One-stop wedding shop offers complete package
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)