A Juneau helicopter elopement (the most unforgettable kind of Alaska helicopter elopement, if you ask me) means flying over the Juneau Icefield, landing on a glacier, and saying your vows somewhere most people will only ever see from a plane window. It’s for adventurous couples who want their wedding day to feel like the biggest adventure of their lives. The honest tradeoff: it depends on weather, and it’s an investment, with the flight alone running about $3,000 to $5,200 per helicopter (up to six seats).
I’ve flown with couples who have traveled the whole world, and they still tell me this was the coolest thing they’ve ever done.
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In this guide
- What an Alaska helicopter elopement actually is
- How the day flows
- Weather and backup plans
- Best time of year
- What to wear and bring
- Cost and what’s included
- Can guests come?
- Is it right for you?
- Final tips
What a Juneau helicopter elopement actually is
You board a helicopter in Juneau, take a flightseeing tour over the mountains, then land on a glacier for your ceremony and portraits. Honestly, most couples are blown away well before we touch down.
The flight weaves between towers of snow-capped peaks and over waterfalls. Then we round a mountain and the glacier opens up below you. From above you see every crevasse and all that impossible blue ice. There is truly nothing else like it.
When the door opens, there’s a palpable excitement. Everyone steps off and just stops to take it in. It feels like being on another planet: ice in every direction, mountains all around, and a kind of quiet you don’t get anywhere else.
One thing most people don’t know: where the helicopter lands usually isn’t the prettiest spot, which is wild to say because it’s pretty amazing. Pilots need a place that’s safe to land. So before we touch down, I talk with the pilot about what we’re looking for and where the coolest spot nearby is. Then we walk a little, and that’s where the jaw-on-the-floor moments happen.
Helicopter tours in Juneau land on three glaciers: Mendenhall, Herbert, and Norris. Most companies land at a set camp, but the company I fly with most doesn’t, so where we land changes every time.
The glacier is ever-changing, so specific landing spots aren’t guaranteed, but I work with pilots to choose them with each couple based on what you want and what the day allows.
How the day flows
The helicopter portion takes a few hours from check-in to touchdown back in town. Here’s how it usually goes:
- Get to the airport. I recommend every couple rent a car, no matter how long you’re here. The helicopter company can also pick you up for a small extra fee.
- Check in and get ready. We watch a safety video, get fitted for glacier boots, and get weighed so they can balance the helicopter. There are bathrooms and space to store your things (depending on what you book you may not be able to bring anything with you).
- Wait for your flight. There can be some waiting while helicopters come and go. This is when the excitement really builds.
- Fly. Most tours include about 15 minutes of flightseeing before we land.
- Land on the glacier. I give you the first 5 to 10 minutes (time varies based on tour booked) to just soak it in. Then we find the spots for your vows and portraits. With more time (highly recommended), add a picnic, a champagne toast, or cupcakes, or just explore.
- Pack out and fly back. The glacier is strictly leave no trace, so everything comes back with us. The return flight is shorter, but still beautiful.
One thing to know before you book: Juneau’s helicopter companies are not the same. The one you fly with changes how you get to the base, how big your group is, how long you’re on the ice, and what you wear. Matching you with the right one is a big part of what I do.
Sample timelines by coverage
| Coverage | What the day can hold |
|---|---|
| 4 hours | First look or just some time in nature to ground yourselves, the shortest helicopter tour, a few portraits back in town |
| 6 hours | First look, the helicopter experience, portraits at a second location |
| 8 hours | All of the above, plus a relaxed celebration meal or a second adventure |
| 12 hours | A full adventure day: getting ready, first look, helicopter, a second location, dinner and celebration or splitting the day into two parts. |
Even on the shortest tour, the helicopter portion takes about an hour and a half to two hours once you count check-in, the flight, and getting back. In a 4-hour day, that leaves room for one or two other moments, not a full itinerary.
Mini-FAQ
How long are you actually on the glacier? It depends on the company and the tour you book. Standard tours give you about 25 to 85 minutes on the ice. Some companies offer a two-landing tour, about 30 minutes on the glacier and 30 minutes somewhere else, often a mountaintop. A more adventurous option can give you 2 to 3 hours. I’ve never once felt like we had too much time.
Can we do a Juneau helicopter elopement on a cruise day? Absolutely. I do it all the time. It takes more coordinating, so book as early as you can to keep your options open. That said, I’ve pulled them off with as little as a week’s notice.
Do we need a permit? No. You don’t need a separate permit for a helicopter elopement in Juneau. You do still need an Alaska marriage license, and I walk every couple through it. How to get your Juneau marriage license
Weather and backup plans
Sometimes you just can’t fly, so I plan every Juneau helicopter elopement with flexibility built in. I recommend giving yourself a few days so we can pivot if your first choice gets canceled.
