Maria and Aron’s hot air balloon elopement schedule:

☕️ 4:30 am: Lots of coffee and hopping into wedding attire
🎈 6:30am: Sunrise balloon launch at an apple orchard
🍾 7:30am: Champagne celebration in the Saint Croix vineyard
🌁 8:30am: Exploring downtown Stillwater before brunch!

The theme of Maria and Aron’s relationship is serendipity. So it only made sense that on the very first balloon attempt, they flew into a sunrise with rolling fog.

Minnesota elopement

“We know you’re booked for the year but we’re looking into eloping, just us, our vows, and a photographer ” Maria wrote in an email to us. But, as serendipity would have it, plans had changed the day prior and we were looking to take on one more wedding. Little did we know it would be a hot air balloon wedding!

And in 2.5 weeks, we planned the the most jaw dropping, champagne popping elopement that has ever been.

We wanted to do something that perfectly encapsulated how we met, how we’ve grown together, and both of our passion – something full of ADVENTURE!

Maria & Aron

In the dark of the wee morning hours, Maria and Aron woke and began prepping. First things first: coffee. When it’s 4:30am, coffee has never tasted better. Aaron laced up his shoes before helping Maria put her shoes on. With a quick elevator ride down to the street, we were on our way.

The rolling hills of Stillwater loomed in the dark. As we pulled up to Aamodts Minnesota Hot Air Balloon Rides, the sun had not yet crested the horizon line. In between acres of Aamodt’s apple orchard and the luscious Saint Croix vineyards, balloon prep began.

Even the orchard’s goats were a part of the experience 😉

Hot Air Balloons Minnesota

Aamodt’s Minnesota Hot Air Balloon Elopement

The prep was a part of the story of Maria and Aron’s elopement. The balloon crew dashed here and there, throwing the flame and stretching out the balloon’s fabric. The power of the fans that inflate the balloon were incredible.

The floor below are feet swayed gently, and suddenly the ground was shrinking.

Below us, lowing cows raised their heavy heads as our balloon’s shadow crossed their pastures; a flock of sparrows twisted and turned, sunlight glinting off their wings, and deer kept through tall grasses. Silence and sun rays filled the air, along with the occasional crackle of the tower of flame that kept the balloon afloat. It was in the air where they said their vows.

“I’d follow you anywhere, even in a balloon” Maria smiled as her eyes twinkled up at Aron.

They love trying new things, but especially together. So a hot air balloon elopement was the perfect fit. From the way Aron lifted Maria into the basket, to the way they melted into each other up in the clouds, it’s clear the adoration and respect they have for each other.

Hot Air Balloon Wedding Ideas

Saint Croix Vineyard

Maria wore classic silk gloves. The silhouette of her a-line gown was cut by a hip high slit. Underneath she wore dainty white shorts. The combination of dress and shorts was the perfect way to get in and out of the hot air balloon basket with ease! It also made weaving between the grape vines of the Saint Croix Vineyard a breeze. By the time we landed, the sun silhouetted the grape vines and opted for awesome wedding portraits.

Stillwater Lift Bridge Wedding Photos

Kissing in the clouds, holding hands in the basket, a champagne spray to celebrate, and a walk in Historic Downtown Stillwater were just a few of the ways that Maria and Aron celebrated their sweet day.

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The Historic 1931 Stillwater Lift Bridge (or Saint Croix Lift Bridge) was recently converted to a pedestrian bridge, making it a safe (and epic) way to experience early morning in Minnesota without traffic.

After the excitement of the day, they sat down to enjoy brunch. And it all happened before 9:30am. Thanks for taking us along for a wild, beautiful, ride of a hot air balloon elopement, Aron and Maria!

Hot Air Balloon Company: Aamodt’s Balloons
Photographers: Us! O & B Photo Co
Videographer: Ark Weddings

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