Las Vegas Wedding? - Anyone done it?

[MotherOfBride]

My only daughter just got engaged. I realize it is HER wedding but her boyfriend wants to go to Las Vegas to get married. Long before they were engaged I said, "I don't care where my children get married but I HAVE to be present". Now I'm sort of regreting that I said that. I do still mean it but I obviously don't want just some drive through quickie wedding in Las Vegas with Elvis marrying them (not that there is something wrong with that if you are a huge Elvis fan. I'm just wondering if there is anyone out there who has had a Las Vegas wedding and can give us any suggestions. Thanks.

[Sharon Naylor]

I'm sure that lots of our Pashers have either had or attended Vegas weddings, or heard about friends who married there. So, Pashers, bring on your stories!

For my two cents, I can assure you that Las Vegas weddings aren't always drive-thru ceremonies with Elvis impersonators. That's just what seems to get the coverage in the media and has become something of a stereotype. The wedding industry in Las Vegas is a huge one, and resorts' wedding coordinators can create ANY wedding dream the couple has in mind. From formal to themed to outdoor to poolside, they do it all. I've heard from resort coordinators and florists who have pulled together lovely, elegant weddings in atriums or small party rooms with lots of flowers, etc. I also know that you can get any number of special themes...

So check out the responses that are sure to come in, and find out what the bride and groom are considering before you worry. And even if it IS an Elvis-type wedding, I know a lot of people who LOVED how theirs turned out.

Good luck!

Sharon Naylor

[breezy]

My best guy friend just got married in Vegas in June.

Vegas offers the gambit of options. They got married in a little chapel down town. It wasn't a drive through, but was quick. Nice but quick. They had another couple waiting in the time slot right behind them.

They choose a restaurant in town to have the dinner reception. their wedding was no more than 20 people total.

Alot of the hotels offer packages with reception included. Most have some pretty tight time constraints but it still offers all the traditional trimmings.

You could also get a suite and have the reception there with no time constraints.

We (DH and I) actually went to Costco and got roses and the cake for them. I was able to call and fax them my order and they had them waiting The flowers were just a gift from the groom to his bride. Their package included bride and groom flowers, but Costco is a great option if you have the time and inclination to DIY.

Las Vegas really does offer just about anything your heart desires in all budgets. They have some great off the strip locals for wedding too... ya know where the locals get married

Congrats on your daughters engagement!!

[whiddle]

I have seen some beautiful weddings in Las Vegas (during my honeymoon). It is entirely possible to have an elegant wedding in LV. Look at some of the large hotels wedding packages. In particular, I know that the Venetian and the Stratosphere do beautiful weddings.