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| HOME : FORUM : COMMUNITY : Wedding Talk : Honeymoon : Las Vegas Wedding & Honeymoon Help! |
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Post#1 @
03-02-03
, 05:45 PM
Due to financial restrictions and conflicting family schedules (and also personal preferences) we have decided to get married in Las Vegas in a private ceremony. We are also staying there for a few days as part of our Honeymoon and then taking a short 4 night cruise from LA to Catalina Island and Ensenada Mexico. Timeframe, end of April, this year. I have read posts of people who have choosen a "Destination Wedding" and I am perfectly happy with this choice. Alot of the choices we have made and are set in stone, bought and paid for...such as the cruise, airlines, dates etc...Others are still undecided and unfamilar, Such as Hotels in Vegas, chapels for the ceremony and what to take or do on the cruise. My questions to all of you out there, more familar with these places & activities....Keep in mind we have very limited funds, we wanted to spend the bulk of our monies on the honeymoon part, not the wedding itself....and I don't want Elvis involved LOL 1) Chapels? I found one, Called, Chapel of the Bells. The have a Limo from the Hotel, to get the licence, to the chapel and then back to the hotel. Minister fee included, 155.00...No pictures flowers etc but that is okay by us, Seems very reasonable,,,does anyone know this place? Opinions? Other suggestions? 2) Vegas Hotels,,, I made a reservation already, that is refundable if I change my mind..The Monte Carlo. ANy One been here? It looks nice, looks centrally located. We will not have a car and will be staying there for 5 nights. This will run approx 650.00 I am open to other suggestions. I have not been to Vegas for over 10 years.. I didn't want to stay in the Excalibur or the Stratoshere. Been to both and wanted more of a Honeymoon atmosphere. Nice accomodations, nice pool, etc. I have checked out obivious places like Bellagio, Veneitan, but they are out of the Budget. 3) The Cruise. We have never been but both of us really wanted to go on one. It's a short one and have read reviews that the ports are not the most exciting places but again, due to time money & schedules this was the best choice. It's on Carnival. Do any of you get sea sick on these? What is the best way to spend our time and any suggestions as to things to take,or not take? I will probably think of more, but for noe I would appreciate any thoughts you all might have! Thanks!!!!! Jan |
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I knew I would think of more!!
Post#2 @
03-02-03
, 06:02 PM
Also.... ANy suggestions on what to wear? I don't want a formal wedding gown, but I want to dress nicely for it too....I just don't want to spend an arm & a leg on the dress. Sigh.... |
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Post#3 @
03-02-03
, 10:32 PM
There was a girl on here who got married in Vegas just last year. You might try searching the Bride and Groom forum for Vegas stuff, but they probably deleted it. She was banned from here a month or so ago.. Anyways, do a search for Vegas. You might be able to find that old thread.  Jess |
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Post#4 @
03-03-03
, 12:25 AM
I did another search and read some great stories but really didnt find out what I am looking for. SO, If anyone has any advice or suggestions, I would appreciate it!! Jan |
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Post#5 @
03-03-03
, 06:57 AM
Quote:
Jess, why was she banned? |
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Post#6 @
03-03-03
, 09:17 AM
Quote:
Jan-- congrats! I'm getting married in Vegas in 2 weeks (YAHOO!!!), and will try to answer questions for you, if I can. 1. I don't know of that chapel at all, but if that's all you want in a package, then go for it! If you think you would want pictures in the future, then do spend an extra $50 or so and get pictures. I'm a picture freak, so I know that if I didn't have any, I'd be sad. But, it's all personal preference. My wedding is being coordinated through "A Special Memory" wedding chapel-- we're actually getting married in Red Rock Canyon, though. Their packages are reasonable, and I've heard wonderful things about their chapel. 2. The Monte Carlo is, from what I've read, a good hotel. I think that if the price is right for you, you've made a good choice. 3. I've been on a cruise. I don't get motion sick, and didn't on the cruise at all. I did bring "Sea-Bands" with me (you can buy them at any drugstore)-- they're an acupressure remedy for motion sickness. I've heard they work very well. Re. Las Vegas weddings-- if you want to get some REALLY good advice, go to: www. ultimate wedding. com (type it all together-- this website won't let you type it all together, for some reason) Then go to the message boards, and click on "destination weddings". There's a "Viva Las Vegas" thread that on the first page lists a TON of chapel/ hotel websites and other vendors. And the women on that group will answer any questions you have-- they're a good resource! Congrats once again! --Heather |
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Post#7 @
03-03-03
, 11:43 AM
It isn't that we are opposed to the pictures, it's just the package that included them cost alot more and had other extras we were not interested in. I called the Chapel and was told we could get 12 shots taken with a 35mm camera that we develop for about 60.00 more. We are still considering it but are also considering going to a Portrait studio and getting a few shots taken in our wedding attire. That way we can choose the shots and will spend about the same. ( I hope ) |
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Post#8 @
03-03-03
, 11:45 AM
Sorry, I just added some thoughts and hit submit.... Congrats on your upcoming wedding!!! Please post and let me know how it went! |
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I've lived in Vegas for 9 years...
