Many of you marrying at locations where you cannot use an outside photographer for your ceremony often ask me if it’s worthwhile to hire a separate photographer in addition to the hotel photographer. My answer is always yes. Although your photographer often will not be able to photograph the actual wedding ceremony, they can get amazing photos like the ones in Madison and Matthew’s wedding today.
Their getting ready shots and first look were captured in that oh-so-stylish MGM Grand Skyline Terrace suite. (As well as Madison’s boudoir shots!) This super modern and sexy set of wedding photos set the scene for an intimate Vegas wedding with a host of events and parties over the week — my favorite kind!
WHY LAS VEGAS?
It seemed spontaneous and it was an easy access destination for our world-wide guest list. My husband is Canadian and at the time I lived in Seattle, Washington. We had friends and family come from all over: Whistler, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Seattle, San Francisco, London, Barcelona and even as far as Sydney, Australia!
THE CEREMONY — Gazebo at Mon Bel Ami
The ceremony was magical! It was dark and the gazebo was lit up with candles and strung lights. We had 50 of our closest family and friends there to show their love and support! I walked down the isle to Cosmic Love by Florence and the Machine. Our ceremony was short and sweet with so much personalization. We had prepared our own vows for each other and as we walked down as husband and wife Home by Edward Sharpe played throughout the gazebo.
THE RECEPTION — Firefly Tapas Bar
Firefly was amazing they had a room set up for us with linens matching our wedding colors, microphones for speeches, and beautiful candles lit everywhere! We ended up having 70 guests for dinner instead of 50 and they did not skip a beat! The service was superb, too! Our group was a very lively bunch and we continued the excitement to our rooftop terrace suite at the MGM where we had our first dance followed by many Champagne toasts. It was such a beautiful evening.
FAVORITE MEMORY
My stand-out moment was seeing my husband for the first time. The morning went by so fast with hair, makeup, and boudoir photos. I think the first time I really took a deep breath was when I met him out on the balcony of our suite, the sun was shining and I felt that our love was radiating which you can tell from our photos.
LAS VEGAS WEDDING TIPS FROM MADISON + MATTHEW
I think people have a certain idea of what a Vegas wedding looks like, but honestly you can make it whatever you have been dreaming of. The first thing I had to tell people when I told them I was getting married in Vegas is, No…Elvis is not performing at my wedding. Vegas can be inexpensive (well, for a wedding) and still very classy.
GUESTCOUNT +Â BUDGET
We ended up spending more money at the pool parties and clubs the days surrounding the wedding, thanks to an $8,000 MGM Wet Republic pool party ;) But all in all $9,000 for 50-70 people? Not bad at all.
VENDOR + VENUE DETAILS :
PHOTOGRAPHER . Heather Elizabeth Photography
CEREMONY VENUE . Mon Bel Ami Wedding Chapel
RECEPTION VENUE . Firefly Tapas Bar
GETTING READY SUITE . MGM Grand Skyline Terrace
OFFICIANT . Regina Madiera-Gorden (bride’s mother) / CAKE . Freed’s Bakery / BRIDAL FASHION . dress – Nicole Miller / HAIR + MAKEUP . Paige Dorans / GROOMSWEAR . Tuxedo Junction / TRANSPORTATION . VIP Transportation / AFTERPARTY VENUE . MGM Grand Skyline Terrace Suite
This is STUNNING!!! So in love with every inch of it.