Credit: MunKeat Photography
With an intoxicating mix of culture, heritage as well as lovely sandy beaches and breathtaking hills, Penang surely takes the cake for an unforgettable wedding destination. History buffs, nature lovers, and adventure seekers alike can find a place to tie the knot in Penang — there is a spot for every wedding that fits your style and dreams. Here’s a sampling of contemporary weddings that highlight the state’s architecture, history, and diverse landscapes for a uniquely Penang modern wedding you will never forget.
Heritage Wedding in UNESCO Heritage City of George Town
Credit: tee-too.com
Credit: tee-too.com/Bridalgram
If timeless elegance is what you’re after, then a classy, heritage-themed wedding in George Town is an illustrious option. The British-colonial buildings and well-preserved clan houses and mansions in the UNESCO World Heritage Site effortlessly bring old-world charm to a modern-day wedding.
Couple Yoon and Grange wanted something of heritage for their big day in Penang. Their wedding ceremony was held at Suffolk House, while the reception was done at the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, also known as the Blue Mansion. “For the decorations, we DIY-ed a lot of it as the venues we chose were already beautiful. Hence, we did not need many decorations,” says Yoon in an interview with Bridalgram.
Credit: MunKeat Photography
Another couple, Michael and Cathryn from the United States, picked Seven Terraces heritage boutique hotel for their big day. The couple fell in love with Penang’s fantastic food and architecture after visiting the state a few years ago for a holiday. Seven Terraces is an old-world charmer that serves as a heritage boutique hotel and wedding venue. It is situated in the heart of George Town and is located nearby beautiful places of interest like Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Trishaws are easily available here too, which the couple splendidly incorporated into their wedding day.
“When hosting a wedding in George Town, try finding the balance between highlighting the grandeur of George Town iconic venues and creating contemporary vibes for your wedding,” says Amy Aw from Sugar & Spice Events, who planned for both couples’ destination weddings in Penang. “They’ve kept the theme simple and classy, and guests were amazed at how the blend of old and new can produce such a quintessential contemporary wedding in Penang,” she says.
Credit: MunKeat Photography
Credit: MunKeat Photography
Credit: MunKeat Photography
Credit: MunKeat Photography
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
Add: 14, Leith Street, 10200 Penang
Tel: +604 262 0006
Email: reservations@cheongfatttzemansion.com
Info: www.cheongfatttzemansion.com
Seven Terraces
Add: Stewart Lane, 10200 George Town, Penang
Tel: +604 261 8888
Email: booking@georgetownheritage.com
Pinang Peranakan Mansion
Add: 29 Lebuh Gereja, George Town
Tel: +604 264 2929
Email: rmhbaba@gmail.com
Info: www.pinangperanakanmansion.com.my
Nature-Inspired Weddings in Ancient Rainforest
Credit: David Brown’s Restaurant & Tea Terrace
Why settle for anything less than getting married 833 meters above sea level in a 130-million-year-old rainforest? Hidden between the lush greenery of Penang Hill, David Brown’s Restaurant & Tea Terrace and The Habitat Penang Hill are the perfect venues to create meaningful memories with your loved ones.
According to videographer Low Goet Imm of Digimax Video Productions, these venues on Penang Hill have spectacular views of every significant landmark on the island, in addition to the cold weather and the gorgeous landscaped flowers.
“Be sure to plan ahead as the only logistics up the hill is either via the jeep track or the funicular train. But I assure you that it will be worth it,” she says.
Rustic-themed wedding at Boulder Valley Glamping. Credit: Jackie Yong
If your heart is set on exchanging vows in a forest, then a ceremony in the glades of ancient rainforest in Teluk Bahang fits the bill nicely. For Priscilla Chen from Kuang Yee Bridal Collection, Boulder Valley Glamping and Event Place is perfect for those wanting to walk down the aisle in a tropical forest concept wedding. “Nowhere else carries the theme ‘When love meets nature’ as well as Boulder Valley Glamping and Event Place. Giant ferns and elephant ears intersperse with huge boulders stacked atop one another like giant pebbles turn the site into an ethereal wedding venue. The size of the resort is big enough to host a wedding ceremony on the lawn, and not just do a pre-wedding photo shoot,” says Chen.
“We love greenery and nature. We found out that the architect who built this place built the villas without clearing the land and trees on the site, especially big trees. So you would see tree trunks in the middle of your tent or room just because they wanted to work around with nature without hurting it. We fell in love with this place then and there, and decided that it was the perfect wedding spot for us,” say Swiss and Aaron in an interview with Bridalgram. The couple chose to keep their wedding simple, with muted tones and neutral decor.
Credit: Jackie Yong Photography
Credit: Jackie Yong Photography
Credit: Jackie Yong Photography
Credit: Jackie Yong Photography
So bring in rustic, nature-based elements to the following venues for a memorable occasion your guests will not want to miss!
