9 Scenic Las Vegas Desert Elopement Ideas

In this era of social media, you might think that you have already seen almost all kind of grandiose traditional weddings out there. For some couples who want to take a refresher from all the usual,  experiencing a Las Vegas elopement is definitely a must-try! This article presents a variety of elopement ideas to consider that might be right up your alley.

1. Nelson Ghost Town Desert Wedding

Nelson Ghost Town Elopements

The quaint, vintage Nelson Ghost Town sits near a previously known gold mine. With its abandoned buildings, antiques, old vehicles, and a desert landscape, this looks like a place straight out of a film set. This iconic location is near Las Vegas and is still utilized as a backdrop for films and commercials.  The variety of props, trucks and old memorabilia makes it a fantastic option for a rustic vintage Las Vegas desert elopement idea that is perfect for wedding ceremonies.  We have performed hundreds of wedding ceremonies at Nelson and our couples absolutely love the relaxed atmosphere.  The photo opportunities are endless.  

Read this article to visit the wedding story of one of our clients Nelson Ghost Town wedding experience story

Explore more fun Las Vegas elopements for two.  

2. Lake Las Vegas Elopement 

Lake Las Vegas Elopements

This is one of the upscale resorts in the elegant Aston Montelago Village, which is located at the romantic Lake Las Vegas. Its cobblestone streets, historic-looking buildings, fountains, and a gorgeous view of the lake. Choosing this venue and pairing it with an in suite wedding or booking one of their gazebos or private areas are options to consider.  We would pair the ceremony with breathtaking photo book memories of the experience in this Mediterranean style resort setting.  It will bring an Italian vibe to your Las Vegas desert wedding experience.  

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3. Red Rock Canyon Wedding

Red Rock Canyon Elopements

Red Rock Canyon is named as a National Conservation Area by the Federal Government. The Bureau of Land Management governs the park and administers permits for Red Rock Canyon wedding ceremonies. It’s a perfect and very popular location if you want to experience a Las Vegas desert elopement. Its mountain ranges are part of the Mojave Desert and its geological features were formed by the Keystone Thrust Fault.

On top of that, its 13-mile scenic drive with breathtaking panoramic views is one of the reasons why many couples choose this unique wedding venue in Las Vegas.  Many wedding couples will combine a Red Rock canyon wedding ceremony with a scenic drive photo tour or other areas near to capture the romance of your day and experience a Las Vegas desert elopement.

4. Ash Springs Red Rock Wedding Experience 

Ash Springs is part of the Red Rock Canyon. It’s a bit more secluded in this area of Red Rock Canyon but it is one of the three areas approved by the Bureau of Land Management to have a Red Rock Canyon wedding.  This area will require you and your guest to take a hike for at least 15 minutes one way to reach the romantic tree where most ceremonies are done.  There are many other nice spots to have a ceremony there as well.

The romantic view at the top is worth the hike after all. However, the weather can be unpredictable. My clients often ask me if there a is a plan B in the event of inclement weather.  Any time you have an outdoor desert wedding you take a gamble, but this is Vegas, so to hedge your bets you want to pick a great season to have the wedding for starters. 

Read this article to learn more about preparing for the weather for a Red Rock wedding.  This article will give you essential tips you need to know which will help guide you to make a decision on the right month to prepare for a Red Rock Canyon wedding

For those who think of getting married here during spring, Ash Springs would be the perfect choice. Red Rock Canyon may still get windy, though, in springtime. During this season, an air conversion happens and increases the wind to the Las Vegas valley and its surrounding areas. Ash Springs is a place where everyone can be protected from the wind, making it an ideal venue for your wedding.

5. Outdoor desert park elopement

Vegas Park Elopements

If you are looking for cheap elopement ideas in Las Vegas, we provide styled elopement packages at an assortment of local Las Vegas parks.  Our wedding couples who travel to Las Vegas find it surprising we have as many parks as we do.  Lamb State Park, also known as Tulle Springs features a lake and mature shade trees as well as a myriad of nature.  There is a small gazebo there and a white picket fence with peacocks and desert wildlife. The natural desert scenery and beauty of this scenic historical park has made it an outdoor desert wedding venue choice for many couples.  There are other parks we also recommend such as Wetlands park.  This park is not well  known to Las Vegas visitors but showcases a beautiful bridge, a small pond and many trails to explore.  The desert mountain views surrounding the park make a natural backdrop for engaging and scenic photo opportunities.   

