What is it like to fly a hot air balloon while a couple gets engaged? It's amazing. As a hot air balloon pilot, I get to experience dozens of marriage proposals a summer. It never gets old and is such a privilege to be part of such an intimate moment in peoples lives.
Typically I find that most women never see it coming, and most guys need a little prompting. Everyone wants it to be perfect, which means finding the perfect moment. This can be challenging, considering every 20 seconds I shoot a ball of fire 20 feet up into the hot air balloon. The plan is typically to do it at altitude (around 3-4 thousand feet), tap the guy on the shoulder to let them know it is time, and do a long burn. This gives them 20-30 seconds to profess their love and get down on one knee.
###### It's a 360 video below move it around and see the whole experience
You'd be surprised how good with words some of these fine gentlemen are. Some spout out eloquent poetry, others speak about when they knew their significant other was the one, and rest get straight to the point.
No matter what these gentlemen say, I love watching the reaction of the women. Their eyes light up in total surprise and their faces glow. The embrace after she says yes is hard to describe. It's ridiculously magical. The rest of the hot air balloon flight I get the opportunity to learn about how they met, and then jokingly ask, "So do you guys have a plan and a date set?".
The second you get engaged that's the question people always ask. I figure I might as well be the first. To all the wonderful couples and future couples that get engaged on one of our hot air balloon rides, we wish you the best!
Recipe for the perfect engagement
1. [Book a private hot air balloon ride](https://seattleballooning.com/experience) (it's worth the intimacy)
2. Bring a backpack and leave the ring in there till you are ready (keeps you from constantly checking that it is still there)
3. Get the 360-degree video it's only an extra $100 and is worth every penny to have the 360-degree moment.
