When choosing a location for their destination wedding, New Yorkers Melissa and Daniel were drawn to the desert. They checked out the Valley of Fire on a scouting trip and instantly knew it was the place for them.

Guests were transported into a whimsical desert scene for the ceremony. Cactus and Lace Weddings co-ordinated everything, combining the soft tones of the desert with fresh florals and succulents alongside blush and gold details that ruffled in the wind. Antique books and china completed the vintage feel. After the touching vow exchange was a dessert reception and toasts with a beautifully dressed sweetheart table. A hand-carved vintage door was set up behind the table as a backdrop and as a reminder that doors symbolize hope, a new beginning, and will always stay open for loved ones.

Combining their ceremony with a private restaurant reception at Tableau at Wynn Las Vegas turned out to be the perfect combination for these two. But as an In-n-Out fan, I love that this couple made time for a pit stop for some burgers, too!

WHY LAS VEGAS?

My husband, then fiancé Daniel, came up with the idea to have a desert wedding. We figured Las Vegas had a lot of activities and attractions and would be the most fun for our guests. We had also been to Vegas three times together in the past. We found Cactus and Lace and instantly fell in love with the Nevada desert and the ladies at Cactus and Lace were the sweetest.

THE CEREMONY — Valley of Fire

Since we are from NYC, we Skyped/emailed with Rachel and Lory many times. They setup everything at the ceremony based on my Pinterest board of wedding ideas. The ceremony was beautiful beyond what I imagined it to be. Having the Valley of Fire as the backdrop, chairs for our guests were set up and flower petals were scattered down the aisle. We had a string quartet play during the reception and then we did a first dance to the Phantom of the Opera’s “All I Ask of You.”

THE RECEPTION — Tableau at Wynn Las Vegas

Our reception was held at the restaurant Tableau within the Wynn hotel. We love the whimsical decor of the Wynn and the food was outstanding.

DETAILS + DECOR

My color palette for the ceremony was blush and white with touches of gold. There were also vintage books, Lace, and mirrored decor layered in. This look is similar to how our home is decorated so it matched us well. Cactus and Lace supplied all the decor. It was such a beautiful setup.

FAVORITE MEMORY

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2016 so just a few months before my wedding. The week before my wedding was her final round of chemo. The wedding was also a celebration for her finishing chemo and a strong and healthy future ahead. Daniel and I did not give out wedding favors and instead made a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

LAS VEGAS WEDDING TIPS FROM MELISSA + DANIEL

I was stress free through the entire process thanks to Cactus and Lace. The only advice I would give to couples is enjoy the day to the fullest and try to take it all in while it’s happening. It felt so surreal and the day flies by. Having a great photographer to capture all the moments is important.

VENDOR + VENUE DETAILS :

PHOTOGRAPHER . Cactus and Lace Weddings
CEREMONY VENUE . Valley of Fire
RECEPTION VENUE . Tableau at Wynn Las Vegas

WEDDING PLANNER . Cactus and Lace Weddings / FLORAL . The Front Porch Flowers and Gifts / CAKE . Peridot Sweets / BRIDAL FASHION . dress – Karen Willis Holmes / HAIR + MAKEUP . Ruby Finch Salon / BRIDESMAIDS . BHLDN / GROOMSWEAR . Macy’s Bar III / RENTALS + DECOR . Cactus and Lace Weddings / VIDEOGRAPHY . Lighten Films

Lauren and Darrik travelled from Colorado to elope in Las Vegas. They exchanged vows at Floyd Lamb Park with just two friend to witness, but special mementos of those who mattered to them were present everywhere. Lauren’s grandparents raised her and although her grandfather passed away before he could see her married, little reminders of him were carefully included: her “Pa” tattoo, an embroidered handkerchief, a heart from her grandfather’s workshirt sewn into that stunning gown.

In her heartfelt way, Reverend Angie Kelly worked with the couple to provide a romantic, personal ceremony perfect for the intimacy of the occasion. I’d love to include the entire ceremony but I’ll share just a sampling of a part that struck me: You’ve been pooling your emotional resources and know that life’s trials are less threatening because of the strength and compatibility you offered one another. Here you are, at THIS pinnacle point where you’re expressing and recording your unity to each other in a way that thousands of great couples have done throughout history.

Afterwards, the group headed north for a bridal photo session in Cold Creek. It’s a small community near Las Vegas well-known for its wild horses and scenic desert landscape. Isn’t it magical?

VENDOR + VENUE DETAILS :

PHOTOGRAPHER . j. anne photography
CEREMONY VENUE . Floyd Lamb Park
BRIDAL PHOTO VENUE . Cold Creek, Nevada

OFFICIANT . Reverend Angie Kelly of Peachy Keen Unions / FLORAL . Layers of Lovely – An Inspired Floral Art Studio

When you’re a fashion blogger who decides to have an engagement photo session, you know it’s time to turn it up a notch for your shoot. Where better than downtown Vegas where the kitschy crosses with the gritty and the vintage mixes with quirky fashion? (If you’ve been there, you totally get this.)

Hailey and Adam dressed up for the occasion and treated Fremont like their runway, rocking it retro style in this engagement session caught exclusively on film. How appropriate.

VENDOR + VENUE DETAILS :

PHOTOGRAPHER . Kel Ward Photography
SHOOT VENUE . Downtown Las Vegas

FASHION . Kate’s Couture

A little rain didn’t get in the way of Chandra and Henry’s wedding day. Going for simple elegance worked out perfectly for this pair who chose Floyd Lamb State Park as their wedding venue. This park steps away from the usual desert scene and is an oasis of greenery surrounded by mountains. Those trees are totally incredible.

VENDOR + VENUE DETAILS :

PHOTOGRAPHER . Jessi Marri Photography
CEREMONY VENUE . Floyd Lamb State Park at Tule Springs
RECEPTION VENUE . Cornerstone Christian Academy

WEDDING PLANNER . Daisy Dreams / FLORAL . Mojave High School / CAKE . Chocolate and Spice Bakery / ENTERTAINMENT . Ides Quartet

For East Coast couple Zay and Dean, a Vegas elopement was just the thing. Hosting a small guest list inside of the quaint chapel at Cactus Joe’s Nursery was everything they dreamed of. It captured their relaxed earthy vibe in amazing surroundings and even had enough room to host a Champagne toast after.

To say the chapel at Cactus Joe’s is unique is an understatement. Located on the edge of town where streets and desert mesh, this working garden center has an amazing array of desert plants and animals … and the cutest damn chapel I’ve seen in Vegas so far. It’s one-of-a-kind in a town full of incredible venues.

McKenzi, Zay and Dean’s wedding photographer fills us in on the mood there:

Distressed wooden accents and decorative metal surrounded the wedding chapel where vows were exchanged and fewer than 20 guests witnessed this intimate event at sunset. Zay’s choices of subtle gold accents with white made a statement, from her bridal headpiece and fingernail polish all the way to the couple’s wedding favors: dreamcatchers, made by the bride.

VENDOR + VENUE DETAILS :

PHOTOGRAPHER . Taylored Photo Memories
CEREMONY VENUE . Chapel at Cactus Joe’s Las Vegas Nursery

OFFICIANT . Ceremonies by Janet / FLORAL . A Garden Floral / BRIDAL FASHION . ModCloth / HAIR + MAKEUP . Smooth Brides / TRANSPORTATION . Earth Limos & Buses / HEADPIECE . VividBloom