Las Vegas, sometimes referred to as the "Diamond in the Desert", is also recognized as one of the most popular cities in the United States to get married in. I have lived in Las Vegas for most of my life, and until recently I did not realize how many wedding chapels we have here. I actually counted every chapel listing in the phone book and came up with 67 (kind of like 7-11's, there's one on every corner). Basically, no matter what you are looking for in a chapel it's a pretty safe bet that you can find it in Las Vegas.
Basketball fans can choose a "Little White Chapel" where Michael Jordan was married (personally, I can't imagine Michael Jordan in anything "Little"). For the couple on the run we have the only drive-through chapel around, the "Drive-Up Wedding Window" (fast food and fast weddings, only in America). When love is in the air the only place for you is "A Little Chapel In The Sky" where you can get married in a hot air balloon floating across the beautiful skies of Southern Nevada (be sure to take your Dramamine before lift-off). An important thing to remember if you choose to get married in a hot air balloon is that you have to keep the wedding party relatively small. After all, your wedding altar is now a wicker basket.
Being a married person myself, I know from first-hand experience that the chapel is only a small (but important) part of the actual wedding day. Everything must be perfect because you are only going to do this once in a lifetime (maybe twice if you're an average American; 7 or 8 times if you are Elizabeth Taylor). If you think about it, we spend more time preparing for this one day than any other day of our lives. Well, except maybe our funeral, but then we don't actually have to prepare for that one. Hopefully, someone else does it for us.
It's imperative that the wedding party attire is impeccable because chances are you will be too drunk to remember the entire affair. But thanks to modern technology you will have photos and videos of you looking your best, even if you don't remember it. Just a word of advice, make sure you get plenty of photos prior to the reception. Mainly because once you get to the reception the serious drinking begins! Then all you have is a bunch of pictures of people wearing your garter belt on their head with their eyes at half-mast, and you in a $1500 wedding gown with cake smeared all over your face (it is a strange ritual).
Additionally, because there are so many things you do on your wedding day, and pulling off the perfect wedding is not a cake-walk, I'm going to make it as easy as possible. I will provide you with names and locations of places (caterers, limousine companies, honeymoon information, etc.) that can achieve the impossible.
Caterers are important because let's face it, people may not remember what day you were married, but they remember exactly what food was served. For some, the free meal is the only reason they are showing up for your wedding. Traditionally you usually pick some kind of theme, Mexican, Italian, etc., and in Las Vegas (the buffet capital of the world) there are no boundaries. One of my top choices is Big Tony's BBQ, his slogan is "Preserve Wildlife...Have a Party". After all, a wedding is just a big party where everyone dresses up in clothes they can't afford and will never wear again.
On this special day it's mandatory to ride to the chapel in a stretch limousine. As with everything else, Vegas has that covered. Presidential Limousine provides a complimentary bottle of champagne, a long stem rose for the lady, a cellular phone (some of you gentlemen can make those last minute calls from your black book), a fully stocked bar, and a chauffeur in a formal tuxedo and cap. Let me not forget to mention the color TV, AM/FM stereo, and VCR. These are all necessities when commuting in a limo.
Finally, the honeymoon. The great thing about Las Vegas is that if you're coming here to get married you can also stay for your honeymoon. Some of the most fabulous hotels in the world are right here in Vegas. I'm here to tell you, they know what you want! The honeymoon suites range from the elegant to unusual. And there are plenty of things to do in Las Vegas besides gamble (not that gambling is a bad thing, especially since all of you wonderful tourists pay my state taxes). We have the MGM Grand Theme Park, Circus Circus Grand Slam Canyon, and my personal favorite, The Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace. This place makes Nordstrom's look like Target!
No matter what your needs are for your wedding day, Vegas has it. In Las Vegas, you can make the most important day of your life an exciting memory. Think about how wonderful it will be to tell your grandchildren that you were married in the same wedding chapel as the "KING" himself, Elvis Presley (assuming by the time you have grandchildren they will know who Elvis Presley is, let alone Elvis Costello.)
Las Vegas is a smorgasbord for weddings, and with my help you will visit the "buffet table" of chapels every month. I look forward to spending time checking out chapels and providing you with the best information possible to create the perfect wedding day.
Vona Savini was born in Tacoma, Washington and moved to Las Vegas at age of 1 ½ years. She has two children. She has resided in Las Vegas almost her entire life and is the third of four generations in the valley. Vona works at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and is currently studying to become a Crime Scene Analyst.
Email:Vona Savini
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