Eloping in New Zealand
Heli Weddings Explained
Exactly how a helicopter elopement works, from the safety briefing to your private mountain-top ceremony.
What a heli wedding actually is
A helicopter wedding is a scenic flight to a private mountain top, glacier or hidden valley, where you marry with only your celebrant and photographer beside you — up to six people in total. It’s the most breathtaking way to elope in New Zealand, and it’s my speciality.
How the day flows
- We plan your location together in advance.
- Hair and makeup at your accommodation, if you’d like it.
- A private driver brings you to the helicopter base.
- Safety briefing and weigh-in at the base.
- The scenic flight to your landing site.
- Your ceremony, with the mountains to yourselves — typically 45 to 60 minutes at the landing site for your vows and photographs.
- Photography in that extraordinary light.
- The flight back — or an optional second landing.
Safe hands, always
Every landing is approved through a DOC concession, operator approval or private-land permission, and flown only by operators meeting New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority standards, with full public liability insurance. If weather stops the flight, the helicopter portion is refunded within 24 hours (less any fee for an on-ground location we use instead). You can read more on the permits and insurance page.
Considering any planner for an alpine wedding? Three questions worth asking anyone: Is the landing site actually permitted? Is that through a DOC concession or private permission? And is the operator approved to fly there? You’re welcome to ask me all three — I love answering them.
Where you can land
Signature landings include Cecil Peak (The Ledge), Coromandel Peak, Fog Peak, Lookout Hill, Earnslaw Burn, Lake Lochnagar, Tyndall Glacier, The Remarkables and the glaciers of Aoraki / Mount Cook. Many couples combine two in a single flight — a double landing with the ceremony at one site and photographs at another. Tell me the feeling you’re after and I’ll match you to the perfect spot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a helicopter wedding take?
The whole experience usually takes two to three hours — a short scenic flight each way, your ceremony and photography at the landing site, then the flight back. The flight itself is often only ten to twenty minutes each way, but the pilot lands and waits so the mountain is yours.
How many people can come on a helicopter wedding?
Up to six people in total, including the two of you — subject to the aircraft's weight and seating limits for your chosen landing. Where a group is larger or a site is high, guests may travel on a second flight.
What happens if the weather isn't safe to fly?
The pilot always has the final say. If we can't fly, we move to a beautiful alternative landing or a ground ceremony, and the helicopter cost is refunded within 24 hours. A next-day flight can sometimes be arranged, subject to availability.
What should we wear for a helicopter wedding?
Bring grippy, flat shoes for the landing site (heels aren't practical on the mountain), and a jacket or wrap — it's cooler up high. Otherwise, wear whatever makes you feel wonderful.
Do we need to be fit for a helicopter wedding?
Not at all. The helicopter lands right at your ceremony spot, and any walking is short and easy on gentle ground. If you can step out of the aircraft, you can marry on a mountain.
What if one of us is nervous about flying?
You wouldn't be the first — and it melts away quickly. The flights are short and smooth, flown by hugely experienced alpine pilots, and most nervous flyers tell me the views made them forget their nerves within minutes.
Do we have to fly to have a mountain backdrop?
No. The helicopter is optional — you can hold your ceremony on the ground and add a helicopter photo flight afterwards, or skip flying altogether. There are beautiful ground-accessible spots at every location.
With love, from New Zealand
Let’s plan your New Zealand wedding
Tell me your story and what you have in mind. I’ll personally guide you every step of the way — the same as I have for couples from around the world since 1999.
Elope With Us