Las Vegas Wedding with Seven Magic Mountains First Look - Las Vegas, Nevada - Bryanna + RJ

 
 
 

PLANNING A DESERT ELOPEMENT OR SMALL WEDDING?

here are some helpful resources!

Learn how to Elope

A Wintery Mountain Elopement in Northern UT

Moab, Utah Elopement and Wedding Resources

Joshua Tree Information + Resources

Las Vegas is known for casinos and over the top entertainment, but it’s the couples who choose to get married here that really hit the jackpot! Between the epic desert scenery and the fun backdrop of the Las Vegas strip, this location is a truly one-of-a-kind spot to elope or get married. One thing I didn’t realize until visiting Vegas myself was that the city is much closer to sprawling acres and acres of nature than I ever imagined. It seems like Las Vegas feels as big as a major city like New York, but it’s really only a few miles in the midst of sprawling desert landscapes. Bryanna and RJ’s wedding day had a sunrise first look at Seven Magic Mountains, group photos at The Flamingo Casino, couples’ adventure portraits in the desert and at the Old Las Vegas Strip on Fremont Street, a ceremony at Little Church of the West, and a reception at Margaritaville! These are all great places to take wedding photos in Las Vegas. Afterwards, you’re only a day-trip away from several National Parks in addition to land protected through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM land), to end your adventure hiking, rafting, or just enjoying being out in nature!

Keep reading for tips on planning your own Las Vegas, Nevada elopement or wedding + to see more photos from their awesome, adventurous destination wedding day!

 

first look at 7 magic mountains

A first look at sunrise? I’ll be honest, it’s not for the faint of heart! It meant a 3 AM wakeup call for Bry, and an even earlier wakeup call for Las Vegas makeup artist, Natalie Rey, and hairstylist Ashley (Updos By Ashley!) They had Bry looking absolutely stunning for her and RJ’s first look as the sun rose across the mountains!

The decision for a sunrise first look was well worth it. Bryanna and RJ practically had Seven Magic Mountains - an art installation just outside of Las Vegas - all to themselves! Check out the groom’s emotional reaction to seeing his gorgeous bride for the first time.

 
 

Where is Seven Magic Mountains?

Seven Magic Mountains is a large-scale art installation located within the Ivanpah Valley near the Sloan Canyon Conservation Area, roughly ten miles south of the Las Vegas strip. These colorful boulders offer a surreal, otherworldly element to your elopement or wedding photos!

Originally they considered doing their first look at Red Rock Canyon - a beautiful area managed by the Bureau of Land Management. As we researched options, 7 Magic Mountains had a few factors that made it the more convenient option. Though it’s about the same amount of time to drive from the Vegas strip to either location, in order to get to some of the most scenic vistas inside of Red Rock Canyon, there’s significantly more driving (which means waking up earlier to see that sunrise!)

Where is Las Vegas?

If you’re thinking about getting married or eloping in Las Vegas, first you’ll need to know how to get there! Las Vegas is located in Clark County, Nevada, approximately 270 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California or 421 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, Utah.  From LA, it took roughly five hours to drive to Las Vegas taking the I-15 route. The views along the Mojave Desert were incredible! If you’re flying, the Harry Reid Airport (formerly known as the McCarran Airport) is the main airport but there are also a few other small regional airports to look into!

VEGAS.png

Why You Should Take Photos with Seven Magic Mountains Now:

The exhibition, created by artist Ugo Rondinone, first debuted in May of 2016 and was scheduled to stay up for two years. In 2018, the Bureau of Land Management extended the permit to continue through 2021. That means if you want to get photos with Seven Magic Mountains, now is the time to do it!

When To Visit Las Vegas

The best time of year to visit Las Vegas is March-May or September-November, as these are the times of year when the weather is most moderate and comfortable. Vegas shares a lot of the same climate as Southwestern Utah or the Colorado Desert in Joshua Tree — super hot temps and high UV radiation in the summer with cool, crisp, dry winters.

In the summer and winter months, the heat reaches extreme temperatures due to Las Vegas’ desert climate. Bryanna and RJ were married in March and the weather was perfect! Their sunrise first look was slightly chilly with lows around 39 degrees and highs in the low 70’s. Las Vegas has a huge tourism industry with crowds spiking around major holidays, so I recommend avoiding weekends like the Fourth of July or Valentine’s Day.

preparing for a sunrise first look:

Sunset often gets all the love, but sunrise has some SERIOUS perks! If you’re thinking about starting at sunrise, here’s what you need to know:

  1. Cooler temps! I always recommend having extra layers on hand if you’re starting at sunrise (yes, even in the desert!) because it’s super chilly before the sun comes up. Check the forecast before you head out (click here for Las Vegas’ weather this week. Grab a sherpa lined denim Levis’ jacket or a chic biker jacket.

