Low Priced, Magical Wedding or Vow Renewal? (Yup, In Las Vegas)

When I thought about my upcoming wedding I immediately felt STRESS.  All that came to mind was this is going to cost $20,000 if not more, I have to find food for 200 people, I need bridesmaids, I have to find a venue, and my head was probably going to explode before that.  Seriously.  I am a control freak.  I was already thinking about flower colors and lighting and music, and AHHHH!  The only thing I knew FOR SURE was that I wanted my Bachelorette Party in Las Vegas and I wanted my Honeymoon in Las Vegas.  Because after all, that is my favorite place in the entire world....specifically the Bellagio fountains.  You can park me in front of those fountains and it is probably the only time you'll hear silence from me for HOURS ha!

It became clear overnight that we were moving this wedding to Vegas.  No doubt about it.  But how could I allow someone I don't even know plan my wedding for me with me not there being able to see every single detail?  My girlfriend said it best, "its a blessing in disguise."  And it was.
I called the Bellagio the next morning and we got started.  I personally couldn't imagine it being in any other place in Las Vegas than in front of those stunning fountains.  I told her everything I imagined for that evening, and she said she could make it happen.....for $2000.  Now, for us, that was an excellent price for a 5 Star hotel and a property like the Bellagio.  They were going to take care of all the details for us.....it did start to sound better and better.  But everyone's budget, needs, and wants are different.  There are a lot of factors that go into your Vegas wedding or even Vow Renewal, and those factors also effect the price.  Also, think of the fact that you will be trusting someone to do this for you and if you're going to be ok with that.  If you have a $150 budget or an endless budget; there is something unique in Las Vegas for you, if that is where you want to have your Wedding or Vow Renewal. However, the point here is to make it memorable with a reasonable price.  And its possible!!  The day of the week, inside or outside, the amount of guests attending, the time of day/year, photography, and if you want a full reception afterwards at a hotel all effect the price of your wedding.

One great deal is at The Little White Wedding Chapel (off strip), which may sound familiar because this is where Brittany Spears got married (that one time, ha).  This venue offers the Drive-Thru option, an inside or outside ceremony and a Michael Jackson or Elvis option to serenade you afterwards. :)  This place is really cute!  Their packages start at around $200 and include photography and free limo service from wherever you're staying at to the marriage license bureau and to the ceremony.  They also rent wedding dresses there for your ceremony, which isn't a bad idea if you think about it.  Wedding dresses cost ALOT of money and are hard to sell afterwards.  

Another reasonable option is Planet Hollywood if you're wanting a more "traditional" ceremony in their indoor chapel.  When this property was the Aladdin, this is where Elvis and Priscilla Presley were married.  One can find a very reasonable deal there from $400-$1,600 that includes flowers, photography, a personal coordinator, and even your two night stay at the hotel!
Caesar's Palace is also very affordable, though you wouldn't think so.  I attended an indoor chapel wedding there that included the chapel, photography, and a dressing area for the brides and bridesmaids.  Again, depending on whether indoor or outdoor, time of day, and amount of guests; these start at $1500.  This particular wedding was a smart decision, because the reception was at the Cheesecake Factory afterwards and I believe everyone paid for themselves.  Regardless of the price, this wedding was very beautiful and the indoor chapel was stunning!

If you want to scare the crap out of all your guests you can have your wedding at the top of the Stratosphere inside on the 108th or 109th floor OR you can take your guests outside on the observation deck on the 112th floor. EEK!  I can't even put into words how memorable a ceremony there must be for you and your guests.  Or even if its just the two of you.  The "Just The Two Of Us" Package starts at $299 and around $500 for an outdoor ceremony with 15 guests.  That is hands down, an amazing deal!  

Now ANY of these packages at all Las Vegas chapels and hotels do offer "upgrades" if the package does not include something you really desire.  Additional chapel time, bringing more guests, decorating the chapel with rose petals/flowers, specific music, and requesting to have a photographer longer are all examples of options you can request to make YOUR day more special.  These add ons are all for an extra price though, of course.
Regarding a reception: the venue can make a full blown reception happen for you on property which WILL cost ALOT, you can pay for all your guests and take them out to dinner, or you can make an reservation at a restaurant and have everyone pay for themselves.  Or you don't have to have a reception at all.  Its your preference and budget.

   (Eiffel Tower Restaurant in the evening)

When it came to my wedding, we didn't really have too many requests, needs, and extras.  Everything need was already included in the package; even a few extras I didn't expect.  Specifically I wanted to make sure my father could walk me down the isle, I wanted all our best friends to be there, I wanted a red rose laid out for my mother who passed away, I wanted to be in front of the fountains at sunset and really I just wanted it all to go smoothly.  She told me to trust her.  I probably called her about twice a day until the wedding ha!  To be honest my biggest concern was probably the song they would play on the fountains after we said "I DO."  What if it was "Luck be a Lady" or "Viva Las Vegas?"  No Bueno!  But I did start to fell the stress of it all melt off my back.  The only things I had to do on my end was find my dress to take on the plane with me, invite all of our best friends who could go, book the plane and hotel, make the invitations and find a place to have a semi-small reception.  I probably did all of this in two days, no joke!  I already knew our favorite restaurant in Las Vegas is the Eiffel Tower at the Paris so the dinner reception would have to be there.  We had too few of guests to have a huge reception, and it really wasn't necessary.  The Eiffel Tower Restaurant is an experience in itself as its on the 11th floor and has some of the most breathtaking views of the strip.  Again, booking this was too easy.  The events coordinator from the Paris hotel called me asap and sent us several 4 course menu for our guests via email.  We decided on the best meals, and boom paid for it online that day.

And very soon, I was dragging my 50 pound dress onto the plane headed to Las Vegas for my dream wedding at the Bellagio.  I was scared, (control freak) that something was going to go wrong, but nothing did.  That evening I walked down and there was my father waiting for me holding the red rose.  We walked out together and everything was perfect, although I saw nothing but my husband.  I don't think I heard a word the minister said, it was unbelievable....I cant even describe it.  Everything seemed so silent, like we were the only two people there.  We said "I do" and the fountains lit up.  And God (Fountain Control) played "Billie Jean!!" I could not stop laughing and dancing.  Everyone was silent and in shock because anyone who knows me, knows how much I loveeeee Michael Jackson! Haha!  It was such an awesome moment!  My son ran up and started dancing with me :)

All the guests headed over to the Eiffel Tower Restaurant for cocktails while we took wedding photos around the Bellagio.

It didn't cost an arm and a leg.  Everyone we loved was there.  For $2,000 I feel we had an unforgettable wedding and it WAS a blessing in disguise to let them make this happen for us.  I look at those photos and feel so grateful that I was able to experience something so magical and memorable.  It wasn't some crazy expensive wedding that was over the top, but to me it was perfect.  Thats what your wedding should be all about.  Don't worry about impressing anyone, because at the end of the day when you're standing there; the only person you see is the one you're about to marry.

-Dress and Veil: Alfred Angelo, Disney Collection (Dress now Discontinued)

-3 ring Tanzonite set: Zales 

-Wedding Band: Tiffany and Co. 

*All wedding package information is available on all hotel or chapel websites*

Goodnight Loves, xoxo
Instagram and Twitter: @van_rogue83