Each year at the Balloon Fiesta, there's always a flurry of weddings!  What more unique and romantic place to get married than floating silently above the earth in a hot air balloon! This year I had the honor and pleasure of performing an intimate ceremony for Anna and Ben and enjoying my first balloon ride. (Check out photos below!)

As pilot, Mike Gianetti instructed us in balloon protocol, the rest of the team (his wife Lisa, Charlie, and Mary) prepared the balloon for inflation.  The giant flame from the burner always looks so dramatic in the early morning light!  The basket was decorated with big white bows. Then the balloon was inflated, we jumped into the basket and suddenly we were airborne!  It was so smooth and quiet, it was hard to believe we left the ground! 

Anna and Ben were fashionably attired in black and white ski hats embroidered with "Bride" and "Groom."  Of course, we all were taking photos like mad!  The clouds were magnificent over the mountains.  Then the ceremony began...and after the pronouncement of marriage, the newly-weds donned "Just Married" baseball caps for the rest of the flight.  We had a beautiful soft landing at the UNM Campus and were efficiently packed up and back to the Balloon Fiesta grounds in no time flat!  Thanks to Rainbow Ryders for inviting me to officiate and to Mike and Lisa (newlyweds themselves!) for a very smooth flight and for hosting this very special ceremony.