My alarm rang incessantly at 3:00am. Groaning, I slammed my hand down on the snooze knowing that my reprieve would be brief. My warm cocoon of blankets and soft fluffy pillows were left behind as I looked back longingly, knowing that getting up would produce greater rewards. A promise of a hot air balloon adventure and surprise engagement was all the fuel I needed to get myself going, driving through fog, bundled up in my warmest jacket.

A few weeks ago, Bob contacted me to shoot his wedding–except he “wasn’t engaged yet,” he tried to explain, “but I want you to shoot the engagement, too. It’s a surprise. In a hot air balloon. Oh and I’m all the way across the country, so it has to be on this day.”

He had me at surprise and engagement,  but really topped it off when he mentioned that he and Suzanne wanted Matthew Saville and I to shoot their wedding together since they loved both of our styles. Matt and I have only done one other wedding together and we make a great team, so both of us jumped at the chance.

So in the wee hours of the morning, Matt and I stealthily made our way through vineyards, crawling up stairs, hiding behind barrels, fences and hills only to find out that Suzanne had figured it all out! But a few hours later,  up in the air, hundreds of feet above everyone else, looking down at the dawning of a new day, Bob proposed to Suzanne and made it official –even though they already had most of the wedding day planned out already!

Suzanne and Bob, I know I speak for both Matt and myself when I say that we cannot wait to shoot your wedding this winter. You both are amazing people and so much in love. It’s going to be a great day from both perspectives

Firing up the balloon:

After the balloon ride, which I thankfully got to enjoy from the ground, we walked around Wilson Creek Winery for an engagement shoot.

Matt’s perspective:

We also found great old fire trucks. Love this one Matt got with the balloons in the background!

Matt made a time lapse of the balloon getting ready and taking off!