Post#9 @
03-03-03
, 12:18 PM
Everything sounds great except the Monte Carlo, they are only so-so for rooms. Search around for a deal at Bally's or Cesars Palace they have nice in-room jacuzzi tubs! As for clothes, you can dress up as much as you want or as casual as you want (as bare as you dare) there are great clubs to go to at night ranging from rave-like to classy. Stick with elegant wedding attire, no need to change later. Go to lasvegas.com to check out what's going on. Good luck and have a wonderful time! |
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Post#10 @
03-03-03
, 02:07 PM
I haven't done any research on getting married in Vegas, but I did go there on vacation 2 years ago. The Monte Carlo was nice, but not my favorite. Personally, for a wedding, I think would choose the Bellagio, Ceasar's Palace, or Paris. But there was nothing wrong with the Monte Carlo if that is the one you like the best. As far as cruises, I have been on several, and I've never been seasick. My fiance's never been seasick either, and he is more sensitive to those things then I am. The ships are so big and any movement is barely felt. The general rule is the bigger the ship, the less movement you feel. If you're worried about being seasick, I would recommend you go on a ship 70,000 tons or more -- they are big enough that you shouldn't notice too much movement. Personally, sleeping on the ship is one of my favorite things because you are gently rocked to sleep. As for what to do, I recommend taking some shore excursions that you can buy on the ship. They are a bit pricey, and you can usually get them cheaper on your own when you get to the island. But the ships' excursions are easy and stress-free -- you know the boat will wait for you if you're late, and you know that the excursions have been screened by the ship as being somewhat safe. Have fun!
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Post#11 @
03-05-03
, 10:34 AM
Hi I got married in Vegas last July. We ended up spending 12,000 for 40 people. I don't know your budget but at the MGM grand there is a 2 story suite we rented and it was awesome. If you want to splurge for one night I would go for it. I paid about 750.00 a night but it had an 800 sqare foot patio overlooking the strip w/ a jucuzzi, and the biggest bathtub I have ever seen. It was fabulous! Treat your self to a manicure and pedicure the day before the wedding. If you want to save money on this go into town don't do it at the hotel. I htink we paid 130.00 for it at the hotel spa. |
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Post#12 @
03-05-03
, 11:09 AM
We were married at the MGM Grande 2 years ago. Our package was $1100.00 and included 2 nights, chapel, flowers, music, video, pictures, minister, champagne and glasses. We loved the MGM. I am not a fan of the Monte Carlo, I agree with CNSpotts think Cesars is a better choice. |
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Post#13 @
03-05-03
, 01:42 PM
Quote:
I was thinking of having a maicure & pedicure done right before I leave for the trip and having the Hotel Salon do something to my hair....I imagine this will cost alot too. Thanks for the thoughts! Jan |
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Post#14 @
03-05-03
, 01:43 PM
oops, most of my comments got included in your quote! |
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Post#15 @
03-05-03
, 01:51 PM
Here are my comments Kerda..... We are not taking anyone with us, so when I said I really didn't want to spend much on the Wedding part, we are talking pennies compared to yours! The Chapel we are looking at is 155.00 LOL Sounds like you had a nice time though, I bet it was pretty. I have looked at the MGM and so far the rates are higher than the Monte Carlo. The 750.00 a night is way out of the Budget. We will be there for 5 nights total and my whole week can't be as much as that is per night! If I can find a good rate when we arrive midweek, I would like to stay in a upper class place, at least through the wedding night and then maybe move to a less expensive place to hang out as I imagine we won't be spending alot of time in the room. Can you tell me what you didn't like about the Monte Carlo? |
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Post#16 @
03-05-03
, 03:29 PM
JanJan, You might want to look at the Little White Wedding Chapel at www.alittlewhitechapel.co m Their prices start at 55.00, and for 179 you can have the following (from their site): $179.00 Complete* Use of Chapel Traditional Ceremony Traditional Music 12 Poses taken by a Professional Photographer Presentation of Flowers Groom's Boutonniere A Beautiful Love Recipe Rules for a Happy Marriage I don't like the Monte Carlo because the rooms are so-so and the entire hotel seems "old". I think if you shop around, you can find a great deal at a better hotel. The MGM and Bellagio are my favorites, but for more moderate price I really like Cesars and Paris. |
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For Hair and makeup, nails, massage...
