#197 Are You The Eloping Type? Cactus Collective

McKenzi Taylor is an elopement expert based in Las Vegas. She started her photography business in 2008, but ventured into her elopement coordination business -- Cactus Collective Weddings in 2017. In that time she’s helped well over 500 couples elope in Las Vegas and knows a good match for an elopement when she sees it. Big Takeaways An elopement, to McKenzi, is not what it used to be. It’s not all about running away and getting married in secret. An elopement can still be planned in advance and it can still have sweet touches, but it’s really an experience for you and your partner. If you have a few guests, that’s a great bonus, but it’s truly about an intimate setting, a beautiful ceremony, gorgeous scenery and professional photography (in Cactus Collective’s case). They are typically way less stressful than a traditional wedding. Much less in terms of design and decor as well. For Cactus Collective, elopement would be anything under 50 guests. A lot of types of couples are the “eloping type.” Couples that have been together a long time, they may be fed up with the stress of planning something more traditional, they may have no financial support in wedding expenses, they love travel, they want to spend their money on a home or an experience, they tend not to be religious, they are often maturer in age, and they might want it done fast! Vegas is uniquely suited to this service. Their marriage bureau is open nearly 24/7 and it takes about 15-20 minutes to get a license. International airport is in the city. It’s easy to get there. There is a plethora of entertainment options to do a wedding and honeymoon weekend in one fell swoop. If you do have guests, you don’t have to worry about entertaining them. There is no shortage of gorgeous views. Nevada has over 3 million acres of public lands and Vegas has some of the most scenic locations in the world within 30 minutes of the strip. McKenzi’s List - How To Know If Elopement Is Right For You! 1. You love the big outdoors *2. You live for the here and now * 3. You trust your wedding company and their vendors 4. You realize planning a whole wedding day requires organization 5. You really don't want to invite many people (really). 6. You realize you still gotta have a budget. 7. You want to throw a big party at "home" later. Links We Referenced https://www.cactus-collective.com https://www.redrockcanyonlv.org The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is... Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez. Edited by Veronica Gruba Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Inviting you to become part of our Facebook Group! Join us and our amazing members. Just search for The Big Wedding Planning Podcast Community on Facebook. Easy to get in touch with. Email us at [email protected] or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode On Patreon. Become a member and with as little as $6.99 per month, you get 2 exclusive, ad-free episodes, + Zoom Happy Hour with Michelle and fellow patrons every month! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices