Ellen and Madison’s meaningful day in the mountains of British Columbia

A beautiful alpine photo featuring the mountain peaks, an alpine lake, a black helicopter, and a bride and groom walking towards the helicopter, holding hands. — I first connected with the groom, Madison, through a mutual friend.

Madison and Ellen were in the early stages of planning their elopement and had been reaching out to helicopter companies elsewhere in BC, but hadn’t been hearing back. When Madison mentioned this to our mutual friends, it was an obvious *“I know exactly who you should talk to”* moment.
He knew that this couple’s kind of day - an intentional, adventurous one - was right in my wheelhouse.

Step 1: How to plan a Heli-elopement in BC

When you’re planning, well, anything, the best place to start (after a bit of online research) is by speaking with experts in that area. Having someone in your corner who understands the full picture: what’s possible, what it costs, how weather can impact the day, and which local vendors truly shine, makes the process feel far less overwhelming. Let’s say the helicopter cannot fly due to wind - you want a vendor who knows all the local hidden gems, and has already thought about how you’ll pivot for different scenarios. So, step one - talk to an expert!

When it came to planning Madison and Ellen’s helicopter elopement, we began with a relaxed video call to talk through their ideas, priorities, and what they wanted the day to feel like. From there, I shared realistic options, suggested approaches that would suit them, and helped shape a plan that balanced adventure, intention, and ease.

Step 2: Elopement Dream Team

Once Madison and Ellen decided to move forward with me, I sent them a welcome kit and other resources. Next, it was time to lock in their vendors!
Your wedding day - be it a less traditional elopement or a full wedding - is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, so a key vendor is of course, the photographer, who takes care of capturing your memories.

My elopement package does not lock you into working with just one photographer - I genuinely love helping couples find the right fit. I take time to understand each couple’s vision and budget, whether they’re drawn to true-to-life tones, something darker and moodier, or aren’t quite sure yet. If they’re unsure, I help them put words to what they’re looking for.

After sharing a few options, Madison and Ellen chose Oliver Rabanes (also a climber). Oliver brings a calming presence and a thoughtful approach, focusing on candid storytelling with an editorial eye. He shoots on both film (see some film pics below) and digital, creating images that feel timeless and grounded. As Oliver writes: “You not only remember how your wedding looked, but how it felt to be there.”
All of the photos in this post are by Oliver.

We also had stunning, locally grown florals by The Wild Florists, and I took care of the ceremony, legalization, and full planning from start to finish.

I also have hair + make up vendors, but Ellen was happy to get ready without my list - and she looked joyous and radiant!

Step 3: Choosing a Mountain Location for Their Helicopter Elopement

Madison and Ellen are outdoorsy, to say the least. They climb, camp, and hike together, and Madison works as a rock guide (if anyone needs a top guide, I can connect you!) so a mountaintop ceremony felt less like a “big gesture” and more like an extension of their everyday life.

When reviewing landing options with Blackcomb Helicopters, one location stood out immediately: Ipsoot Glacier.

With rugged peaks, glacial ice, and expansive alpine views, it offered the wild, remote feeling they were after. This is one of the reasons helicopter elopement packages work so well in BC - you can access truly remote locations within 15 minutes from the heli-port!

Step 4: Heli-Elopement timelines (always have a plan B)

A bride and groom holding hands as they walk through the alpine, a lake and glacier behind them — When couples book with me, I send a short questionnaire. Then, I use the answers to tailor the ceremony script to them.

I also create a timeline for my couple - so all the vendors, guests, and everyone involved are on the same page. It starts with a wedding team contact list, so we can reach anyone quickly on the day. It has sections for what to pack, parking details, and more.
*(Hot tip:* for helicopter elopements, I always build in a solid Plan B, + Plan C. Weather in the mountains can change quickly, and having backup locations in the Sea to Sky ensures the day still feels intentional and special, no matter what)

For Madison + Ellen, while the mountaintop ceremony was private, it was important to them that their family still was included in the day. So - this is what we did…

We started the day with getting ready, then met at Blackcomb Helicopters to check in, sign the waivers, and watch a safety video. I brought a chalk pen with us so the couple could write ‘just married’ on their trusty van… it was white, top to bottom, so Ellen wrote it on the bumper!
We then took to the skies, taking in the beautiful valleys and peaks as we flew up top. Blackcomb helicopter allow you 45 minutes on the mountain (unless you purchase extra landing time). So, after the ceremony and some time to explore and take photos, we headed back down. We drove a few minutes over to Green Lake to meet their family, where we signed the paperwork and took in the sunshine. Oliver and I peeled away here, and left the couple to enjoy their intimate dinner at House of Lager.

Finally, Step 5 - show up, and soak it up, while I handle everything else.

If you’re thinking about a heli-elopement package, I’d love to chat. I’m approachable, and talking to couples about their special day is my favorite thing in the world - even if they ultimately don’t book with me, it’s a joy helping them figure out what is truly going to feel special for years to come.

let's chat it over