Post#17 @
03-05-03
, 04:21 PM
For all those wonderful details call *Eden Salon* in Vegas and ask for Michael, He will Hook you UP!!!!How I miss his talent with cut and color,  He is the best when it comes to doing what you want with flair!  Oh how I wish I was there some days. Oops I missed your question about what I didn't like about Monte Carlo. It just lacks a certain elegance & class that most of the other Casino's have. It is sooo bright white and stark inside that it seems more like a casino that the others, and the rooms are very basic, very plain. The Mirage & Treasure Island are too far to the north of the strip. Stay farhter south then you can really walk from place to place. Bally's surprisingly has wonder rooms, and is close to the action. Ceasars is great and classy...old vegas style to a degree. Bellagio is New elegance and stark. MGM Grand is Huge and has plenty to do there without leaving. Mandalay Bay is wonderful if you can go to the pool. Hard Rock is a place to hang out with the trendy crowd...to be seen. The Aladdin isn't what it used to be, new different. There are so many, figure out exactly what you are looking for then check out a map for location. Great room? Great package? Outside activities, or inside? Gambling? Clubs? Buffets or real restuarants?Sightseeing, or Pool? |
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Last edited by CnSpotts : 03-05-03 at 04:34 PM.
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Post#18 @
03-06-03
, 09:06 AM
Here are a couple of vendors that I'm using that are quite reasonably priced: "Beautiful Brides by Deb"-- for $200, I'm getting my hair and makeup done, as well as my stepdaughter's updo and my mom's hairstyling. She also will do manicures/ pedicures-- and it's all done IN YOUR ROOM. No running about trying to get to a salon/ cab, and then you can just dress in your room immediately after. :-) I don't have her exact website, but if you type that into yahoo, you should find it. Of all the in-room stylists I researched, she seemed to be the best, at the most reasonable price. www.picturemeinvegas.com-- this is a website that came to me HIGHLY recommended. Karen has a photo tour package that will take you around to all the great photo points in Vegas (transportation included), for varying amounts of time. We're doing the 1.5 hour photo tour, which includes 60+ pictures, all the proofs, a proof photo album, and all our negatives-- price is $325 (when we booked it was $275-- prices for Vegas vendors seem to have jumped after the New Year-- even our wedding package went up by $100! Thank God for deposits and price freezing). As for the hotel rooms-- I'm in the same boat you are budget-wise. Plus, we have the soon to be stepkids with us, so we're staying in Circus Circus. It's not the NICEST hotel on the strip, but one thing that I had to think of when looking for a hotel room is this: when I'm in Vegas, I'll probably be using my room to sleep, or creating my own extracurricular fun (hehehe). I'm not going to be lounging around,and I probably won't have time for a jacuzzi tub. When I travel, I like to be OUT of the room and see the sights, so I generally scrimp on the hotel (as long as it's clean, I'm cool with it . . . but to let you get a glimpse of how I travel, I will admit that I'm a Motel 6 kind of girl). When looking for a hotel room, ask yourself: will I be spending a lot of time there? Or will I be out of it most of the time? If you will be doing the latter, stick with the Monte Carlo and save your $ for events/ activities. :-) As long as the sheets are clean and there are no bugs, who cares? Some of my most comfortable beds have been in cheap hotels; the worst one I stayed at was for a work conference in Denver-- was at a Radisson, and the beds were lumpy and hard and noise from the lobby echoed EVERYWHERE and I didn't get a single solid night's sleep in 4 days. So you don't always need to equate "better" with "more expensive". --Heather |
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Post#19 @
03-06-03
, 12:52 PM
Heller, I had to comment on Beatiful Brides by Deb and I notice you have no PM option. I used Debbie. I would not recommend her for makeup as she caked a very dark foundation on my face. I am pale, it looked so bad I had to remove it all and my sister had to redo all my makeup when she left. You know when your pale and your face looks dark but your neck looks so white. I was mortified. She did a great job with the hair though. I am thinking that's her area of expertise. Also I was put off by the fact that she charged 40.00 to put a french braid in a 9 year olds hair, that didn't seem reasonable. I never complained to her as I was so busy and stressed. However I am thinking I might save someone else from this Also I will say I know how expensive a 750.00 room is, it was worth every penny to us as we spent 5 days relaxing before the wedding it was nice. Usually we get a cheaper room but we splurged and still are happy we did. However the thing that cost the most was the catering. I was planning on getting appitzers from Chili's bar and grill and the MGM said no outside food. So I was stuck paying 3.00 per can of soda, plus another 4000.00 for food and cake. We had not planned on spending so much but I will admit it was nice to have everything delivered. Also my parents paid for alot of the stuff. |
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Last edited by Alilou : 03-06-03 at 01:00 PM.
