If you’re planning your elopement, you might have caught yourself wondering…
– How can I add the “adventure” into my romantic adventure?
Well, hold onto your veils and bowties, because we’re about to take off into the epic world of elopement helicopter tours!
Now, I know what you’re thinking…
– Should we really do this? Is it even worth it?
Well, yes. A thousand times YES. But hey, it’s your elopement we’re talking about, so I’ll just let you decide for yourselves.
So buckle up and get ready for takeoff, because I’m here as your favourite elopement photographer with my top pros & cons of planning a helicopter tour for your elopement. I’ll also give you my 4-step guide to make it easy for you to actually make it happen if you decide that you absolutely want to do a romantic helicopter tour on the day you get married.
Top reasons to consider a helicopter ride on your elopement
When it comes to your elopement, the world is truly your oyster. And you can decide to do whatever your hearts desire.
But this also means that you’ll have SO MANY options to choose from. And among these many options, one of the top activities that quite a few of my couples have chosen for their elopements was to float 3 feet above the clouds (literally) and plan an unforgettable experience worthy of their special day.
Incredible views throughout your day
I mean – Duh! That’s the whole point, right?
The world is just somehow different from up above, and you’ll get to see it all! Imagine soaring above the rugged landscape & ancient glaciers of Alaska or the turquoise waters and lush green landscapes of Hawaii while you snuggle up to your soulmate and get ready to say your vows.
But even if you don’t want to go that far away. Everything looks so different from up above – the gentle slopes and flat river plains of the Albury-Wodonga area, Melbourne’s vibrant urban landscape, or the Great Barrier Reef are all popular spots in Australia to visit with a helicopter on your elopement.
So no matter where you choose to have your helicopter elopement, you’ll get breathtaking views and a new perspective of the area – as well as an unforgettable experience with your special person.
A private romantic experience
Imagine taking off together with your soulmate, and landing at a beautiful spot, far away from anyone else. As the rotors go silent, you hear the sound of nature: the birds chirping, the water flowing, and your hearts beating.
You start exploring. You smile, you dance, you hug, you kiss. You’re getting married – this is it! And you don’t have to put on a show for anyone else – you can just sit back and enjoy your day with your favorite person in the whole wide world.
You can be goofy, you can be romantic – you can be you, without filters.
You whisper your vows with a teardrop rolling down your face. A soft kiss, a long embrace…
…and you head back to your helicopter, waiting to take you to the next stop of your romantic adventure.
It’s just the two of you. And that’s all that truly matters.
Unlimited access to remote locations
You can get to almost any location with a helicopter. And you can get there fast, too.
A helicopter doesn’t need roads, trails, or runways. It just needs a small patch of land to land on.
And this means you can set your imagination free and start dreaming big.
Whether you want to watch the sunset from the top of a cliff, or visit a remote island off the coast – you’ll be able to get there, and still get back for champagne, fireworks, or whatever else you have planned.
You can “climb” the highest mountain, or explore a remote volcano or a glacier – there’s no hidden place that can hide from a helicopter.
No hiking needed
Which means no sweating and no getting dirt on your clothes either.
While I honestly love hiking (and I’m perfectly willing to trot up to any mountain peak with you if that’s what you’re into), many of my couples prefer to do something slightly more adventurous than hiking for their elopement.
You can still visit the same destinations (and much-much more). But this time around, your journey of getting there will be an unforgettable adventure – worthy of the significance of your special day.
But it’s not just about the adventure.
A helicopter tour offers a “no sweat”, “no achy back” alternative to hiking. You get to dress better and bring multiple sets of clothes with you. And you’ll get to pack more food & drinks, games, or any props too.
And instead of focusing on catching your breath and making it in time, you can actually lose track of time, having the best time ever with the love of your life.
See more & do more – in less time
If you think about it, hiking is a logistical nightmare. I mean, you’re moving at the speed of a snail on a coffee break. Plus, you need to have a Plan B (and maybe even a Plan C) in place for bad weather.
Add that to the exhaustion of spending your day trekking up to a beautiful mountain peak, and it’s easy to see why – for many couples – being out in nature on their elopement means they’ll have to sacrifice seeing at least a few places they would have wanted to see. Or taking a few ‘“must-do” activities off their list.
Well, this doesn’t have to be you – not with a helicopter ride.
You can bounce from location to location, making the journey itself an unforgettable experience too. You can see all the sights you want, and still have some time to spare for other activities – like dancing, lighting a bonfire, or taking a moment to enjoy the sunset from a mountaintop (without the fear of getting stuck up there in the dark).
Epic elopement photos
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning all the breathtaking elopement photos you’ll get during your helicopter ride.
