Picture this, wild hearts! This is the story of Briana and Christian, a couple who chose to embark on an intimate journey together, exchanging vows amidst the breathtaking scenery of Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, Nevada. In an exclusive interview, we dive into their special day and discover the magic that unfolded. Red Rock Canyon, with its stunning rock formations and picturesque landscapes, served as the perfect backdrop for Briana and Christian’s elopement. What made Briana and Christian’s elopement all the more intimate was their decision to keep it a secret, known only to their closest family members. With just six cherished souls in attendance, the couple was able to escape the pressures of a large traditional wedding and focus on what truly mattered – their commitment to each other. When asked if they would have done anything differently, Briana and Christian took a moment to reflect on their special day. They both agreed that their elopement was everything they had envisioned and more!
Can you share your love story and what led you to choose elopement in Las
Vegas?
Up until the point Chris and I got married we had been dating for just shy of ten
years. I always joked with Chris, “we can never get married, especially in church”.
Simply because I never did my first communion or got properly baptized. I was
the one to always say, “I don’t need a piece of paper to tell me how much I love
my person or to show how committed I am to them”. Little did I know that was all
going to change when he decided to propose to me. When we got proposed I told
him, “okay but I want a long proposal before we even plan or think about a
wedding”. Jokes on me once again, my long proposal was 8 months long before
we started to plan our elopement. Personally, I always knew I was going to do
something small. Actually my grandma was afraid I was going to move to Vegas
and run to the little white chapel and get married when we first moved to Vegas in
Instead we found a team much better that offered everything we could
have asked for.
What made you decide to work with our elopement planning services?
I did look at a few options here in the valley before deciding on ELV. No other
team I felt could compare to what they offered in their packages. ELV thought of
everything, to flowers, to cake, to first dance, to toast, honestly everything!
Tell us about your choice of venue or location for the elopement. What drew you
to that particular spot?
We decided on the boardwalk because my Nana has a hip issue and we knew
we needed something with a smooth walk. Most definitely not a short walk, but a
smooth walk where rocks were not an issue for her and her hip. It was the perfect
spot for us to help keep our dog white and mostly clean for the pictures.
Many couples choose elopement for budget reasons. How did eloping in Las
Vegas impact your wedding budget?
We saved so much money for the wedding that it allowed us to take a two week long honeymoon in Hawaii. The package we decided to go with included everything for us. So we knew exactly what we needed to make sure everything was covered, we didn’t have to worry about making sure we had enough money for flowers or for cake. We knew it was all covered for us already.
Were there any cost-saving strategies or tips that you found particularly
helpful?
The one thing I found super helpful was the payment plan that was offered. We
were not expected to pay the balance off in one day but rather split. Which really
helped us because i was still in college at the time we reserved our date.
Did you choose to invite any family or friends to your elopement? If so, what
was their reaction to your decision?
This one is a bit funny because nobody in our families actually knew we were
getting married, only the 6 people we invited knew about our ceremony. We kept
the wedding a secret from all friends and family until our actual 10th year
anniversary of dating (christmas eve) we made an instagram post to announce
our marriage (all ELV team and vendors had been tagged in my post- 323briana).
The day of our wedding, my Nana was very pleased with our wedding. At the end
she even said, “wow that was for sure something different that i have never seen
before but it was beautiful and just enough”.
If you didn’t invite family and friends, how did you communicate your elopement
plans to them?
As for the family and friends that were not invited, two weeks before we posted
our announcement on instagram we sent out invites to our reception for March.
(attached is a copy of the exact ones they all received). Most were surprised but
very happy for us but i think more in shock it was such a secret because we did
visit family back home in California since we had gotten married.
Did you have any post-elopement celebrations or plans to celebrate with loved
ones afterward?
Yes we decided to try out Superfrico the day of, after we got married. It was for
sure a great time! So much to see and look at. The vibe inside was everything
and the food was delicious! My Grandma and Nana were a bit taken back at what
we had walked into but it was honestly perfect, it would not have been such a
good time if they were not there.
How did you feel about your choice to have an intimate elopement instead of a
traditional wedding after the fact?
I would do it over 100 times if i could! It just felt so personal and the girls actually
listen to what you want and they try their very best to make it happen. I always
knew the traditional route wasn’t for me. But after experiencing our elopement, I
am completely confident it was the absolute best decision I made to unite us in
our marriage.
What advice would you give to other couples considering eloping in Las Vegas
or planning an intimate ceremony?
Do it! Remember the day is about you and your partner, there will always be
someone to say something whether it’s good or bad. Someone will always have
something to say, just do what makes you happy and speak up for what you
envision on your big day! Don’t forget to practice your first kiss, reread your vows
and practice them, make a bag with all the little things you might forget and take
that with you to your sight. Oh don’t forget to pack an extra change of shoes
because the heels are cute but these Las Vegas rocks and mountains do not think so.
Most importantly, DON’T FORGET YOUR DRESS!!! (haha I did).
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently or any
additional tips you’d like to share with couples considering a similar path?
The day after we got married I woke up and asked him if we could do it again
next week. Although it was a joke, a bit of me was serious. Everything about the
process was so smooth and thought out, without me having to think much. The
only thing I wish I would have done differently was add more pops of color to my
bouquet. If colors don’t scare you, add them to your special day. It will make your
day pop just a bit more. One last thing I wish we would have done, was paid for
videography. Our pictures are beautiful and will forever show that emotion and
love from that big day. But I wish we would have made sure we saved more
money to capture a video of our perfect day to share years down the road to our
grandchildren so they are able to hear our youthful voices.
Hold onto your bouquets, lovebirds! Briana and Christian’s elopement in the captivating embrace of Red Rock Canyon has us all starry-eyed. Their enchanting journey serves as a timeless reminder that the true essence of any wedding lies in the powerful love shared between two souls. If you’re craving your very own intimate celebration or an unforgettable elopement, our hearts are ready to assist you! Reach out to us today and unveil the wonders of our all-inclusive elopement packages. Let’s bring your unique vision to life, ensuring a day that will forever be etched in your hearts.