Let’s talk dresses, because if you’re eloping in Las Vegas, this decision is more important than you think — and I have a lot of feelings about it.
As your photographer, I’m out on those streets with you every single step of the day. The Strip, Fremont Street, casino floors, chapel parking lots, random alleyways that somehow look incredible in photos — it’s all part of the Vegas elopement experience, and it is all equally chaotic and filthy in the best possible way. So when couples ask me what they should wear, I’m always going to be the person who gives it to you straight: a short dress is almost always the better move for a Vegas elopement. There, I said it.
But let me actually walk you through both sides, because I do think there’s a time and place for everything, and I want you to feel amazing on your wedding day no matter what you choose.
Short dresses were basically invented for Las Vegas. They’re fun, they’re flirty, they move well, and they photograph beautifully against literally every backdrop this city has to offer — neon signs, casino entrances, the Strip at golden hour, chapel parking lots, all of it. You can actually move in them, which sounds simple but makes such a massive difference when it comes to your photos. The more comfortable you are, the less you’re thinking about your dress, and the more you’re just present and in the moment. That’s when I get the best shots.
There’s also just something about a mini dress and a veil that is so perfectly Vegas. It’s dressed up but not overdressed. It says “I showed up, I look incredible, and I’m also about to have the best day of my life,” which is exactly the energy a Vegas elopement should have. Some of my absolute favorite looks I’ve shot have been short dresses, and they never fail to look iconic against this city. If you’re leaning that direction, some dresses I love are the BHLDN After Six Mini, anything from the Reformation Bridal collection if you want something a little more fashion-forward, and honestly Lulus bridal is so underrated for affordable mini looks that still feel really elevated.
Now, I’ll be fair, long dresses can be absolutely stunning, and there are elopements where they make total sense. If your day is more intimate, think a rooftop, a private venue, an indoor chapel, or somewhere that keeps you off the streets for most of the day, a long gown can look breathtaking. Wide open shots with a long flowing dress have this sweeping editorial quality that is genuinely beautiful, and if that’s the vision you have in your head, I am absolutely here for it. We’ll just be a little more strategic about locations, and we’ll both be silently praying that the wind cooperates. If you’re going the long dress route, I love Amsale for something elevated and simple, Grace Loves Lace if you want something romantic and flowy, BHLDN has great options at every price point, and Kleinfeld if you want the full bridal experience.
But here’s my completely honest, unfiltered opinion as someone who has watched brides navigate the Las Vegas Strip in a full ballgown, the streets here are dirty. Like, genuinely, impressively dirty. The sidewalks on Fremont Street alone could probably tell you a thousand stories that none of us want to hear. And when you’re in a long dress, that’s always somewhere in the back of your mind. You’re holding it up, you’re watching where you step, you’re handing it off to someone every time we stop for a photo. It’s a whole thing. And I just want you to be free of all of that.
The whole point of a Vegas elopement is that it’s easy. It’s spontaneous. The last thing I want is for you to spend any part of your day stressed about your hem. When you’re not thinking about your dress, you’re laughing. You’re grabbing your person’s hand. You’re looking around at this ridiculous, beautiful, chaotic city and actually soaking it in. And that is when I get the photos that make people stop scrolling.
So whatever you decide, just make sure it feels like you. That’s genuinely the only rule. Because at the end of the day, the dress is just the backdrop for how you actually feel, and if you feel amazing, it’s going to show in every single photo. That said, if you’re still on the fence, just go short. You can thank me later. 🖤
Ready to start planning? Let’s talk →
