Not all love stories start with candlelit dinners or cinematic meet-cutes—some begin in the desert, on dirt bikes, with two friends laughing through minor disasters and bonding over backflips gone wrong. For Tina and Dayna, what started as a carefree ride turned into something extraordinary: a once-in-a-lifetime connection that would quietly evolve into an unshakable partnership.

When it came time to say “I do,” they knew exactly what they wanted—something real, something intentional, and something entirely theirs. No big productions. No rigid timelines. Just love, joy, and a space that held meaning. So they returned to where it all shifted: the M Resort, the very suite where they got engaged, now transformed into the intimate setting of their wedding day.

Their elopement wasn’t just a ceremony—it was a love letter to their journey. From hand-picked songs and a bouquet flown in from Ukraine, to custom touches and moments shared with only their closest loved ones, every detail reflected their story. At Elopement Las Vegas, we were honored to help bring their vision to life and witness a celebration that was as effortless as it was extraordinary.

Keep reading to learn how Tina and Dayna created a wedding day that broke all the molds—and why they wouldn’t have done it any other way.

General Elopement Experience:

Can you share your love story and what led you to choose to elope or have a micro wedding in Las Vegas?

Our story: Six years ago, two unsuspecting friends set out on some dirt bikes. What began as a simple day in the desert—filled with laughter, playful banter, and memorable mishaps, like backflips and one getting stuck in the loading ramp—became a pivotal moment in creating their story.

As the day came to a close, they found themselves sitting on the tailgate, openly sharing stories without reservation or judgment. Little did they know, that unassuming moment marked the beginning of an adventure neither expected—and neither was prepared for. What started as friendship quietly grew into something deeper, something rare, and something they both knew was worth exploring.

Since that day, they’ve been on a journey that has grown into an unwavering partnership—an adventure where every moment matters just as much as the destination. This exciting course, fueled by trust and mutual respect, taught them how to navigate life’s twists and turns, all while cherishing the memories they created along the way. No matter the circumstances, these two played by their own rules and embraced every phase of their relationship.

Their secret was simple: they knew what they had and  never rushed or forced a thing. Everything between them unfolded naturally—effortless in timing, connection, and trust. From that ease, they built something extremely rare: their own FairytaleGate, a love story that wrote itself.

We chose a micro wedding because we wanted something that felt like us—simple, intentional, and real. We weren’t interested in traditions just for the sake of tradition, or planning a day around anyone else’s expectations. This was about our story, our love, and creating a moment that was truly ours. In the end, we didn’t just plan a wedding—we created a day that reflected exactly who we are, and we wouldn’t have done it any other way.

Venue and Location:

Tell us about your choice of venue or location for the elopement. What drew you to that particular spot?

The M Resort has always held a special place for both of us—even before we became a couple. After we got engaged in their flat suite—just the two of us, with a beautiful view and a life-changing moment—we knew it had to be part of our wedding story. It was intimate, meaningful, and completely us. So when it came time to choose a venue, we didn’t think twice. We returned to the place where our next chapter began—this time in their largest suite.  We even incorporated the M Resorts logo to fit our last names.  

Were there any unique or unexpected moments at your chosen venue?

After the ceremony, we had a private photo shoot at the M Resort’s pool—quiet, beautiful, with perfect night temperatures. It gave us a chance to slow down, soak it all in, and capture some gorgeous memories we’ll hold onto forever. The M Resort was also incredibly accommodating, not only letting us get married without hesitation, but also allowing us to bring in everything we wanted for our day. 

Budget and Cost Savings:

Many couples choose elopement for budget reasons. How did eloping in Las Vegas impact your wedding budget?

Our choice wasn’t about budget—though saving money was definitely a nice bonus. What we didn’t spend on a big production, we got to pour into the parts that mattered most to us—massages, limos, amazing food, and little wedding details that made the experience feel extra special. ELV was very genuine and even adjusting the elopement package cost without us having to ask. It was thoughtful, seamless, and made the whole experience feel even more personal.

