Imagine walking across a natural wooden boardwalk surrounded by lush and vibrant florals featuring the scenic view of Red Rock Canyon. A small group of your closet friends and forever family are present. They are there to celebrate and witness this new chapter in your life – this was the perfect recipe for Kasi and Jonathan’s modern minimalistic desert wedding. With some of the most stunning flowers you will ever see and the added personal details that made this wedding unique and special, Kasi and Jonathan’s day was filled with many emotions and memories that will not be forgotten.

WHAT WORDS WOULD YOU USE TO DESCRIBE YOUR WEDDING? 

Our wedding was stress-free, full of love, and perfect for us. 

In more detail, we knew we would be very ‘untraditional’ in the sense of our choices. As a bride, I didn’t care about the flowers, or really anything additional to marrying the love of my life. But looking at photos, you don’t think that. You see a very full, robust ceremony and decor. I did care about the music, and it was not traditional or expected. Walking down the aisle to Pink Floyd was something I have wanted to do since I was 16, and it was welcomed. Las Vegas Elopement and their team allowing us to be us, allowed for a very heartfelt and emotional ceremony.

THE PROPOSAL:

We had never celebrated Valentines day as a couple, and never felt the need. But, this year we decided the night before Valentines, we should go out for a good dinner. We had gotten a gift certificate from our realtor when we bought our home, and had never used it. So we decided to try out Bob’s Steakhouse. The reviews were great. So we maybe had gotten into some heated discussion before dinner, and at this time, Jon knew it was the perfect time. During dinner, which was excellent by the way, we (Kasi) started talking about some pretty serious topics that were getting a little heavy, and Jon got up to use the restroom. When he returned to the table, Kasi started nervously fidgeting with the stack of rings she was wearing on her left ring finger. Jon noticed, and asked “Do you think you have enough rings on that finger?”. And being the true smart-ass that she is, Kasi responded “No, Why? Do you have more?”. To which Jon opened his hand and said “As a matter of fact, I do”. And then he followed it up with, “I know you have always said you don’t want to get engaged in front of a bunch of people, is this enough people for you?”. The restaurant, was packed. This was followed by some really sweet personal things, and a “YES”. And we will forever have to tell people, we got engaged at Bob’s.  

THE VISION:

When we started talking about our wedding, we knew we would want Jon’s boys there. That opened up the door to having our immediate family and a few friends as well, which came out to 34 guests. Each year, Jon and I hike a different National Park, and we really wanted something that reflected that. If you are unaware, National Parks for a majority are not easy to get to. Its usually a flight, a drive, and then a remote area. This was not conducive to a quick wedding that our families could all be together for. When I was looking for something with a similar vibe, I stumbled upon Elopement Las Vegas – Red Rocks Canyon. It had the feel we wanted, and you could immediately tell from the website that Emily and her team created EPIC, Instagram/Pinterest worthy weddings each day. Going further and checking out her Instagram, I knew I had to have her plan my wedding. 

THE PLANNING PROCESS:

From the beginning, I just reiterated ‘stress free’. They have this covered in spades, but it was really the only important part of the day to me. Most little girls dream of their wedding day. My mom will tell you that from a very early age, when she would ask me about getting married, I would say “forever is a long time with someone that might get on your nerves. I don’t ever want to get married”. Well, Jon changed my mind. But, I still didn’t care about the little things. I have been in way too many weddings, where the bride was stressed, or didn’t have time to enjoy it. I have been a part of some wonderful ceremonies that the bride and groom don’t remember the day of because of planning/mishaps/family drama, and that was not what I wanted.

Emily sends a questionnaire that covers the big details and I gave some input but not a ton. When asked about my bouquet, I said ‘surprise me’, and gave the color of the ties our boys would wear and a picture of the dresses I was having for my best friends. When asked if I wanted to walk down the aisle to the traditional wedding song, I said no, and picked Pink Floyd ‘Wish you were here’. When we decided on Emily and her team and signed our contract we had a few questions to answer about our vision. Then about a month before the wedding, we got a little more detailed, and then a few days before the wedding we got all of the information about our team that would support us. 

YOUR OUTFITS AND ACCESSORIES

My wedding dress was nothing like I thought I would wear. Getting married in a pandemic slightly changed my vision. See, I went dress shopping in April with a September wedding date. Dresses take far too long to come in and get altered, so I knew I would have to be selective in my choices. While I love my dress, it was heavy (fully beaded, with a train no less) and did not necessarily fit the location….although it fit my body very nicely. I got married in a Sottera/Midgley that was in stock and could ship right away. The dress was fully beaded but had the most gorgeous back and really accentuated my tush. I wore simple diamond studs and a ring my stepfather got me. My shoes (MY SHOES!!!) were Loeffler Randall and were a highlight! I wore a headpiece and veil I got from BB Lewisville (In TX). The only additional accessory for the wedding was  handkerchiefs from my great grandma, great-great grandma, and my grandpa all pinned on the inside of my dress.

When the wedding was over, I switched out and into a dress from peace + love ‘white fringe embellished one shoulder mini’ and a pair of tennis shoes from YSL. I also changed out my hair accessories for a gorgeous crystal comb, from ‘thefawnandthesparrow’ on Etsy.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Jon gave me the nickname Monkey very early in our relationship. Since, I have left these little baby plastic monkeys in random places for him to find as a way to say “I love you”. Right before our ceremony, while he was waiting for me to arrive, our closest friends and family all walked up and each handed him a little monkey, filling his pocket (and hopefully his heart). 

When planning, I wasn’t sure if I would have anyone walk me down the ‘aisle’. I have a father, a step father, a mother who raised me, and a brother who is the most special person I know. I actually waited until the day of the wedding to ask my father and step father if they would do it together. It was wonderful to walk down the boardwalk and see them standing side by side (both crying) waiting on me. They were full of grace that day and it took a weight off my shoulders.

After our ceremony, both of our boys came up to present (individually) a gold band they had gotten me for the wedding as well. No one knew, but during my vows…I said vows to them as well. Reminding them that I will always love them, that I am not trying to replace anyone and that we are a new kind of family. So when they walked up and both gave me an additional wedding band, it was the most special way to end our ceremony. 

 ADVICE FOR OTHER COUPLES

Don’t conform. Be yourself. – Your wedding should be about what you want. Do not let parents or friends dissuade you because of their vision for your day. Also, don’t be afraid to ask Emily and her team for whatever makes the day more you. Hell, I asked for photos that included little plastic monkeys and they made it happen. Eloping does not mean sacrificing, remember that. 

Get married…in a pandemic. You can’t stop love. Don’t hold out, just do it!!

Trust the team. I honestly could not have hand-picked better vendors if I went through thousands of interviews. Emily will surround you with AMAZING people. My flowers, ‘that I didn’t care about’, are easily one of the biggest compliments that I get when people see the photos or talk about the day. Our officiant, was so full of grace that we felt like a family friend was talking to and about us. Our day of coordinator, Sam, might be a ninja. She effortlessly flowed around the platform at Red Rock, helping move and place us throughout the ceremony. Ashlyn, our photographer was simply amazing. She felt like an old friend, making us comfortable in front of the lens and gave direction where needed.