Bali Elopement with Volcanic Views
It was on the 11th of November that Jack and Shannon eloped.
It was monsoon season in Bali, but the rain was late.
On the morning of their wedding, the couple sat in the middle of the bamboo villa, the sky stretched out in front of them, the mountainous lush jungle below. We had found a secret Villa in the sky with breathtaking views of sunrise, sunset and the famous active Volcano Mount Agung.
It was 11:11 and they were just winding down from a private yoga practice, dedicated to grounding and energy renewal, they were deep in thought as they journaled on what energy they wanted to bring forward into their marriage.
The days leading up to today had been about setting a calm and centered tone. Shannon and Jack immersed in sound healing, traditional balinese massage, and a water cleansing ceremony where they washed away anything that no longer served them.
Each day designed for them was intentional and aligned to their way of living. Many years ago, a younger Shannon, bathed in a nearby water temple, and sat alone for hours, nearly a whole day looking into the water and turning a thought over in her mind —that she would one day return to this magical island with the person she would marry.
It’s the stories that intertwine our lives that make us who we are, and I wanted their story to be a deeply present in their elopement experience.
The Wedding Day
The bride and groom got ready slowly, each at their own rhythm, before Jack awaited his wife’s arrival at the altar of Floral clouds.
Shannon entered to a song that Jack loved, it was a surprise for him, and tears flowed down their cheeks as they held each other .
They officiated the ceremony themselves and included ritual and old stories from their past, and dreams about their future. As they pressed lips, thunder broke the silence and lightning brightened the stormy sky and then came the rain.
They say rain is good luck on your wedding day.
As a wedding designer, when faced with any sudden change, there's no time to pause. With only 45 minutes to go before dinner, we found ourselves racing down 200 stone steps from the ceremony site, cutting through the jungle, and then ascending another 200 steep steps to reach the dinner space. Upon arrival, the florists, catering team, decorators, and our team collaborated swiftly. Our first task was to lower the shutters, shielding the setting from the rain. Once everything was safe and dry, we set to work meticulously, relighting candles, arranging the paper details, and placing delicate flowers.
As if by some divine intervention, the rain suddenly stopped and the sun emerged painting the sky all sorts of oranges and pinks as Shannon and Jack were entering — they were speechless, only tears.
The rest of the evening flowed beautifully, local chefs created a tasting menu combining Shannon and Jack’s favourite ingredients with their favourite Balinese dishes and paired each plate with exotic cocktails and champagne.
They slow dined and slow danced and sat at the edge of the world watching the volcano fade into the dark night sky.
Photographer Joy Zamora | Videographer Lua Filmmaker | Couple Forever Curious
