Helicopter weddings, elopements and proposals
Say it on a canyon plateau, a desert ridge or a glacier. What packages cost, where you can land, and the permits behind them.
- Weddings from
- $3,369
- Proposals from
- $3,899
- Grand Canyon West
- $4,799 for 6
- Alaska glacier
- About $11,600
Getting married by helicopter
Packages in 2026 start at about $3,369 for a Valley of Fire wedding and $4,799 at Grand Canyon West for six people, officiant and photographer included. Maui in-flight weddings start at $4,999, an Alaska glacier elopement for up to eight runs about $11,600, and helicopter proposals start at $3,899.
A helicopter takes a small wedding party to places with no road: a ledge below the canyon rim, a desert plateau, a waterfall, a glacier.
Most packages are for the couple plus a few guests, with the officiant and photographer counted in the seats. Larger parties need a second helicopter or a ceremony at a site guests can drive to.
Where you land decides the paperwork. Grand Canyon West is Hualapai land with no National Park Service permit; ceremonies inside Grand Canyon National Park need an NPS permit, and helicopters cannot land there.
Flying guests in? Our group charter flights move the whole party.
Sources:Papillon: Valley of Fire weddingPapillon: Grand Canyon weddingMaverick Helicopters Maui: weddingsWandering Weddings: Alaska helicopter elopementPapillon: Grand Canyon proposalNational Park Service: getting married at Grand Canyon
Helicopter wedding and proposal packages compared
- Package
- Papillon wedding
- From
- $3,369
- What is included
- Landing at a private site in the state park
- Package
- Maverick Sunset Brilliance wedding
- From
- $4,999, $5,099 or $5,599
- What is included
- Minister, ceremony on a private plateau, about 4.5 hours
- Package
- Papillon wedding or elopement
- From
- $4,799 for 6
- What is included
- Officiant, photographer, bouquet, video, champagne; sunset $230 extra
- Package
- Papillon proposal
- From
- $3,899
- What is included
- Private landing; sunset $230 extra
- Package
- Maverick Desert Dreams proposal
- From
- $4,199
- What is included
- Private H130, limousine, canyon-floor landing; taxes, fees and gratuity included; sunset $400 extra
- Package
- Maverick Hibiscus Voyage
- From
- $4,999
- What is included
- In-flight wedding; minister, photographer, leis, cake
- Package
- Maverick Hana rainforest landing wedding
- From
- $5,499
- What is included
- Up to 7 seats and 1,070 lb combined
- Package
- Paradise Helicopters romance package
- From
- $7,500
- What is included
- Private waterfall landing on the Kohala Coast
- Package
- Glacier elopement (planner package)
- From
- About $11,600
- What is included
- Several glacier landings, up to 8 guests, May to September
Prices published by each operator or planner for 2026. A Nevada marriage license comes from the Clark County Marriage License Bureau and is not included.
Sources:Papillon: Valley of Fire weddingMaverick Helicopters: Sunset Brilliance weddingPapillon: Grand Canyon weddingPapillon: Grand Canyon proposalMaverick Helicopters: Desert Dreams proposalMaverick Helicopters Maui: weddingsParadise Helicopters: romance package, Hawaii IslandWandering Weddings: Alaska helicopter elopement
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
Permits and rules by location
| Location | Rule |
|---|---|
| Grand Canyon National Park | Wedding permit: $70 application plus $210 management fee ($280) at general sites and Shoshone Point, $355 at the Shrine of the Ages; apply up to a year ahead. Helicopters may not land in the park. |
| Grand Canyon West | Hualapai land, outside the park: no NPS permit; the operator's rules apply. |
| Sedona | Landing aircraft in National Forest Wilderness is prohibited; sites such as Cathedral Rock need a Forest Service special use permit. |
| Hawaii | Air tours must fly at least 1,500 ft above the surface. |
| Short tours from one airport | Flights that start and end at the same airport within 25 miles can run under a Letter of Authorization (14 CFR 91.147); flights with a landing elsewhere need a Part 135 operator. |
Sources:National Park Service: Grand Canyon special use permitsNational Park Service: getting married at Grand CanyoneCFR 36 CFR 2.17: aircraft in national parkseCFR 36 CFR 261.18: National Forest WildernesseCFR 14 CFR Part 136: commercial air tourseCFR 14 CFR 91.147: air tours under Letter of Authorization
Planning a helicopter wedding
- 01Pick the place and the light
Sunset slots cost $230 to $400 more. Match the season to the location: Alaska glacier trips run May to September.
- 02Count the seats
Packages usually seat six including the officiant and photographer. Weight limits apply, such as 1,070 lb on Maverick Maui.
- 03Paperwork
Get the marriage license in the state you marry in, and any site permit, before the day.
Sources:Wandering Weddings: Alaska helicopter elopementMaverick Helicopters Maui: weddingsPapillon: Grand Canyon wedding
Helicopters used for weddings and proposals
Maverick's packages fly the Airbus H130, a wide-cabin helicopter with large windows.
Operators
Part 135 operators that sell wedding and proposal packages.
Grand Canyon West and Valley of Fire weddings and proposals
Valley of Fire weddings, Grand Canyon proposals, Maui weddings
Sources:Papillon: Grand Canyon weddingMaverick Helicopters: Sunset Brilliance weddingMaverick Helicopters Maui: weddings
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistHow much does a Grand Canyon helicopter wedding cost?+
Papillon's Grand Canyon West wedding starts at $4,799 for six people, including the officiant and photographer.
Can you get married at the bottom of the Grand Canyon?+
Yes, at Grand Canyon West, where helicopters land below the rim on Hualapai land. Helicopters cannot land inside the national park.
Do I need a permit for a helicopter wedding?+
Not at Grand Canyon West or on an operator's private site. Ceremonies in Grand Canyon National Park need an NPS permit, and Forest Service sites such as Cathedral Rock need a special use permit.
Is a marriage license included?+
No. You get it from the county, for example the Clark County Marriage License Bureau for Nevada.
How many guests can come?+
Usually up to six seats including the officiant and photographer; the Alaska package takes up to eight guests.
How much is a helicopter proposal?+
From $3,899 at Grand Canyon West with Papillon and $4,199 with Maverick, which includes taxes, fees and gratuity.
Is sunset extra?+
Yes, $230 with Papillon and $400 with Maverick.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 13 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.Papillon: Valley of Fire wedding
- 2.Papillon: Grand Canyon wedding
- 3.Maverick Helicopters Maui: weddings
- 4.Wandering Weddings: Alaska helicopter elopement
- 5.Papillon: Grand Canyon proposal
- 6.National Park Service: getting married at Grand Canyon
- 7.Maverick Helicopters: Sunset Brilliance wedding
- 8.Maverick Helicopters: Desert Dreams proposal
- 9.Paradise Helicopters: romance package, Hawaii Island
- 10.National Park Service: Grand Canyon special use permits
- 11.eCFR 36 CFR 2.17: aircraft in national parks
- 12.eCFR 36 CFR 261.18: National Forest Wilderness
- 13.eCFR 14 CFR Part 136: commercial air tours
- 14.eCFR 14 CFR 91.147: air tours under Letter of Authorization
Plan the moment.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.