Plan Your Las Vegas Desert Elopement With These Whimsical Ideas

When you picture a Las Vegas elopement, you may picture the Las Vegas Strip, or somewhere a bit more kitschy, like A Little White Chapel. But that isn’t where Vegas elopements have to end. More and more couples are heading out of Sin City and into nature for their ceremonies — and honestly, who could resist, given the desert’s strikingly gorgeous backdrop? Having a desert elopement in Las Vegas is on the rise, likely for the increased privacy away from the crowds of the city, the scenery’s clean and minimalist aesthetic, and the remarkably beautiful backdrops. If you’re looking at eloping to Las Vegas, but the flashing lights and Elvis impersonators on the Strip isn’t your style, we’ve got you! Below, check out our inspirational tips for planning desert elopements in Las Vegas.

Use desert foliage

From cactus bloom bouquets at your ceremony to take-home succulents for your reception, these low-maintenance plants are not only easy to care for, but they pull in that effortless, clean desert aesthetic to your wedding look. And if we are being honest, your Las Vegas desert elopement will feel more genuine and authentic with such foliage! Bonus: if you decide to fill your bouquet with desert blooms, you won’t have to worry about them wilting in the heat, unlike other fragile flowers that may not do well in warm climates. If you’d prefer a more traditional flower for your bouquet, try incorporating hues of yellow and red into your greenery for a desert vibe.

Accessorize for success

What the desert makes up for in beauty and privacy, it sometimes lacks in having a shelter. If you’re worried about hot weather exposure for your Las Vegas desert elopement, definitely accessorize to fit the weather. In summer or warmer months, use hats or parasols to shade yourself from the sun. In the winter, use shawls or jackets to protect against dropping evening temps. With any outdoor elopement where weather may be a concern, consider packing an essentials box with weather fortifications, backup shoes (cowboy boots are perfect for desert elopements in Las Vegas because of the terrain!), and supplies for make-up and hair touch-ups.

Stay hydrated

Hydration is especially important for summer Las Vegas desert elopements (or any outdoor elopement, really)—  be sure to have water on hand for you and your guests. With factors like increased heat, direct sun exposure, and dust, you don’t want anyone feeling overheated or parched. You can make this a dressy affair by attaching a spigot to any cleaned out keg or drum for that rustic desert feel, or you can also keep things as simple as having a cooler with water bottles tucked up near your Las Vegas desert elopement ceremony spot that guests can easily grab on their way in or out.

Think outside the box

If you have your eyes set on desert elopements in Las Vegas, chances are you’re already leaning toward some non-traditional details for your big day. Don’t be afraid to go bold and chase your personalities — opt for a cool location like Nelson Ghost Town, where you can recite your vows with weathered planes and buggies, or bring vibrant colored smoke bombs to set off after your first kiss. Whatever you end up doing, make sure your Las Vegas desert elopement feels authentic to who you are as a couple.

If you’ve got your sights set on Vegas for your nuptials, consider skipping the strip and planning a desert elopement. Whether you want something big or small, casual or dressed up, with Las Vegas desert elopements the landscape is your canvas.

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 Martha Stewart, Brides.com, Vox, and HuffPost. Janessa thinks elopements are the ultimate way to tie the knot.