Angel and Shane didn’t want a wedding that felt too staged. They wanted a day that made sense for them, built around colour and joy with zero pressure to fit someone else’s idea of what a wedding should look like.

They got married at Sure Thing Chapel in Vegas with a $7k budget and a plan to focus on what actually mattered. Angel wore a bright embroidered dress from NorBlack NorWhite and shoes from Dolls Kill, ignoring any idea that a wedding outfit needs to be white, stiff, or safe. “I just wanted fun colours and to make what I felt on the inside show on the outside,” they said.

Their day didn’t start smoothly. Thanks to Trump being in town, Vegas traffic was a nightmare. “We were late. We ran hand in hand through the New York-New York casino, my veil flying behind me like a movie scene!” Angel laughed. “Our friends shoved us into the next cab they could find. My veil was sticking out of the car door. It wouldn’t even stay on my head.”

When they finally made it, they kept the ceremony short and personal. Their rings were made with Sequoia wood, a link back to Shane’s proposal under the Grizzly Giant in Yosemite. After saying their vows, they lit a joint and took it all in. It wasn’t about being picture-perfect. It was about being there, together, in a way that felt real.

Photos were a big deal, not because they were trying to curate a feed but because it’s rare for them to get proper pictures together. If money hadn’t been a limitation, Angel said she would’ve stretched the day out: a longer ceremony, a bigger reception, more time to slow down. “Worst thing was trying to cram everything we wanted into a small timeframe”, they admitted.

When asked about the wedding industry, Angel didn’t hesitate. “Plus size grooms need more variety they can actually feel comfortable in.” they said.

Their final advice is direct. “Have the wedding YOU want to have. There’s no need to rush the wedding date. Really enjoy being fiancés and get all the stuff you can!”