I cannot believe it is all over! We had the most amazing
time. All my vendors were amazing (except for a couple). I booked everything
sight unseen thanks to the reviews on this forum. I cannot thank everyone
enough, and encourage everyone to return the favor after their wedding. There
were a few hiccups like a possible thunderstorm the day of my wedding, but it
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Sun County Airlines
( A+) Amazing! I have never had a
bad experience flying with this airline. I carried my dress on and they had an empty
overhead bin in first class that I was able to lay it flat in.
Presidential Limos
( I had arranged a party bus to
pick up myself, husband, and the 12 friends that flew us. Driver met us with a sign at baggage claim. We
had 2 bottles of champagne on ice waiting for us. Since many of our friends had
not been to Vegas we had a pit stop at the LV Sign before being dropped off at
Flamingo Hotel. Service was good, but I when I received the final bill it was
$60 over what I was initially quoted. I was not aware that time started as soon
as our plane landed, and our plane landed early so I was charged for extra
time.
Flamingo Hotel- (A) I was soooooooo worried about the review I had
read for this hotel with crappy elevators, crappy rooms, horrible service, and
long check ins. I am a Platinum Total Rewards Member so I have a separate check
in and was not so much worried about me and my husband. I had initially had a
reservation for a Go Mini Suite with a Strip View. They did not have the room
available and offered me a garden view, which I was not happy with. They ended
up upgrading us to the Napoleon Suite with a garden view that has a separate
living room, bed room, and 2 bathrooms. It was amazing! My guests had no wait
for check in, but I was told that if there was, as a Platinum member I would
have been able to check them in one at a time. Our room was not ready so we
kept our bags in a friend’s Fab Deluxe room that I was pleasantly surprised
with. None of my guests had issues with their rooms. Each of them paid $495 for
RT flight and Fab Deluxe rooms from Tues-Sat. The location is the best! I did
not find it smokey at all, and will stay here from now on when I come to Vegas.
I love that it is not a huge hotel. I found it to be well kept. We had great
service and staff were very friendly. Note: I did see super, super long check
in lines during my stay and I did check a few people in at the Total Rewards
check in. I do think becoming a Total Rewards member is the way to go. The pool
was busy and we never found a chair, but we were in the water or sat on the
ledge and did not find it to be a problem. The Go Pool has waterfalls and is
big so never felt over crowded in the water. I could careless it closed at 6pm
because we were ready to hit The Strip. They have an amazing pizza place
with brick fire oven and a food court.
Yeah, it’s spendy but food was great at the pizza place and Johnny Rockets. We
also ate at Carlos N Charlies for lunch with a big group and they don’t split
tab, but everyone had cash so no biggy. We danced there a couple evenings.
Flamingo Garden
Gazebo- (C+) Jazmin was my coordinator and was super responsive the entire
14 months I was planning my wedding. I used outside vendors for photography and
videography and she only charged me $150 total for both when it is $150 for
each outside vendor used. You do have to choose music from their list and they
did not have my entrance song (Come with Me by Goo Goo Dolls) so I was charged
$20 to add it. We did a walk through the day before to get an idea. It is by
the pool and I could hear music that Jazmin said would be turned down. They do
have speakers there to play the wedding music and my officiant did have a
microphone, but I was still able to hear the bass of the music during my ceremony
that was annoying. They messed up my
music in the beginning for guests seating and I noticed that I had some guests
standing! I was like uhm.. I am not walking down that aisle until my guests
have seats. Then she asked me if I had counted correctly, really? I do think
the chapel is beautiful and my guests agreed.
Double Decker Bus- (D)
We did drop off our beer ahead of time. It’s about a 20 min drive in a what
looked sketchy area. It’s in a warehouse where there were tons workers and I
felt uncomfortable leaving all my beer and money for ice unattended, but as
they have been doing this for a while I assume they know the people who own the
lot. They have 2 coolers that fit 55 cans a piece. When I got on the bus to
leave my stuff I was hoping it was this particular bus as it looked run down,
but it ended up being that bus. They were late, which wasn’t a huge deal. The
people on the top had a great time, but there was no air conditioning and the
people below had sucked in exhaust fumes.
One guest thought the ceiling would give way. I felt awful for my guests
as it was an hr long ride with Strip traffic. You can’t pay hourly so we paid
$445 for the 2 hours, but used 1 hour.
You could hook up music and there was a staff there to pass out our Koozies and
beer. They really need to improve their buses.
The Orleans Star Dust
Suite (A+)- We had our reception here and I worked with Pamela Eddy. She
was amazing! Super responsive and accommodating. We planned to have our buffet in
the Star Dust, but my dad had a fit and thought people needed to have a formal
sit down to eat. It worked out perfectly! Pam set up a banquet room with tables
for no extra charge, but we had to meet a $2500 beverage minimum that was not
an issue. We had beer and wine served based on consumption. We had the
traditional buffet and people raved about the food. Of course I did not have much to eat, which
is common. A microphone was set up for speeches. We had requested 80’s music
play during dinner. It is a $3500 minimum for food and beverages. They had
wine, beer, soda, water set out for help yourself and they also had waiters
that came to each table to serve guests beverages. They were on point! I had
guests go in 3 waves up to the Star Dust. The suite is freaking amazing! We
paid for 3 hours of open bar and the bartender was great. I had initially not
wanted shots or martinis served, but changed my mind that morning and emailed
Pam to request guest have whatever they wanted. The suite fit 70 people no
problem at all. We also had the Presidential Suite (also OMG!) attached but I
only had it open for my cousins who had babies who were sleeping as music got
loud with the dj. Total costs for 70 people, consumption beverages with
dinner, open bar for 3 hours, and dinner
came to $6,984.88. We could have slept in the Presidential Suite if we wanted
but decided not to and went back to Flamingo, but not before bowling with
guests after reception at The Orleans. They had a shuttle every 30-40 mins that
took guests back to Caesar Forum Shops, which is across the street from
Flamingo.