Were there any cost-saving strategies or tips that you found particularly helpful?

We designed the wedding and bought all the decorations ourselves, making sure it’s what we wanted. 

Family and Friends:

Did you choose to invite any family or friends to your elopement? If so, what was their reaction to your decision?

We kept the wedding just between us until everything was 100% planned and in place. We went back and forth, but in the end, we knew we only wanted people there who were part of the actual moment. Since it was a micro wedding, it felt right to have the bride’s dad walk her down the aisle, and for her daughters to stand by her side—one as the flower girl, the other as maid of honor. On my side, I wanted my closest cousin there as my best man. We told them all just 20 days before, and their reactions were nothing but joy and support. They understood our vision, respected the intimacy of it, and celebrated us in exactly the way we hoped. 

If you didn’t invite family and friends, how did you communicate your elopement plans to them?

I (Tina) told my dad the next time I saw him in person, a few weeks later, and gave my sister a call soon after. They were both happy for us, and when they saw the photos and heard the full story, they were stunned at how everything came together. They both said that was cool how we did what we wanted and loved how unique and personal it all was.

As we saw our friends in person, we shared the news with them too. Every reaction was the same—shock, excitement, and pure happiness for us. They couldn’t believe how intimate yet full-blown the wedding felt, they (along with us) never imagined something that beautiful and perfectly tailored could come from such a small-scale celebration, but more importantly they all commented on how unique we designed it. 

Post-Elopement Celebrations:

Did you have any post-elopement celebrations or plans to celebrate with loved ones afterward?

No formal reception, we sent our wedding party to Fogo De Chao in a limo while we took photos and met up with them shortly after in our own limo. Although, in the sweet surprise, our colleagues put together a little break room potluck to celebrate us after they found out. It was completely unexpected and thoughtful of them. 

How did you feel about your choice to have an intimate elopement instead of a traditional wedding after the fact?

Honestly, we feel like we made the absolute best decision we could have—and executed it flawlessly. We took a little bit of everything and made it our own. We had a wedding in a suite, the bride had her room, the bride tribe had theirs—both decked out in full wedding gear. Hair and makeup came to us, room service showed up when everyone got hungry, we had wedding pillars, hand-picked songs (seriously—add the music!), a videographer, and even a bouquet imported from Ukraine. The bride wore a tiara, I wore a hat—it doesn’t get much better than that.

Advice for Future Couples:

What advice would you give to other couples considering eloping in Las Vegas or planning an intimate ceremony?

Set yourself apart from the typical run-of-the-mill Vegas wedding. Don’t be afraid to do exactly what you want, how you want it. Every long-married, happy couple we talked to gave us the same piece of advice: “If I could do it over, I’d elope—and make it about us, not everyone else.” The truth is, not everyone will understand your vision, and not everyone will be happy for you—and that’s just human nature. But letting that shape your day? It’s not worth it. We learned early on that people tend to make your wedding about themselves. That’s exactly why we chose to keep it intimate. This was the beginning of our next chapter, and we did it our way—just as we should have.

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?

If I could go back and change one thing, I’d have hired a second photographer. Everyone sees things differently, and two hours of photo time goes by fast. I also wish I’d handed our coordinator a specific list of the poses we wanted. They probably suggested it somewhere—but I figured we’d be fine without it. Wrong.

Our photographer was amazing, and we gave her our vision, but once you’re in the moment and having the time of your life, your mind totally blanks when they ask, “Did we get everything?” It’s not until later that night you think—oh crap, we forgot that one shot!

So here’s my advice: make a clear photo list, double-check your ring angles, and hire two photographers if you can. Trust me, you’re gonna want every angle you can get. Also, take your time choosing your photographer. I spent hours combing through every single photo on ELV’s Instagram, plus the pages of the photographers I liked, until I found the perfect tones and angles. It was worth every second—the photos came out stunning.

VENDORS
Officiant : Peachy Keen Unions Photographer : Onyx and Arrow Photography Florals: Amy Wong Events Video: Lomax Wedding Films Coordinator: Elopement Las Vegas