I haven’t been sharing as many engagement sessions recently, but was captivated by Zack and Kat’s, shot on location in the Valley of Fire. It’s such an amazing location if you love nature or geology, isn’t it? The colors and shapes are beautiful, and Kat’s smile is beaming!
Although I can’t say the Valley of Fire sounds like an appealing summertime road trip, to these Vegas locals it was a natural choice for their engagement photos. Those rocks and that alien-esque desert scenery was a big draw, despite it being August (!) and 110°F (!!) The shots with the empty road winding behind them are my favorite. It feels like they are the only ones in the world.
In my time writing about Vegas weddings, I’ve occasionally heard about families who are not that supportive of the couple’s decision to host an untraditional or destination wedding. But today’s couple, Jessica and Jason? Jessica’s mother was fully on board with a Vegas elopement. To her, the proof was in the pudding: she herself had eloped and was married for 48 years!
Jessica and Jason’s Red Rock Canyon elopement was a mix of fun and romantic. The gorgeous venue at Calico Basin was down-to-earth, and in fact is a spot the couple has enjoyed hiking in the past. And driving out there in a sportscar kept it fun and exciting and a little bit Vegas-y.
The couple paid tribute to Jessica’s parents’ marriage by replicating a photo taken at their 1966 elopement just ahead of going out to protest President Johnson’s arrival in their town. Their wedding photo is of the two of them holding a “Make Love Not War” sign and their special flower has always been a yellow rose, a flower incorporated into Jessica and Jason’s floral details.
If you are on the fence about marrying in the desert near Las Vegas at any of the spectacular natural venues available (ie., Red Rock Canyon, Grand Canyon and so on) today’s wedding will push you over the edge, solidly into the “We have to do that NOW” camp.
A few months back, Cactus and Lace Weddings approached me to help promote a contest they were running for a couple get married at a styled wedding at the Valley of Fire. Dozens of you entered, but ultimately Canadians Dawn and Scott won the package. The pair flew down with their daughter and other loved ones for their intimate November elopement and cake and champagne reception surrounded by a gorgeous desert setting.
From the palette drawn from Mother Nature to the succulent-adorned floral designs and the vintage wood furniture paired with touches of lace, your heart will be racing and you will be feeling the lovvvve in this little family. Longing for your own stylish wedding set in the heart of an amazing natural area? Read more about desert weddings here or check out the packages Cactus and Lace Weddings now offer. A stylish desert elopement … with none of the stress.
WHY LAS VEGAS?
Scott and I met five years ago. He is in sales and I am a firefighter in Toronto. We have a small daughter together. We both have a love for Las Vegas and try to go at least once or twice a year. During our first trip there together, we rented a car and drove out to the Grand Canyon, but in the back of my mind I thought to myself “How cool would it be to get married/elope out here in the desert?”
When I saw the contest listed on Little Vegas Wedding, I just had to enter it but I never thought a girl from Canada would win. I was so surprised and shocked when I heard from the girls at Cactus & Lace that I had actually won!
THE CEREMONY + RECEPTION
I can’t say enough about how amazing the entire experience was. I had a Skype conversation and many emails back and forth with Cactus & Lace but never in my wildest dreams would have ever imagined the experience would be as perfect as it was. When we pulled up to the ceremony site my eyes welled up. Everything was absolutely perfect.
The girls at Cactus & Lace listened to everything I said and as a result totally nailed my vision and my taste. The ceremony was just as we both wanted it to be: personal, non-denominational and quick :)
The photos are breathtaking and I have three new friends who helped to create one of THE most memorable days of my life.
Two tickets to paradise? Well, almost. You have to pay your own way to get to Las Vegas, but once you are there, Flora Pop Weddings and gaby j photography promise to take good care of you and get you hitched in a wedding contest they are hosting.
Enter to win a super stylish elopement package — the contest ends tonight, in just a few hours. It’s as easy as heading here for the details, and sending an email, so get on it!
I don’t think I have to tell you, that getting married in Las Vegas is full of excitement and adventure. However, for those of you looking to take it to the next level, I can only recommend one thing: incorporating a helicopter into your wedding day!
These two jaw-dropping locations surround your wedding vows in incredible scenery, vistas with unbelievable colors and other amazing sights for outdoor weddings that only Mother Nature could provide.
No, seriously, check it out:
Whether you are a nature-lover, thrill-seeker or have just always longed to see some incredible world famous destinations, Maverick Helicopters has you covered. The first-class helicopter company excels at providing wedding around — and above — Las Vegas to ensure your marriage starts with an exhilarating adventure and gets your hearts racing.
The romance of a private helicopter flight is something you will never forget, even on a day as memorable as your wedding!
Fly to the Grand Canyon to get married at one of the most famous natural formations in the world! Your private helicopter pilot will provide a birds-eye view of the Vegas valley as they guide you over the stunning Lake Las Vegas, past the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, before descending 3,500 feet below the rim of the Grand Canyon. It is here, at an exclusive and private landing spot, where your ceremony will take place.
Or exchange vows at Valley of Fire State Park as the sun drops from the sky, casting red light over the amazing geological features of VoF. Fly over the architectural wonder of the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead before you catch sight of the spectacularly famous red sandstone formations of Valley of Fire. You are married on a private plateau overlooking the amazing scenery (and get photos there, too!)
Post-ceremony, celebrate with some sweet bites and bubbles before finishing with a night-time flight with a stunning view of The Strip, leaving the night to you as newlyweds.
Most weddings run four to five hours, typically, and range in cost from $1,099 to $4,299. All packages include your ground transportation to and from the airport, your private flight, minister, hors d’oeuvres and Champagne. There are options to add-on special touches like a photographer, floral touches and cake to complete the experience should you wish.