Boulder Valley Glamping
Add: 8 Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Teluk Bahang, Penang
Tel: +6012 490 6882
Email: amazingdisc@gmail.com
Info: www.bouldervalleyglamping.com.my
David Brown’s Restaurant & Tea Terrace
Add: Bukit Bendera, 11300 Penang
Tel: +604 828 8337
Website: www.facebook.com/DavidBrownRestaurant
The Habitat Penang Hill
Add: Bukit Bendera, 11300 Penang
Tel: +604 826 7677
Email: inquiry@thehabitat.my
Info: www.thehabitat.my
Tropical Spice Garden
Add: Lot 595 Mukim 2, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang
Tel: +604 881 1797 / 881 1796 / 881 1795 / +60124307795
Email: info@tropicalspicegarden.com
Info: www.tropicalspicegarden.com
Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm
The World’s First Tropical Butterfly and Insect Sanctuary
Add: Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Teluk Bahang, Penang
Tel: +604 888 8111
Email: info@entopia.com
Info: www.entopia.com
The Top Penang (Rainbow Skywalk)
The World’s First Tower Curved Skywalk
Add: Jalan Penang, 10000 George Town, Penang
Tel: +604 262 3800
Email: reservation@thetop.com.my
Info: www.thetop.com.my
Beach Weddings
Credit: Zach Chin Photography/Bridalgram
Beach weddings are popular in Penang, thanks to the lavish beach resorts and seaside bars dotting the idyllic coastline of Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi. Here is where the sun sets on the island, ideal for couples looking to host a simple, sunset-soaked ceremony with swaying coconut and casuarina trees.
To treat your guests to a unique wedding experience that they can only find in Penang, try embracing local culture with Penang-themed catering options. “Curating a menu inspired by Penang’s iconic dishes but plated in a fine dining style highlights the qualities that make your wedding in Penang special,” suggests Amy.
Credit: Zach Chin Photography/Bridalgram
Credit: Zach Chin Photography/Bridalgram
BoraBora
Add: Lot 415, Jalan Batu Ferringhi, Penang
Tel: +604-885 1313
Email: manager@borabora.com.my
Info: http://www.borabora.com.my/
Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa
Add: Batu Feringgi Beach, 11100, Penang
Tel: +604 888 8888
Email: rsr@shangri-la.com
Info: https://www.shangri-la.com/penang/rasasayangresort/
Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Add: Batu Ferringhi Beach, 11100, Penang
Tel: +604 881 1711
Email: info.penang@hardrockhotels.net
Info: https://penang.hardrockhotels.net/
Garden Weddings
Wedding at Karuna Hill. Credit: Snap by Three/Bridalgram
Wedding at Botanica Mansion. Credit: Vampches/Bridalgram
Whether you want a venue in a more subdued rural area, a historic mansion with a sprawling lawn, or a lavish beach resort with picturesque water views, Penang has a spot to suit any garden weddings of your dreams. Couples who prefer views of paddy fields, plantations, and traditional villages, a garden wedding in the rustic countryside of Balik Pulau is the best option. There are more than a few beautiful mansions, with lawns spacious enough for ceremonies and receptions such as the Botanica Mansion and Karuna Hills. If you time your wedding during the Penang durian season, which is sometime between April and September each year, your guests will be treated to views of fruit-bearing durian trees!
Suffolk House. Credit: Pixel Tree Studio
Suffolk House. Credit: Pixel Tree Studio
Another venue, Suffolk House, is a favourite among those searching for garden wedding venues closer to the city, with charming heritage architecture. Located outside of the heritage city of George Town, Suffolk House is a perfect venue for an unforgettable garden wedding. Built in the early 1800s, Suffolk House is notable for serving as the residence of Francis Light, the founder of Penang Island. It is a stunning example of an Anglo-Indian Garden House and Malaysia’s only surviving Georgian mansion.
Credit: Andrew of Munkeat Studio
Venue: Lone Pine Hotel. Credit: Andrew of Munkeat Studio
Venue: Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa. Credit: Zach Chin Photography
Venue: Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa. Credit: Zach Chin Photography
Venue: Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa. Credit: Zach Chin Photography
While there are quite a number of lavish hotels dotting the coastline of Batu Ferringhi, Lone Pine Hotel and Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa take the cake for couples searching for a beachside registration of marriage (ROM) and a garden big enough to host an exquisite wedding dinner. According to makeup artist Sabrina Hashim, the sound of the waves and the sea breeze set the tone to a romantic beachside ROM to be witnessed by close family and friends, while the casuarina trees on the big garden lend a hypnotising appeal when draped with LED lights.
“If getting married under the stars is your dream, then go for transparent Arabian canopies if you are hosting your wedding reception at these venues,” she says.
