Victoria and Tim’s Sparkle Filled Cher-Inspired Vegas Elopement by Andi Artigue

When Victoria and Tim matched on Tinder, little did they know their romance would culminate in a glittering Las Vegas elopement inspired by the iconic Cher. The couple, who tied the knot on 27th September, 2024, at The Little White Wedding Chapel, chose to celebrate their love with an intimate ceremony that was all about authenticity, glamour, and personal touches. I just love Victoria’s stunning sequined gown and their Rock n Roll attitude to the whole day. Big thanks to photographer Andi Artigue for the gorgeous images, all shot on film.

Creating Sparkles in Sin City

The Proposal
Tim proposed at the same lake where they had their first date, creating a beautiful full-circle moment in their love story. This meaningful location set the tone for a wedding that would be deeply personal and significant to them both.

Just the Two of Us
Victoria and Tim chose to elope with just the two of them present, a decision they cherish. “We eloped just the two of us and we couldn’t imagine doing it any other way,” Victoria shares. “We were able to focus on each other and cherish each moment privately together.”

Their wedding day was captured by local photographer Andi Artigue, who made them feel comfortable throughout their photo session around iconic Vegas locations. From The Little White Wedding Chapel to the retro neon signs of the Atomic Liquors bar, their portraits perfectly captured both the glamour and kitsch of Vegas that complemented their vision.

The Cher-Inspired Celebration
“In the wise words of Cher, ‘All of us invent ourselves. Some of us just have more imagination than others,'” Victoria explains when describing their wedding inspiration. “I specifically wanted our wedding to be creative and special to us, so the aesthetic was actually inspired by Cher. I idolized Cher as a child and even listened to her Greatest Hits on my walkman at the ripe old age of 12.”

This passion for Cher’s bold, glamorous style influenced every aspect of their celebration, from Victoria’s show-stopping Sherri Hill gown (a budget-friendly pageant/prom dress that cost a third of similarly styled bridal gowns) to their choice of Vegas as their destination.

A Creative Challenge: The Brooch Bouquet
As the Marketing Assistant at Rose of Sharon Floral Design Studio, Victoria had a unique advantage when it came to her wedding flowers. However, with their decision to elope in Las Vegas, traditional fresh flowers presented a challenge. Studio owner Althea Wiles came up with the perfect solution: a brooch bouquet and boutonniere that could easily travel with the couple.

“Victoria told me she and Tim were flying to Las Vegas for the ceremony, but wanted me to design their flowers,” explains Althea. “Since they couldn’t travel with fresh pieces, I needed to design something that both traveled well and captured Victoria and Tim’s style.”

After seeing Victoria’s dress and learning about her Cher-inspired vision, Althea suggested a brooch bouquet – a perfect match for the 70s glam aesthetic the bride was pursuing. “While this style isn’t for everyone, the brooches went well with Victoria’s dress and captured the Cher-vibe she was after,” Althea shares.

Creating the bouquet was a creative challenge that required constructing a frame sturdy enough to hold the weight of the brooches while achieving the right shape. Althea used metallic decorative wire to secure each piece to the frame without damaging any of the sentimental brooches contributed by friends and family.

For Tim’s complementary lapel piece, Althea developed an equally thoughtful design. She carefully selected pieces that would fit a specific shape, then sewed each onto a piece of faux leather. To protect his suit, she added large name badge magnets that allowed the piece to be easily worn without damage.

Advice for Other Couples
Victoria’s budget-saving tips include thinking beyond traditional bridal attire (her pageant gown was a fraction of the cost of a wedding dress). And she opted for doing her own hair and makeup, which saved approximately $600. However, she emphasizes one crucial exception: “DO NOT skimp on the photographer. Their talent really determines how well your day is captured.”

After their glittering Vegas celebration, the newlyweds continued their adventure with a week-long honeymoon in Costa Rica, where they enjoyed the beach, went zip-lining, and, in Victoria’s words, spent their time “giggling our way through each moment” – a perfect beginning to their married life together.