagram | YouTube