Karuna Hill
Add: 849 Bukit Kechil, Sungai Pinang, Balik Pulau
Tel: +6016 441 4488, +6016 441 0808
Email: karunahill.8@gmail.com
Info: www.facebook.com/karunahill
Botanica Mansion
Add: 156 Jalan Sungai Air Putih, Balik Pulau
Tel: +604 866 3399
Info: www.facebook.com/botanicamansion/
Lone Pine Hotel
Add: 97 Batu Ferringhi
Tel: +60 (4) 886 8686
Info: www.lonepinehotel.com/weddings/
Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort
Add: Jalan Batu Ferringhi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi
Tel: +604 888 8888
Info: www.shangri-la.com/penang/rasasayangresort/
Suffolk House
Add: 250, Jalan Air Hitam, 10460 George Town, Penang
Tel: +604 228 3930
Email: info@suffolkhouse.com.my
Info: www.suffolkhouse.com.my
Hidden Gems
England House. Credit: Twins Photography
When it comes to hidden gems, the venue is a space that reflects who you both are. Many of these non-traditional venues are often more unique and can be styled from the ground up to suit your personalities. Expert tip: To avoid disappointment, hire a wedding planner to style your big day. They’ve worked with many vendors and at various venues, so they can suggest the best venue and style that suits your personality!
England House. Credit: Twins Photography
Located in Seberang Perai, England House has a vintage vibe that will surely resonate with couples who appreciate the feeling of nostalgia. The adorable cottage, once abandoned, was rebuilt with old red brick walls, wooden doors and windows. Every nook and cranny inside the cottage is tastefully furnished with antiques (think old typewriter, television, and gramophones). Outside, vows are often exchanged near a babbling fountain on the well-manicured lawn that seats up to 300 guests.
Credit: The Skye
Looking for a garden wedding in the city? How about a rooftop garden wedding in a glasshouse in the heart of George Town? Located on the 20th floor of the M Summit Hotel, The Skye is such a remarkable location — it features a glasshouse and an open-air grassy deck overlooking George Town’s landmarks and cityscapes. Style the occasion surrounding a garden romance and feathered florals, and let the breathtaking views of the heritage city of George Town charm your guests for a memorable wedding.
Credit: Hin Bus Depot
Penang is one of the world’s leading cities for incredible street art, so it’s no surprise that an outdoor wedding in the 7th Most Instagrammed City for Street Art In The World is on your radar. Surrounded by quirky murals, graffiti and sculptures at every turn, Hin Bus Depot in Jalan Gurdwara is the best spot for street art lovers looking to add colours to their special day. Coupled with a graffiti-themed wedding cake, along with artistic touches to the overall decor, your wedding at this former derelict bus depot ought to stand out from the rest!
England House
Add: 10 Lorong Belatok 9, Taman Belatok, Nibong Tebal, Seberang Perai, Penang
Tel: +6012 581 5333
Email: england_house@outlook.com
Info: www.facebook.com/englandhouseweddingvenue
The Skye
Add: M Summit Hotel, Jalan Magazine, George Town
Tel: +6019 456 3820
Email: shahien888@gmail.com
Info: www.facebook.com/theskyepg/
Hin Bus Depot
Add: 31A, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town
Email: team@hinbusdepot.com
Info: www.hinbusdepot.com
Suggested Wedding Itinerary
Most destination weddings are multi-day events, lasting three to eight days. To help you plan your travels better, we speak to wedding planner Amy Aw from Sugar & Spice Events to come up with a suggested itinerary for your big day in Penang.
Note: Remember, each wedding itinerary is unique. If you have not done your dress fitting or your prewedding photography session, do consider to plan for more days. It is also best to hire a wedding planner for a stress-free wedding in Penang.
Day 1:
- Welcome to Penang! Settle down and relax your mind after checking in to the hotel.
- Walk around the hotel to familiarise yourself with the venue.
Day 2:
- Meet with your wedding planner to go through the final details, such as the schedule of the wedding days, guest seating list, wine tasting, and other essential details.
- Inspect the wedding venue and meet with the person-in-charge of the venue.
- Have a trial make-up session to ensure a flawless bridal makeover on the big day.
- You’re looking gorgeous from the trial make-up session. How about throwing a fun bachelorette party since you’re all dolled up?
Day 3 and day 4:
- Meet up with photographer and cinematographer.
- Wedding rehearsal can be conducted during these days, provided if the bridal party has arrived in Penang.
- Host a welcome dinner. This is usually the official start of the celebration! Many times, couples choose local hawker fanfare for this welcome party or something casual for guests to mingle and get to know each other better. This is also a great time for the bridal entourage to break the ice if they do not know each other.
Day 5: Wedding reception and ceremony
Day 6: This is a day for fun and relaxation. Give guests a list of fun activities in the area.
Day 7: How about visiting Penang’s many attractions, places further away from the hotel?
Day 8: Time to say your farewells.
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