The Story
Alya and Raka wanted a wedding their grandparents would recognise. We built the weekend around the full Javanese rites, from siraman at dawn to the panggih ceremony, with both families taking part in every step.
The pendopo gave the day its rhythm. Open sides, carved teak pillars, and warm afternoon light meant very little needed adding, only care in what we chose to place.
Planning the Day
Planning began eleven months out with a long afternoon at the family home in Solo. Alya's grandmother walked us through every rite she remembered from her own wedding, and we wrote each step into a shared rundown that both families could comment on.
We sourced the paes ageng artist, the gamelan ensemble, and the batik for the family uniforms from makers in Surakarta itself, so every detail carried the city's own hand. Two full rehearsals at the pendopo kept the timing honest.
On the Day
Siraman started at six, with seven elders pouring flower water as the sun came over the courtyard wall. By midday the house had turned into a calm workshop of makeup, fittings, and final checks while our floor team prepared the pendopo.
The panggih ceremony took place in the late afternoon. Guests stood under the carved roof as the couple exchanged betel leaves, and the gamelan carried everyone into a long seated dinner that lasted well past dark.
Highlights
Styling stayed close to the palette of the venue, gold on ivory with soft blush florals, so the architecture remained the star.
- Full siraman, midodareni, and panggih rites coordinated for 450 guests
- Bridal makeup and paes ageng by a traditional artist
- Seated Javanese banquet with live gamelan
