Helicopter Elopement in the Dolomites + Boat Ride on Lago di Braies

When you get engaged on the top of a mountain in Ireland, you naturally want to make sure your wedding is just as epic. These two saw their friends Nami and Hari elope in Switzerland and knew that kind of adventure was for them. So, Caroline and Ismael decided to take to the skies via helicopter to escape the crowds for the elopement in the Dolomites of Italy.

We wanted to make sure the day was just about us without distractions and having to entertain other people. We also wanted to do something super cool and unique that we’ll remember forever!

Day One

Getting Ready

An elopement experience starts before the photography does. Choosing the right lodgings can allow you to feel present and really settle into your destination. These two chose the Hotel Luna Mondschein, with its insane views of the Alpe di Siusi plateau and gondola in the distance. Not gonna lie, I think they aced it.

“We splurged on this hotel and wow was it gorgeous!”

A mid-morning start allowed us to take in the grounds, look at their polaroid photos they’d taken so far on the trip, and marvel at where we were headed throughout the day.

Alpe di Siusi

We hopped the gondola to Italy’s largest alpine plateau, where deep resonant cow bells sounded in the distance. The sound of cows mooing and their bells tinkling is an unexpected magic; it’s surprisngly melodic. Full exposed sun and crowds didn’t keep us from enjoying the meadow and admiring autumn crocus blooms (that symbolze new beginnings, joy, and hope) while making sure to not trample them.

After lunch at the gondola’s restaurant (We’ll have the wienerschnitzel, thanks!), Caroline and Ismael were eager to get away from the crowds so they could really take in their surroundings.

Dolomites via Helicopter

The best part of the day was saved for last. Afterward, Caroline and Ismael agreed it was their favorite part of the day, despite Caroline having some nerves at her first time in a helicopter (this gal deserves a round of applause for facing anxiety and fears head-on). Not much beats feeling like you’re the only two people in the world when you’re up on a mountaintop and not a soul is around for miles because you landed via helicopter in terrain most could only dream of visiting.

Our first location was cut short due to an incoming cloud bank. We were out of the heli maybe 30-45 seconds when our pilot nervously shouted, “Hey guyyyyyyyys“. He didn’t need to say anything else — we all about-faced and sprinted for the helicopter because we saw those clouds rising up over the hill too.

Our second location was perfect for their ceremony and vow exchange. These two recited their vows in two different locations, one for each of them. On your elopement day, you can do that. You’re not beholden to tradition, guest needs or concerns, or any of the things that insidiously make their way into your planning mindset (and they do, even if you don’t realize it).

Our final stop was on a mountain peak with Tre Cime Lavaredo and Cortina d’Ampezzo just off in the distance. The sun was low enough to bounce light off the clouds that surrounded the jagged peaks we were standing under. Ismael whipped out a bottle or two of bubbly (if there’s one person that’s always up for a good time, it’s Ismael) that set off a cascade of events including spray and losing sight of the cork. Fortunately, I managed to get “cork on frame” so we had a direction that it went. My husband Brian, managed to find it further away than any of us estimated. Apparently granite gravel really makes cork bounce. Who knew?

On the flight back to the helipad, soaring over UNESCO sites like Seceda, and small villages with their quintessential church steeples, Ismael said:

Sam, this has without a doubt been one of the coolest things we’ve ever experienced.

To round out the day, we had to contribute to Caroline’s consumption of gelato (it’s only fair since we did the same with Ismael’s Italian/German drinks on this trip). We met up in the town of Ortisei where we were all staying and reconvened at a gelato shop Caroline had already saved in her phone (she’s serious about her gelato, I tell ya). Well wishes, congratulations, and smiles were all thrown their way as they meandered the streets toward that sweet, sweet, nectar of the gods.

Day Two

Lago di Braies and Boat Rides

While Lago di Braies is not my first choice for a crowd-free and quiet experience, it makes all the difference when you do what C&I did, which was set an alarm and reserve the boathouse for the morning. The boathouse doesn’t open to the public until closer to noon, so Caroline & Ismael not only had the whole boathouse to themselves, they also had the entire lake as crystal clear and smooth as it could get.

No boats on the water (except yours) = epic glassy water and unreal imagery.

While Ismael admitted that he felt the lake might be a letdown after the helluva epic day they had prior, it ended up being the perfect ending to their multi-day elopement adventure in the Dolomites. Wrapping up with laughter, boat rides, and a coffee/pastry combo by an alpine lake is pretty worthy of the ending of a rom-com film, if I do say so myself.

My Top Tip for an Intimate Dolomites Elopement

The Dolomites, even in the shoulder season (and especially since they’ll be hosting some of the next Winter Olympic Games) can be congested with traffic, construction, and crowds. My top tip to get away from that? Book a helicopter ride, or stay overnight at a more remote Refugio and make it an adventure.

Places like Tre Cime and Cadini di Misurina are extremely popular. The latter is the lookout you likely have seen on social media where the subject walks out onto a precipice and has nothing but air around them. There are often lines of tourists waiting to get the exact same shot.

Not exactly the vibe we’re trying to go for on a day that’s supposed to be intentional, special, and unique to you,.

If you’re dreaming of a day like this, full of intention and connection, reach out, and let’s co-create a Dolomites elopement adventure together that sets the bar for your future shenanigans…