A Hot Air Balloon Adds an Eccentric Detail to an Intimate Wedding

Most weddings don’t start at 5 am. – but most weddings don’t take place on a hot air balloon, either. With the pandemic preventing their plan for a large wedding, Taylor Wilson and Bret Gilbert had to re-imagine what their July nuptials would look like. Scaling down their guest list didn’t make the event any less grand. Having always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon together, Bret suggested they exchange vows and then take off into the sky. Twenty-five family members gathered for a sunrise ceremony at Aurora Airfield, and a Facebook livestream allowed the rest of their loved one to witness the special day. Taylor donned a stunning lace gown – complete with a short-sleeved, cropped jacket to ward off the morning chill – and pink florals in her hair. After sayng "I do," the newlyweds stepped into the colorful balloon and floated over the gorgeous Oregon landscape to begin their new life together. Having found a unique way to celebrate their love during strange times, Taylor said “It felt symbolic to be getting married as the balloon was being blown up and then being able to take off, waving goodbye to all of our loved ones.”