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Post#20 @
03-06-03
, 06:31 PM
Quote:
Wow, now we're talking inexpensive! I have checked out the website amd even called to get "a feel"....when I asked about starting prices & packages they started out with the 179.00 and didnt mention the 55.00 one. When I asked him if there was anything lower, he then begrudling told me about it. When we have time to sit and look I will show the fiancee and see what he thinks. Since we are looking mainly for the simple ceremony I think this would work just fine. Thanks for the tip! Thanks for the info on the Monte Carlo too. I read some reviews on this Hotel and have read the same, the room aren't so hot...I read the pool was great though. I think I will hang on to the reservation but keep my eye out for a Deal on one that comes more recommended. Keep the tips Coming & thanks again! Jan |
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Post#21 @
03-15-03
, 09:34 AM
We have some of the Details worked out, I thought I'd share... I have the Bellagio booked for the first 2 nights, (arrival & wedding night.)Thanks to a fellow DTer We got a Lakeview room @ 139 a night. Moving downtown for the weekend, at the Golden Nugget Fri & Sat. We booked through PriceLine and got 84.00 a night. I know, if I had waited I might have gotten this for even less, but I wanted to solidify my plans. 84.00 a night for a weekend rate at a 4 star hotel was a Bargin (esp compared to the 169.-209.++ rates per night I was getting for 4 star strip Hotels over the weekend) For our last night I secured the Venetian, 99.00 for the night through Priceline. I was thrilled at this rate, although I think if I waited I may have gotten it for as little as 79. but again, I wanted to finalize this part of the trip details. Overall, I am just thrilled with these results. We wanted the Bellagio & Venetian for this trip so badly but thought it was simply out of the Budget. Shows what you can do with a little research, tips & persistence! We got exactly what we wanted, staying in 5 star hotels the majority of the trip and are spending 50.00+ LESS than our original 5 night booking at the Monte Carlo! We are having the Ceremony at "A Special Memory" They by far provided the best customer service over the phone when I called for information. Very Professional & accomadating. My future MIL insisted we get photo's taken, we were going to do this after the fact but the package we booked at the chapel included a Video, I asked if they would subsitute the Video for 12 4x6 pictures and they happily did. The package includes, Gazebo wedding, music, rose presentation, 12 pics, dressing room, minister fee & gratuity.limo including getting the licence....169.00 I plan on getting a manicure & pedicure here before we leave and will decide if I will have my hair & makeup done (or just do it myself) after I decide what I am going to wear.I got a quote from Pampered Brides, they come to the Hotel, do hair & makeup for 125.00...I kind of got nervous with the above story with makeup being caked on, I wear light makeup, SO..I may just do it myself, or just have my hair done...maybe at the Hotel salon. Can you tell I am soo excited? 
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Post#22 @
03-17-03
, 05:50 PM
I got married at a Special Memory chapel in the New England chapel. They were so nice I loved it! Good luck. |
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wow another vegas bride... i think we are planning on a vegas wedding but if we do it will just be the two maybe. i love reading about other people's plan to vegas |
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