Bali Elopement & Honeymoon photography in one…
When Tara, the lovely bride approached me through email she had unique requirements. Two things were upmost in her mind. On one side she wanted stunning honeymoon photographs, but also a small ceremony as part of the photo tour. And she asked me if I could do all this for her as part of one experience.
She did not want a ‘package’ from a hotel that charges expensive venue, décor and celebrant fees. Let alone pay unnecessary steep fees to a wedding planner.
Just a small, ceremony in a typical outdoor setting. Privacy was also a requirement because Tara did not want to have bystanders in their bathers watching the ceremony. Something all too common in many hotels and resorts that offer Bali wedding ceremonies.
As a photographer, I was not used to arranging ceremonies and planning for décor, celebrant and all that comes with a ceremony.
But on the other side I love challenges. And I thought to myself: ‘How hard can it be…’
Shall we see some photographs of Tara & Hakim’s ceremony first:

Tara, the bride – stunningly beautiful

Hakan, the groom welcoming the bride at the altar

The ceremony was obviously fun.

What a gorgeous couple

a beautiful set up in a private villa. Elegance & style

So where are the rings ?
A beautiful Bali Garden wedding in a private villa
Many couples wanting an elopement in Bali dream of a private villa where they can have their ceremony in a typical Balinese garden setting, possibly at the side of a pool.
However, that is usually out of the question because such villas tend to be pricey and have several bedrooms which are not required for two people only. Whereas small villas with one bedroom only usually do not have a spacious garden. Often no garden at all.
The villa where Tara & Hakan’s ceremony was held was an ideal choice. Because that villa is available for ceremony only and does not require the couple to stay there it was also a very affordable option.
The villa also has a spacious preparation room and a nice waiting area where the groom can spend time while the bride has her makeup & hair done.
And to top it off the elopement ceremony package also included a wedding gown and a suit for the gentleman.

Cutting the ribbon

… and with this ring…

The first kiss… which proly was not the first at all…

It is official now !

and a glass of champagne

Cheers, my Love !

That was fun.
Beyond the ceremony
After the ceremony, which took place at noon, we ventured out on a photo tour and took photos in some of Bali’s countless beautiful nature environments.
Included were photographs in rice paddies, a coconut forest, Balinese temple setting. And we ended the photo tour with spectacular sunset photographs on a remote beach.
In the following please see some photographs from the photo tour:

Find me under the tree…

Just the two of us.

It feels so good.

At the Coconut grove

You and me.

Come, run with me…

In the magical forest

Kiss me babe !

Bali pure !

Touched by light

In front of a temple.

Chilling in front of a waterfall

Love me like you do.

Sunset in Bali

See more Pre Wedding Sessions:
Bali Pre Wedding photos for Leakhena & Benjamin
Highly emotional pre-wedding photo essay in authentic and pure film-look style and with a SLOW PHOTOGRAPHY approach. No digital tricks or effects. Just pure love images.
Bali pre-wedding photography with vintage equipment
When Wendy contacted me first over email, she made it clear to me that she was not looking for those typical Bali pre-wedding photos that thousands of other couples had done before….
Nicola & Kevin – the most challenging Bali pre-wedding photos ever
This project was the most unique and challenging pre-wedding shoot in Bali ever. But it was so worth it…
Bali elopement photography package
Rebecca & Luke – a wonderful Bali elopement with a photo tour. See how this couple pulled it off.
Bali Prenup Photoshoot
Bali prenup photos for Joo Ann & Wan It is no secret that my favorite assignments as a Bali photographer are prenup (a.k.a. pre-wedding) photo projects. Find out why.
Pre wedding in Bali
Pre Wedding in Bali for Me Me & Nio. This lovely couple came all the way from Myanmar to do their pre-wedding photos here in Bali. Wanna know why ?
AMAZING DAY! My husband and I did a private elopement ceremony in his private villa as well as photoshoot. The makeup and hair artisit was also amazing! The ceremony was lovely and the locations for the photographs were incredible. I could not recommend Michelle and his team enough – he is truly an artist! The ceremony was magical and everything we ever dreamed of. The photos are absolutely incredible – we want to frame every single one! THANK YOU SO MUCH ! It was an honor working with you!
Thank you so much Tara – it was great working with you and Hakan. I am so happy that you like the photos and that you enjoyed the whole experience.
I hope to see you again some day in Bali.
Thank you so much – Michelle
Michelle, those are absolutely gorgeous photos. I also love the ceremony at the pool. Please send me your packages, My husband and I plan to come to Bali during November.
Georgie & Jake
Thank you so much Georgie. I would love to work with you and Jake. I have already emailed you my packages.
And I look forward to hearing back from you shortly.
Thank you very much.
M.P.