Have you ever thought about just leaving and getting married in Vegas? Well, this couple did! This Las Vegas Elopement is SUCH a fun story.
Growing up, I used to hear about people talking about eloping to Las Vegas or would joke that they wished they had just eloped and gotten married in Las Vegas. Well, a few months back I received an inquiry from Kelsey and Mitch who told me that they loved my work and that they had an unusual question for me. They asked me if I’d be interested in coming to Las Vegas with them to photograph their elopement. All of the trumpets in Heaven sounded that day as I said, “of course!” Photographing an elopement in Las Vegas has always been a dream of mine.
A surprise elopement in Las Vegas!
When Kelsey and Mitch reached out, they weren’t even officially engaged. They had just been together over the past few years and had built lives with one another in the Indianapolis area. Kelsey shared with me that she was thinking of just eloping under the guise of a “birthday” trip. Since both of them were turning 30 this year, it seemed fitting to take a trip and celebrate. Then, in Vegas, they’d get married and surprise everyone when they got home.
Whether a couple wants a surprise and intimate elopement or something with friends and family, I’m always down. So, I spent the next few hours researching where to elope, how to do it, where to stay, what to eat, and everything else that goes into an elopement in a place you’ve never been. I sent them the information and we set a date that worked out for everyone.
Along the way, Kelsey and Mitch shared with their family and friends that they were planning on going to Las Vegas to get married and were OF COURSE greeted by love, excitement, and support from their family members.
Kelsey’s mom played a huge part in helping out as well. Unfortunately, with the continued pandemic at hand, Kelsey and Mitch’s family stayed behind in Indiana but were joined by three amazing friends for the Las Vegas Elopement.
We began their wedding weekend with a portrait session in the Las Vegas desert. The Jean Roach Dry Lake Bed is a favorite place of mine to photograph people because it’s just so empty and unique. So, I picked them up from their hotel and we headed out to Seven Magic Mountains and the lake bed for some sunset portraits. It couldn’t have been more beautiful in the Las Vegas Desert for their wedding portraits and when it ended, I dropped them all off and headed back to my hotel for a quick snooze.
The day of their wedding, Saturday, dawned and Kelsey met up with my amazing and super talented friend, Chloe of Chloe Darling Photography. Chloe is also a hair and makeup artist and while I didn’t have any photography opportunities for her, I was happy to send my amazing clients to her for hair and makeup. She did an exceptional job and is always such a sweetheart.
Kelsey, Mitch, and their friends met at the Paradise Wedding Chapel, and joined by “Little Elvis” the amazing Greek Elvis impersonating little person, we had a blast! The couple was serenaded by two Elvis songs and was able to even livestream their wedding through the chapel so their family could see and watch. It truly was a spectacular elopement experience in Las Vegas.
Afterward, everyone piled into my car and we headed over to Fremont Street for group portraits and lots and lots of well wishes and congratulations from all the kind passers. We ended their portraits with a sweet beer shotgun on the sidewalk.
I couldn’t have imagined a Las Vegas Elopement for these two!
Thank you, Mitch and Kelsey, for having me along to help create and curate your best day! I cannot wait to see what you both do in the coming years! Enjoy all of the wonderful and epic new adventures that marriage and a lifetime of love bring to you!
If you want to learn more about how to elope to Las Vegas, check out this blog “How To Plan a Las Vegas Elopement.” It’s actually the email I wrote to Kelsey and Mitch for this trip but with some updates.
A special thanks to the wonderful vendors who made their day possible:
Hair and Makeup: Chloe Darling
Chapel: Paradise Wedding Chapel
Dress: Renta-Dress and Tux (an amazing option if you don’t want to fly with a gown!)
Hotel: The Palazzo
Photography & Coordination: New Adventure Productions
Be sure to check out the little elopement video I made for them too!
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New Adventure Productions is owned by Nate Dale, a Lafayette, Indiana wedding and elopement photographer. We travel nation and worldwide to capture beautiful and intimate weddings and elopements while providing a guidance, love, help along the way.
He is married to the love of his life, Felicia with their two doggies, Pika and Princess.