Little White Chapel Vegas Micro Wedding

Elopement

Jun 16

Sam and Dan: A Chic “Touch of Red” Las Vegas Micro Wedding at The Little White Chapel

When content creator and stylist Sam Ruiz decided to marry the love of her life, Dan, in Las Vegas, she turned what many would consider a simple paperwork ceremony into something intimate, elevated, and unforgettable. With only seventeen guests, the couple leaned into the charm and eccentricity of the city and created a wedding weekend that was both heartfelt and wildly stylish — the perfect prelude to their second celebration later that summer in Italy.

Although their symbolic ceremony was planned for Puglia, Italy, not all of their family members would be able to make the international trip. Rather than eloping alone or signing paperwork at a courthouse, Sam and Dan saw an opportunity: a micro wedding in Las Vegas that could still feel grand, full of sentiment, and completely them. And where better than the iconic Little White Chapel?

Sam, who has a deep love for fashion and an eye for curating beautiful pieces, crafted multiple wedding looks by pulling from her favorite sources — vintage boutiques in Paris, the archives of The RealReal, and the custom studios of ASAR London. Her approach to the weekend wardrobe was thoughtful and expressive, weaving texture, color, and vintage flair into each moment of the celebration. The inspiration behind the aesthetic was subtle but strong: “a touch of red.” That red hue appeared everywhere, tying the event together visually and emotionally — from delicate ribbons tied to champagne glasses to custom matchbooks, playing cards, her accessories, shoes, and even the florals that adorned the reception table. She didn’t just wear the theme; she embodied it.

The wedding day brought its own share of surprises and sweet chaos — including the moment they realized the marriage license had been left at the hotel. In true Vegas fashion, the Cesar’s Palace hotel staff heroically delivered it just in time for the ceremony. As guests gathered in the outdoor garden of The Little White Chapel, Dan’s eight-year-old nephew walked her down the world’s shorted aisle while Sam’s niece signed the marriage license as the witness. They were married by Elvis, naturally — who, in true Elvis fashion, got their names a little wrong mid-ceremony and started dancing before the vows were even finished. It was perfectly imperfect in all the best ways.

And then, in one of the most touching gestures of the day, Dan presented Sam with a recreated version of her late mother’s engagement ring — custom-designed by her favorite jeweler, Susie Saltzman. Already wearing her custom Emerald stone engagement ring she and Dan designed together, Sam wore both rings from that moment on, the new one sparkling next to the heirloom that now lived on in memory and gold.

Following the ceremony, the group wandered down to Fremont Street — a nod to the old Vegas vibe — where Sam and Dan shared their first dance, spontaneously swaying among crowds of street performers, tourists, and neon light. It was unplanned and completely unforgettable.

Dinner took place that evening at The Pepper Club, a beautiful restaurant that transformed part of their space to host the couple’s cocktail hour, reception, and heartfelt toasts. Dan’s moms had driven red florals all the way from the LA Flower Market, sourced a few days earlier with Sam and I, which were then arranged into vintage crystal bud vases and scattered across the tables. At each place setting, a handwritten letter waited for every guest — personal notes from Sam and Dan that expressed why each person was meaningful to them. It was a gesture they would later repeat at their larger Italy wedding, and one that left a lasting impression on everyone in the room.

This wedding was everything a micro wedding should be — intentional, emotional, and effortlessly stylish. Proof that even a legal ceremony can become a once-in-a-lifetime experience when it reflects the couple at the center of it all.

If you’re dreaming up your own version of a destination wedding — whether it’s an elopement at the Little White Chapel, a fashion-forward Vegas celebration, or a micro wedding with vintage details and big emotion — I’d love to help you tell your story. I’m based in Southern California, but travel worldwide for weddings.

P.S. Sam and Dan’s second wedding in Italy was just as magical — and completely different. You can read about that beautiful Puglia celebration right here.