Chelsea Nicole Photography – Las Vegas, Southern California and Destination Alternative Wedding Photographer » The latest work from Chelsea Nicole!

Every year I put together an annual group photo-shoot for the Vegas PUG (a local meetup group I lead for super-cool professional photographers). It’s a chance for everyone to get out on location, have fun shooting with others in the community and hopefully come away inspired and having picked up a new tip or two.  This year I wanted to do something a little different, so I surprised everyone with a styled shoot filled with eye-candy just begging to be photographed!

For for theme, I took inspiration from the unique style of Sofia Coppola’s ‘Marie Antoinette’ (if you haven’t seen it, it’s a must!). I’ve always wanted to do my own take on it for a wedding-shoot and love how it turned out. Huge props go to my incredible team that pulled the vision together and made the shoot-out a huge success: AMAZING floral by Layers of Lovely, the epic cake and treats by Gimme Some Sugar, killer hair and makeup by Your Beauty Call, decor from The Pottery Shop, inspiring off-camera lighting demo by Steve Fogarty, an awesome behind-the-scenes video by Lighten Films, my girls Kristin Wilson and Liz Le for all their help bringing everything together and last but not least, our models: Carrie, Sarah and Lindsey – (all real and completely FABULOUS brides). Tons of love goes out to you all!

Here’s some of my images from the shoot:

Admittedly I always go a little crazy over Catherine at Layers of Lovely’s floral designs. Here’s Carrie modeling the pearl and peonies bouquet:

Lindsey’s rockin’ the macaroons - one thing a Marie Antoinette themed shoot would be incomplete without!

Towards the end of the shoot we topped things off with a surprise cake fight! While it was a bit sad seeing Gimme Some Sugar’s masterpiece getting torn apart, it was so much fun (and delicious too)! I couldn’t resist digging my fingers in for a little cake action – YUM!

Below is a fantastic behind the scenes video by one of my fave videographers, Terrence of Lighten Films!
You may notice that I sound like a complete dork at the beginning. I’m going to blame it on the cold, lol. It was freezing! Props go to the brides for rockin’ it out in the crazy weather we had that day.

**Click here to check out more images from this shoot in the feature on The Wedding Chicks!**

When Brit Bertino (the fantastic lead coordinator at Simply Weddings) came to me with the idea of doing a shoot with 1990′s inspired elements, I thought it was uber-rad and couldn’t wait to be a part of it!

For the photography I decided to create images that had a modern feel while reflecting the playfulness of the era. I took visual cues from 90′s graffiti and vibrant color trends, using bold shapes and splashes of color.

The shoot was held at Rumor – a super swanky boutique hotel just minutes off the strip. If you’re looking for a cool, modern location for an intimate wedding or after party, you should definitely check it out!

Of course, a 90′s hip-hop themed wedding wouldn’t be complete without great entertainment. Brandon Namebrand totally brought it with his killer dance moves on a LED dance-floor from Naakiti Floral.
Some of the pretty details:

Check out the feature on Rock ‘n Roll Bride with even more images from the shoot!

CREDITS

Photographer: Chelsea Nicole (me)
Coordinator: Simply Weddings by Brit Bertino
Venue: Rumor Boutique Hotel in Las Vegas
Bride’s Dress: Bella Bridesmaid
Groom’s Attire: Tuxedo Junction
Hair & Make Up: Make the Bride Up
Linens: Creative Coverings
Stationary: Sky Orange Studio
Flowers: Naakiti Floral
Cake: Gimme Some Sugar
Break Dancer: Brandon Namebrand
Couple: Jenifer Duncan & Dominick Hill

One of my super-stylish couples, Frances & Eddie are featured on Style Me Pretty today! Click below to check out their Chic, Modern Vegas Wedding and leave them some love! Also, be sure to take a peek at the Galley Page on SMP with a ton more photos from their day.

And for those of you who don’t know about Style Me Pretty – it’s one the top wedding blogs and is filled to the BRIM with gorgeous wedding inspiration. I definitely recommend checking it out! But, be warned… Minutes can turn into hours when pouring over it’s pages.

As you probably already know, I have a very big crush on a certain ultra stylish wedding website (Style Me Pretty). Abby, Elaine and all the girls at SMP are my kind of people – also obsessed with details and pretty things. So I was absolutely delighted to be a part of their new feature called the “Inspiration to Reality Challenge.” I love the whole concept and how it works! Each region puts together a team of fantastic wedding vendors, then they choose an inspiration board designed by one of SMP’s readers and put their creative juices together to bring it all to life.

I’m beyond excited to share some photos from the Inspiration to Reality shoot that our Las Vegas team put together – and that it’s a 4-part feature on the front page of Style Me Pretty this weekend!

Our shoot took place at one of my FAVORITE ceremony and reception locations here Vegas, the gorgeous Springs Preserve! I loved how the blues popped against the warm desert backdrop. And our model bride, Gabi looked stunning with hair & makeup all done up by Allyson, Lauren & Monet at Las Vegas Style Sirens.

The Vera Wang gown provided by Dawn at Couture Bride Salon was THE perfect fit. And the whole look and style was a great match for the vintage aviation theme Tracey (of Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge) came up with based off the movie The Aviator.

I first saw this dress on Gabi a couple weeks before the shoot. A bunch of us girls were hanging out in the bridal salon while Dawn was trying different dresses on Gabi. It was too funny because it was almost as if we were her bridesmaids. When she came out with this gown on there was one big synchronized “Oohh!” It was definitely THE ONE.

The ensemble was topped off by Stella & Dot Jewelry from stylist Carrie Hogan and a fantastic blue veil from MUMO hair accessories.

Jesus (our groom – who also happens to be the Catering Manager at Springs Preserve) was looking pretty darn sharp as well.

Details, details, details – I was definitely lovin’ all the eye candy! From the amazing feather bouquet by Emplume, the totally unique cakelets by Kristen at Gimme Some Sugar (SO love this idea to have multiple smaller cakes rather than one main one, or in addition to the main one), signature drink by Dress the Drink, peacock chair decor by Wildflower Linens, beautiful centerpiece by Randi at Naakiti Floral, the invitations that arrive in a vintage steamer trunk by Tifany at Gourmet Invitations, and so much more!

Be sure to hit up Style Me Pretty to see a ton more images in the 4-part feature! Here’s the links:

• Inspiration to Reality: The Board
• Inspiration to Reality: The Design
• Inspiration to Reality: The Design II
• Inspiration to Reality: The Design III

And I saved the best for last….

Here’s the behind the scenes video created by my incredibly talented other-half, Jayse!

BIG shout out and thanks to everyone that helped make this shoot a reality!! It was a blast working with such an awesome team people.