How to Dress for a Vancouver Island Helicopter Elopement for both the Beach and Mountain
The popular “Peak to Beach” all-inclusive helicopter elopement package with West Coast Helicopters takes clients to the summit of a 1600m mountain for their ceremony before flying down to sea-level to enjoy a charcuterie board at the beach. Depending on the time of year, the temperatures can be quite cold on the mountaintop, and possibly warm on the beach! Wind is a major factor if the day will be cold or not, so checking with your helicopter elopement vendor for the latest weather conditions is important. Summertime weddings can bring on plenty of heat, and covering yourself with shade and sunscreen is essential! In this article, I will detail the best dressing practices for the two major seasons in the mountains; Spring/Summer, and Fall/Winter.
Wearing a warm furry blanket to keep warm 
Taking off her blanket for a few photos
Wearing a light sweater at the beach 
Showing her Mukluks to Andy
Dressing for a Spring or Summer Helicopter Elopement on Vancouver Island
Hot summer days on Vancouver Island are usually concentrated in May, June, July and August. Heat can certainly linger into late September but don’t rely on that! If you are planning to elope in the mountains during the hot summer months, you should prepare for a hot and cold day all at once. At sea-level, you may experience 20+ degree days, but up on the mountain with wind chill could feel like 10 degrees or lower. Below are some tips on items to bring to prepare for a hot and cold day on the mountain.
LIGHT SWEATER/JACKET: Incorporating a stylish light sweater or jacket is a great idea for a summer elopement in the mountains and beach. With wind and a high elevation, the temperature on the mountaintop could feel much colder than down at sea-level. Wearing a sweater on a cloudless sunny day with wind at the beach will also protect your skin from sunburn. In addition to a light sweater, bringing a second, thicker sweater is a good idea in case of wind or if you are a person who tends to feel cold often.
FOOTWEAR: There may still be a layer of snow on the mountaintop, and if there is none, you will be greeted with solid rock and dirt. It is recommended to wear a solid-based shoe that will support you in uneven terrain. Between the uneven rocky mountain and large pebbly rock beaches, you will want a solid shoe.
ACCESSORIES: Bring sunglasses to protect your eyes at both the snowy mountaintop and the beach. Bring additional sunscreen in case you feel you need to reapply to protect from the sunshine.
Dressing for a Fall or Winter Helicopter Elopement on Vancouver Island
The colder months on Vancouver Island can start as early as mid-September and go through until May, especially for a higher altitude elopement in the mountains. You can expect anywhere from -10 degrees to +10 degrees on top of the mountain, without wind chill. On the beach, you’re most likely going to see temperatures above 5 degrees on the coldest day, and on warm winter days you can even reach 20+! A solid layer of snow will quickly develop on the mountain after the first few snowfalls.
>BASE LAYER: Wear warm fleece or wool leggings underneath your long dress or suit pants. Men can also wear a base layer underneath their dress shirt. Once you’re at the beach, you can remove the base layers if it’s too warm.
>JACKET: Finding a nice wintery warm jacket or cloak for your elopement can add a wonderous look and will definitely keep you warm. There are plenty of classy furry jackets out there that cover your arms and below your booty. A furry blanket can look equally as nice if that’s the look you’re going for. One of our brides wore a white blanket cloak that added to the badass Viking vibe she was going for. At any point, you may remove the jacket for photos.
>LIGHT SWEATER: The beach will be much warmer than the mountaintop, but it might not be “T-Shirt” weather down there either. Packing a light sweater for the beach is recommended in addition to your jacket/cloak.
>GLOVES: Your fingers and toes are what will get cold first. The body prioritizes essential organs such as your heart and brain, so the warm blood will stop circulating through the unessential places like fingers and toes and prioritize the brain and heart. Protect your fingers with a nice pair of warm gloves that aren’t too bulky looking. When hubby puts the ring on his fiancé’s finger, remove the glove.
>FOOTWEAR: Just like the fingers, toes are the first thing to get cold. Since there will most likely be snow present, solid footwear is highly recommended. A nice boot that allows you to wear thick socks would be best. One of our brides wore a beautiful pair of Mukluks up the mountain which looked fantastic and kept her feet and legs warm too. You are welcome to pack a pair of sandals for the beach, but you’ll most likely feel comfortable wearing your boots the entire time.
>ACCESSORIES: Disposable hand warmers can be placed in your footwear or gloves to provide additional warmth. A nice scarf can be wrapped around your neck to protect that vulnerable skin (for both men and women!) A warm stylish toque can be used to keep your head warm- you might feel inclined to take it off at the beach, so do keep this in consideration if you’re afraid to get “hat hair”. Sunglasses are important, especially up on the mountain where the sun is bouncing off of the white snow.
Weather Resources
Mountain Forecast: 12 days of forecast for specific mountains and elevations. Includes wind strength & direction, expected snow/rain accumulation if any, overnight and daytime temperatures, and freezing level.
Windy.com: Visual weather with optional layers such as wind, swell, rain, clouds, smog, dew point and many more.
Your Vancouver Island Helicopter Elopement Vendor!
In Summary
>Be prepared for both hot and cold temperatures by bringing the right accessories like sunglasses, hand warmers and gloves.
>For a winter elopement, dress in base layers that can be removed if you become too warm, and find a warm jacket or cloak.
>For a summer elopement, bring a warm jacket even if it’s a scorching hot day. The temperature is colder in higher elevations and with wind chill.
>Wear appropriate footwear so you can explore the mountain and beach with ease and comfort!