Carousel Bar Wedding Photos: Fees, Tips & More
Table of Contents / Quick Links
If you’re planning a Las Vegas wedding or elopement and want photos on Fremont Street, Carousel Bar is one of my favorite places to bring couples. It’s located outside the Plaza Hotel & Casino, and it’s a spot I’m photographing at weekly, if not daily. Couples love the glowing lights and great cocktails, which is one of the reasons I featured it in my guide to ‘Top Fremont Street Photoshoot Locations in Las Vegas‘.
Whether you’re stopping by during the day or after dark, here’s everything you need to know about planning your Carousel Bar wedding photos, including the new photography fee, what to expect, and a few of my personal tips!
Last Updated: October 2026.
Where Is Carousel Bar in Las Vegas?
Carousel Bar is an outdoor cocktail bar located at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, right near the entrance to the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas.
What makes this spot so fun for wedding photos is its design! The bar looks like a giant Vegas-themed carousel with moving carousel horses, colorful booths, a canopy of rotating lights, and a 14-foot-tall neon showgirl sign. It’s a great place to stop for a cocktail and some fun wedding photos before heading out to see the rest of Fremont Street.
Carousel Bar Quick Details
- Location: Plaza Hotel & Casino
- Address: 1 Main Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101
- Hours: Open daily
- Monday–Thursday: 12 PM–12 AM
- Friday: 12 PM–2 AM
- Saturday: 10 AM–2 AM
- Sunday: 10 AM–12 AM
- Professional photography fee: $100 for a 30-minute session
- Website: Carousel Bar at Plaza Hotel & Casino
- Instagram: @carouselbarlv
- Phone: (702) 386-2110
Carousel Bar Wedding Photos: Day vs. Night
One of the things I love about Carousel Bar is how different it looks depending on the time of day! I’ve photographed plenty of couples here during both the day and at night, and while I personally prefer nighttime photos, you can absolutely get some great photos here during the day, too.
Daytime Wedding Photos at Carousel Bar
During the day, you can really see all the fun details that make Carousel Bar unique. The colorful carousel horses, Vegas-themed decorations, and surrounding downtown architecture are much more noticeable in natural light.
Daytime is a great option if you’re hoping for bright, colorful wedding photos or if stopping here earlier makes more sense for your wedding timeline. And something worth mentioning is that just because we take your Carousel Bar photos during the day doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily look like daytime photos! I actually use flash for a lot of my daytime sessions here, which can give your photos that darker, nighttime feel even when the sun is still out.
For example, Sam and Nick’s Carousel Bar portraits were taken during the day, but you’d probably never guess that from looking at them because I used flash. For Kelly and Gary, I decided to work with the available light instead because I loved how it looked that day.
It really depends on the lighting, your personalities, and the kind of photos we’re going for. So if you love the look of nighttime Carousel Bar photos but your timeline works better during the day, don’t rule it out!
Daytime w/o flash.
Daytime with flash.
Nighttime Wedding Photos at Carousel Bar
Personally, nighttime is my favorite time to photograph couples at Carousel Bar! Once the sun goes down, all those lights surrounding the bar really show off.
With the glowing carousel, illuminated canopy, and nearby Fremont Street neon, there’s so much color to work with. I love how the lights look in photos, especially when couples are sitting at the bar together or enjoying a drink.
If you love the bright lights of Vegas and have some flexibility in your wedding timeline, I’d definitely recommend visiting after dark!
Should You Take Carousel Bar Wedding Photos During the Day or at Night?
If you’re asking me, I’d choose nighttime! But that doesn’t mean you should skip Carousel Bar if your wedding timeline has you downtown during the day. Like I said, I use flash most of the time, and that can sometimes give your photos more of a nighttime look.
Both options photograph beautifully, and I’d much rather help you work this stop into your day in a way that makes sense than have you rearrange everything just to visit after dark.
If you’re torn between the two, I’m always happy to help you decide based on your wedding plans and the type of photos you love!
How Much Does It Cost to Take Wedding Photos at Carousel Bar?
Carousel Bar recently introduced a $100 professional photography fee for couples who want to take wedding photos inside the bar. The package gives you 30 minutes of photography access, along with a few extras.
What’s Included in the $100 Photography Package?
- 30 minutes of professional photography access for one couple, their photographer, and an assistant (four people total).
- Two drinks: Your choice of two glasses of champagne or two premium cocktails.
- Booth access: Subject to availability.
- Celebration props to use during your session.
Your photographer is not included in the $100 fee, and the price stays the same even if you don’t use the included drinks, booth, or props.
To purchase the package, you just check in with a bartender when you arrive. Sessions and booth use are subject to availability, so keep that in mind when planning your wedding day.
A few other rules worth knowing: tripods, additional lighting equipment, wardrobe changes, commercial photography, and extra participants require advance approval. You’ll also need to be mindful of other guests and avoid blocking walkways or interrupting service.
For the most up-to-date pricing and policies, you can visit the official Carousel Bar website.
Is the Carousel Bar Photography Fee Worth It?
While the $100 fee is a newer addition, many of my couples are still choosing to include Carousel Bar in their wedding day. And I totally get why. It’s such a fun and iconic Vegas location, and the package includes two drinks you can enjoy together while we take photos. For couples who already have Carousel Bar on their must-visit list, the extra fee hasn’t been a dealbreaker.
Plus, with two cocktails or glasses of champagne included, you can actually enjoy a drink together and make this part of your wedding day feel like a little celebration instead of just another photo stop.
If you’re considering stopping here, I’d recommend thinking about how much you love the location and whether it fits into your overall wedding plans. And of course, I’m always happy to help you decide!
