Las Vegas Wedding Tips From a Pro
Nine years. Hundreds of weddings. Every venue type this city has to offer. Here's what I wish every couple knew before their big day.
Bring Your Marriage License — Seriously
This is the number one thing couples forget. I have watched couples realize mid-ceremony prep that their marriage license is back at the hotel room. You cannot legally get married without it. Put it in your bag the night before. Hand it directly to your officiant the moment you see them. Everything else can be improvised — the paperwork cannot.
Working With Your Officiant
Your minister will typically give you a brief rundown of what to expect before the ceremony begins. They will ask if you have written your own vows or if you prefer the traditional format. If all you want to say is "I do" that is completely valid — just let them know. Every minister has their own flow and style, but in my experience they all share one thing in common — they genuinely want to make your ceremony special.
Ministers are typically tied to churches, monasteries, or independent ordinations. I have worked with so many different officiants over the years that it would be impossible to recommend just one — they are all unique. What I can tell you is that most of them are wonderful at what they do.
The minister fee is typically a separate cash payment given directly to the officiant either just before or just after the ceremony — your chapel or coordinator will usually provide an envelope for this. There is a minimum rate, but if your officiant did a great job and made your moment feel genuinely special, a little extra tip goes a long way.
About the Rings
Couples ask about ring order more than you might expect. The short answer is — it's personal. Here's what I've seen most often:
Some grooms place just the engagement ring during the ceremony. Others place the wedding band in front of the engagement ring so it sits closest to the heart. Some place both rings — band first, then engagement — so the band is closest to the heart. Sometimes the bride will switch them afterward to get the order she prefers.
There is no universally correct way. What matters is what feels right to you as a couple. If you have a preference, talk about it beforehand so there's no fumbling at the altar.
Three Tips From Your Photographer — Before You Say I Do
Every couple I shoot with gets these three tips from me before the ceremony begins. They are simple but they make a significant difference in your photos:
1. Look at each other When the officiant asks you to turn and face each other — actually look at each other. Not at the officiant, not at the camera, not at the guests. Look at your person. That moment of genuine eye contact between two people who are about to get married is one of the most powerful things I get to photograph. Don't miss it.
2. Take your time with the ring exchange The ring exchange happens fast — slower than you think you need to go is usually just right. Take a breath, be present in that moment. It photographs beautifully when couples aren't rushing through it.
3. Hold the kiss When it's time to kiss — hold it. Three Mississippis is plenty. One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi. That's all I need to get the shot. A quick peck is over before I can capture it. Give me three seconds and I will give you a photo you will keep forever.
Wear Shoes You Can Actually Walk In
I say this with so much love and zero judgment — please wear shoes you can actually walk in. I have had photo sessions cut short because the bride could no longer walk. I have had brides go barefoot on pavement to escape the pain. It genuinely breaks my heart every time.
If the beautiful shoes that hurt your feet are non-negotiable for photos, bring a comfortable pair to slip on between shots. Nobody will see them in the images and your feet will thank you for the rest of the night.
Bring a Helper
One of the most underrated things a couple can do is bring one extra person dedicated to helping during the photo session. Someone to touch up makeup, fix hair, adjust the dress, hold the bouquet, or just be an extra set of hands. As your photographer I am focused on the shot — having a helper means you always look your best between frames. I genuinely appreciate it every single time.
Lighting & Location — What to Know
A good photographer can work in any lighting situation — I have spent nine years developing that skill and I am confident in any environment. That said, there are some location-specific things worth knowing.
Downtown Las Vegas and the Strip have more restrictions than people expect. On casino properties I cannot set up a light stand — security will step in. At the Fremont Street Experience the same rules apply. For truly elevated lighting in those environments I bring a lighting assistant who works around the restrictions. A lighting assistant is invaluable but does add to the hourly rate since they need to be compensated for their work.
A Downtown Secret: Starting at 6pm, the Fremont Street Experience closes the vehicle gates at the main intersection for approximately 10 minutes while an overhead show plays. Get your couple to that intersection right at the top of the hour and you have a 10 minute window to shoot right in the middle of the street with the full Fremont Experience as your backdrop. It is one of my favorite shots in the city — and almost nobody knows about it.
Las Vegas Is Whatever You Want It to Be
This is the thing I love most about doing weddings here. Las Vegas has more variety than any other wedding destination in the world. You can sign the paperwork quietly with just the two of you and walk away with memories and a marriage certificate. Or you can have the full production — flowers, musicians, a grand reception, the works. Every budget, every style, every vision has a home here.
Nine years in I am still amazed by how many different ways there are to get married in this city. Whatever yours looks like — I would love to be there to photograph it.
