When something old is the 130 million-year-old virgin rainforest, something new is a diverse range of new attractions, something blue is the Straits of Malacca, and something borrowed is a myriad of Asian cultures, your big day in Penang is bound to be memorable.
Eastern and Colonial Architectural Gems
Buzzing with history yet thriving on modern comforts, Penang’s capital city, George Town, has a treasure trove of culture and heritage like none other. The city’s grand colonial gems, Peranakan mansions, opulent clan houses and heritage hotels are the epitome of a wedding venue melting pot. Whether it’s luxurious heritage hotels spacious enough to fit three hundred of your closest friends, Chinese mansions with cosy courtyards, or the city’s iconic landmarks available for rent, there is no shortage of exquisite wedding venues to fit whatever your wedding needs might be.
Diverse Culture
Thanks to its multiculturalism, a wedding in Penang will be steeped in glorious Asian cultures, customs and traditions. Here, weddings are happy occasions and a time for traditions and rituals. Soon-to-be-wed couples are adorned with intricate henna tattoos to signify their newly wedded status in Malay ceremonies. In a typical Indian wedding, tying the thali (gold necklace) is the highlight of the evening, where the groom ties a thali around his bride’s neck as a symbolic act of the couple’s eternal ties. Those travelling with a sizeable entourage may find Chinese wedding a little more exciting, where heng tai (groomsmen) are often subjected to fun and sometimes bizarre ‘gatecrash games’ organised by the ji mui (bridesmaids). In a Peranakan wedding, livestock foretells the gender of the newlyweds baby. A pair of rooster and hen are placed under the bridal bed. If the rooster emerged first, the family could expect a male first-born!
Diverse Landscape
Few destinations boast so many staggering natural wonders packed into such a small area. Weddings in Penang, taking place among lush gardens, enchanted rainforest and serene beaches, look like they’re straight out of a dream. The Teluk Bahang-Balik Pulau ecotourism belt features some nature-themed attractions fit for a wedding. Why settle for anything less than getting married in the glades of a 130-million-year-old virgin rainforest? If you’re looking for a romantic beachside ceremony, the idyllic coastline of Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi is home to world-renowned beach resorts. This is where the sun sets on the island, ideal for a sunset-soaked wedding. Some of these beach hotels boast sprawling lawns, too. The hilly centre of the island unfolds some of the most picturesque parks and peaks in the island. To promise forever with your person 833 meters above sea level is indeed something special.
Beyond Weddings
There’s still so much more to discover if you’re not ready to leave after your wedding. Penang also packs many world-class attractions for those seeking an extra dose of excitement. Head on to The TOP’s Rainbow Skywalk, the World’s Highest Tower Curved Glass-Bottom Skywalk for a vertigo-inducing experience. The glass skywalk sits 250 metres above ground, with just a piece of glass separating you and the traffic beneath your feet! While you’re here, take on the World’s Highest Rope Course Challenge at The Gravityz for some chilling daredevil photos. Drop down the World’s First Free-Standing Vertical Drop Slide over at Tech Dome Penang! Take a walk along the World’s Highest Altitude Stressed-Ribbon Bridge at The Habitat Penang Hill. The Langur Way Canopy Walk sits 700 metres above sea level, and the view is a stunning span of an ancient virgin rainforest. Fancy chasing 15,000 free-flying butterflies? Do it at the Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm, the Tropical World’s First Butterfly and Insect Sanctuary.