Sarah & Tristan
A Soulful Escape: 3 Days of Love and Light During a Bali Elopement
Itinerary of their Bali elopement
Due to Leave No Trace policy, the exact location names have to stay undisclosed
Day 1 – Thursday
Driver pick the couple up from the hotel and drive them to the accommodation for their first night
6:00pm: Dinner at the restaurant of the hotel
Day 2 – Friday
10:30–12:00pm: Drive to the restaurant
12:00–1:30pm: Lunch
1:30–2:00pm: Drive to the waterfall
2:00–4:00pm: Water purification ceremony and photoshoot at the temple
4:00–5:00pm: Drive to the viewpoint
5:00–6:00pm: Sunset photoshoot
6:00–6:15pm: Drive to the hotel
Dinner at the restaurant of the hotel
Day 3 – Saturday
Room-service breakfast
5:30–7:15am: Getting ready in the room – I’ll meet the couple at 7:00am for getting ready and atmospheric shots
7:15–7:30am: First look
7:30–8:00am: Drive to the waterfall
8:00–10:00am: Ceremony and photoshoot
10:00–10:30am: Drive back to the hotel and check-out
11:15–11:30am: Drive to the temple
11:30–12:00pm: Photoshoot by the temple
12:00–12:15pm: Drive to the restaurant
12:15–1:30pm: Lunch
1:30–2:00pm: Drive to the temple and the boat station
2:00–3:00pm: Photoshoot on a boat on the lake
3:00–3:45pm: Drive to the waterfall
3:45–4:45pm: Walk and photoshoot at the waterfall
4:45–5:50pm: Drive to the temple
5:50–6:30pm: Sunset photoshoot by the temple
6:30–6:45pm: Drive to the hotel
6:45–8:00pm: Check-in
8:00–10:00pm: Dinner and refined cocktails at the restaurant
Day 4 – Sunday
8:00–8:45am: Check-out and drive to the rice terraces
8:45–10:00am: Photoshoot on the rice terraces
10:00–10:15am: Drive to the temple
10:15–11:00am: Photoshoot at the temple
11:00–11:05am: Drive to the restaurant
11:05–12:30pm: Lunch
12:30–1:00pm: Drive to the silver class
1:30–4:30pm: Private silver-making jewelry class
4:30–5:15pm: Drive to the hotel
5:15–6:00pm: Check-in and relax by the private pool
6:00–6:45pm: Spa treatment: Couple “Celebration of Flowers”
9:00pm: Surprise dinner
Day 5 – Monday
10:30am: Check-out
10:45–11:00am: Drive to the temple
11:00–1:00pm: Purification and freeing ritual at the temple
1:00–1:30pm: Drive to the restaurant
1:30–3:00pm: Lunch
3:00–3:15pm: Drive to the waterfall
3:15–4:00pm: Visit of the waterfall
4:00–4:45pm: Drive to the ridge walk
4:45–6:15pm: Sunset stroll on the ridge
6:15–6:30pm: Drive to the water palace
6:30–7:00pm: Visit of the temple
7:00–8:30pm: Walk to the café and dinner with traditional Balinese Joged dance
8:30–9:00pm: Drive back to the hotel
Day 6 – Tuesday
Floating breakfast at the couple’s swimming pool
11:00am: Check-out
11:00–12:30pm: Drive to the beach
12:30–2:00pm: Lunch
2:00–2:30pm: Drive to the temple
2:30–3:30pm: Discovery of the temple
3:30–3:45pm: Drive to the hotel
Evening enjoying the complex (massage, private pool)
5:00pm: Balinese massage for two (60 minutes)
Diner at the hotel
Day 7 – Wednesday
10:30am: Check-out
10:30–11:45am: Drive to the surf school
12:00–2:00pm: Surf lesson
2:15–2:30pm: Drive to the restaurant
2:30–4:00pm: Lunch
4:00pm: Drive to the airport
End of our adventure together
What they have to say about their adventure
When my wife and I got engaged, we instantly knew we wanted to do an elopement-style wedding instead of something traditional. We quickly settled on Bali, but trying to plan a wedding in another country was overwhelming. Most of the options we found felt impersonal and transactional. Just pay a fee and get dropped into a two-hour time slot at some scenic location.
