Elopements are a rare and beautiful declaration of love. A sky full of hot air balloons is a rare and beautiful sight to behold. Pair the two together and the results are nothing short of breathtaking.

This Styled Shoot proved that loud, vibrant colors can indeed provide the perfect backdrop for the quiet moments that often occur in modern day love stories. The bride – wearing a graceful ivory jumpsuit and a vintage-inspired scarf tied loosely in her hair – contrasted beautifully against the living kaleidoscope in the background. Although surrounded by a carnival of colors, their love story was never overshadowed. Rather, the vivid rainbow hues mirrored the bubbly excitement that radiates from newly married couples.  

 There’s no better way to celebrate a late summer elopement than by popping champagne at a carefully planned picnic. A decadent array of fruits cascaded from the basket like a cool, contemporary take on a Renaissance still life. The entire setting somehow perfectly channeled the fleeting beauty of those particularly hot days that summer always saves until just before she disappears.  

All of it together was simply magical. This styled shoot proved that in the right hands sophistication and whimsey can come together in perfect harmony. But most importantly, it captured the beauty of a newly married couple sitting on a picnic blanket, knowing that the years are going to fly by – but for now reserving a quiet moment just to watch hot air balloons grow smaller in the late summer sky.

Photography: Natalya DeSena Photography

Planner: Pinch Me Planning

Venue: Great Falls Balloon Festival

Balloons: Damn Yankee Balloons

Florals: Watershed Floral

Cake + Catering: Autumn Nomad

Stationary: Three Little Words Paper

Hair: Aphrodite Salon

Make Up: Adore Rouge

Ring: Brilliant Earth

Jumpsuit: Anthropologie

Men’s Tie: The Tie Bar