Here’s what that looks like in real life. One couple planned two days: the glacier on day one and an adventure with their whole family on day two. Both days brought atmospheric rivers, which is a fancy way of saying absolutely pouring, not-flyable rain.
When our flight was canceled, I called another company to see if we could jump on one of theirs. They had canceled too. (Sometimes companies cancel morning flights but still fly in the afternoon, so it’s always worth checking.)
So we pivoted. We started at our first look location, and the rain broke just long enough for their first look and a walk to get the nerves settled and excitement started. My couple shared that this was the best way to start their day because they were able to check in with each other and chat about what they were most excited about. We grabbed coffee and drove to another location, where we walked 10 to 15 minutes to a public-use cabin, where they had the whole place to themselves. The rain held off almost the entire time where we were, but for perspective the town got 2+ inches of rain that day!
Because they were in town a few extra days, I got them rebooked on a flight later that week. They went up in comfortable clothes and had the best time. That’s the whole point of a flex day.
Mini-FAQ
What happens if the weather is bad? We always have a backup plan. I handle rescheduling with the helicopter company, look for other flights that day, and have a beautiful on-the-ground plan ready so your day still feels like yours.
Do we need to plan extra days? I strongly recommend it. A few days in Juneau gives us room to wait out weather and still get you on the glacier for your elopement.
Best time of year for a helicopter elopement
Helicopter elopements in Juneau only happen during the summer tour season, which starts in May and usually wraps up toward the end of September. Weather permitting, tours run all day, every day. The companies build their schedules around the cruise ships, so flight times shift from day to day.
If you’re dreaming of a dog sled tour, plan for a slightly shorter window. The dog sled camps usually get set up mid to late May and come down around mid-September.
Book the first flight of the morning
If there’s an early flight, I always recommend taking it. The very first flight of the morning is absolutely exceptional. Mornings also tend to be milder than late afternoons, at least that’s how it played out this past season.
An early flight also gives you a built-in backup. If the morning flights get canceled, there’s a chance the company can move you to an afternoon flight, which matters a lot if you only have one day. It doesn’t always work out this way, but that’s why we have a few backup plans on deck so no matter what it’s amazing.
For light, the first and last flights of the day are best. On the glacier, the sun’s direction is never really in our favor, so softer early and late light can make a big difference in your photos and overall experience.
Don’t worry about crowds for your helicopter elopement
Summer in Juneau is busy, but for an elopement it doesn’t really matter. You’ll book a private tour, and the company I book with gets you a private landing spot. They call off the other helicopters from the spot where we land. You might see helicopters flying overhead, but no one will be in your actual space. You get to escape town and have your own private place on the glacier.
Mini-FAQ
What month is best for a Juneau helicopter elopement? Any month from May through September works. Flex days and an early flight matter more than the exact month. If you want a dog sled tour, aim for late May through mid-September.
What time of day is best? The first flight of the morning. The weather tends to be calmer, the light is beautiful, and it leaves room to rebook that afternoon if weather cancels the morning flights.
What to wear and bring
Yes, you can wear your wedding clothes on a glacier. The trick is dressing for the coldest version of the day, so you’re comfortable no matter what.
It’s usually 10 to 15 degrees colder on the glacier than in town. That could mean 45°F, or it could mean 70°F that feels like 85 in the sun. I’ve personally been up there in shorts on a really nice day.
On the glacier, less is more. We pack in and pack out everything, and we carry it to every spot we shoot. Here’s what I recommend:
- Skin-colored fleece-lined leggings for both of you, under your dress or suit
- A warm sweater for each of you
- Rain gear, even if the forecast looks good
- Hand warmers, a few sets
- Gloves, if your hands tend to get cold
The helicopter company provides glacier boots, so you don’t need special footwear.
The mistakes I see most: not bringing enough warm layers or a rain jacket, and wearing pieces that turn annoying in the wind. Long veils and loose, fussy accessories can fight you up there.
Mini-FAQ
Is it cold on the glacier in summer? It can be. Expect it to be 10 to 15 degrees colder than town, and plan for the cold end. If it’s warm, you just shed layers.
Cost and what’s included
The helicopter flight alone typically runs about $3,000 to $5,200 per helicopter, which seats up to six people depending on weight. The price depends on the company and tour. My all-inclusive helicopter package folds that into one price, with the planning, photography, and video built in.
