Planning a wedding is said to be one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do, and the big day itself is almost certain to go down as one of the most memorable occasions of your life. But while there’s no denying the thrill that comes with the lead-up to your nuptials, it can be a stressful and often overwhelming process, leaving you feeling frazzled.
The idea of a ‘perfect’ wedding is different for everyone. For some, it could mean having a top-notch wedding photographer to create beautiful memories for the day, while for others, it could mean booking the best location or offering guests the best buffet they have ever seen at the reception – but one thing almost all couples have in common is the desire for the whole day to go without a hitch.
With this in mind, it’s perhaps unsurprising that a growing number of affluent couples preparing to tie the knot in 2023 are opting for a destination wedding instead of getting married on home soil, jetting off abroad for the ceremony and handing responsibility for the organisation in the hands of a highly experienced wedding planner so they can simply relax and enjoy.
And where better to walk down the aisle than Las Vegas – a city filled with bright lights and lavish resorts, and the perfect place to celebrate the occasion – as well as enjoying an excitement filled honeymoon afterwards?
Whatever your version of perfect might be, these tips for planning your wedding trip to Las Vegas will help to ensure your day – and the rest of your wedding getaway – runs smoothly, and is just as special as you’d hoped.
Avoid booking too many events
Many people opt for a Las Vegas wedding because of the excitement that invariably comes with it, and the endless choice of activities to do there before and after your wedding holds undeniable appeal. But with so many options, the biggest challenge you might face when planning your trip is deciding on which activities and events to pick for the limited time you have.
With a plethora of world-class casinos, restaurants run by internationally renowned chefs, star-studded live shows and more all yours for the taking, you won’t be able to do it all – and attempting to do so would only create more of that stress you were so eager to escape. The key to avoiding overwhelm here is remembering that less is more – so pick a few things you really want to do and avoid overfilling your schedule to allow yourself time to simply relax and enjoy.
Choose the right season
Although there is no such thing as a ‘bad’ time to head to Las Vegas to tie the knot, some are certainly better than others. Spring is a great time to head over for your wedding, as the weather will be mild and pleasant and you’ll avoid the summer high-season, when the city becomes very busy with summer tourists. Some attractions are much less crowded in springtime, and without having to worry about the adverse weather conditions that can sometimes come with autumn and winter, you’ll be able to wander the Strip and enjoy your daily activities at leisure.
Find the right venue
Making sure you have all your family and close friends in Las Vegas for the special day can be a tricky task, as there is often a lot to consider when it comes to travel arrangements and accommodation. But once you’ve managed to pull that bit off, you’ll also want to ensure that the venue you choose for your wedding ceremony is large enough to accommodate them all – something that it would be all too easy to overlook, but is actually one of the most important considerations of all.
Thankfully, many Las Vegas venues offer wedding packages catering to guest lists of any size – and hiring a local wedding planner will take this particular responsibility off your hands. They’ll present you with the options, and you can just say yes, or no.
Plan a wedding reception to remember
If you’re inviting friends and families to join you on your wedding day rather than eloping alone, then you’ll no doubt want to plan a memorable wedding reception where you can all celebrate together in style. And where better to pull off a truly extravagant bash than in Las Vegas?
While there’s a certain appeal to simply strolling around and popping into some of the city’s most iconic casinos for a flutter, planning a private reception will ensure you have a dedicated space just for you and your guests to let loose will ensure that everyone stays together – after all, it’s not just about the occasion itself, but the people you spend it with. And with some of the Strip’s mega resorts offering event spaces for hire, as well as being home to some of the top fine dining restaurants if you’d prefer a sit-down meal, you’ll be perfectly positioned to head out for a game of Roulette or Poker afterwards if the mood strikes.
Plan the postage of your wedding gifts
Many guests won’t attend a wedding without bringing along a gift for the happy couple – but this can leave you with a lot of excess baggage to transport home with you once the celebrations are complete.
If a lot of your guests are visiting from different places and bringing their presents with them, make sure to have arrangements in place for your presents to be shipped back to your home, as doing so will mean you won’t have to worry about trying to fit them all in your limited suitcase space. Alternatively, you could ask guests to send their presents to your home rather than bringing them all the way to Vegas – which would likely make things easier for everyone.
Share your happy news
Las Vegas locals love walking around the city and seeing couples who have just married – which, as you can imagine, is a regular sight. Many strangers will approach you to offer their congratulations – and your luxury hotel of choice will almost certainly want to pull out all the stops to ensure your stay is a special one.
From complimentary bottles of champagne to luxury suite upgrades, most high-end hotels will go out of their way to spoil newlyweds and ensure that you have a memorable experience – but if you don’t tell them, then they won’t know, so be sure to mention that you’re getting married when booking.
Check out the Las Vegas Strip
If this is your first time in Las Vegas, you might not be aware of just how long the Strip really is. Unbeknownst to many tourists, it’s actually spread over an impressive four miles, which means you’ll need to set plenty of time aside to take it all in and experience it in all its glory. Dotted along the Strip are over 51 casinos, some as large as 160,000 square feet – and whether you’re a seasoned high-roller or a complete amateur, you’ll almost certainly want to pop into a few during your time in Vegas to experience this phenomenon first-hand.
