Alison and Scott are two Canadians who chose to tie the knot at the Chapel of the Flowers on Leap Day 2012. The decision to get wed in Vegas was an easy one; Alison had visited with Scott and over twenty members of her family a few years previous on a family trip and fell in love with the city. She declared that she not only wanted to live there, she wanted to get married there one day. (Editor’s Note: I can relate, Alison!)Â Flash forward a few years and a proposal later, and Vegas nuptials it was!
The planning was a little overwhelming at first, said Alison, but that when she came across the Chapel of the Flowers website a mix of good vibes, an excellent coordinator (Heidi Hess) and the ability to watch other people’s weddings live helped convince her it was the venue for them. Another reason to go with this particular location? The gate on the Chapel of the Flowers reminded Alison of something her father, an iron worker, might build. He was the one who walked her down the aisle to a meaningful ceremony that was packed with emotions.
After the ceremony, Presidential Limo took the wedding participants on a photo tour of the Strip. Alison said that she wanted wedding guests who had never been to Vegas before to see as much of the town as possible and also get their own photos while the newly weds got wedding portraits. After tossing her bouquet at the Las Vegas sign, the wedding party eventually ended up at Excalibur for a buffet dinner. Afterwards, an in-suite party in a Mandalay Bay Vista Suite with “good music, good people, lots of dancing†went into the wee hours.
Alison’s number one tip for couples planning a Vegas wedding: once you find the perfect spot for you, do not stress about it and trust the very qualified staff – they’ve done this more time than you can count!
Alison and Scott chose the outdoor location for their wedding ceremony. Being from cold Canada, the warm(er) Vegas February air seemed right. The wedding was broadcast online for everyone unable to make it to Vegas for the occasion.
Her dress was a very customized and tailored edit of a gown she purchased at a store back home. Alison wanted something shorter in the front with a layered tulle train and corset top “Classy, edgy and sexy but also was Vegas appropriate,†she said.
To avoid Scott seeing it, Alison’s parents took her dress to Vegas weeks ahead of the wedding on a road trip. The big reveal was the moment she walked down the rose petal strewn aisle. The processional music? A song from the Kill Bill soundtrack – love that!
A very special moment caught with the camera was when Alison made eye contact with her dad for the first time after they both promised not to, to avoid crying!
Photo stops on the party bus included the Venetian, Bellagio and Planet Hollywood resorts, and the Welcome to Las Vegas sign. One of Alison’s tips: Don’t forget the party bus snacks!
These next photos – I can’t get enough of. The tilt shift with Cosmopolitan in the background, the bridal portrait against the red of Planet Hollywood, the group shot of the wedding attendees, the newlyweds strutting across the Strip – they’re all so excellent.
At the end of the trip on the south end of the Strip and before dinner, Alison tossed her bouquet at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign.
Thank you for sharing your story, Alison and Scott.
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Wedding Venue: Chapel of the Flowers / Reception Venue: Buffet at Excalibur / Photographer: Alyssa Mayhew, Every Detail Photography for Chapel of the Flowers / Wedding Dress: Divine Design Bridal Shoppe (St. Catharines, Ontario) / Groom’s suit: Stars Mens Shop, Pen Centre (St Catharines, Ontario) / Floral: Nicole Robertson for Montebello Floral Designs, Chapel of the Flowers / Hair and Makeup: Through Chapel of the Flowers / Transportation and Party Bus Strip tour: Presidential Limo / Afterparty venue: Vista Suite at Mandalay Bay
Wow she did a great job customizing her dress! It fit the location perfectly and the bride looked radiant.
I know – I would have loved to have seen the “before” shots of the dress. It sounds like it was completely different. I always admire a bride able to see past how a dress is and into how she wants it to be.
Love the high fashion portraits, too.