How to Plan a Helicopter Elopement in the Dolomites
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Imagine exchanging your vows alone on a mountaintop, against a backdrop of jagged peaks, surrounded by the most spectacular scenery in the world! Helicopter elopements in the Dolomites are the ultimate blend of adventure, romance, and pure magic.
In 2024, I did more helicopter elopements than ever before, so I decided it was about time to write a guide on them…
Why Choose a Helicopter Elopement in the Dolomites?
- Exclusive and Private Wedding Experience
As the Dolomites grow as a popular vacation and elopement destination, it’s becoming harder to enjoy that “just us” feeling you want when eloping here. Choosing a helicopter elopement allows you to escape the crowded locations and fly somewhere more remote. - An Unforgettable Adventure
Your wedding day is the perfect excuse for going all-out and planning an adventure that tops them all. - Epic Photos
There’s no such thing as an ugly backdrop in the Dolomites. But when you fly to a remote location with a helicopter, you don’t need to worry about other people getting in your photos. You get to fully relax and enjoy the privacy of having the location all to yourselves (and I don’t need to photoshop out 100 tourists).
I was initially on the fence about the helicopter ride, but that ended up being the coolest and more surreal experience of the day. And in addition to that, the helicopter took us to peaks where hikers can’t access. So it felt like we had the whole mountain to ourselves. This was perfect for when we shared vows and had a nice little morning picnic to celebrate. I loved that experience.
Shawn – Dolomites Heli Elopement
When Is The Best Season For A Heli Elopement in the Dolomites?
You can have a helicopter elopement in the Dolomites almost all year round. However, there are some seasons that may be more suitable than others.
Winter: December to April
During the winter, heliskiing is popular in the Dolomites. Because of this, there are some additional landing locations available to you that aren’t usually available in the summertime. More remote locations may be unsuitable, due to deep snow and avalanche danger.
Spring: May & June
May and June are months of change in the Dolomites. In the valleys, snow starts to melt and alpine meadows start to turn lush shades of green and fill with wildflowers. Higher up, however, there can still be lots of snow. May & June are typically quieter months in the Dolomites, with many mountain lifts and restaurants still closed. A helicopter may be one of your only options if you want to get high up in the mountains but aren’t wanting to hike for hours through snow to get there.
Summer: July & August
July & August is peak summer season in the Dolomites. Mountain passes and accommodation get fully booked, and trails become busier. Most areas are snow-free by now, although it’s still possible to find some snow in north-facing shady spots. Taking a helicopter flight in summer is one of the best ways to avoid the crowds. But you’ll need to think carefully about the timings for your elopement day, as afternoons often bring in thunderstorms that may mean you have to cancel (or cut short) your flight.
Fall: September – November
Fall is my favorite time of year in the Dolomites. Period. The summer storms have passed, and the cooler weather starts to creep back in. The whole area starts to become quieter again, as everyone starts preparing for the quiet months ahead of the busy ski season. Fall is great for both sunrise and sunset flights, with beautiful golden light at both ends of the day.
Can Helicopters Land Anywhere in the Dolomites?
The simple answer is NO, helicopters can’t land everywhere in the Dolomites. The Dolomites stretch across three different Italian regions (South Tyrol, Trentino, Veneto), and each one has different rules. The Dolomites are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means there are strict environmental conservation rules. Many areas are protected to preserve the delicate alpine ecosystem, and helicopter landings are strictly prohibited.
The weather, season, and snow conditions may also impact which locations a helicopter can land. Therefore, it’s important to consult with the helicopter company (or your elopement planner) about what landing options are available and to be flexible when planning your elopement, as your locations may need to change at the last minute.
How Much Does A Helicopter Elopement in the Dolomites Cost?
The total cost of a Dolomites elopement can vary dramatically, as each couple will have different priorities for what they want to include in their elopement. In this article, I want to focus specifically on the cost of the helicopter.
Recommended Package: approx. €3500
Includes: Private helicopter for 4 hours, with 2 or 3 landings, and approximately 1 hour of total flight time.
The exact price may depend on a few factors, such as your chosen landing locations, how long you have the helicopter for, and the total flight time. When you book the helicopter you’ll get an estimate of the price, but you’ll pay the final bill after your flight.
To learn more about other Dolomites elopement costs, head to my comprehensive Dolomites Elopement Guide.
Planning Your Dolomites Helicopter Elopement: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Choose Your date/date range
- Research local vendors (such as photographers & planners)
- Set a budget
- Book your main vendors
- Plan your itinerary with your photographer & planner
- Book your travel
- Shop for your wedding outfits
- Travel to the Dolomites
- Have an EPIC elopement day!
