Not one, but two of my close friends here in Maryland tied the knot. Oh, I should say four of them tied the knot to each other: Acis & Lia, Lim & Agnes. Hey! Look at that, I just realize that they share initials as well! Didn't notice that before. Also, for both couples, the events in Indonesia were just receptions and parties. The actual wedding was already done. Acis and Lia got married in Melbourne, Australia while Lim and Agnes made it official here in Maryland. Similar fact number three: They both had 2-day events. Acis/Lia separated their Vow Renewal Ceremony and the Wedding Reception while Lim/Agnes had two receptions: one in Purwokerto (Agnes' hometown) and the other one in Surabaya (Lim's hometown).

Lia & Acis' — Jakarta

Thanks Lia, Cis for having me as... hmm... what exactly was my role again? LOL I'm never quite sure actually. It's the Best Man / Ringbearer I think. Anyway, it was an honor to take part in your happy day. Yea, even though it was not exactly the wedding day, but since we're Asians... it's not official until we have a big party (^_^)\/
The Cathedral was very nice, enough flowers for understated decoration complements very well the ornate gothic church. The pastor was actually OK, especially after the rumors on how strict he is LOL. It was a nice ceremony even though we can hardly see anything happening at the altar since the 6 photographers were all over the place, hahaha. But I suppose we got nice pictures as a result. After the ceremony ended, we walked out and took some pictures at the entrance before proceeding to the function room for lunch with what seems like a hundreds of people. It was unexpected because in Indonesia, there usually are not that many guests at the church. I guess you two are just special ^_^
The Cathedral was nice but the Reception Hall at the Ritz-Carlton was fantastic!!! It was both grand and cozy. (Yeah, I totally agree Li, Nefi absolutely outdid himself. I'm so recommending him for my sister's wedding.) So the theme was « Secret Garden » and true enough, you'd be hard pressed to feel like you're in a ballroom anymore. At the entrance the walls were literally covered with greeneries and the entrance gate has glow globes made of flowers hanging off them setting off the romantic atmosphere of a garden under the moonlight. In order to get to the ballroom from the entrance, you have to go through this passage of flowers and greeneries and trees (yes, actual living trees). The ballroom had circular tables instead of rectangular ones, so the organic feel of the whole decoration was maintained. The seating area for family was a gazebo structure with candlelit tables and low hanging flowers. In short, it was very beautiful!
 
 
 

Agnes & Lim's — Surabaya

I've just found out about this in the past couple of years. All through my life I thought Indonesian weddings are always a standing party due to the number of guests. But it turns out, not too far from where I live, just over the next province, not even the next island, it's the norm to have a sit-down dinner for wedding receptions! Especially in smaller towns apparently.
Obviously Surabaya is not a small town, but Agnes & Lim's wedding reception was a sit-down dinner. A 10+-course meal plus entertainment that includes singing, dancing, parades, karaoke, and even a cabaret show! Hey, wipe that thought out of your head, it's still a wedding! and plus it's Indonesia not France! That was the first time I went to a wedding so full of events. Plus, the MC-cum-lead singer went pretty much all across the room to see if anyone would like to sing a song for the couple. Red was basically the theme of the whole event as in the Chinese traditions.
It was a fun event, very relaxed. I came in a suit and I think I was totally overdressed because only the wedding party wore suits while the guests were much more casual in shirts. Who knows? It was only about 900km away from Jakarta but so different.
  

Selamat ya guys! Semoga langgeng-langgeng aja, rukun-rukun aja, dan tetep serame dan secerewet (ini berlaku buat cewek-ceweknya doang ^_^) waktu pacaran.