Bride & groom hold hands on mountaintop – BC helicopter elopement planner Vancouver — *Photography by* *Mad Magic Co*.

Some weddings come with planners, Pinterest boards, and years of preparation. W and M’s? Came together in three weeks, included a helicopter, and ended with a handstand on a snowy mountaintop. And honestly? It was perfect.

As an elopement wedding planner with over 10 years in the industry, I witness so many kinds of love stories, and no two are ever the same. This particular elopement was filled with so many firsts for me: first time a bride wore a red dress (a gorgeous nod to her Chinese heritage!), first time I witnessed a unity glass ceremony, and the first time a bride did a handstand on top of a snow-capped mountain… in her wedding dress! Iconic.

W and M are everything you’d expect from a Sea to Sky couple: adventurous, outdoorsy, and deeply connected to the beauty of nature. They’ve hiked the West Coast Trail, trekked through the Alps, skied in France, and backpacked through Japan, Taiwan, and the UK. M even introduced W to snowshoeing so they could enjoy the local mountains year-round. (Micro-spikes, anyone?)

Their adventurous spirit was part of why they opted to elope in the first place. Planning a traditional wedding felt overly complicated, so instead, they gave themselves the freedom to celebrate their love without stress, fuss, or months of coordinating. They contacted me for a helicopter elopement just three weeks out. Music to my ears! I love a fast-turnaround elopement.

Bride & groom beside helicopter – Vancouver elopement & helicopter wedding packages BC — *Photography by* *Mad Magic Co*.

No Pinterest? No Problem

W and M came to me without a Pinterest board or single reference photo, which meant I had the rare opportunity to start with a completely blank canvas. Using insights from their questionnaire and our conversations, I orchestrated the vision that reflected who they are at their core. My team loved the creative freedom, too! Alice from Floralista designed a stunning bouquet inspired only by a photo of M’s red dress, and Hanna had free rein over hair and makeup, creating a look that suited M perfectly (and even doing a bit of skin tone correction for W before takeoff!). They looked incredible.

As we took the logistical tasks off their plate, W and M’s minds were free’d up for their creativity to bloom, and they began contributing their own ideas. That’s one of the beautiful things about working with us: with the logistics handled and the pressure off, you’re free to feel inspired! Watching their unique vision take shape and helping bring it to life was an absolute joy.

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From Tarmac to Top of the World…

We met at the hangar, where I showed them to the bridal suite upstairs. Hanna was getting M pampered while I made a quick trip to Langley to grab the florals and a brief catch-up with Alice. When I returned, M and W were having lunch out of the most adorable bento boxes from Japan. I helped them stay on schedule while they got ready (together at first, then separately so they could have a ‘first look’). We set W up on the tarmac next to the helicopter, with our photographer, Stacey, in position to capture the moment. I guided M downstairs and out for the big reveal… and, wow, was it emotional!

Mountaintop helicopter elopement ceremony – Vancouver wedding packages BC — *Photography by* *Mad Magic Co*.

Above the Clouds: A Ceremony Like No Other

After weigh-ins (yes, we must do that before a helicopter ride… and no, you never have to look!), we loaded up the helicopter with vows, rings, jackets, and snacks. This was M’s first-ever helicopter flight, so she sat in the front seat to soak it all in.

In just 15 minutes, we went from the busy hum of the Lower Mainland to the silence and serenity of the tallest peak in the Golden Ears mountain range. Once we landed, we were greeted by sun, snow, and silence. Aside from a few animal tracks, it felt like we had the entire mountain to ourselves. The backdrop couldn’t have been more perfect for what came next.

W and M exchanged their vows. They were deep, emotional words that had all of us feeling the weight and beauty of the moment. They followed with rings and sealed it all with a kiss, framed by that stunning, nameless mountain peak.

After the ceremony, we took full advantage of the sunshine and snowy peaks for some stunning mountaintop portraits. The light was golden, their energy was infectious, and every moment felt like a scene from a film. Then came one of my favourite parts: M did a handstand in her wedding dress with W there to steady her. This is M’s travel signature. When travelling, she likes to take a photo doing a handstand in epic locations. This one, perched high above the world in fresh mountain snow, on one of the most important days of her life, will no doubt become one of the most iconic in her collection.

Bride & groom unity glass ceremony – Vancouver elopement planner helicopter wedding BC — *Photography by* *Mad Magic Co*.

A Work of Art and a Dance at Home

Once we returned to the hangar, we headed upstairs to warm up and wrap up. This is where we held their Unity Glass ceremony and completed the legal paperwork. The Unity Glass ritual is a modern, artistic take on the classic sand ceremony. Instead of sand, W and M poured small pieces of coloured glass frit (each hue chosen with intention) into a vessel together. Later, a Vancouver glass studio will use these fragments to create a custom piece of art, like a vase or sculpture, to display in their home. It’s a tangible reminder of their day, their bond, and how two individuals can come together to create something truly beautiful.

Once the ceremony and signing were complete, I helped W and M pack their things into their vehicle, said my goodbyes, and sent them off with the full day ahead of them, planned, of course, with intention and adventure in mind.

Their first stop was the Abbotsford Tulip Festival, where they wandered rows of colourful blooms and soaked in the spring air. From there, they headed into Vancouver for dinner at one of their favourite restaurants. Then, back at home, they drew a bath, put on their favourite song, and shared their first dance as a married couple. It was quiet, intimate, and just the two of them, in their living room. No audience, no performance. Just love.

Let Your Wedding Reflect You

Their story is a perfect reminder that your wedding can (and should) be whatever you want it to be. Whether that means red dresses, mountain peaks, helicopters, and handstands. The things that make you unique as a couple are exactly what make your day so memorable, not just for you, but for all of us who get to witness it.

And if you’re worried about hiking boots under your wedding dress? Don’t be. Honestly, I love the contrast. And besides, you won’t even notice them when you’re wrapped up in joy and being scooped up for a kiss.

At Sea to Sky Elopements, we execute custom, stress-free elopements for couples who want adventure, intention, and zero fluff. You bring the love. We handle the rest. Dreaming of a wedding that doesn’t follow the rules? Let’s make it happen.