Spring in Las Vegas is such a wonderful time of year. The temperature is mild, a soft breeze can usually be felt prickling against your skin, and the excitement of beautiful days lingers in the air. It was early March, and the long winter days had finally subsided. Emily had checked all of the days off her calendar for the countdown until the day she became Mrs. Jason Marinaro. Their wedding day had arrived, and it could not have been more perfect.
Jason and Emily chose to have their families enjoy a wonderful party at The Downtown Grand Hotel. And that is exactly what it had been planned as from the very first time that I met with them. The entertainment of their friends and family was always on the forefront of their minds, and all of their planning was finally coming to fruition. The Downtown Grand Hotel is located near Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas where the city has been working hard to revitalize the old Las Vegas buildings. It was my first time shooting a wedding there, and I could not have been more excited to mix the worlds of a beautiful blush wedding with the urban downtown feel.
Jason and Emily were both so laid back while they got dressed the morning of their wedding. The groomsmen were a riot to hang out with, and the bridesmaids were stunning and kind. We traveled very briefly down the street to First Good Shepard Lutheran Church to hold the ceremony. The church is a traditional old chapel with beautiful stain glass windows, which was the perfect setting for Jason and Emily to exchange their vows before heading back to Downtown Grande to do bridal party photos around the area of the hotel.
Emily’s dress. Oh Emily’s dress!! Such stunning back detailing, and the lace was beyond gorgeous!
Jason knows my affinity for a bow-tied groom, and he took it one step further with giving me a dapper cream bow tie, with a classic black tuxedo. Oh, and those flasks sure did prove to be a HUGE hit with his groomsmen {{wink}}.
Due to phenomenal planning by Jason and Emily, we had a full two hours to do bridal party portraits, and bride and groom photographs. They were so meticulous in making sure that we had plenty of time to spend as much time on photographs as we wanted, and having that kind of time was absolute heaven!!
Emily worked so hard during her engagement photos… and then again on her wedding day to convince me that she isn’t good at taking photographs. Em, you’re just wrong, wrong, wrong!
Jason and Emily worked so hard to choreograph their first dance, and it was magnificent to watch!! The chandeliers hanging all over the ballroom of the Downtown Grande are so magical and created such a perfect backdrop as the newlyweds swayed around the dance for the first time as husband and wife. It could not have been a more beautiful day, and I have to thank Emily and Jason, again, for being such a wonderful couple and for them allowing me to witness and document their wedding day!! Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Marinaro!!
Venue – Downtown Grand Las Vegas
Ceremony Venue – First Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Photography – j.anne photography
Hair & Makeup – Your Beauty Call
Floral – Jovani Linens
Invitations – Designed by groom’s sister. Printed by Paper & Home
Cake – Gimme Some Sugar Bake Shoppe
