Planning wedding in Las vegas from UK... HELP!!!

Emmmoi

Hi all, 

I'm planning my wedding for June 2017 in Las Vegas. 

I've found a venue (Neon Boneyard) and THINK I've found my reception (Wicked Spoon Buffet) but I'm keen to know if anyone has any recommendations for a wedding reception. I'm looking for something relaxed, not on the pricey side, and suitable for approximately 20 people. 
Also, anyone got any good ideas for a good cocktail reception after the meal? Want somewhere lively but relaxed at the same time (If that makes sense!)

Also need some help about EVERYTHING else. I'm going in blind and, as standard, my fiance has a grand total of NO interest in helping me plan it! (Apart from the drinking!)

Thanks girls!!!

zoevegas2015

Hi, Also planning from the UK, I can tell you our plans if that helps? We have 30 people coming over with us. 3pm Ceremony, cocktail hour and reception at the Eiffel Tower restaurant, then a 2 hour limo photo tour for everyone from 8-10pm (booked a HUGE limo!) then either Lounge 701 or Mandalay Bar for late night drinks after limo.

We have booked harmony for hair and make-up, Todd from Bentley Wilson for photos and used NTS limo. Eiffel Tower restaurant do the rest - easy (hopefully!!)

We will also be having hen and stag nights in Vegas, thinking New York New York for hen. Also doing other things with the whole group during the week; Michael Jackson One, Slotzilla and the High roller.

Hope that gives you some ideas, it's a minefield with sooooo many options in Vegas and so hard when you can't actually go and see/meet with suppliers.

What other plans do you have just now? You at least have plenty on time on your side! Z

Emmmoi

You are an absolute STAR!!! 

Love the limo idea... Good way to break up the evening. 

Yeah we're doing the hen and stag in Vegas (although I've now started calling them bachelor and bachelorette parties... Think I'm looking at way too much American stuff!)

Planning to go and view the Neon Boneyard for the ceremony followed by a buffet and cocktail reception  in The Cosmopolitan. Thinking of maybe the duelling pianos in New York new York after that.

Well we're off to look at it all on Sunday so I need to get it sorted ASAP! Not being able to go and see venues at will is the most difficult part.

damnthetorpedoes

Keep in mind that it is going to be hot as @#$% outside in Vegas in June!

xoeden

@emmmoi, I was just going to suggest duelling pianos at NYNY! I absolutely love it there, my favorite.

Have you contacted Wicked Spoon yet, or are you planning on just showing up and sitting wherever kind of idea? We were thinking very similar plans, but with a 5k minimum at Wicked Spoon, it just wasn't in the cards for us.

And yes, June is hot as all shades of hell in Vegas. If you and your guests melt at 27º, you're going to be dead before you leave the casino in June.

amiexx

I'm coming from UK as well. I looked into wicked spoon but it shuts early mid week and the minimum spend is expensive. They give you one big bill as well. It's hard to book when you have t seen the places. We're getting married at the flamingo garden chapel in May next year, iv booked Stevee Danielle for hair and make up. Iv then booked DDB tour with entertainer for my guests. I'm going to jump on and off the bus for my photo shoot, we've booked Todd and Bentley photographers. I'm having my reception at trevi in Caesars palace I found them most reasonable priced, don't know where we're going after that.

finallymrsroberts

Hi, I'm a UK bride and we got married last month. My reviews are further down the board. Can't recommend Mandarin Oriental enough for our ceremony, and a Wraparound Terrace Suite in the Cosmo for our reception. When it got late we went downstairs to the Chandelier bar.

sasalew

The best advice I can give for planning from the UK is to give all your guests plenty of notice! We made sure people knew straight away that we were thinking of a wedding in Vegas, then sent out official Save the Dates 18 months before the big day so people could start to plan their holidays. The less notice you give people, the less likely they’ll travel that far for a wedding. But since you’re already planning for a wedding in 2017 it sounds like you’ll have that covered J

 

Our wedding is in October at the Wynn then in-suite reception at Cosmopolitan. So far we have 22 guests booked to come with us (20 from the UK, 2 from Australia) and they’re all staying for around 5 days. We’ve also organised welcome drinks, our stag / hen parties and my fiancé’s birthday party over those 5 days, but left one day completely unplanned so people can still have some free-time. It’s a big trip for everyone to make so we just wanna show them the best time!

 

Other than that my advice is: use these boards as much as you can, get good at sending lots of emails, and don’t be scared to ask for photos of everything from your vendors! Most people we’ve dealt with in Vegas are very understanding of the time-difference / long-distance planning!

damnthetorpedoes

If someone on the board did or is doing the things you're thinking about, PM 'em, too! We picked one of our reception venues based on feedback and discussion from another user via PM!

lauradean89

I was also thinking wicked spoon but because the amount of people that are coming is diminishing by the day I also think that the minimum spend is probably going to be too much. However I haven't completely decided yet. I find the communication from Wicked Spoon quiet confusing as well. 

Also its SOO frustrating that they no one adds tax on to any prices (grrr). Its not like you can get away with not paying it so add it on with the advertised price. I have been caught out once with that when I was booking something. Anyone who is American and can explain why this isn't a thing out there would be fab!

I have just been looking at Trevi as well and think I will give them an email to see what their prices are like. We don't get married until August 2016 so plenty of time yet. I find its trying to fit all the planning around work. Most vendors I have spoken too have been really helpful and this forum is also really helpful. I avoid the British boards now as all you get on there is people whining about things and no actual solutions to anything.

The notice thing is a great point although I am finding with most people its still going to depend and might come down to being quiet close to the wire whether they are coming or not (for example my sister is trying for a baby so she may not be able to come). From what others have posted on the forum this seems to be a recurring theme. I'm never not going to RSVP again or be flakey about anything. 

Its nice to see a little community of UK brides on here

damnthetorpedoes

Re: tax, if it helps, Las Vegas sales tax is 8.05%, except for hotel rooms which are 11%. 

Why don't they include it? I dunno. For things that are sold in multiple different states, it's because sales tax varies wildly from state to state (not my favorite thing about America), but for things that only exist in one place anyway, it doesn't make any sense.

lauradean89

Ah cool that does help explain why. I didn't realise it was different tax in different states. I'm much more careful now about asking for gratuity and tax to be included when I get quotes now.

silverblade005

@lauradean89 the tax can even differ between cities here in the US. So just tack on 8.05% tax and approx 20% Gratuity/service to all the reception quotes unless otherwise stated.

lauradean89

Lovely thank you. It's so different in the UK. Our tax (or VAT) is added to everything already so what you see is the price. Thanks for your help it makes sense now why they don't include it

xoeden

Your VAT is quite different. I love how it's in the price, but it's a pain to administer and get those pretty numbers ($19.95) 

In Canada, we have two taxes: GST (federal) and PST (provincial/territorial). Some provinces have it combined as HST. Some items are tax free from the province and others are tax free from the government. It's confusing, but it's the North American way.

I generally estimate 15% for taxes and 15-20% for gratuity. You end up overshooting you numbers and always end up a little bit ahead. Also, it's easier to do math than thinking in 8% or 3%.

lauradean89

I've added 30% to all my pricings now do you reckon that's enough?

xoeden

Personally, I would say yes, unless you've got contracts that say 20% gratuity required or something like that (then I'd bump it up to 35%, just so I could be under budget because I like stuff like that, lol.)