A Valley of Fire Elopement for Emily & Rodney at Las Vegas

Emily & Rodney wanted to celebrate in style. After all, they had waited ten years for this day! They wanted an epic elopement ceremony and a great place to celebrate their wedding. They chose Las Vegas and Simply Eloped to create their unique vision. The ceremony took place at Valley of Fire State Park, where the sun reflected off the red rocks around them. Afterward, the newlyweds took in the sights and sounds of the city. Read on to find out more about this magical desert elopement.

How did you meet? What was your first impression of one another?

Emily: We met in my first college class at a local community college. After class, he approached me to talk about the professor and we ended up at a Tim Hortons down the street talking for hours. My first impression of Rodney was that he was super funny and kind.

How did you propose or accept the proposal?

Emily: I immediately started crying.. I don’t know that I ever actually said yes through the tears. I couldn’t believe it, and some days I still can’t believe I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.

Where did you choose to elope and why did you choose that destination?

Emily: We chose to elope at Valley of Fire in Nevada. We chose that location because the scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and we could have a fun getaway in Las Vegas too.

What attracted you to the venue you chose for your elopement? What were your favorite parts about eloping there?

Emily: The beautiful red rock and desert landscape is what attracted us to Valley of Fire. There are no words for the beauty of this location. My favorite parts about eloping there were being secluded and being able to just focus on us, the incredible photo opportunities, and exploring the park afterward. That first moment we saw the red rock after entering the park is one I’ll never forget.

How would you describe your elopement venue to someone who has never been there?

Emily: Beautiful, serene, private, and an absolute must-see (whether you’re getting married or not!). There are truly no words that can accurately describe the beauty of the Valley of Fire.

What did you do before the wedding? How did you get ready? How did you feel in the moments leading up to your elopement?

Emily: We planned our wedding within a week, so we didn’t have much time to prepare. On the day of the wedding, Kailey from Pink Chique met me at my hotel and did my hair and makeup. She also filmed our first look moment and made that morning so incredibly special for us. I was so nervous and excited in the moments leading up to the ceremony. It was so surreal that after ten years together, we were finally getting married (on our anniversary)!

How was your experience with Simply Eloped?

Emily: I can’t say enough good things about Simply Eloped. They helped us plan the wedding of our dreams within a week and made sure our day was flawless. All of the vendors they hired for us were the absolute top of the line too. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I would choose Simply Eloped every time.

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement?

Emily: We had dinner at the Top of the World restaurant at the Strat and then went to watch the Fountains at the Bellagio.

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping?

Emily: DO IT! You won’t regret it! We were able to enjoy our moment with no external pressure. No one to give us their 2 cents on what we should be doing and no one to entertain. There was something so magical about being alone in the desert marrying my best friend. It’s a moment you’ll remember forever.

Officiation by: Angie Kelly
Photography by: Elijah Saldana
Hair & Makeup by: Emily Van Scoy
Flowers by: Michelle
Planning by: Simply Eloped
Venue: Valley of Fire State Park, Las Vegas, Nevada

Written by Janessa White

Janessa White is the co-founder of Simply Eloped and has helped thousands of couples plan elopements. As an expert in the field, she has been featured on Brides.com, Vox, and HuffPost. Janessa thinks elopements are the ultimate way to tie the knot.