  2. You’ll have an early start time - if your first look is at sunrise, you may be getting ready as early as 2 or 3 AM. Make sure to allot enough time to get ready, get to the first look location, and get everything set up!

  3. Sunrise adds so much variety to your portraits! It’s still got the glowy, gorgeous light of golden hour but it’s not done nearly as often as sunset. Added bonus? There are WAY less people around at sunrise! This location, or the nearby Red Rock Canyon, will likely have large crowds at sunset.

More sunrise shoot goodness available at the following links:

Canyonlands National Park Sunrise Elopement | Joshua Tree sunrise engagement | LA Arts District Engagement Shoot | Morning Couples’ Session in Downtown Atlanta

Best Coffee Shops in Las Vegas

If you’re heading to Vegas, the chances are you’ll pull some late nights. Don’t worry - there are tons of spots to get your caffeine fix the next morning! Check out Vesta Coffee or Makers and Finders. 

 
 
 

Things to do around Las Vegas

There are SO MANY fun things to do in Las Vegas so no matter what type of adventurer you are, you’ll have an amazing experience! 

If you’re a thrill seeker, check out Exotics Racing, where you can drive a McLaren 570s, a Ferrari F430 F1, an Aston Martin Vantage, or any number of other supercars! If you’re looking for something a little more out there, check out ATV Adventures for a day in the dunes with a Sunbuggy! For a thrill of a different kind, ride in a hot air balloon above the desert! How unique would it be to exchange vows at a few thousand feet in the air?

Outdoorsy couples will definitely want to plan a trip to Red Rock Canyon. Not only are there gorgeous trails, but it’s a great stargazing location too! Or see Las Vegas from a total different view: take a kayak tour along the Colorado River. My husband and I love kayaking, so this is definitely at the top of our list! If you’re planning an adventurous elopement weekend, these are places that I’d highly recommend checking out!

Vegas doesn’t have to be all high-energy ALL the time. For a few more laidback experiences in Vegas, check out Topgolf , or head to the Spa during your stay. What better way to unwind before your epic wedding than a massage?

Of course when you’re in Vegas you’ll definitely want to check out East Fremont Street! After family and group photos at The Flamingo Casino, we drove over to East Fremont Street to grab a few photos in front of the iconic old-school casinos lined with neon lights. East Fremont spans Las Vegas Blvd to 8th street, offering all sorts of entertainment, lodging, and restaurants. It has a totally different vibe than the modern Las Vegas strip, just a few miles away.

best chapels in Las Vegas

Bryanna and RJ had a sweet intimate ceremony at Little Church of the West, a chapel in Las Vegas, which is located just four miles south of The Flamingo Casino on South Las Vegas Blvd. If you’re looking for an “Elvis” wedding experience, there’s nowhere like the original Elvis Chapel founded in 1977, called Graceland Chapel!

best outdoor wedding locations near las vegas

If you’re eloping or looking for a location for an outdoor wedding, I highly recommend checking out these locations!

1. Ash Spring in Red Rock Canyon

This location has incredible scenic views of the Calico Basin and is only about 30 miles away from the Las Vegas strip. Red Rock Canyon is part of the Bureau of Land Management (also known as BLM). To get married in Red Rock Canyon, you’ll need to purchase a special recreation permit (or SRP) - find more info on how to apply for your permit here!

2. ElDorado Canyon

This location offers a wide variety of backdrops with plenty of character! There’s a Cholla Cactus Field (similar to the Cholla Garden in Joshua Tree, California), vintage barns, old cars, a gorgeous wooden chapel, and a big barn in a spot called Nelson’s Landing! I think it would be a gorgeous area to photograph a desert elopement because there are so many amazing photo opportunities. Nelson’s Landing was once a gold mine in Southern Nevada established in 1861, but now is known as a ghost town.

3. Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire is a surreal location - it’s both a historical monument and adventurer’s playground simultaneously! Mostly known for its bright red Aztec sandstone, this area contains remnants from the Jurassic period and petroglyphs from thousands of years ago. A permit is required here.

Other locations to consider are Springs Preserve, Mt. Charleston, and Death Valley. 

where to eat in las vegas

There are endless options for restaurants and bars in Las Vegas! For Bryanna and RJ’s intimate destination wedding, they opted for a classic: Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville! This restaurant was spacious enough to host Bry and RJ’s family and friends (about 90 in total) on the second floor, privately reserved. On my next stop in Vegas, here are a few restaurants I can’t wait to try!

Any of these options would definitely be a memorable food stop along your wedding weekend in Las Vegas!

Ready to get started planning your las vegas wedding?

Contact me today for my availability!

If you’re interested in planning an intimate wedding or elopement in Vegas but don’t know where to start, grab my FREE intimate wedding + elopement planning starter kit!

 
Elopements, Weddings, Portfolio, FeaturedMorgan Pirkle15 Comments