Well, some may say: “Why a wedding in Las Vegas? We say: Why not? It is definitely an exciting destination place for many of us. This place is a vibrant pulsating city and can provide an oasis of endless entertainment for you and your guests.
Here, we’d like to help you create an amazing experience for your wedding day so you can go home with beautiful, fun memories that will last a lifetime. If you live here in Las Vegas, this one’s for you, too!
HOW DO I DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH MY CEREMONY?
How are you dreaming of saying “I do?” How big do you intend your wedding to be? Would you like it to be at the center of the Las Vegas strip? Maybe have an Elvis-themed wedding? Is it going to be very private with a small number of guests? Are you considering a romantic elopement in the desert? Or do you see it to be big and lavish? As a city known for quickie weddings, you are lucky to have many options for wedding ceremonies here. There are many popular choices from classic, stylish, romantic to fun ceremonies. This city can give you memorable weddings on the strip and off, so let’s start with some of our recommendations.
TOP LAS VEGAS WEDDING LOCATIONS AND IDEAS
Right at the center of the Las Vegas strip, yes. There are many hotels, wedding chapels and selected random spots within the strip where you can get married.
Hosting a wedding reception in Las Vegas hotel suites is something you may want to consider, too. There are a lot of choices around but we think that this is one of the great options for couples looking for an intimate gathering while staying under the budget. If you have children with you, this is a great idea to celebrate and party and children can stay up late and easily go to bed. Remember, bars around Las Vegas do not allow children inside so this could be the best option for you.
Some hotel suites have wedding packages offering their terraces for ceremonies and that includes catering as well.
Now, if you are the sort of couple who’d like to elope and do something fun, romantic and do things in secret, a desert elopement could be just right for you. You can either get a wedding planner to do things for you or plan everything yourself. Just a tip for some of you who may forget that Las Vegas can be really hot in the summer, consider spring or fall or late summer for desert elopements.
Here are some beautiful, unique places where you can elope…
One of our favorite locations is at the heart of the pine forest. Mt. Charleston offers a majestic view of the mountains and it is only 45minutes away from the Las Vegas strip. The view is breathtaking and the air is crisp… just perfect for an intimate weddings.
And lastly, we recommend premium golf resorts for big outdoor wedding celebrations. They usually provide a lush outdoor setting with gorgeous lake views perfect for larger groups of up to 350 guests. When you envision your ceremony during the stunning sunset, we think golf courses is the top choice.
DO I NEED A WEDDING PLANNER?
Ask yourself how much time can you dedicate in planning your wedding day. Look through portfolios of wedding planners and check their expertise. If you have booked your wedding venue ahead of deciding if you need a planner, it would be best to hire someone who has held events in that venue so he/she could recommend preferred vendors that may be suitable for your wedding. Wedding planning isn’t really all that fun honestly so it may best to have someone help you with decisions to avoid being too overwhelmed with options. The planner is going to be there to even look at the smallest details you may not have the time to actually see and when everything is well put together, believe us, you will absolutely enjoy your planning process even more.
Here are some links to wedding planners we have personally worked with:
Scheme Events, Oh My Posh Events & Elle and Jay Events
WHERE DO I GET MY VENDORS?
Once you have set your date, picked your venue and decided how much budget you can spend on your wedding, then I guess the next part would be is to look and book for your other wedding vendors. One thing you also should decide on is your theme, if you need one, and that will tremendously help you narrow down your preffered vendors. Imagine how you want your wedding to feel like, and from there you can set your priorities. Browse through magazines, online forums, blogs and groups. The best thing also is to ask around from people who have done weddings in the same venue you are booking. If you have booked your planner or photographers, ask recommendations from them. They should know who you can approach for certain things. Find time to meet your planner/s over Skype if you are out-of-state or sit with them in person so you can be comfortable with each other. You are going to plan your wedding for months so it is important to get along with your planners and vendors. Chemistry is the key.
SHOULD I PLAN EVENTS FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND, TOO?
It is essential to create an experience for your wedding guests while they stay in Las Vegas. While you’re not obligated, it is your responsibility to keep them entertained while they are in town. To begin with, you can arrange a welcome party when most of your guests arrive and then you can include in your timeline a rehearsal dinner and maybe some tours/mini-excursions in between if your budget permits. Some tours you may want to consider are: Red Rock Canyon tour, Hoover Dam tour, Las Vegas Strip helicopter night flight, the high roller at the Linq, Neon Museum tour, Las Vegas hop-on hop-off tour or maybe visit the newly-opened Valley Vegas Winery.
HOW SOON SHOULD I SEND SAVE-THE-DATES AND INVITES?
Tell your guests early enough about your wedding date especially if they are from abroad. You can send save-the-dates 1 year ahead of time, and send out invites later on. Some of your guests from abroad may need to get visas and that should prepare them for the upcoming trip. Provide them with simple guidelines and information about Las Vegas if they have not been here yet. If you provide these to your guests, they will definitely appreciate your thoughtfulness and will make their experience with this city much more exciting.
DO I NEED TO FILL-OUT A MARRIAGE APPLICATION?
Now, please do not forget that although Las Vegas is known for spur-of-the-moment weddings, that doesn’t mean you can get away with paperwork. Everybody planning to get married in Vegas is required to fill-out marriage application and all of that can be seen at the Marriage Bureau. If you are coming from another country, make sure you check legal paperwork that you need to work on from your home country.
As you plan for this one special day, keep in mind that despite your wedding day becoming a once-in-a-lifetime event – it will be over after one day. Don’t put yourself in too much stress. Enjoy every minute of it because the planning process should be just as exciting.
Best of luck with your planning,
IVAN & DIANA
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