Bali is a land of mystery. It feels almost eerily devoid of technology; there is no internet superhighway – in fact, there’s barely any highways. Bali is the place you go when you’re ready for everything else around you to cease to exist. A place where time slows down and you get the chance to breathe in the beautiful jungle air, fresh with blooms.
So is Bali a good place to elope? Pardon my language, but hell yes it is. Bali is like a magical lucid dream coming to life, full of textures, colors, sights, and surroundings that make you glad to be alive. The reverence paid to the Balinese culture, the coral reefs hidden just below the ocean’s surface, the architecture of temples that are so well-formed you can’t believe they’re from hundreds upon thousands of years ago… There’s no shortage of things to do, and no shortage of reasons to answer yes to eloping in Bali.
Just in case you need a few more reasons, though, I’ve put together my adventure elopement guide to Bali, where we will take a look at the best time to elope in Bali, the best photo spots in Bali, and all the different ways to get the best Bali elopement photography for your wedding.
Image by Harry Kessell on Unsplash: The temples of Bali are a tribute to the beauty of the culture, the deepness of their spirituality, and their unique ability to create magic on a craggy rock formation in the middle of the ocean.
Sometimes it feels impossible to plan for adventure, since planning can sometimes take the fun out of it, but “How do I plan an adventure elopement in Bali?” is definitely a question you want to ask before you book your flight. It rarely goes above 85 degrees here, even in the peak summer months, and rarely drops below the mid-50s at night, making the weather woes easy to navigate. It’s really more about the dry and wet months that you have to think about.
From November to March, Bali is in its wet season, which means temperatures will still be mild but the heaviness of humidity will hang in the air (and settle on your hair), so that’s definitely something to think about. The dry months, which are from April to October, see that humidity dissipate for the season. In the end though, with all Bali has to offer, you won’t mind a little moisture in the air.
Nusa Penida Island
If you’ve never dived underwater, swum through a coral reef, or encountered a fish so large it could swallow you whole if it chose to, are you really living? Luckily you don’t have to worry about answering that question, because Nusa Penida Island offers you the chance to do all of those things – and as your elopement photographer, Bali selfishly offers me the chance to try out some deep-sea photography, so it’s a win-win!
The water is crystal clear, there are panoramic views everywhere you turn, and if you’re lucky, you’ll run into the infamous Mola Mola – a type of ocean sunfish that has the capability to reach almost 5,000 pounds and 14 feet in length. Despite its huge appearance, the Mola Mola is considered fairly friendly and as far as I know, can’t actually swallow you whole. 😉
Image by Polina Kuzovkova on Unsplash: Nusa Penida Island is the perfect spot to get lost in a sea of clearest blue.
Sea Of Golden Marigolds, Temukus Village
From Mexico to India, from Portugal to Bali, the marigold flower – and in particular the golden marigold – has been used in religious rituals and practices for centuries. The golden color is said to act as a symbol for the Supreme Balinese God and is used in the Galungan ceremony every year, a ritual that honors the triumph of good over evil, or dharma over adharma.
The village of Temukus, where the Sea of Golden Marigolds grows, bursts with gold every season. If you catch it at the right time, it’s impossible to have a bad photo taken here amidst the veritable living carpet of color. It looks too surreal to be real, which is probably why this rolling sea of gold is one of the most beautiful photo locations in Bali. Beyond the marigolds, you’ll also find fields of white edelweiss, and unlike most of the climates in Bali, Temukus has more of a foggy mountain kind of energy, setting it apart from the tropical weather of the rest of the area.
Image by Nour Ben Aziza on Unsplash: Sea of Golden Marigolds in Temukus is teeming with color and life. This blooming blossom is considered one of great cultural importance in Balinese spiritual practices.
Pura Luhur Lempuyang
Located far into the heights of Mount Lempuyang is a wonder of modern architecture and a testament to the true skills of the ancestors. Pura Luhur, also known as The Temple in the Clouds or the Gateway to Heaven, is one of the oldest temples in Bali, and is known for being one of the most beautiful views in Bali. There are seven temples in total scattered along different points of the mountain, but to get them all is a bit of a rough climb.
While a lot of people can't make it to the highest temple, which is about 1700 feet up, there are plenty of others along the way. No matter where you end up in this part of the journey, the road is amazing, the photos are inspiring, and the experience is one you can't ever replicate.
Image by Stephen Leonardi on Unsplash: With mountain ranges perfectly framed between what appears to be a doorway to the heavens, The Temple in the Clouds is one of the most unique and most Instagrammable places in Bali.
The Monkey Forests Of Ubud
Do I need to say more besides monkey forest? Well, just in case I do, the Ubud Monkey Forest in the village of Padantegal is a mixture of wildlife reserve for the long-tailed macaque and cultural reserve, home to three separate temples with ornate carvings and stone monuments. The macaques are fairly acclimated to human interaction, so it is possible they will photobomb you wedding pictures – but that sounds like an epic win in my book.
If monkeys aren’t enough of a selling point, the art markets and museums in Ubud might win you over. With a mixture of artisanal crafts and pop culture kitsch, Ubud is like a little slice of the big city in the middle of the clouds.
Image by Adam Wilson on Unsplash: You might make a new friend during your visit to Ubud's famous monkey forest.
Whether you want to swim with the fishes, meander with the monkeys, make art with local craftsmen, or climb mountains up to heaven, there’s nothing that you can’t do in Bali. There’s so much that awaits you, so shoot me a message and we’ll start mapping out the route to your elopement adventure!
Featured image by Kharl Anthony Paica on Unsplash
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