Post # 1
Member
653 posts
Busy bee
Howdy Bee’s!
My SO and I were watching an episode of American Pickers last night where they go to Vegas and sell a car to Rick from Hardcore Pawn (we LOVE both shows lol) Anyway, we got to talking about how much we want to go to the USA and that we really need to start saving for it and then I mentioned why not get married in Vegas? He seemed to like the idea (there are a few of my family members that we would rather not invite to our wedding and this sort of solves the problem).
My questions are:
Are there any Australian/NZ bees out there that have planned a wedding in Las Vegas? Was it difficult to do in another country?
Can anyone recommend a good place for a reception in Vegas that you can eat a nice meal and still do the cutting of the cake and dance like a normal reception? (for approx 20 people)
Any nice (not tacky) Chapels that people can recommend?
Ideally, we would like to have a nice ceremony and a fairly traditional reception (e.g. dinner, cake, dancing, tables set up etc.) without spending too much money because while we are there we would also like to honeymoon in New York, San Fan & LA so we would need money for that also..
I would like to spend UNDER $10,000 on everything for the ceremony/reception including the food/photography/make up/dress etc. and then have whatever else for the rest of our holiday does anyone think this is doable?
Post # 3
Member
8670 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I am in Victoria and we got married in Vegas in 2011 and it was easy as pie to organise.
Check out Maggiano’s for your reception. They have large and small function rooms and pretty good room minimums. Some people also hire a suite 9the vista suites at Mandalay Bay are popular) and have their receptions in there using a catering company (masterpiece cuisine is a popular choice).
We got married at the Las Vegas Sign by Elvis (so I guess that is tacky to you) so didn’t go through a chapel but I have read good reviews about chapel of the west, chapel of flowers and little whit chapel. But all of the big casinos have wedding chappels attached to them as well. The Juno Gardens chapel at Ceasars is really popular.
I mostly used the knots vegas board to help plan my wedding as it is much more active than here and the girls and guys were very helpful.
We also used Bentley and Wilson for photography and they were brillant and the cost was great compared to Australia especially since we got the rights to the photos and all images on a disc.
I used pam from the pallette for my flowers and was beond pleased with the results.
Good luck and don’t get daunted.
Post # 4
Member
653 posts
Busy bee
@j_jaye: Thanks so much for all of that!
“We got married at the Las Vegas Sign by Elvis” <– Actually I LOVE that! that sounds like so much fun! all I meant by tacky was some of those chapels that have all the horrible white lattice and fake flowers hanging from it..
Did you have many people go? I am hoping it is just out immediate family and our closest friends, I am trying to get away from the big wedding.. we just want to be able to eat, drink and dance the night away!
Did you go out on the town in your dress dancing? I kind of love that! I dont think I would want to get changed!
Post # 5
Member
8670 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
We had 32 guests come out of about 80 so it was a smallish wedding.
We had big plans to go out afterward and dance the night away but ended up in the hotel pool instead having a few drinks. It was over 40 degrees and with being up early to get ready and the heat by 10pm most of us were ready for bed.
I did have my hens night 2 days before the wedding in Vegas so we danced/partied that night so I don’t really feel like I missed anything.
We did a strip tour after the ceremony to get photos and it was really cool to have people coming up and congratulating us and yelling out to us and so many Asian tourists wanting to get photos with us.
Post # 6
Member
653 posts
Busy bee
@j_jaye: that sounds amazing! thank you for all of the great ideas!
Post # 7
Member
653 posts
Busy bee
@j_jaye: Oh and also, can you recommend a good hair/make up artist?
Post # 8
Member
8670 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@Brickette: I used Francesca Lombardo from Bobbypin beauty and she was amazing.
Post # 9
Member
1278 posts
Bumble bee
I Live in vegas and am getting married here:) Do you have anything really specific you ae looking for? I can put you in contact with some wedding coordinators or wedding places. FOr the chapel is it non-denominational? Bahama Breeze is a great reception place for what you are looking for. It’s fun, near the strip. Also a lot of the strip hotels have chapels and wedding packages that might be exactly what you need. Definitely will be under your budget. Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Aria, Cosmopolitan, Planet Hollywood are just a few that I can think of off the top of my head. If you want me to research mroe for you I can. Let me know:) Vegas is my game. Born and raised:)
Post # 10
Member
1278 posts
Bumble bee
I also can hook you up with hair/make up/photography/ummmm anything else you need I know a lot of people here who are amazing and great priced. My hair dresser will come to you too
Post # 11
Member
1278 posts
Bumble bee
@Brickette: By The Way Rick from Pawn Stars is my FAVORITE and that is my absolute favorite show EVER!! hahahaha
Post # 12
Member
653 posts
Busy bee
@mjwyatt84: Oh duh silly me! He is from Pawn Stars isn’t he? I always get Pawn Stars and Hardcore Pawn mixed up lol! We love both shows!
Post # 13
Member
1278 posts
Bumble bee
@Brickette: It’s ok I knew what you meant LOL. I saw Chumlee and got his autograph at the Batman movie over the summer. My Fiance said we should take it to the Pawn store and try to sell it to him when they are filming just to be funny hahahaha.
Post # 14
Member
653 posts
Busy bee
@mjwyatt84: that would be hilarious!!
Post # 15
Member
2 posts
Wannabee
Hello!
I am also looking to get married in Vegas! Thinking we are going to have to have 2 weddings actually – one in the Valley of fire (or something similar) and then what I am considering as my REAL wedding with Elvis!
I am just worried about having to book everything online – sight unseen – how do you trust that you are going to get what you think you are getting?
Also for the first wedding – his mother has just decided that we must have an actual reception (not a fan – but I suppose if 20 – 30 people are travelling all that way we can’t just wing it) I am a fussy eater and we will have at least 1 vegatarian – it is my nightmare.
Will be taking notes on all your suggestions!
Thanks
Post # 16
Member
18 posts
Newbee
Hello there! I’m also looking into getting married in Las Vegas. I got in contact with Maggiano’s they have very reasonable prices and the place is very nice. My second choice is to take everyone to dinner after the reception to a nice restaurant. We are getting a penthouse room at the Vdara they have gorgeous rooms at decent price we are planning to have all our friends over about 20ish after dinner hope that many people are allowed in lol.
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