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6. Lake Mead Scenic Desert Wedding Tour

Lake Mead Desert Wedding


Lake Mead Scenic Desert Overlook

A desert wedding at Lake Mead in Nevada would be better if it’s paired with a scenic photo tour at Lake Las Vegas. Lake Mead and Lake Las Vegas are two different lakes however both have spectacular scenic views. If you are the more adventurous type of couple, a helicopter ride overlooking the panoramic views of Hoover Dam is also highly suggested. The breathtaking colors of pastel blues, browns, yellows and greens of this favored destination will surely make your wedding even more dramatic and dreamy.  We know of a magical place to go where we have a spectacular scenic view of the Lake Mead recreation area.  

Let us customize a package for you and help you consider more Las Vegas elopement ideas. 

7. Valley of Fire Helicopter Desert Wedding

valley of fire elopements

The Valley of Fire state park is one of the most spectacular places to consider having a Las Vegas desert elopement wedding. Flying over a desert of reds and pastel blues, nature, and sunset feels like the two of you are in heaven. Experiencing an elopement at the Valley of Fire is a fantastic idea for groups up to six and here is a list of what you experience when you choose this option:

·         Overlooking breathtaking scenic views
·         Flying over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and extinct volcanoes
·         Sunset view of the Land at Valley of Fire State Park for Champagne
·         Flying over the illuminated lights of the Las Vegas strip during sunset

8. Grand Canyon Helicopter Desert Wedding

Grand Canyon Desert Wedding Photo


Grand Canyon Desert Elopement Photo

The Grand Canyon is located in Arizona, cutting across the Grand Canyon National Park. It is carved out by the Colorado River and is nearly 1,500 meters deep. Its geological history of over 2 billion years ago can be retraced on its strata. Pairing this kind of experience with the Valley of Fire is a one of a kind desert wedding idea.  It is about a half hour helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon which and is actually located in Arizona.  Even though the wedding ceremony takes place in Arizona you are legally pronounced married in Nevada.  You will also get to enjoy spectacular views of the Las Vegas city skyline.

Here is a breakdown of some of the elements you will enjoy with this type of Las Vegas desert elopement in a scenic setting.

Grand Canyon Desert photo

·         Sightseeing the scenic views of the entire Grand Canyon
·         Flying over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and extinct volcanoes
·         Enjoying a romantic picnic lunch, cake, and champagne toast
·         A stunning return flight over the Mojave Desert
·         Flying over the illuminated lights of the Las Vegas strip during sunset

9. Mount Charleston Log Cabin Wedding

Mount Charleston Desert Wedding Photo

Mount Charleston is a haven of invigorating mountain air, ice-cold springs, and acres of noble evergreen forests. Its rugged mountain scenery extends across the crest of the Spring Mountains. It also boasts of towering crags, deep and wide canyons, narrow slot canyons, and steep hillsides.

The cabin is a great option if it’s cold outside. It is private and rustic, with great balcony views of mountain scenery. Eloping at Mount Charleston amidst the cool pine trees in this natural romantic setting would be also a great experience. Whether it’s a low cost wedding for two or even for a small group of people, we have a huge selection of great reception venues that can cater to your needs.

What is your wedding style?

Weddings do not have to be luxurious. Most importantly, no one should dictate you on what type of wedding you must have. Whether it’s a traditional or a unique desert wedding, the thing that happens after it is what really matters–the start of a new beginning with the love of your life.

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Are you still struggling to choose a venue? Let us help you make up your mind! Contact us for more elopement ideas and we will make your dream wedding turn into reality.

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Red Rock Weddings – desert wedding elopement

Gerry and Brenda’s Desert Elopement

View their Red Rock Weddings Video

Experience with Red Rock Weddings 

Gerry and Brenda’s romantic wedding story

Scenic desert wedding photography

About Gerry and Brenda

Gerry and Brenda met in June of 2014 and began dating and it blossomed into something special.  They never gave up hope that they would find that special someone who would the their perfect fit. They came in to the marriage with grown children but their families blended beautifully and even add a 9 month year old miniature golden doodle (Zoey) that has been a joy for all family members.

When I asked them what they liked the most about their relationship they had a lot to say.  They started off saying they look forward to sharing each day and experience together. They expressed they now have a best friend to share life experiences with.  They also look forward to retiring together and growing as a couple while experiencing the many opportunities for world together (travel to Europe, beach vacations, etc). Best of all sharing laughter and the ability to make the other one smile is something they both value and appreciate in one another. They have no problem laughing at or with each other.

scenic desert wedding photo in Nevada

Photo at the Red Rock desert amphitheater location

Gerry and Brenda decided to have their Red Rock wedding at the amphitheater location at Red Rock Canyon visitors center.  This is a beautiful setting for any planned elopement or large wedding party looking for a desert wedding in Las Vegas. 

