As a destination wedding photographer with a heart for the untraditional, this styled shoot in Las Vegas was right up my alley. This concept, spearheaded by CaraMia for Earth the Workshop, embraced Las Vegas nostalgia, where glamour and luxury exist without question. And what better location than the El Cortes Hotel and Casino on Fremont Street?

The Jackie Gaughan Suite at the El Cortez Hotel and Casino 

When people think of Las Vegas, they usually picture the strip with its bright lights and neon signs. But the oldest casinos are actually along Fremont Street, and the El Cortez Hotel and Casino is among the most historic. Established in 1941, the El Cortes Hotel was the first luxury hotel and casino crossover. I was ecstatic to visit, and it did not disappoint. 

We spent our time in the Jackie Gaughan Suite, where the first owner of the El Cortez Hotel lived! They don’t call it the finest stay on Fremont Street for nothing. The suite was draped in velvet, from the couches to the curtains. It had a full bath with a marble tub, and kitchen with baby blue tile, and a curved wooden bar. We took full advantage of every detail. 

A Getting Ready Styled Shoot 

Photos tell a story, and for this shoot, we wanted to tell a simple story full of excitement and joy. We wanted to capture the intimacy of the morning before a wedding. Las Vegas (and the El Cortes Hotel, in particular) is the perfect place for an elopement. As more couples embrace untraditional weddings, we wanted to show just how magnificent a simple wedding day can be. You don’t need a big crowd. You and your love are so much more than enough. 

We took our time soaking in the environment, allowing the grandeur of Sin City to infuse every element. We added mixed playful elements with an editorial edge, inviting the models to run around the suite, sip from the top of the champagne tower, and eat a wedding cake with plastic forks while sitting on the kitchen floor. I loved playing with the expectation of luxury and subverting it through abstract poses. For my misfit-loving soul, this shoot captured the out-of-the-box energy I infuse into all my photos. 

Las Vegas Wedding & Elopement Photographer 

I love shoots like this, because they continue to erode the narrative that your wedding should look a certain way. If you want to get dressed and sit in the bathtub while drinking champagne, I will be there to refill your glass. Your love. Your wedding. Your rules. 

If you’re looking for a photographer who will ignore the rules and celebrate your love, your way, you’ve found me. I’m a photographer for the misfits and the dreamers. Wherever you’re getting married, I’m ready to create magic with you. Explore my wedding photography services and inquire to plan your wedding day. 

Vendors:

Venue: The El Cortez Hotel and Casino

Creative Director/Hose: CaraMia for Earth the Workshop

Photographer: Laura McMullin Photography

Stylist: Gown Eyed Girl

Dress Designer: Seline Meisler

Hairstylist: Styled by Fiorella Elizabeth 

Model: Hannah Tanne