Getting married in Vegas isn’t what is used to be. Gone are the days of driving down to the slimy end of the strip for a quick “hey-there-what’s-new-you’re-married” with an overweight and geriatric Elvis. The swanky hotels are stepping it up with entire bridal teams and plush in-house chapels, ready to make everything perfect for your big day. “Caesars Palace” offers a beautiful garden ceremony steps away from their grand pool; “Mandalay Bay” has a wedding package that has you reciting your vows under a pod of sharks (standing room only, I’m afraid); and “Treasure Island” lets you kiss the bride on the same pirate ship that’s home to a horde of scantily-clad singing pirate ladies.
So, in short, your choices are a more varied than you might think. I recently took a short trip over to sin city and collected some shaky, blurry pictorials and reviews for your knowledge and benefit. Here’s my review of one of the most highly-rated chapels on the strip: The Wedding Chapel at Mandalay Bay:
The Mandalay Bay Chapel makes a good first impression right of the bat, as it isn’t located right in the heart of the busy hotel. It’s tucked away from the casino and shopping district.
The lobby was welcoming and much bigger than I expected, and the entire building was also sound-proof. The noise from the nearby convention center was completely damped once the doors shut behind us.
There were three chapels to choose from (in the main building – for other options, check out Mandalay Bay’s wedding website), though two of them were nearly identical. The only difference with the third was its slightly larger seating capacity. The chapel seemed to have a preference for calla lilies, but they fit in wonderfully with the soft décor. Whether they were swirled into glass bowls or springing from small planters, it was hard to miss them.
My only complaint with the décor is the beading on the wall lamps. Beads dripped from every surface, and I was not feeling it. Though the translucent beads looked nice and simple when draped against the wall, I was not so happy when I noticed them falling from the lamps. It was a little tacky, but the room itself made up for it. There was plenty of seating, the décor was simple and pretty, and the baby grand in the back added a little something extra.
What really makes the Mandalay Bay Chapel my favorite on the strip, however, has to be their bridal packages. Not only do they offer the basics (photographer, bridal dressing room, simple bouquet), their deals also offer a variety of options that include free spa visits, romantic dinners, honeymoon suites, champagne, mimosas and breakfasts in bed, and even limo rides to retrieve the marriage license. Their prices range from $750 to a little over $18,000 (for the whole shebang, including reception, bar, cake, and wedding planner).
Oh, and if you really want to meet Elvis, they’ve got you covered with the “Viva Las Vegas” package.
Posted on January 09, 2012
wedding-collectibles
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The saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is doubly correct in the world of wedding woes.
Posted on January 02, 2012
wedding-collectibles
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Candles will always have their place at weddings. They’re simple. Subtle, romantic, and they fit in with any and all possible décor. Candles fill empty spaces with warm, glowing light, and compliment (or replace!) any kind of centerpiece.
Posted on January 01, 2012
wedding-collectibles
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While most flower girls would be ecstatic after receiving the same gifts as the rest of the female wedding party, ring bearers might be a little more difficult. Not only are they usually younger than the flower girl (which makes the engraved beer mug all the more inappropriate); they might not be as excited to be a part of the big day.
Posted on December 31, 2011
wedding-collectibles
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Showing your appreciation for a bridesmaid or any other member of the wedding party is usually pretty simple. Men like useful, practical gifts while any bridesmaid would be happy with a piece of unique jewelry to wear on your wedding day.
Posted on December 29, 2011
wedding-collectibles
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Until it becomes possible to disappear when a friend, relative, or stranger asks you an obviously inappropriate question about your wedding, we must find new ways to dance around sensitive issues.
Posted on December 28, 2011
wedding-collectibles
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A bridal shower is a pre-wedding event often hosted by a bride’s female friends and family. Etiquette dictates that all those who are invited to the bridal shower must also be invited to the wedding, but the guest list is always shorter (sometimes just the closest friends of the bride) and usually entirely female. There’s no rule that says bridal showers can’t be co-ed, but a bride’s shower can be a great time to kick back in an estrogen-fueled environment and talk about girlie things before the big day.
If you’re hosting a bridal shower, it can be a little nerve-wracking – especially if it’s your first time. Bridal showers can become mini events in themselves, and they have many of the components of the actual wedding, including food, centerpieces, and even bridal shower favors.
How can you be sure that the bridal shower favors you’ve selected will be as unique and interesting as the rest of your event?
Well, bridal shower favors have the advantage of not being intended for both genders. Bridal shower favors are more of a female thing, so traditional and universal gifts such as soaps and mini scented candles will always go over well. If you’re in a rush and don’t have much time to plan, these bridal shower favors are a good go-to.
If you have a little more time, and you want to make sure the bridal shower favors you select will be the hit of your event, consider a mani/pedi set, elegant serving dishes (for olives or cheeses), or just purchase unique and flirty packaging for hand-made gifts like chocolate or jewelry as your bridal shower favors.
A bridal shower may be for showering the bride with gifts, but that doesn’t mean your guests have to go home empty handed!
