Some stories unfold exactly as planned.
This is not one of those stories and that’s what makes it unforgettable.

When Jordan reached out about capturing their first wedding anniversary, they already had the perfect adventure planned: a sunrise hot air balloon ride with Really Hot Air Balloons in Zachary, Louisiana. They were driving all the way from Arkansas to make this moment happen, and I loved their excitement from the very beginning.

We set everything up for a quiet Sunday morning… only for the weather to have other plans.

Weekend One: Wind. Lots of It.

Hot air balloons are magical but they’re also at the mercy of nature. Really Hot Air Balloons assessed the conditions, and for safety reasons, they made the tough call to cancel the flight. Safety always comes first, and the team handled everything with such care and professionalism.

Jordan took it in stride and decided to try again the following weekend.

Weekend Two: Fog. Heavy Fog.

We met at 5:30 AM, waiting for the skies to clear.
The world felt quiet, wrapped in a thick blanket of fog, and we kept hoping it would lift. 

Hours went by.
Still fog.

At this point, we had already experienced wind one weekend and fog the next—what are the chances?

But Here’s Where the Magic Happened

The team at Really Hot Air Balloons suggested something creative:
“We can tether the balloon and still give them the experience and you can get beautiful photos.”

Even without going fully up into the sky, the moment was special.
The soft fog created a dreamy backdrop.
The balloon glowed with warm color.
The morning was quiet, calm, and full of joy.

They held each other, laughed, soaked up the moment, and I got to document the entire experience.

Sometimes the plan changes… and ends up being even better than what we imagined.

The Photos? They Loved Them.

They told me how much the images mean to them and honestly? I couldn’t agree more.

This session wasn’t just about a balloon ride.
It was about their love,
their adventure,
and their willingness to show up for each other no matter the conditions.

A Huge Thank You to Really High Balloons

Their professionalism, transparency, and genuine care made this entire experience so smooth even with unpredictable weather. If you’ve ever dreamed of a hot air balloon ride in Louisiana, they’re the team you want guiding you.

I’ll be linking their website below.
And if you book a ride and want that moment documented forever, I’d love to be there.

Sometimes the best moments happen when the plan takes a little detour.

And this anniversary session proved it.

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