Imagine pictures of the two of you up above the clouds having the time of your lives, with a bird’s eye view of breathtaking scenery below. Imagine all the otherwise unreachable places you can get your hero shots at. Or how you’ll be able to plan anything, anywhere, at any time of the day – without rushing from one place to another, or worrying about the logistics of “making it before dark”.
Imagine heart racing with love & excitement (and a huge boost of adrenaline). You’re getting married – and you’re riding a helicopter, too! You’re gonna have so much fun, you’ll have no problem forgetting all about me and my camera taking some of the best shots of your lives.
Top reasons NOT to have a helicopter ride on your elopement
Now that I’ve hyped up planning a helicopter ride for your elopement and got you all excited, it’s only fair if I give you the entire picture.
After all, you do need to see both sides of the coin to make an informed decision about whether or not you want a helicopter ride on the day you get married to your best friend.
Accessibility
Having shot elopements all around the world I can’t help but imagine what it would be like to see all these beautiful destinations from a bird’s-eye view. What it would be like to land in a secluded area that’s just waiting for you to explore it together. And shoot the most epic & romantic photos of the two of you in love on your special day.
But the reality is that no matter how many shooting stars I’ve wished upon, this is just not possible everywhere. Helicopter rides are limited by all sorts of things like weather, aviation regulations, or availability of vendors.
Still, you shouldn’t let that scare you away!
If you’re truly determined to experience the ride of your lives, then let me know, and I’ll help you make it happen. After all, nothing should stand between you and the day you’ve always dreamed of.
Costs
Okay, so you obviously have to create a budget for your elopement, and having a helicopter ride is definitely an extra cost.
But even though it sounds like a luxury experience (and who am I kidding: it is a luxury experience) – it doesn’t come at a luxury price! The average price range of a helicopter tour experience can be anywhere between $2,500 – $6,000 (AUD) – depending on the length of your ride, the number of stops you want to take, and the specific vendor of your choice.
So – considering all the pros – if it’s something that you’d love to include in your day, then I’d say go for it! It won’t cost you an arm and a leg, and besides: you only get to have one elopement in your life – so make it count.
4 easy steps to plan the best helicopter tour for your elopement
As promised, I’m giving you my 4-step guide to make it easy for you to plan an amazing helicopter tour for your elopement. Follow these steps to ensure that you’ll get everything you want out of this unique experience.
1st: Find your dream location
First things first, you have to figure out where you’re headed.
If you already have a specific location or area in mind, then start gathering some inspiration about the specific places you’ll want to visit throughout your day. Google, Instagram, or Pinterest are all great places to find some inspiration. But before you get too excited about landing somewhere – just make sure it’s actually possible & legal to land there with a helicopter.
And if you don’t have a specific location in mind yet, then it’s time to set your imagination free. Imagine yourselves on your elopement – what do you see?
Is your fairytale day a tale of glaciers, ice, and snow? Or do you see clear waters, sunshine, and sandy beaches? What about lush jungles, epic mountaintops, or endless deserts?
After you’ve figured out what you want – it’s time to start researching where you can find it.
2nd: Find your ideal helicopter company
This step is crucial, since finding the right company that fits your needs can easily make or break your day.
Look for a reputable company with a track record of at least a few years, and at least a handful of raving reviews of satisfied customers. Make sure you also look into licensing, the company’s safety policies, and – last but not least – your chosen pilot and helicopter as well.
Also, make sure the company is willing to be a bit flexible and customise the entire experience to fit your needs. After all, you’re not looking for a mere “package deal”. No, what you’re looking for is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that promises to be one of the main highlights of the happiest day of your lives.
3rd: Coordinate with your elopement photographer (that’s me!)
What if you could relive your epic adventure over-and-over again?
Well, that’s what elopement photography is all about!
So, make sure to go over the nitty-gritty details with me, your aspiring elopement photographer. Once we get to the specifics, I’ll help you plan your timeline to make sure you make the most of your day. I can help you research the best locations in the area to shoot dreamy photos you can show your friends & families.
And – obviously – I’ll be there to capture every one of your candid moments through my lens. So that every tear, every smile, and every glance is yours to keep forever.
4th: Don’t forget to lock it in
Once you’re all decided on the specifics and ready for the ride of your life, don’t forget to actually book it!
Not many companies appreciate last-minute enquiries, so make sure you book everything – your helicopter ride, your elopement photographer, and all other activities and vendors – as soon as possible to lock them in for your date.
And after you have everything ready, then all that’s left for you to do is get ready for the adventure of your lives: the day you marry your best friend.
There you have it, all the pros & cons (well mostly just pros) of planning a helicopter tour for your elopement, as well as my 4-step process to ensure you get the most out of this special experience. And if you’re still on the lookout for an elopement photographer to capture all the magic of your romantic adventure, then you’re in luck.
Get in touch to see how I can help you bring your vision to life. And ensure your memories will last for an eternity.
