How to Pull Off the Perfect Hot Air Balloon Proposal, A Step-by-Step Guide
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Surprising your partner with a hot air balloon proposal is a romantic way to pop the big question. If you’ve been dreaming of asking the love of your life to marry you while soaring high above the clouds, then you’re in the right place. This step-by-step guide will show you how to make your hot air balloon engagement fantasy come to life.
As someone who was actually surprised by my own personal hot air balloon engagement- I can say this guide definitely works. After the fact, I got the inside scoop from my now fiancé on how he pulled it off. Now I’m sharing his secrets with you!
From finding the perfect hot air balloon to finally popping the question, this guide will help you pull off the perfect surprise hot air balloon proposal. Read on to discover how you can make this beautiful moment a part of your love story.
Step 1: Find your hot air balloon. Think about budget, timeline, and location.
This may seem like the most obvious step in the process but in order to pull off a hot air balloon proposal… you need a hot air balloon. There are a couple of key questions to ask yourself when you are making this decision like…
What is your budget?
Engagement rings can already be pricey and hot air balloon proposals can add up too depending on where and how you decide to do it. Knowing your budget for a proposal will help narrow down your options and make it easier to plan. Hot air balloon rides can vary in price from a few hundred dollars to thousands. If hot air balloons are not flown locally near you, you’ll also want to factor in travel to the hot air balloon into your budget as well. For example, my hot air balloon proposal happened in Morocco. So my fiancé had to factor in the cost of going to and staying in Morocco in his plans. Here are a few hot air balloon ride options in Albuquerque, New Mexico. You can see how much the price varies from doing a shared ride to a private one.
What is your timeline?
When you want to propose could also limit your options. Hot air ballooning is something that can take place year-round and in ideal conditions. This means right after sunrise or 2-3 hour before sunset. But depending on where you want to go hot air ballooning, the weather for ballooning may only be ideal during certain months. For example, if you would like to do your hot air balloon proposal in Cappadocia, Turkey, the ideal months to do so would be April to November. This is when the weather conditions are the most ideal for flying. After that, there is an increased chance of strong winds and a significant increase in flight cancellations. Doing your research on when is the ideal time to fly for the location you are targeting is key.
Where do you want to propose?
There are so many breathtaking places in the world to choose from for an incredible hot air balloon engagement. When picking a location, think about the vibe you are you are going for and your relationship with your partner. Would they want something very scenic and romantic? Or would something more exciting and adventurous? These questions will help inform your decision on where to propose. Here are some options for your hot air balloon proposal in both the US and internationally. I have also linked tours I recommend and included the price per person. Be sure to check each tour to confirm their latest pricing!
Hot Air Balloon Options in the United States:
- Albuquerque, New Mexico ($189) – includes breakfast & champagne
- Napa Valley, California ($338) – includes coffee/tea & champagne
- Temecula, California ($189) – includes champagne & mimosas
- Phoenix, Arizona ($236.52) – includes breakfast & champagne
- Charlottesville, Virginia ($275) – includes photos & champagne
- Middletown, New York ($375) – includes champagne
- Lake Geneva, Wisconsin ($280) – includes champagne
- Asheville, North Carolina ($300)
- Colorado Springs, Colorado ($275) – includes breakfast & champagne
- Park City, Utah ($400) – includes champagne
- Las Vegas, Nevada ($299.95) – includes champagne
Hot Air Balloon Options Around the World:
- Marrakech, Morroco ($196.44) – includes transportation & Berber breakfast
- Serengeti, Tanzania ($599) – includes transportation, breakfast, & champagne
- Amboise, France ($274.80) – includes transportation & champagne
- Forcalquier, France ($286.94) – includes champage
- Florence, Italy ($440.34) – includes champagne
- Tuscany, Italy ($296.87) – includes champagne
- Milan, Italy ($252.73) – includes champagne
- Cappadocia, Turkey ($198.65) – includes transportation, breakfast, & champagne
- Barcelona, Spain ($187.62) – includes photos & champagne
- Madrid, Spain ($198.65) – includes photos, videos, Spanish brunch & cava
- Mallorca, Spain ($198.65) – includes champagne
- Seville, Spain ($229.43) – includes breakfast & champagne
- Segovia, Spain ($198.65) – includes photos, videos, Spanish brunch & cava
- Pokhara, Nepal ($168) – includes transportation & coffee/tea
- Mexico City, Mexico ($163.47) – includes buffet breakfast & champagne
- Luxor, Egypt ($75) – includes transportation, coffee/tea & light snacks
- Gold Coast, Australia ($267.35) – includes photos and videos
- Gold Coast, Australia ($333.34) – includes hot breakfast, champagne & vineyard access
- Cairns, Australia ($297.88) – includes transportation, photos, & champagne
- Melbourne, Australia ($351.07) – includes transportation, buffet breakfast, & champagne
Step 2: Secure the ring.
Storing the engagement ring discreetly for a surprise hot air balloon proposal is EXTREMELY important. You don’t want to tip off your partner before the big moment! If they are anything like me and impossible to get things past… you’ll want to take this step very seriously! It’s especially critical to make sure the ring is securely kept and cannot be lost or dropped during the hot air balloon ride.
