Marie Monforte

photography

Romantic Hot Air Balloon Proposal – Temecula Wedding Photographer

Uncategorized, Wedding

February 5, 2021

In this romantic hot air balloon proposal a man bends down on one knee, smiling up at his girlfriend as he asks for her hand in marriage. They are in the middle of a wheat colored field of wild grasses, and the hot air balloons are starting to fill in the distance, in front of a background of rolling hills. — Jeff proposes to Sara, who has always dreamed of a hot air balloon proposal!

The call!

So I’m at the airport and my plan is already boarding when my phone rings: “Hi, I’m looking for a photographer to take engagement photos when I propose to my girlfriend and then to come on a hot air balloon ride with us…” Wait, come again?? For reals??? (Slow down, heart rate… and…Hello, Bucket List – so very nice to meet you!) “Why, yes, I would love to capture your hot air balloon proposal! But my plane is boarding so we need to talk fast, haha!” (Talk about perfect timing – so glad I answered the call!)

The Rouse

Jeff, who lived in Colorado, was very concerned about Sara NOT finding out about his proposal plans, so he created an elaborate rouse involving friends from all over the world in order to surprise her. I’ll spare you all the details, but the basic plan was for everyone to meet up one weekend in L.A. for a mini-college reunion of sorts. Jeff wasn’t “scheduled” to arrive until late Friday night, so he convinced Sara to accompany their other mutual friend to Vendimia Winery in Temecula. They planned to tour the winery for her lifestyle blog, while simultaneously promoting some new sunglasses.

So the story was that I was hired to photograph the friend (and the sunnies) while Sara was joining in just for fun. And they had to go at sunrise, because these sunglasses “have got you covered from the first rays of the sun”. Truth is, Hot Air Balloon tours are only given at Sunrise up in Temecula due to the wind, but if there’s ever anything worth waking up at 4am for , it’s this:

Getting ready for his romantic hot air balloon proposal, this image collage depicts the male suitor hiding in a car so as not to be spotted by his unsuspecting girlfriend, and vista of the Temecula grassy field where crew are pulling out a giant tarp to lay the hot air balloon on top of.

The rouse for this romantic hot air balloon proposal was that we were there for a fashion shoot for sunglasses. In this image the unsuspecting Bride, who is about to get proposed to, and her friend are posing with sunglasses while hot air balloons fill up with air behind them.

Beautiful bride-to-be in a white top and sunglasses glows with the radiance of a rising morning sun behind her. She has no idea her beau is about to propose to her n front of the rising hot air balloons in the background.

Against a backdrop of Hot Air Balloons starting to fill with air, a man sneaks up behind his girlfriend. He is about to surprise her with a marriage proposal.

The Proposal

So there we are, California Dreamin‘s pilots and crew, Jeff, his friends, and I all playing our roles to try to surprise Sara. The truth is, Sara had us all totally figured out already! (Not hard when you’ve told your boyfriend you want to be proposed to in front of hot air balloons, lol). But watching us all work so hard to play into the rouse only made her enjoy it all more! And well – DUH! Imagine – your charming, hot, smart, dream of a boyfriend just asked you to marry him! Holding the most beautiful ring you’ve ever seen… in front of hot air balloons you are about to ride in together! All of this made only more fun by the fact that your besties are by your side and able to experience it all with you! Surprised or not, you’re bound to feel ecstatic!

That moment when your boyfriend drops to one knee with a ring in his hand and the dreamiest smile on his face, and asks you to marry him! All with hot air balloons rising in the distance, prepared to take you on the hot air balloon proposal ride of your dreams.

Backlit by the morning's rising sun, a couple stands in the middle of a wheat colored field embracing, immediately following the man's proposal of marriage to his girlfriend.

She said yes! After he proposed this suitor slips the ring on the finger of his new fiancee, and she laughs excitedly in the direction of the camera. Hot Air Balloons rise in the distance

Having just proposed marriage a few moments prior, the newly engaged couple poses for a picture with San Diego Wedding Photographer Marie Monforte, in front of fully inflated Hot Air Balloons they all are about to go ride in.