A Few Tips for Planning Carousel Bar Wedding Photos
Since I’m photographing couples at Carousel Bar so frequently, I’ve gotten to know this spot really well! Here are a few things I’d recommend keeping in mind when planning your wedding photos here.
Don’t Rule Out Daytime Photos
Even though nighttime is my personal favorite, you can still get some really fun photos here during the day! Flash can give the photos more of that nighttime look, even when the sun is still out.
Other times, I’ll skip the flash if I love how the natural light looks. It really depends on the couple, the lighting, and the kind of photos we’re going for!
Make the Most of Your 30 Minutes
With the photography package, we have 30 minutes to get photos inside Carousel Bar. I recommend using some of that time to actually enjoy yourselves! Grab your included drinks, sit together at the bar, and have some fun.
I also love when couples bring a few personal touches for their photos! Think custom cocktail napkins, a cute little wedding cake, personalized matchbooks, or anything else that feels like you. These little details are so fun to incorporate into your photos and give me a chance to get creative with detail shots!
We’ve been able to incorporate small cakes into photos at the tables in the past, but that doesn’t necessarily mean outside food or decorations are always allowed. I’d recommend checking with Carousel Bar ahead of time if you’re hoping to bring anything along!
If you’re looking for more ideas, I have a whole blog on ‘Las Vegas Elopement Ideas: 12 Ways to Customize Your Wedding‘ with some of my favorite ways to make your day more personal.
Be Flexible With the Space
Carousel Bar is still a working bar, so there might be other guests having drinks while we’re taking photos. Booths are also subject to availability, which means we might not always be able to use the exact spot you had in mind. The good news is that there are plenty of fun details around the bar to work with, so we can still get some great photos.
More Wedding Photo Locations Near Carousel Bar
One of the best things about taking wedding photos at Carousel Bar is that you’re already in downtown Las Vegas, with quite a bit of other fun photo locations just a short walk away. I love incorporating a few different spots into my couples’ wedding galleries, especially when we’re already walking Fremont Street together.
California Hotel & Casino
The California Hotel & Casino is just a short walk from Carousel Bar, which makes it an easy stop before or after your session. I’ve photographed couples popping champagne outside the hotel, and it’s such a fun way to add a few celebratory photos to your wedding gallery without having to travel far.
Golden Gate Casino Sign
Another fun photo spot is right near the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, which is just steps away from Carousel Bar. I love incorporating the Golden Gate signage into wedding portraits, especially for couples who want that classic downtown Vegas look.
Fremont Street Near Circa & Casino Photos
There are also some great photo opportunities along Fremont Street near Circa, just a short walk from Carousel Bar. I love using the surrounding buildings, signs, and downtown scenery, and popping into the casinos on Fremont to add more variety to a couple’s photos without needing to travel to another part of Vegas.
Allison and Riley took some photos in this area, and it’s a great example of how you can get several different looks while staying close to Carousel Bar!
Carousel Bar Wedding Photos FAQs
Yes! Carousel Bar allows professional wedding photography with the purchase of its $100 photography package, which includes 30 minutes of access for one couple, their photographer, and an assistant.
You can purchase the professional photography package by checking in with a bartender when you arrive. Sessions and booth access are subject to availability.
Yes! Carousel Bar is right near the Fremont Street Experience, with photo opportunities around the Golden Gate Casino, California Hotel & Casino, and other downtown Vegas landmarks just a short walk away.
See more of my favorite spots on my blog: ‘Top Fremont Street Photoshoot Locations in Las Vegas‘
More Las Vegas Wedding Planning Resources
Planning the rest of your Las Vegas wedding or elopement? Here are a few more of my guides to help you find photo locations, plan your timeline, and make the most of your time in Vegas!
- Top Fremont Street Photoshoot Locations in Las Vegas: Want to see more of downtown Vegas? This guide covers some of my favorite spots for wedding photos around Fremont Street, including Carousel Bar!
- Top Las Vegas Photoshoot Locations: Looking for more places to add to your wedding day photo timeline? Check out some of my favorite photo locations around Las Vegas.
- How to Elope in Las Vegas: Guide: Planning your Vegas wedding from scratch? I cover marriage licenses, chapels, timelines, vendors, photo locations, and what to expect.
- The Best Las Vegas Elopement & Micro-Wedding Reception Locations: Wondering where to celebrate after your photos? This guide covers restaurants, bars, rooftops, and other spots for everything from dinner for two to a micro-wedding reception.
- 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Eloping in Vegas: From underestimating the heat to not leaving enough time for photos, here are some common mistakes I see couples make and how to avoid them.
Meet Kyra, Your Las Vegas Wedding & Elopement Photographer
Hi, I’m Kyra! I’m a Las Vegas wedding and elopement photographer, and if you couldn’t tell already, I spend a lot of time photographing couples around Fremont Street. Carousel Bar is one of my regular (and favorite) stops, and I love helping see downtown Vegas and find photo locations that fit the vibe they’re going for.
Whether you’re planning a quick stop for cocktails and photos or want to see more of Fremont Street, I’d love to be part of your day!
If you’re looking for a Las Vegas wedding photographer who knows all the fun spots downtown, you can learn more about me here, or get in touch and talk about your plans.
Risky Exposure Photography | Las Vegas Wedding & Elopement Photographer
Filed Under
I don’t take lightly what it means to be invited into your day. I’m not just there to document it. I’m there to witness it. To feel the energy, read the room, and make creative decisions that reflect the tone, the tension, the joy of the moment - without ever pulling you out of it.
