Helicopter Elopement in Iceland

Where

Flights from Reykjavík to glaciers, mountains and geothermal areas

Best for

Elopements for two, or a couple and their closest family

When

All year, whenever the weather allows a safe landing

Good to know

Weather decides – keep the day flexible and have a plan on the ground

Where you can land

Several companies fly helicopters from Reykjavík, and most of their landing places are within a short flight of the city:

• Glaciers: the ice cap of Þórisjökull, or Eyjafjallajökull further south-east, for a ceremony on the snow with nothing around you but white.
• Geothermal valleys: the Hengill area east of Reykjavík, with steaming vents, hot streams and colourful hillsides.
• Mountain tops and lava fields: ridges with views over the whole south-west, or the craters and lava of the Reykjanes peninsula.

Most of the companies offer private charters and photo flights. None of them sell a ready-made wedding package, so your planner books a private charter and plans the landing places, the timing and the officiant together with the pilot.

How the day works

A typical helicopter elopement is a flight of one to two hours with one or two landings. On the first landing we have the ceremony and the first moments as a married couple; on the second, often in a geothermal valley, there is time for photos, a toast and simply standing in the silence. The pilot stays with the helicopter and keeps an eye on the weather the whole time.

Jasmine and Aaron started their wedding day exactly like this – a flight up onto the snow, a few minutes alone next to the helicopter on the glacier – before a ceremony on the shore of Þingvallavatn and an evening at ION Adventure Hotel. That night the northern lights came out over them.

Things to know before you book

• Seats: helicopters are small, and with a videographer and a photographer on board there is room for only a few more people. For family, a second helicopter is the usual solution.
• Weather: the helicopter lands only when it is safe. Wind, low cloud and snow can change plans at short notice, so I recommend booking a flexible day or a back-up morning. Companies generally rebook or refund flights cancelled because of the weather – check the terms when you book.
• Clothing: landing on a glacier means standing on snow and ice. Warm boots, a proper coat and something for the wind are essential, even in summer.
• Permits: landing in protected areas and national parks can need permission. The helicopter company and your planner handle this.
• Sound: the rotors are loud, so the ceremony happens after the engine is shut down.

A helicopter also combines well with a ceremony on the ground – Þingvellir, the Reykjanes peninsula and the waterfalls of the South Coast are all within easy reach. See my guides to Þingvellir and Reykjanes, and to ice cave and glacier weddings.