The best way to store it is in a slim ring box like this one from Amazon. The sleek and simple design does not look like a typical ring box so it’s easier to disguise. It also can easily fit in your pocket without being noticed. I personally had no idea it was there! You can also ask the hot air balloon operator to help you keep it safe if you prefer. Keeping your engagement ring well hidden is key for any surprise proposal, so make sure to take the necessary steps to keep your secret safe! Looking for a different type of engagement ring box? There are so many unique options! Check out some of them below.
Step 3: Decide on how you will capture the moment (optional but highly recommended!)
You’re not going through all this trouble of planning a hot air balloon engagement to NOT capture the moment, right? Consider hiring a photographer to join you as an unassuming fellow passenger on your hot air balloon ride to capture the moment. You could also discreetly ask a fellow passenger to capture the moment for you before boarding the balloon. This step is essential to make sure you turn this unforgettable memory into one you can share with friends and family afterward.
Another great option is to work with the balloon operator to set up a hidden camera like a GoPro to organically capture the moment. This works especially well on a private balloon ride where there are no other passengers.
Step 4: Get in contact with your hot air balloon operator.
Now that you have your plans locked and loaded and your ring safely tucked away – it’s time to reach out to your hot air balloon operator and let them know about your big surprise! You’ll want to be on the same page and make sure you are able to propose during the ride without any issues. You’ll also be able to confirm any special details you may want to include like playing a special song, having some celebratory champagne, or having photos and videos taken.
Step 5: Book your travel plans and hot air balloon ride.
We now know when, where, and how your epic hot air balloon engagement is going down. It’s time to make it official! Book your hot air balloon proposal through a trusted tour provider for the time and location you selected. Triple-check the details before finalizing – this is something you don’t want to mess up!
Pro tip: Plan for the unexpected!
Depending on how far out in advance you are planning your proposal, it’s possible that once you arrive, the weather could become unfavorable for flying and possibly cancel your trip. With this in mind, try and plan for your proposal to take place early on in your travel plans. This way if you run into this unfortunate situation, you can work with your operator to potentially try again the following day or a few days later when the weather is better. Otherwise, you could miss your shot completely!
Also, be sure to carefully read and understand your selected company’s refund policy. Since rides can easily get canceled in poor weather you don’t want to lose out on your investment due to this!
Step 5: Plan a celebratory activity for after the ride.
Keep the engagement high going after your ride by enjoying a celebratory activity together. Get creative when thinking about this. Considering that most hot air balloon rides take place at sunrise due to the more favorable weather, you’ll have a whole day to celebrate! Try a celebratory brunch, a romantic picnic, or an exciting local activity.
For example, since my surprise hot air balloon proposal took place in Marrakech, we went camelback riding and for a beautiful traditional Berber breakfast at our riad afterward. If you hired a photographer, you could also do a beautiful celebratory photoshoot that doubles as engagement photos!
Step 6: Get ready for the big day and congratulations!
Now that all your plans are set it’s time for the hardest part. Now we wait. Get ready for the big day by deciding what you will wear and what you will say. But if you’re anything like my fiance…you’ll probably forget in the excitement of the moment! It can get pretty chilly during the ride due to the high altitudes but always confirm with your operator for their recommendations based on where you are flying.
Now you know how to plan the ultimate surprise hot air balloon engagement. Do you plan on surprising the love of your life with a hot air balloon proposal? Let me know in the comments! Looking for more hot air balloon engagement ideas? Check out my own personal experience here!
FAQs:
How much does a hot air balloon proposal cost?
A hot air balloon proposal can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand depending on how extravagant you want the affair to be. The average cost of a hot air balloon ride in the United States is between $150-$400 per person for 1 to 1.5 hours of flight time on a shared flight. This cost goes up to $400-$800 per person for a private flight.
Internationally, you can usually find hot air balloon rides at a slightly lower cost. Hot air balloon rides around the world can range from $65-$500 per person for 1 to 1.5 hours of flight time depending on the location. These costs can also go up significantly per person for a private flight.
There are a lot of factors that impact the cost of your flight, however. From the length of the flight to any inclusions with the experience (food, wine, transportation from your hotel, etc.).
Where can I find hot air balloon engagement ideas?
There is so much incredible inspiration out there for a hot air balloon proposal. You can find hot air balloon engagement ideas in this article (linked above) and on Pinterest. Reach out to the hot air balloon operator you are interested in for additional ideas and suggestions for what they can do to help make the moment unforgettable!
What should I wear to my hot air balloon proposal?
It’s advised that you dress in layers for most hot air balloon rides. Bring sunglasses to help protect your eyes from the sun. Wearing pants is also advisable because climbing into the basket in a dress can be a little bit of a hassle (I learned this firsthand).
What’s the best place for a hot air balloon proposal?
The best place for a hot air balloon engagement is based on what you love as a couple! Select a location that will be special to both of you and you can’t go wrong. Looking for the most scenic and romantic locations? I recommend Morocco, France, Spain or Napa Valley.
Where can I find a hot air balloon proposal package?
Some hot air balloon flight operators offer packages for proposals that include celebratory champagne, romantic music, and the works. The best way to find these packages is to reach out directly to the hot air balloon companies you are interested in and inquire about the options they have.