Finding Zephyr and Luna changed that. It finally felt like we had found the personalized experience we were looking for. After our video call with Amber, we were completely sure. Hearing from friends who were planning weddings at the same time really made us appreciate how simple and stress-free our process was compared to a traditional wedding. We filled out a few surveys and got back three incredible itinerary options. The final plan had everything laid out with detail and intention. As the one who usually plans trips in our relationship, it was such a nice change of pace to have someone else take that on so thoughtfully.
When the time came to actually elope, everything we had planned came to life. It was a beautiful and unforgettable experience. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone considering their options. Amber was amazing to work with and always quick to respond whenever we had questions before, during, or after the trip.
Now that we are back home, looking through the photos brings back so many great memories. We got them back even faster than expected and they turned out exactly how we hoped. We are so excited to share them with our friends and family and let them see a glimpse of what our journey looked like!
Reflections on the Day
There are moments in life that linger in the recesses of our minds, vivid snapshots that evoke a tapestry of emotions. One such experience unfolded against the lush backdrop of Bali, where the chaos of the world faded into a distant hum. It was a beautiful and spiritual three-day elopement, the kind of celebration that transcends mere ceremony and dances gracefully between the realms of adventure and intimacy.
As I first set foot in the enchanting landscape, the air was thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers, a sensory feast that set my heart alight with possibility. The sounds of the jungle enveloped us—a symphony of rustling leaves, distant birdsong, and the gentle rush of water. Each sound resonated within, grounding me in the present moment while simultaneously whisking me away to the dreamlike essence of it all. It was here, amidst the undulating greenery, that I felt a deep connection to the magic of love and the rawness of human emotion.
The couple’s journey began with a ceremony at a hidden waterfall, cascading like liquid crystal, surrounded by nature’s embrace. It was breathtaking—a visual and spiritual rite in a sacred space carved by time. I found myself captivated not just by the setting but by the sacredness of their union. As they exchanged vows, their voices barely rose above the murmur of the water, yet their words were powerful, echoing through the jungle. Witnessing such vulnerability, I felt a profound sense of gratitude, as if I were laid bare before the beauty of their love.
My own heart swelled as I took in the scene, and in that moment, I shed any preconceived ideals of what it meant to document love. The act of capturing these moments transformed into a ceremony of its own—an adventurous dance with creativity and spontaneity. Every click of the shutter was imbued with intent, a kind of reverence for the unfolding narrative. I felt like a friendly spectator, enveloping myself in their joy while respecting the sanctity of their communion. Being present allowed me to experience the ebb and flow of emotions—excitement mingled with serenity, laughter intertwined with moments of quiet reflection.
As the days unfolded, the couple introduced me to the culinary treasures of Bali. Each meal was a joyful exploration—colorful plates adorned with local spices, ingredients that spoke of tradition and innovation. Food became a language of its own, each dish shared a piece of history, a connection to the land and its people. With every bite, I found myself relaxing further into this journey, letting the flavors ignite joyful memories, and embracing the warmth of the couple’s shared experiences. The shared laughter over sweet and savory surprises painted a vivid picture of their love story, one filled with spontaneity and adventure.
By the end of those three days, I realized that the art of photography was not merely about capturing images; it was about honoring the essence of human connection. Each moment I witnessed was laced with emotions that spoke of courage, love, and the willingness to embark on a journey together. I left not only with a collection of photographs but with a piece of my soul woven into their story as well.
The journey in Bali allowed me to reflect on my own growth and the depths I continue to explore within this field. It is an arduous pathway sometimes, but experiences like this remind me that the essence of what I seek lies in the adventurous spirit of embracing life, the comforting warmth of friendships formed, and the beauty found in the simplicity of genuine moments. As I move forward, I carry these lessons like a talisman, a gentle reminder of the profound beauty that exists in intimate connections and shared adventures. Each photograph I create becomes a thread in the fabric of joy and reflection, binding me to these moments where hearts open and love flows freely, forever capturing not just what was seen, but the deep resonance of what was felt.
Behind the scenes of their Bali elopement
A short anecdote: Sarah & Tristan’s waterfall elopement almost needed a last minute change of plan: just as we arrived, they told us the police were making an impromptu visit and we couldn’t go in. But somehow, everything aligned, and we ended up having the whole waterfall entirely to ourselves, like it had been waiting just for them.
This elopement won 5 international photography awards
Photos of this Bali elopement
