What started as a simple elopement ended in a all-out celebration dressed in modern design. With 30 family and friends to bear witness, Scheme Events and Layers Of Lovely whipped up a day that redefines notions of Las Vegas “I dos” and J. Anne Photography was there to capture each second. Hungry for more? The gallery is wedding eye candy just waiting to be swooned!
From J. Anne Photography…Sometimes, life gives you lemons, and you’re supposed to make lemonade. But what happens when life hands you a beautiful couple with a wedding that is only a month away, and a team full of amazing vendors? Swoon, that’s what.
I talked to Brittney very briefly one morning, but our conversation was stalled due to my morning of school drop off, and activities with my babies. I followed up with an email later in the day, but didn’t hear back from her right away. I had only spoken to her for a few minutes, but had already learned that she thought she had booked another photographer for her wedding, but had just found out that there was a miscommunication and so her photographer was no longer available. She was heartbroken and now also frantic. I could tell immediately that she was incredibly sweet, charming, and genuine. And I wanted to shoot her wedding. So I was a bit sad not to hear back from her right away. The next day my cell phone rang. It was a number that I wasn’t familiar with, but when the area code indicated Arkansas I picked up the call. It was Mike on the other end. Brittney’s fiancé. What happened next still makes my heart skip a beat. Mike and I chatted about details very briefly, but then he said… Can you just go ahead and send me the contract? I just can’t handle hearing Brittney cry for another minute. With that, a contract was sent, and he won a place in my heart… which made me see (even from over the phone) why Brittney was so in love with this man.
Brittney and Mike chose to get ready in separate hotels, and to only see each other when she walked up the aisle to become his wife. The day was planned perfectly by Scheme Events, and Layers of Lovely created spectacular florals to welcome the new Spring wedding season!
Springtime in Las Vegas is absolutely beautiful. Away from the strip there are so many beautiful deserts, gardens, and even though it is a desert… the city is in bloom. Brittney and Mike chose to be married in a beautiful garden at Springs Preserve surrounded by their closest friends and family who had surprisingly decided to join them on their destination wedding weekend!
From The Bride…What started out as an intended elopement turned into a weekend party and wedding in Las Vegas with our family and friends. Not only did our parents and my grandparents join us, but we were also joined by about 30 of our closest friends for a great destination wedding.
The morning of our wedding, Mike and his groomsmen got together early to get dressed in his brother’s room at the Mandarin Oriental. Jodi arrived in the room right on time, and took several detail pictures of Mike with his groomsmen. Soon after, they drove out to the Strip for some action shots. I wanted some traditional photographs, but I also wanted some fun shots from the strip. Thankfully, Jodi understood my vision, including my remake of the classic “Abbey Road” album cover.
Meanwhile, the girls were getting ready in my room at the Vdara. Lori did my hair and makeup, while her assistant did the bridesmaids’ hair. As Lori added the final touches to my makeup, Jodi and her assistant, Janelle, arrived to start taking detail pictures. The girls and I headed down to the strip with Jodi and Janelle for our own fun photo shoot.
After taking pictures on the strip (and taking in a pina colada with my girls) we all drove off to the wedding venue at the Springs Preserve. Mike and I had photos taken separately with our respective families around the grounds. We decided not to have a “first look,” but instead to see each other for the first time at the ceremony.
Our ceremony was better than I could have dreamed. We had our wedding in the Garden Arboretum, which was the perfect setting, as spring native plants and flowers were just beginning to bloom. We asked the Lounge Orphans to play some of our favorite songs during the ceremony. As the wedding party walked out, the Lounge Orphans played Ingrid Michaelson’s You and I. I walked out to Canon in D with my dad. After giving my dad a handshake and a hug, Mike took my hand and led me up the steps to join the wedding party. The ceremony was wonderful, capped off by the Lounge Orphans playing our song, the Lumineers’ Hey Ho, as we walked out.
Jodi took our photos after the wedding while our guests enjoyed a cocktail hour. Our reception was held at the Springs Preserve as well. We chose to have more of an informal setting, and had various food stations instead of a sit down dinner. These stations even included a mac-n-cheese bar..our favorite food! My cake was exactly how I had imagined..and looked exactly like the picture I had supplied Brian, the baker. The Lounge Orphans also played at the reception and set the perfect mood for our guests. The evening started very relaxed, but ended with everyone singing and dancing.
After the reception, everyone was escorted away by a party bus that took us down the Strip and to the iconic ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign. We took several photos with all of our family and friends and then cruised the main drag while listening to old school Cher, Journey, and Madonna. The bus took us back to the Vdara and dropped us off to begin our lives together.
Photography: J Anne Photography | Coordination: Scheme Events | Floral Design: Layers of Lovely ~ An Inspired Floral Art Studio | Cake: Retro Bakery | Ceremony Venue: Springs Preserve | Reception Venue: Springs Preserve | Lighting: Led Unplugged | Entertainment: Lounge Orphans Music | Officiant: Casual Elegance