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Editorial wedding and luxury elopement photography for detail-oriented, bespoke focused, adventurous and stylish couples. Based in Calgary, travelling worldwide with the goal of creating beautiful and meaningful photographs for you to love.

  Contact Geoff
P: 403 826 9927
E: info@geoffwilkings.com

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A bride and groom hold hands, gazing into the distance while surrounded by a dramatic mountain landscape in black and white.

How to Plan a Helicopter Wedding in the Canadian Rockies

How to Plan a Helicopter Wedding in the Canadian Rockies

A helicopter wedding in the Canadian Rockies is an extraordinary way to celebrate your love, combining breathtaking aerial views, remote ceremony locations, and an unforgettable adventure. Whether you envision exchanging vows on an alpine ridge, beside a stunning mountain backdrop, or atop a secluded peak, a helicopter wedding provides an intimate and awe-inspiring experience.

Planning this type of wedding requires careful consideration, from selecting the right location and flight provider to ensuring you have an experienced elopement photographer who can document the journey seamlessly. As a professional adventure wedding photographer, I specialize in capturing these high-altitude, once-in-a-lifetime moments with artistry and precision. My knowledge of the region, lighting conditions, and the best vantage points ensures that every moment is preserved beautifully. For more details on Helicopter Elopement Packages in Alberta, visit this page.

Why Choose a Helicopter Wedding in Banff?

Exclusive & Breathtaking Locations

One of the main reasons couples opt for a helicopter wedding is the ability to reach secluded, breathtaking locations that are otherwise inaccessible. However, it’s important to note that helicopters cannot land just anywhere in Banff National Park or other protected areas. There are designated landing sites that require permits and must be arranged through an experienced helicopter tour provider.

Explore My Elopement Articles to Help Plan Your Experience

A couple exchanges vows during an outdoor wedding ceremony surrounded by guests in a picturesque mountainous setting.

Elopement Ceremony Ideas: Crafting a Personalized Experience

A close-up of two hands holding wooden vow books with engraved names and a date, set against a natural background.

Elopement Ceremony Script: Crafting Meaningful Vows

An Unparalleled Experience

A helicopter wedding is more than just a ceremony—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Imagine lifting off from a valley floor, soaring over towering peaks, and landing at a remote spot where it’s just the two of you, surrounded by nature’s raw beauty. For couples seeking an even more exclusive, next-level experience, I offer an ultra-luxurious adventure wedding that is unlike anything else available. This once-in-a-lifetime journey is for those who crave the most extraordinary, elevated wedding experience.

Unmatched Photography Opportunities

The landscapes seen from a helicopter provide a cinematic backdrop that makes for jaw-dropping wedding portraits. As an experienced elopement photographer, I help couples plan the best timing, lighting conditions, and shot locations to create stunning, editorial-quality images that capture the magic of the day.

If you’re interested in other unique outdoor wedding experiences, check out the Banff National Park Elopement GuideJasper National Park Elopement Guide, and Yoho National Park Elopement Guide.

Best Helicopter Wedding Locations in the Canadian Rockies

While there are strict regulations regarding where helicopters can land, working with the right provider ensures that you have access to the best-permitted locations. Some of the most breathtaking spots accessible for helicopter landings include:

Kananaskis Country – Remote, stunning landscapes with fewer tourists.

Abraham Lake & David Thompson Country – Known for turquoise waters and surrounding peaks (landing available in select areas).

Icefields Parkway – Offers scenic aerial tours over glaciers, waterfalls, and untouched wilderness.

Explore more remote locations in the Icefields Parkway Elopement Guide.

Explore My Elopement Articles to Help Plan Your Experience

A newlywed couple joyfully walks hand-in-hand along a rocky mountain path with stunning peaks in the background.

Jasper National Park Elopement Guide

Step-by-Step: Planning Your Helicopter Wedding

1. Choose a Safe & Licensed Helicopter Operator

Since not all areas allow helicopter landings, it’s crucial to work with a licensed and experienced tour provider that understands the legal limitations and permit requirements. Reputable companies will guide you through the permitted landing spots and ensure your wedding complies with Parks Canada regulations.

Located in Canmore, Alpine Helicopters offers one of the best departure points for helicopter weddings, being closer to Banff and more convenient than other locations.

Provides access to stunning backcountry locations without the crowds of Banff town.