Logistics and Practical Tips for Your Heli Elopement
Hire A Local Elopement Planner
Many elopement photographers these days will happily help you with planning your elopement, myself included. But when it comes to helicopter elopements, I recommend booking a local elopement planner to coordinate things for you.
Almost every single helicopter elopement I’ve done in the last few years has had unexpected complications arise. Sometimes it was the weather, other times it was last-minute changes to aircraft availability. When such an important aspect of your day is focused around the helicopter adventure, you want to make sure everything runs smoothly.
I always work with Jlenia & Gemma for helicopter elopements in the Dolomites.
Pack For Mountain Weather
You might be skipping the long hikes, but you’re still going to be out in the mountains. And that means you’ll need to bring suitable mountain clothing. This includes:
- Hiking boots
- Warm & windproof layers (+ waterproofs if rain is forecast)
- Sunglasses & sunscreen
Choose Accommodation With (or Near) A Helipad
There’s only one helicopter company based in the Dolomites that offers helicopter elopements and they are based on an industrial estate in Pontives, near the entrance to the Val Gardena Valley. Depending on where your accommodation is, this can be rather inconvenient to get to. However, you may be able to have the helicopter pick you up and drop you off from your accommodation (or close by).
Hotels with a helicopter landing nearby include:
- Hotel Fanes, San Cassiano
- San Lorenzo White Deer Mountain Lodge
- Forestis, Dolomites
- Alpen Tesitin
Other pick-up locations may be arranged. I recommend working with local elopement planners Jlenia & Gemma to get advice on this, or reaching out to the helicopter company directly.
Get Your Photographer’s Input When Choosing Locations & Timings
Different locations photograph better at different times of day, so liaise with your photographer about the best timings for each location, as well as with the helicopter company about any possible restrictions on when you can land at certain spots.
Be Flexible
Safety is the primary concern when planning a helicopter elopement. If the weather conditions aren’t safe, then you may need to make changes to your plans. This might be different landing locations, or it could mean changing the timeline of the day for a better weather window. I always recommend having at least the day after your elopement free in case you can’t fly on your planned date but are able to fly the next day.
The Elephant In The Room – Sustainability
As someone who strives to help couples make their elopements more sustainable, I feel really conflicted about helicopter elopements. I have a family history in the aviation industry, and for many of my teenage years, my ambition was to become a pilot. I love flying. But I also feel like a hypocrite for showcasing helicopter elopements on my website when I talk so much about sustainable choices.
On one side, when you book a helicopter elopement, you are not contributing to the problems of overcrowding and ground erosion that happens in many of the popular locations in the Dolomites. You’re also not contributing to the traffic and parking problems that are getting worse on many of the main mountain passes and trailheads.
However, you can’t ignore the fact that helicopter elopements also have negative environmental impacts, including significant carbon emissions from helicopter flights, potential wildlife disturbance, noise pollution affecting local animal habitats, risk of environmental damage to fragile mountain landscapes, and increased human traffic in pristine natural areas.
By eloping, the carbon footprint of your wedding is already much lower than if you were having a wedding with guests. If taking a helicopter flight in the Dolomites is on your bucket list of adventures, then consider off-setting your flight or making sustainable choices in other areas of your elopement, such as:
- Buying pre-owned wedding outfits
- Eating vegetarian or vegan for your elopement
- Hiring local vendors
- Not buying items you won’t use again
- Calculating your elopement carbon footprint and purchasing quality offsets
I’m really glad we did the helicopter ride because it offered us a one-of-a-kind perspective of the landscape and terrain. Getting to ride around anywhere on a helicopter is inherently pretty special but getting to do it in the Dolomites is something else. Granted, this was also my first time in a helicopter in general so I’m sure I’m biased but there is just something very humbling about flying through and around those mountain ranges, getting to see something so grand so up close. It almost felt illegal, like we’re not supposed to be up here. And of course, just being able to be in such a secluded area for our vows and it being pretty much exactly how I imagined it was surreal.
Trang – Dolomites Heli Elopement
Get Inspired By These Real Dolomites Helicopter Elopements
A helicopter elopement in the Dolomites is more than just a wedding – it’s an extraordinary adventure that represents the beginning of your life together. By choosing this incredible experience, you’re not just saying “I do,” but creating a moment that will be etched in your memories forever. Whether you’re adventure seekers, nature lovers, or simply romantic souls, a Dolomites helicopter elopement promises an unparalleled celebration of love.
