How to Elope in Bali in 2024 - Your Ultimate Guide

One of the best things about deciding to elope is that your options for elopement locations are basically unlimited – which means you can travel to tie the knot amongst the lush jungles, stunning waterfalls, and incredible scenery of Bali, Indonesia! If you want your wedding to be a truly once in a lifetime experience, this guide will tell you everything you need to know to elope in Bali. As an elopement photographer who was raised in Indonesia and lives in Bali for two years, I’ve got you covered!

Here’s what’s in this Bali Elopement Guide:

The Best Time to Elope in Bali
The Best Places to Elope in Bali
Things to Do When You Elope in Bali
How to Get Legally Married When You Elope in Bali
Bali Elopement Packages

The Best Time to Elope in Bali

The temperature in Bali stays pretty steady year round, but there is one big difference between the “seasons” – one is rainy, while the other is dry!

No matter when you elope in Bali, the lows are in the 70s while highs hover between the high 80s and low 90s. November through March is rainy, while April through October is dry – so the best time to elope in Bali is usually the dry season!

The peak season is July and August, so you’ll see the most crowds during this time. To ensure the best weather and more privacy for your elopement day, I recommend eloping in the spring or fall!

The Best Places to Elope in Bali

Bali is an unbelievably beautiful location – with incredible waterfalls, lakes, mountains, and volcanoes! The scenery is some of the best in the world, so when you decide on a place to tie the knot, you definitely can’t go wrong. Here are a few of the best places to elope in Bali!

Bali Waterfall Elopements

The long season of heavy rain means the waterfalls are incredible in Bali! If you want to tie the knot in front of a dramatic waterfall (or even wade in for a swim), there are some amazing spots to choose from.

The GitGit Waterfall is an easily accessible place to elope that’s absolutely stunning, and if you want a little more adventure, you can hike to the Sekumpul Waterfall. There’s even the Aling-Aling Waterfall, where you can slide down into the crystal blue water!

Bali Lake Elopements

Tucked in the mountains of Bali, you’ll find lots of gorgeous lakes that make an incredible backdrop!

A few of the best places to elope in Bali for lake views include Lake Bratan, a serene lake where you can hear the bells ring from the Pura Ulun Danu temple, and Lake Batur, surrounded by a towering volcano and lush greenery.

Bali Mountain Elopements

Inland, you’ll find stunning mountains and volcanoes in Bali, and whether you want to hike to the ridges and peaks or enjoy the views from a more easily accessible spot, they make incredible places to tie the knot!

Gunung Aban is a stunning mountain, with trails through a forested pathway that take you up to the ridge, where you’ll see the peaks extend around you. Gunung Lesong features lake views, and a large volcanic crater at the top!

Bali Beach Elopements

Bali’s beaches are absolutely out of this world, with crystal clear blue water and truly paradise-worthy views. At the popular beaches, you can stay in luxurious resorts by the water, or you can explore some of the more remote spots!

Crystal Bay is a gorgeous sheltered cove with turquoise water, palm trees, and rocky cliffs over the ocean. It’s an isolated beach that requires a boat ride to Nusa Penida Island, so you’ll have it mostly to yourself! Nusa Dua is one of the best places to elope in Bali if you’re looking for a resort environment with tropical gardens and a gorgeous shoreline.

Things to Do When You Elope in Bali

Eloping is all about the experience – and when you’re traveling somewhere as beautiful as Bali, you’ll definitely want to plan some fun things to do on your elopement day! Think about what would make your wedding day truly unforgettable – if you could do absolutely anything, what would it be?

Here are just a few ideas for things to do when you elope in Bali!

Snorkel

In the crystal clear waters around Bali, you’ll find some of the best snorkeling sites in the world! You can take a guided tour and head out to the ocean on a boat, or start your adventure at the shore. Exploring the vibrant underwater world is an incredible experience, and if you’re certified to scuba dive, you can do that too!

Hike

The hikes in Bali are truly incredible, whether you go on a short nature walk or a long mountain trek. You’ll see wildlife, amazing ridges and waterfalls, and more! Taking a hike is also a great way to find some more remote, less popular places where you can exchange vows in complete solitude.

Explore the Temples

For a look at the history and culture of Bali, you can explore some of the temples. There are some incredible temples amongst the landscape, each one with a unique design. Make sure to be respectful – many of these temples are sacred religious sites, and some require a sarong and sash.

How to Get Legally Married When You Elope in Bali

To get legally married when you elope in Bali, you must have a religious ceremony. This means both you and your partner need to be of the same religion, or you need to fill out some paperwork to allow you to choose one of your religions. While applying for a marriage license is pretty easy, the requirement for a religious ceremony can be difficult for some couples!

To avoid dealing with international marriage laws, I recommend that couples who have a destination wedding do the paperwork at home. This is usually easier, and when you elope in Bali, you can focus on the fun part! You can have a symbolic ceremony, either exchanging vows privately or having someone perform the ceremony without the legal setbacks.

Don’t worry – paperwork doesn’t make your marriage “real,” and signing the papers ahead of time doesn’t take away from the real experience of your elopement! It just allows you to have total freedom and flexibility, and to have your ceremony exactly how you want it.

Bali Elopement Packages

To elope in Bali, you’ll need a photographer to document the experience! My Bali elopement packages also include everything you need to plan the perfect day. I’ll recommend the best places to elope in Bali based on what kind of experience you’re looking for, give you tips and advice, find things to do, recommend places to stay, and more, so that you can relax knowing that your adventurous wedding day will be stress free, and custom tailored to you!

I was raised in Indonesia, spent two years in Bali, and speak the local language fluently – which means I’ll be a great adventure buddy and tour guide for all the adventures.

Here is the breakdown: