This incredible hot air balloon engagement shoot is located on the De Portola Wine Trail, nestled in the Californian hills. The Spanish style estate, Danza Del Sol, is the perfect backdrop for the gorgeous styling, props, balloon and the beautiful couple, Chris and Nikki.
The Couple
Both Chris & Nikki are from California. They met in a sea of over 75,000 country music fans at Stagecoach in 2016. On the last day of the concert, they realised they lived just five miles from each other. They had their first date at a sushi spot in Downtown Huntington Beach. In the following two months they dated and met each other’s friends and families before becoming “official.”
What do you love most about each other?
Chris: “I love how positive Nikki is about everything. She is so loving and caring not only about me but about others too. She always tries to make other people happy.”
Nikki: “I love how Chris is always so helpful, friendly, and cheerful. He is very caring and protective of me. I love how he can always make me smile, even when I don’t want to.”
The One
“We are always on the same page. We communicate about everything and make decisions as one. We remind each other to pray and put our trust in God. We always encourage each other to be the best we can be. You just get that feeling, there is no explanation for it. She brightens my day.” – Chris. “I agree, it’s just a feeling that you never want to let go of. He makes me want to be a better person” – Nikki
The Proposal
Chris planned the sweetest proposal for Nikki’s birthday. Both lovers of wine, Chris had booked a tour at Mira Monte Winery. He suggested they go to Wilson Creek Winery first, where their friends would be meeting up with them. After getting a glass of wine and walking around the property. He found a good spot and said “hey babe, let’s take a picture!” Nikki thought nothing of it and posed for the photo. The friends {who also had the good camera, were stuck in traffic} so Chris asked two random girls to video the whole thing.
The couple got an extra surprise when an employee from Wilson Creek came over and sang Frank Sinatra! Still in blissful shock, Nikki didn’t want to leave Wilson Creek. But Chris wasn’t done yet. When they arrived at Mira Monte, Chris and Nikki’s whole family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends were there to celebrate!
What was your vision for your engagement shoot?
“Our vision was pretty simple. We were thinking it would just be us and the hot air balloon {which is a friend of ours}, and if we were lucky then some vines in the background. Once we told our photographer our vision, she was ecstatic and asked if she could invite some friends to help out for the photo shoot. We said yes, of course! Not knowing all work and effort that she recruited. It was beyond our expectations and visions!”
When they first met, Chris really surprised Nikki when he said he liked wine. Nikki was working for a hot air balloon crew for the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival. Wine was something that allowed them to bond over many special occasions. A vineyard setting for their engagement shoot was the perfect location for this stunning couple.
Location & Styling
What would you do differently?
“Make a list and pack all the small details that you want in your shoot the night before. I forgot the ring box Chris made and the Bible we wanted in the shoot. Chris forgot his pants at my parents house. Which meant my parents had to bring them, which cut into our shooting time.” – Nikki
Our Tips & Advice
“Pick a location that you have envisioned for your photos. Also, consider the time of the year. We had to make sure we were before harvest season otherwise the vines wouldn’t have been full, green, and pretty. And men, don’t forget your pants!!!” – Nikki
Our Best Spent Money
Everyone went over and beyond for this photo shoot. We wouldn’t have changed anything for the world. The best decision we made was choosing Heather as our photographer.
Photographer: Heather Anderson Photography | Hot Air Balloon Pilot: Kurt Adelsberger | Planner & Stylist: Blissfully Styled | Rentals & Styling: Rickety Swank | Floral Design: Heather Christan Designs | Hair: Dannielle Robeson from Vanity Belle | Makeup: Audrey Janelle Beauty | Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Sunny | Venue: Danza Del Sol Winery
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