HOW TO PUT THE WOW INTO WEDDINGS, BY PRIVATE JET

As romantic gestures go, whisking your beloved off in a private aircraft is high altitude stuff. Whether it's for the proposal, a hen night getaway or the wedding day itself, more and more couples are incorporating private aviation into their plans, according to private jet booking service PrivateFly.
Carol Cork, PrivateFly’s marketing director, comments: “Getting married is everyone’s opportunity to feel like a movie star, and many couples come to us wanting to inject some VIP glamour into their wedding. A celebrity budget is not always required either – some people are surprised by how affordable private aviation can be, considering the 'wow factor' it adds.
“As private aviation is all about bespoke service, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the details. Here’s our step-by-step guide to the perfect nuptials, jetset style.

STEP 1: THE PROPOSAL

“Getting down on bended knee is a big moment, and we have helped many nervous grooms-to-be to create an extra-memorable way of doing it.
“Helicopters are popular. We helped one client arrange a proposal on New Year’s Eve, on bended knee at the airfield, followed by a sightseeing flight over London. And we’ve had clients propose mid-flight, with names written in a heart on the grass below. Or for total privacy, what could be better than popping the question in your own private jet cabin, or on a remote island, not accessible by airlines?”
Price: Private helicopter London sightseeing tours from £600.

STEP 2: THE HEN & STAG PARTIES

“Whether it’s a VIP golf trip with the boys, or a pampering getaway with the girls, we have helped make some hen and stag parties extra special.
“Time is often tight when it involves getting a large group of people together, especially with time off already planned for the wedding itself. That’s where private jet travel really pays off; there’s no wasted airport time and you set your own itinerary. We recently took a hen party to Barcelona for a long day trip. They flew out early morning from London, were in Las Ramblas by 10.00am, with time for lunch, sightseeing, shopping, drinks and dinner, before a late evening flight home.”

London – Barcelona (same day return)

Aircraft: Citation XLS (seats 8)

Flight time: 1 hr 43 mins

Price: From £1,550 per person (total aircraft charter price £12,400)

STEP 3: A PRIVATE AIRLINE FOR THE WEDDING GUESTS
“Getting the guests there on time is easy if you charter a private aircraft, just for them. For some special weddings, we have taken the whole guest list cross-country or overseas. Italy is popular, but we have also flown guests long-haul from Europe to India or the Caribbean. On some private airliners, the cost per head can be close to the price of an airline seat, but without the hassles and delays.
“For the ultimate VIP statement, the inside and outside of the jet can even be branded. We once created bespoke seat back covers, featuring the bride & groom’s initials.”

London – Rome (one way)

Aircraft: Fokker F28 regional airliner (seats 85)

Flight time: 1 hr 35 mins

Price: From £385 per person (total aircraft charter price £32,680)

STEP 4: JET ME TO THE CHURCH “A private jet or helicopter makes the ultimate jetaway vehicle on the wedding day itself. The bride can arrive at the church by helicopter, with the newly married couple then flying off together, to transfer in style to their reception venue - many of which have helipads on site.
“A departure from the venue by helicopter is a wonderful way to end the celebrations, whisking the couple to their hotel or onto a waiting private jet. Recently we arranged one wedding departure flight after a beach wedding in Sweden, and decorated the aircraft with ribbons, balloons and a 'Just Married' sign.”

Stockholm – London (one way)

Aircraft: Citation Mustang (seats 4)

Flight time: 2 hr 35 mins

Price: £8,250 (total aircraft charter price)

STEP 5: THE ULTRA-LUXE HONEYMOON “For those looking to start married life in VIP style, a private flight can be incorporated into the honeymoon. The peace and privacy allows the newly married couple to unwind and celebrate in a cabin for two - and avoid hours stuck at the airport.
“Die-hard romantics have been known to carry their new spouse up the aircraft steps. And the in-flight service can be totally bespoke, with favourite music, wines, and a specific fine dining menu. A minority of couples will splash out on a long-haul private flight and some larger private jets include a private bedroom and bathroom. Others choose a short-haul private jet honeymoon, rather than spending the same budget on first class long-haul airline tickets.”

SHORT HAUL: London – Nice Cote D’Azur (one way)

Aircraft: Embraer Phenom 100 (seats 4)

Flight time: 1 hr 42 mins

Price: £7,200 (total aircraft charter price)
LONG HAUL: London – Maldives (one way)

Aircraft: Dassault Falcon 7X (seats 13)

Flight time: 9 hr 49 mins

Price: £122,000 (total aircraft charter price)

Carol Cork continued: “Private aviation certainly adds a high gloss to wedding celebrations, but it’s not just about luxury; it also makes some of life’s most important travel memories as smooth and hassle-free as possible.”

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