One-stop wedding shop offers complete package
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesians are influenced by foreign ways, American in particular, in many aspects of life. However, when it comes to getting married, they adhere to tradition.
This orthodoxy hasn't escaped the attention of those in the wedding business. Puri Ayu Martha Tilaar, a one-stop beauty center in South Jakarta, is an example. As a center for traditional beauty care, Puri Ayu concentrates on traditional weddings.
"Basically we serve all the traditional weddings from the 27 provinces. If we don't have the particular outfit our client wants, we can make it," said Deswa, the center's bridal service coordinator.
Like other bridal centers, Puri Ayu sells a complete wedding package. The parcel includes costumes and accessories for the bride and groom, including a keris. It also contains make-up, the costumes and water implements for the siraman shower and the Javanese midodareni (ceremony on eve of wedding), the parents' costumes, the six bridesmaids' costumes, and two photograph albums.
A make up test and a traditional 10-day body and facial treatment is provided for the bride. The latter includes a cream bath, skin bleaching, Indonesian massage, a secret herbal bath and other baths, a manicure and pedicure, and scenting the bride's hair, body and genitals with aromatic herbal smoke.
"We give external and internal care for the bride by providing them with jamu (herbal drinks)," said Worro Harry S., the center's beauty therapy specialist and consultant.
"All these are meant to beautify a bride, to make her look radiant on her wedding day, smell very good and also reduce sweat production and prevent itching," Worro explained.
A complete package costs between Rp 7 million (US$3,097.34) and Rp 10 million ($4,424.77), Deswa said.
Price
The price depends on the complexity of the costumes and make- up. Javanese brides, for example, require drawings on their foreheads and are therefore more expensive.
Couples who don't want to stoop to the center's ready-made wedding costumes, can get the center's designer to create something new.
"If they want they can buy the costume. If they don't want to, they can rent it," said Deswa.
Consultation is not limited to the costumes, body care and make-up. The bride and groom can even ask the center to help find the best day for their wedding day based on Javanese astrology or other beliefs.
Those not keen on tradition, can buy modernized ceremonies and clothes.
"Some people, although they want to wear traditional garb, want it modified to today's conditions," said Deswa, pointing to a collection of Yogyakartan wedding costumes which had been modernized.
The center cooperates with experts in different Indonesian traditions, like Javanese or Minang traditions, to stage the ceremonies.
"We call them dukun manten. Usually they arrange the ceremony and what is needed," Deswa said, continuing his sales pitch by stating that they can help find a place to hold the party, arrange for the food and buy the wedding cake.
"The couple can also have their wedding pictures taken in our mini studio here. We cooperate with famous photographer Darwis Triadi," plugged Ariani Widjaja, the marketing executive.
A special month-long body and facial treatment is available to those in need.
The package consists of eight body care sessions, two facial care treatments, two hair care sessions and a manicure and pedicure.
After the wedding, the bride and groom can return to the center for a massage, herbal bath and jamu to restore their energy and vitality.
"Usually they're very tired, so they can have this asih kinasih treatment to make them vigorous again," Worro said.(als)