What I handle so you never have to think about it:
- Booking the helicopter experience and paying the company directly (those fees are included)
- Sending the company everything they need and staying in touch with them
- Rescheduling with them if weather moves us
- Building your full timeline around the flight, including your cruise port time if you’re arriving by ship
- Arranging transportation if you need it
- Making sure you know exactly what to pack, and bringing extras so you’re comfortable
- Officiating your ceremony (I’m appointed as an Alaska marriage commissioner each year)
- Photo and video coverage, in 4, 6, 8, or 12 hours
Why video matters so much on a helicopter day: a glacier is all movement and scale. Video captures the flightseeing, the wind, the light, and how it actually felt to stand up there together. It also means you don’t spend the flight trying to film it on your phone. You get to be fully present, and I’ll catch it for you.
Photography packages start at $5,600.
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Mini-FAQ
How much does a helicopter elopement in Alaska cost? The helicopter alone is about $3,000 to $5,200 per helicopter, with up to six seats. Photography, video, planning, and officiating are on top of that, unless you book an all-inclusive package like mine that covers everything.
Is a helicopter elopement worth it? Without question, if it’s in your budget. Most couples don’t expect to make it back to Alaska, and our glaciers are remarkably easy to reach. I’ve never been up there with someone who shrugged and said, “It’s just a glacier.” It’s a grand adventure to mark the start of your life together.
Can guests come?
Guests are absolutely welcome. Each helicopter seats about six people, depending on weight. I’ve done glacier weddings with 6 to 10 guests (multiple helicopters), and they were gorgeous.
But the more of these I do, the more I encourage couples to keep the glacier just for the two of you. Here’s why:
- You get the whole helicopter to yourselves, and a truly private experience.
- Your time on the ice is limited. Every extra person makes it take longer to get to each spot, and on shorter tours that eats into vows, portraits, and exploring.
- You get to be fully present together in one of the most awe-inspiring places you’ll ever stand.
If family wants to be part of the day, we can split it: the glacier for the two of you, then a celebration or second ceremony with everyone on the ground.
Mini-FAQ
Can we bring our dog? Unfortunately, no. Dogs can’t come on the helicopter. They’re very welcome for the on-the-ground part of your day.
Is a helicopter elopement right for you?
It’s perfect for you if you:
- Want to experience some of the most incredible parts of Alaska
- Love adventure and aren’t afraid of heights or flying
- Are okay being out in wind, rain, or whatever the day brings
- Can go with the flow and pivot if plans change
- Want your wedding day to be something absolutely unforgettable
You might choose something else if:
- Rain or wind would ruin your day
- You’re not comfortable walking on uneven ground
- You’re afraid of flying
- You really, truly hate being cold
If that second list sounds like you, there are so many other ways to elope in Juneau.
Final tips for your Juneau Helicopter Elopement
- Book more glacier time than you think you need. You’ll want more time, and you’ll never regret it. The way I look at it, if you’re already paying to get up there, the extra time is actually way less than another trip up.
- Plan flex days. A few days in Juneau is the single best weather insurance.
- Rent a car. It makes every part of your trip easier.
- Dress for the coldest version of the day. You can always take layers off.
- Pack light. Everything you bring, we carry to every spot and back out.
- Consider keeping the glacier just for two. Celebrate with family on the ground.
- Add video. So you can stay present during the flight instead of filming it.
- Ask about the adventure tours. One of my favorites. You show up in regular clothes and they suit you up in adventure gear (rain jacket, rain pants, and a harness), then take you right up into the glacier. You can sometimes even put your head in a waterfall.
A real Juneau helicopter elopement on a cruise day
One of my favorite days started with a cruise ship in port and a lot of trust. H & C had one day in Juneau, and we made every hour count.
That morning, while she got her hair and makeup done, her husband snuck off to the grocery store and filled a bag with picnic snacks. I met them at the airport, we suited up in glacier boots, and we took off.
The glacier gave us the most incredible spot. They shared their vows surrounded by blue ice and mountains, with nobody else in sight.
Back in town, we wandered into a wildflower field for portraits, grabbed coffee, and headed to a third location for their picnic. They cut their cake, signed their paperwork, found someone getting ready to paddle board as their witness, and became legally married right there. Then they just got to sit in Alaska’s quiet together for a while.
A few last photos, and they were back on their ship with time to sail away married. That’s what a cruise-day elopement can look like when I handle every detail for you.
Meet your photographer
I’m Christine, a Juneau-based elopement photographer, planner, and officiant. I can’t pick a favorite helicopter elopement, because the best part is always the same: watching couples step into the awe of it, together. If you want a glacier day that’s fully planned, photographed, filmed, and officiated by someone who lives here, I’d love to hear from you.
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