One of my favorite things about photographing weddings in Las Vegas is that your photos don’t have to happen on your ceremony day. In fact, Las Vegas wedding photos before the ceremony day are becoming a popular option for couples who want a more relaxed experience, especially if their chapel has restrictions on outside photographers.

Emily and Sean originally reached out to book me as their Las Vegas wedding photographer because they wanted photos to celebrate their Vegas wedding experience, but unfortunately, their chapel didn’t allow outside photographers. Instead of missing out on the photos they envisioned, they decided to plan a separate photo experience the night before their ceremony. 

Honestly, I think this is such a fun way to celebrate your wedding weekend! You get to dress up, explore the city without the pressure of a ceremony timeline. For Emily and Sean, that meant spending the evening exploring some of my favorite downtown Las Vegas locations. We looked through vinyl records, chased neon lights, played slot machines, and ended the night at the iconic Las Vegas sign. It was playful, personal, and completely them!

Why Take Las Vegas Wedding Photos Before the Ceremony Day?

There are so many reasons couples choose to do their Las Vegas wedding photos before the ceremony. For some couples, it’s because their chapel doesn’t allow outside photographers. For others, they simply don’t want to spend their wedding day rushing from one thing to the next.

A separate photo experience gives you the freedom to:

– Spend more time exploring Las Vegas
– Choose locations that feel meaningful to you
– Wear an outfit that feels different from your ceremony attire
– Take your time without worrying about guests waiting
– Make your wedding photos feel like part of your trip

I always encourage couples to think outside the box when it comes to what they wear, too. Your wedding photos don’t have to look exactly like traditional wedding portraits.

Emily wore the cutest polka dot dress with a black veil and black gloves, and it fit the Vegas atmosphere perfectly. It felt playful, a little vintage, and completely different from what you might expect from a typical wedding day look.

Exploring 11th Street Records in Downtown Las Vegas

We started their session at 11th Street Records, which is one of my favorite spots for couples who love music. Emily and Sean spent time walking around the shop, looking through vinyl records, and enjoying one of the things that made this location feel personal to them.

This is such a fun option for music lovers because it gives you something to do while taking photos. A quick note if you’re planning your own session here: 11th Street Records does charge for photography. It’s $20 for 15 minutes, or you can purchase an item with a minimum purchase of $20.

The shop is located in the downtown Las Vegas area, right next to Sure Thing Chapel, and it’s surrounded by some amazing vintage motels and retro Vegas spots. We timed this perfectly because the lights were just starting to turn on as we finished up.

Chasing Neon Lights at Atomic Liquors

After leaving 11th Street Records, we made our way over to Atomic Liquors for one of my favorite neon signs in downtown Las Vegas. There’s something about photographing in Vegas once the sun starts going down. The city completely changes. The lights come on, the signs glow, and everything starts to feel like the version of Vegas you imagine when you picture the city. Atomic Liquors is a great stop because it gives you that classic vintage Vegas feel without needing a huge production.

Slot Machine Photos at El Cortez

Another one of my favorite places for photos in downtown Las Vegas is El Cortez. If you want fun Vegas photos, this is the spot for slot machine pictures. It feels nostalgic, colorful, and very much like stepping back into old Vegas. Emily and Sean had so much fun here! These are the kinds of moments I love photographing because they feel less like traditional portraits and more like memories from your trip together.

Vintage Vegas at The Plaza and Carousel Bar

From El Cortez, we continued exploring downtown and made our way to The Plaza and Carousel Bar. This area has so many vintage details, from the old Vegas architecture to the colorful lights surrounding the property. It’s a great location for couples who want photos that feel classic Vegas without only focusing on the Strip.

One of my favorite things about planning a downtown Las Vegas photo experience is how many different looks you can get within a short distance. You can go from a record store to neon signs to vintage hotels all in one evening.

Ending the Night at the Las Vegas Sign

Our final stop was the iconic Las Vegas sign. The sign is located away from the downtown area at the very end of the Strip, so I always recommend adding at least an extra 30 minutes into your timeline for driving and potential lines.

Sometimes you’ll get lucky and walk right up for that classic front-and-center photo. Other times, there may be a wait. But even if we can’t get directly in front of the sign, the location is still large enough to create beautiful photos from the side. It’s a classic Vegas stop that feels worth including, especially if it’s your first time visiting the city.

Adding 35mm Film to Your Las Vegas Wedding Photos

Emily and Sean also added 35mm film to their package, and I think it was the perfect fit for their evening! There’s something about film photography in Las Vegas that just works. The neon lights, vintage locations, and nostalgic atmosphere all pair beautifully with the look of film. It adds another layer to the experience and gives you photos that feel like memories from a road trip or a favorite night out together.

Planning Your Own Las Vegas Wedding Photos Before the Ceremony?

If you’re planning a Las Vegas wedding or elopement, I’d love to help. Whether you’re exploring downtown Las Vegas, visiting your favorite spots around the city, or adding photos before your ceremony, we can build a timeline that lets you actually enjoy your time together. From helping choose locations to creating a route that makes sense, I’ll help you plan a photo experience that feels relaxed, fun, and very Vegas. Reach out today!