2. Secure the Right Vendors for Your Wedding

A helicopter wedding requires careful coordination with vendors who understand the logistics of a remote, high-altitude event. Here’s what you’ll need all of which I am connected to, to make your lifetime adventure come to life:

  • Elopement Photographer – Like myself who is experienced in aerial and high-altitude photography.
  • Marriage Commissioner/Officiant – Ensure they are comfortable with remote weddings.
  • Florist – Bouquets and boutonnieres that can withstand different weather conditions.
  • Hair & Makeup Artist – Must be skilled in long-wear styling for wind and altitude changes.
  • Permits & Legal Paperwork – Obtain an Alberta Marriage License and confirm any necessary landing permits.
  • Adventure Guides (if needed) – If your wedding requires additional hiking, a guide may be required.
  • Learn more in What Vendors Do You Need for an Elopement.

Finding Your Dream Ceremony Location

The Canadian Rockies offer incredible wedding locations, but not all are accessible by helicopter. Some scenic flight options allow you to view iconic glacial lakes and mountain ranges, while permitted landings are limited to select backcountry areas.

Consider the type of scenery you want:

  • Dramatic Alpine Peaks – Towering, snow-capped mountains that create a stunning backdrop for your vows.
  • Scenic Aerial Views – Soar over turquoise lakes, glaciers, and waterfalls before landing in a breathtaking mountain setting.
  • High-altitude Meadows – Wildflower-filled landscapes with rolling ridgelines, perfect for an intimate, nature-immersed ceremony.
A couple in wedding attire stands on rocky terrain with a backdrop of stunning mountains, as the bride's veil billows in the wind.

The Ultimate Adventure Helicopter Experience

For couples seeking an unparalleled, high-level adventure, I offer an exclusive helicopter wedding experience that is unmatched. This adventure includes multiple landings in diverse, breathtaking locations, taking you from alpine peaks to deep backcountry terrain, with each stop offering its own unique perspective and environment. Designed for those who want the ultimate in helicopter elopements, this experience is unlike anything available elsewhere and is tailored for couples looking for a true, elevated adventure wedding.

Helicopter Wedding Destinations Around the World

While Banff offers some of the most stunning backdrops for a helicopter wedding, couples can explore incredible locations across the globe for a similarly breathtaking experience.

  • New Zealand (Milford Sound & Queenstown) – Known for its dramatic fjords, snow-capped peaks, and remote landscapes.
  • Iceland (Highlands & Glaciers) – Experience vast lava fields, black sand beaches, and icy blue glaciers.
  • Hawaii (Kauai & Maui Cliffs) – Say “I do” above tropical waterfalls, lush valleys, and volcanic craters.
  • The Dolomites, Italy – Towering limestone peaks, alpine meadows, and secluded mountaintop lodges.
  • Yosemite, California – Fly over Half Dome and elope with stunning views of Yosemite Valley.
  • Patagonia, Chile – A remote paradise of glaciers, granite towers, and untouched wilderness.

Explore My Elopement Articles to Help Plan Your Experience

A man lifts his bride in a scenic mountain landscape, surrounded by towering peaks and greenery, capturing a moment of joy and love.

What’s the Difference Between an Elopement and a Wedding?

A close-up of two hands holding wooden vow books with engraved names and a date, set against a natural background.

Elopement Ceremony Script: Crafting Meaningful Vows

Final Thoughts on Planning a Helicopter Wedding

helicopter wedding in the Canadian Rockies is an unforgettable way to say “I do.” Whether you’re dreaming of an alpine meadow ceremony, a glacier-top vow exchange, or a panoramic helicopter adventure, this experience offers unparalleled beauty and intimacy.

With my expertise as an elopement photographer, I don’t just capture your day—I help plan and create a seamless, breathtaking experience.

Ready to turn your vision into reality? Contact Me Today and let’s chat about creating something incredible together. Contact Me Today.

BEHIND THE LENS

Hi, I'm  Geoff.

With the eye of an editorial photographer, I craft timeless images that capture both emotion and beauty. Since 2005, I’ve specialized in luxury weddings, offering personalized service to ensure my clients fully enjoy their day.

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Geoff was an incredible professional —

with great attention to detail. He’s compassionate, humorous

and makes everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera. His work is stunning, and we were truly impressed and grateful for his presence.
Thank you, Geoff!

kristen & Dyon