Another week has come to a end, lovelies. But before we head out we wanted to leave you with this breathtaking elopement. This couple traveled all the way from Canada to elope in Las Vegas, but skipped the strip and headed for dry lake bed outside of town, managing to catch the sun just as it was setting. This of course made for some stunning images by Kirsten Joy, and you can relish in the full gallery here.
The bride and groom found their wedding rings on a Etsy site (Joan of Engaged Jewelry). Then Tessa hand made her dress and they were headed to Vegas only telling their two closest friends who came with them, the rest of the family would be completely surprised.
From the Bride…Bruno and I had been together over seven years when he proposed in May at the top of our local ski hill, and we had started planning and saving for a wedding for the summer of 2015. As a wedding photographer myself, I secretly liked the idea of eloping and avoiding the stress and planning for a big wedding, and a few weeks ago Bruno and I were talking about our plans and he was into the idea too – we could elope, make a trip out of it, and be married.
Once we’d decided to elope, Vegas was an easy choice; I’d never been and thought it would be awesome to get married on my first trip there. We asked our two best friends to come with us, and started planning. Though, we were getting married in Vegas, we didn’t want a cheesy-Elvis-drive-through-chapel wedding; we liked the idea of being out in the desert with no one else around and the beauty of the surrounding to take our breaths away.
Of course, great photos were a priority for me, and Kristen’s work was exactly the style I love. I wanted romantic, soft and peaceful moments captured. When I saw sessions she’d done in the desert at sunset I was sold.
Even when eloping there’s a lot to do, especially when planning from another country, (We’re from Calgary, AB) and Kristen was a huge help in helping figure out the location, timing, and recommending vendors.
Before we left home we found Bruno’s suit at a local boutique, had our rings made by a local jeweler, and I ended up MAKING MY OWN DRESS right before we left. Everything else we bought in Vegas the day before our wedding.
I Face-timed my mom & sister right before we left for the ceremony, to break the news to them (they were shocked and very happy) and then we drove out of Vegas to a dry lake bed for the ceremony. It was short & sweet & perfect: just us in the desert at sunset. We had time to soak in the moments and really enjoy our first hours together as a married couple.
After photos, champagne, cigars, wine, & more photos, our best friends/witnesses took us for an amazing dinner, and then we wandered around the strip playing “drink when a stranger says congrats”. The next day we shared our news with Bruno’s family, then hit the road to drive to Utah for our Honeymoon – snowboarding in Park City.
The whole thing was perfect, and “us”, we’re so happy to be married and with the wedding we chose.
Photography: Kristen Joy Photography | Floral Design: Enchanted Florist TN | Rings: Joan Of Engaged Jewelry | Groom's Attire: Espy Calgary | Officiant: Peachy Keen Unions | Hair Stylist/ Makeup Artist: Your Beauty Call | Las Vegas Dry Lake Bed: Church Of Evangelical Faith
[dotted]
ONGOING GIVEAWAYS
Elizabeth Cole Earrings from Brideside
Enter the Invisalign Pin to Win Sweepstakes
Enter to win $250 in stationery from Postable
[dotted]
This week’s DISCOUNTS…
Fattie Pie
Free sample from Shine Wedding Invitations
Free 20-page 8×11 hard cover guest book from Shutterfly
Vino Backyard Designs
Squarespace
Zola
For our California brides… Discounts from Paperwhites Photography.
For our Mid Atlantic brides… Discounts from Femina Photo + Design.
For our New England brides… A special offer from Hyatt Regency Cambridge.
[dotted]
And WINNERS…