Julie at Custom Las Vegas Weddings planned Gerry and Brenda’s Red Rock weddings elopement package. They decided to customize the basic package and include extra services.  Their desert elopement wedding included planned transportation, ceremony, photos, flower planning, and a video to capture the moment for a lifetime of memories.  

On the day of their wedding the weather was a beautiful 80 degrees at Red Rock Canyon. After the ceremony they walked in to the desert and took romantic wedding photos on the desert pathways.  They had a fabulous time exploring the desert around the visitors center overlooking the scenic drive exchanging, romantic kisses and interchanges.

Gallery 

wedding at red rock canyon

The ceremony begins. 

Red Rock weddings
 Red Rock canyon elopement

Gerry and Brenda seal their vows with a kiss.  

Wedding kiss at Red Rock Canyon

Here the bride and groom enjoy the intimate moment when they make it official. 

outdoor desert wedding in Las Vegas
Las Vegas desert wedding for two
Red Rock canyon scenic photo

Here the wedding couple poses with the beauty of the desert with the Red Rocks behind them.

red rock wedding

Happy newlyweds planned spelling out LOVE with their hands.  Creative! 

Unique desert wedding

We had to showcase Gerry and Brenda’s fun and comfortable choices of shoes. 

Red Rock weddings are very popular and trendy now.  The reasons for this lie in the stunning natural beauty of Red Rock Canyon mountain ranges and terrain. A lot of wedding couples don’t know this but this is reserved as a federal park and is overseen by the Bureau of Land Management.  The BLM only allows a small amount of permit holders to hold weddings at Red Rock. In fact, there are 3 locations the BLM will allow wedding ceremonies to take place since Covid has happened.  They are the overlook, the Red Springs Boardwalk and Ash Springs.

Are decorations allowed?  The BLM stipulates permit holders and their customers are not allowed to engage in throwing bird seed or confetti at wedding ceremonies. They also do not allow natural decorations to be placed in the desert as it may affect the natural habitat of the species that inhabit the area.  They do allow carefully placed artificial minimal decorations if they are all removed after the ceremony.  The BLM are guardians for the natural habitat at the park and consider it a serious violation to break the rules or engage in picking up or interacting with the desert tortoise, which is protected now under the endangered species laws.  There is a $500 fine if this rule is not abided by.

Entrance to Red Rock canyon scenic drive

Photo by Matthew Seeman

About the scenic drive:  The amphitheater ceremony location is located inside the guard gate entrance for the scenic drive.  Red Rock Canyon scenic drive is a one-way 13 -mile drive with a 35 MPH enforced speed limit by park rangers. The BLM does allow wedding customers to enter the scenic drive with the photographer after the ceremony is done but it has to stipulated on the wedding permit by the wedding planner.  The wedding permit covers the entrance fee for all guests to go on the scenic drive.  The scenic drive is the place where you will get the most unique and beautiful wedding photos.  To choose this option you may drive yourselves to Red Rock canyon and have the ceremony there and then move on to the scenic drive with the photographer.  This will allow more flexibility for you and will be a cheaper option if you are on a tight budget. Otherwise, if you plan to use a limousine service and want to include the scenic drive for photos you need to reserve the limousine for at least 4 hours of time. Limousines will require a minimum vehicle booking of 4 hours to travel and take in the ceremony and the scenic drive.  This is due to the fact that it will take 45 minutes just to drive around the scenic drive as it is a one way drive. This does not include stopping and walking to get photos, which lengthens the time  spent on the scenic drive.

Nov – Feb – 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
March – 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Apr – Sep – 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Oct – 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

 

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How to Plan Around the Weather for a Red Rock Wedding Las Vegas

red rock canyon weddings

Red Rock Scenic Drive Photo

This package showcases an example of a Red Rock wedding package that incorporates the scenic drive into the experience. However, Custom Las Vegas Weddings also provides other options starting with basic elopement services.

Red Rock Canyon Weddings 
Scenic Wedding $1650.00

  • Planning and coordination
  • All photos | digital delivery
  • Photos reproduction rights released
  • Photos gallery for viewing |sharing
  • Professional photography (2.5 Hrs.)
  • Photos at 2 scenic locations
  • Licensing preparation guidance
  • State licensed officiant
  • Choice of wedding ceremony
  • Bureau of Land Management Permit
  • 12 passenger escalade limo (4.5 hrs.)
  • Limo company provides Champagne
  • Limo company provides water for 12
  • Entrance fee paid for you and guests

View more package options here!