The Hot Air Balloon Ride

If you’ve never been on a Hot Air Balloon ride before you might be thinking it’s got to be scary. Crazy thing is – it totally isn’t! Especially when you have such a cautious and capable crew like California Dreamin’ operating. The lift off is super smooth; you just kind of glide up slowly. And because it’s all wind-driven, you are not fighting the wind up there. It feels calm and serene – totally peaceful! Just a smooth, picturesque floating sensation! It’s honestly an incredible feeling – like nothing else I’ve ever experienced!

Sara throws her head back and squeals with palpable excitement because not only did she just get engaged, but now her best friends jumped up and surprised her in the Hot Air Balloon. — SO surprised to see more of her friends!

Sara shows off her new engagement ring, which fits her ring finger perfectly while her new fiancee, Jeff, holds open the Tiffany blue velvet ring box he purchased from Mrs. Box. — Sara shows off her new engagement ring

Forget about the Boat – I’m on a HOT AIR BALLOON!!

Image by San Diego Wedding Photographer Marie Monforte shows a view of Temecula hills and valleys from up in the Hot Air Balloon. Visible below are three other Hot Air Balloons that are still filling or rising. — We have liftoff!

This collage by Temecula Wedding Photographer Marie Monforte show a shot of looking straight up into the Hot Air Balloon resulting in a circular pattern of yellows and blues, nestled next to an image of the views of suburban Temecula from up in the air.

This Hot Air Balloon Proposal captured by San Diego Wedding Photographer Marie Monforte depicts the views of Hot Air Balloons rising over the Temecula valley, and the newly enaged couple from inside the basket of the Hot Air Balloon.

Detail shot of the newly engaged bride-to-be's engagement ring! The sun is illuminating it from off camera right, as her hand rests on the railing of the Hot Air Balloon.

After his romantic Hot Air Ballon Proposal Jeff and Sara share a kiss up in the air - captured by Temecula Wedding Photographer Marie Monforte.

Having just gotten engaged after his romantic Hot Air Balloon Proposal, Jeff and Sara are ecstatic to be officially engaged. In this capture by Temecula Wedding Photographer Marie Monforte Jeff looks at his new fiancee while Sara laughs toward the camera. — Sara cannot contain her excitement up in the Hot Air Balloon with her brand new fiancee!

Recently engaged couple press their two hands together to form a heart framing a Hot Air Balloon in the distance.

After the balloon lands we get another opportunity to take pics while they deflate it.

San Diego Wedding Photographer captures Hot Air Ballon Engagement photos.

Man gives his new fiancee a kiss on the temple while they hug and she laughs off to the side as the Hot Air Balloon behind them deflates during this Temecula Engagement Session.

San Diego engagement photographer Marie Monforte captures stunning Hot Air Balloon proposal and engagement session in Temecula Valley.

Man sweeps his new fiancee off her feet against a backdrop of a Hot Air Balloon in this Temecula engagement session by San Diego Photographer Marie Monforte.

The Champagne Toast

No Hot Air Balloon Proposal would be complete without a Champagne toast, right? And since it’s still only 7am by this point, let’s make it Mimosas! Thoughtfully provided by California Dreamin’!

A champagne toast finishes off the Hot Air Balloon Proposal experience for newly engaged couple Jeff and Sara. The morning sun has risen and shines on the couple and over green fields in the Temecula Valley.

I’ll take two, please!

As for me, I can finally cross Hot Air Balloon ride off my bucket list! This whole experience was so exhilarating, and I felt so thrilled to be part of such a big moment in Jeff + Sara’s lives! So very worth the 3am wake-up call! Haha! Only problem is… now I can’t wait to go again! So reach out if you’re planning a romantic hot air balloon proposal session of your own! (And be sure to check out our tips for planning a picture perfect proposal too).