Our Bali Elopement:How We Ditched Tradition for a Beach Wedding & and Why We Didn’t Invite Family
18.08.2022. Nusa Dua, Bali.
The date was set, the location was perfect, and our dream wedding—just the two of us—was about to become a reality. Yep, you read that right: we eloped. No big guest list, no awkward family dynamics (sorry, not sorry), just us, our closest friends, and a beach in Bali.
You might be wondering: Why didn’t you invite any family? After all, weddings are typically family affairs, right? Well, here’s the deal: my family is in Europe, and I come from a HUGE family. If I invited one person, I’d be committed to inviting everyone. Trust me, it’s a logistical nightmare. So, we decided to keep it small, intimate, and just about us. Plus, it was a great excuse to ditch the drama that sometimes comes with big weddings—no pressure, no expectations, just the celebration of our love in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
The Paperwork Drama: Not the Fun Kind of ‘I Do’
Now, let’s talk about that part of the elopement—because before you can say “I do” in Bali, you have to navigate a mountain of paperwork. You know, just a small detail!
To make our Bali wedding legal, we had to jump through a lot of hoops with both the Australian and German governments. I’m talking about getting documents certified, notarized, and translated—basically a paperwork scavenger hunt. There were a few tense moments where we weren’t sure if we'd get everything sorted in time, but somehow we pulled it off. After all, what’s a wedding without a little drama, right?
The Magic of Nusa Dua: Just Us and the Ocean
On our wedding day, the setting was perfect— We chose to have our Wedding at a private Beach at Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa. We only seen pictures and actually saw the wedding venue for the first time on the wedding day itself. lol We said our vows with only a handful of friends by our side, making it intimate and personal. It was pure bliss—no crowds, no stress—just us in a breathtaking location, surrounded by nature & traditional Balinese elements.
Why We Wouldn’t Have Done It Any Other Way
Looking back, we have zero regrets about our decision to elope. While traditional weddings are beautiful, this intimate, laid-back celebration was more “us.” There was something so freeing about breaking away from the “norms” of what a wedding should look like and creating an experience that was perfectly tailored to our personalities and love.
So, if you're thinking about eloping—or even just doing something a little unconventional for your wedding—do it! The most important thing is that it feels right to you. Our Bali elopement wasn’t just about the wedding—it was about setting the tone for our future together, full of adventure, authenticity, and creating new traditions for us.
Stay Tuned…
Our Bali honeymoon didn’t end with the wedding—there’s more magic to share! Stay tuned for more about our time in Bali and some tips on how to pull off your own elopement without the stress.