DJ Godzilla- (A+)
Calvin was super responsive from the beginning. We had him for 3 hours. We
followed each other on Instagram so I felt like I knew him before I met him. He
djs at Voo Doo Night club at Rio on Thurs nights and offered to get us on the
guests list when we were out there. We did not make it out, which I am super
bummed, BUT next time for sure. He has you provide him with a list of 20 must
play and 20 do not play songs. As he is a nightclub dj he often mixes songs,
and I loved that! I did have some guests requests slow songs at one point
because he mainly played fast songs. My MIL had requested some oldies, and my
dad likes to think he is a dj and even though I put all the songs he wanted on
my list everything from TuPac, Lady Gaga (my dad calls her “The Gaga,”), Pink,
and ACDC, my dad still went to Calvin to request other songs and Calvin was
great about it.
Bently Wilson
Photography (A)I do not have any photos back yet, but Todd was great to
work with. We did a Strip Tour to Cosmopolitan, LV Sign, Hangover Lot, and
Paris. I had him for 8 hours, and paid for an additional hour, but he stayed
longer no charge. I see there have been some recent posts about questioning booking
Todd. He gave direction well and I had some ideas. I am anxious to get the
photos back. It was a lot of “look at one another, not the camera.” Something I
always feel is awkward. He knows his way
around Vegas. He was very responsive and up for suggestions. I thoroughly enjoyed
working with him.
Langdon Videography
(A) Kelly was also very responsive. It will be
2 weeks until I get the video and I cannot wait!! He stayed late at no charge
and I booked for 8 hours.
Bell Trans (B)- I
used the 24 Pax vehicle for 2 hour Strip Tour and to bring my guests back to
airport. The vehicle was nice. Again, the price I was given was not what I was
charged, it was more. We were ready and outside when he arrived for Strip Tour
and I was watching that time like a hawk. Picking up my guests they were
actually late. Calling to discuss this was useless and I was told we were late.
It was at the end of the trip and I really didn’t feel like arguing.
Culinary Pros for DOC (C)- I worked with Lisa Wainscott. I had paid
the deposit initially through Pay Pal and had requested 8 hours initially for
$40 an hour. I only needed Lisa to help setup the reception with some decore (
I had 1 box shipped prior) and help guide guests to the banquet hall and the
suite. Lisa texted me a week before the wedding to go over the list I emailed
of what I needed assistance with. She was validating with some of the stress I
was expressing, but then began to talk about her failed marriages and mentioned
she would willing to come to my bachelorette party dinner “because she had
nothing to do that night” and she would “not charge me.” I did not accept that invitation.
The day of I asked her to bring bottle water to the ceremony and she did. I
also needed her to bring my mom and her significant other’s carrying on bags to
the reception site as they were leaving to airport from reception. She set up
everything as I requested and things seemed to be fine. Near the end of the
reception when I decided I did not need her help anymore she asked me to pay
the remainder of the balance. I was thrown off guard because I did not have any
cash on me and requested to be sent a Pay Pal invoice as that is how I paid
before and I was not told prior payment was due at the end of her service. I
had not cash and neither did my husband. This was taking up time and she called
Suri her boss and Lisa said she needed the payment before she left. So my
husband had to go to all the way to the casino floor to find an ATM. This took
30 mins and he missed saying good bye to guests. I was pissed! My bridesmaid
also told me the next day she had an issue with Lisa when she was helping my
mom try to get her luggage to go to airport. My bridesmaid went to Lisa to help
(so to not bother me) and Lisa said their luggage was in her car. Lisa was
apparently not wanting to get it at the moment, but since their plane was
leaving Jenny said fine and she would go get it. There was a bit of a verbal argument
and Lisa did eventually go get it. I was sent an email asking how her service
was and if I would have known I would not have tipped what I did. I did express
my frustration regarding the payment issue and I was told that is how it is
handled. They were not sympathetic at all.
Rev Roland as Elvis (A+)- This was a super last minute addition to
surprise my guests at the reception. I had him for about 45 mins to an hour. He
showed up and sang a few songs. Took pictures with my guests and also remarried
us! My guests loved it! I recommend him
for sure!
Harmony Medina (A+) She was amazing! She was responsive and I had a
trial 2 days before my wedding, which
worked out perfectly as I was all done up for our bach parties. She was on
time. I had reg. makeup, no airbrush. She did exactly what I wanted. Once my
bridesmaid saw my makeup she added it for the day of as she was only scheduled
for hair. She brought another stylist day of and myself, 3 bridemaids, and MIL
were all super impressed. We looked fabulous! She even covered up bruises day
of my wedding I had gotten night of bach party.
Pink Taco/PBR Rockhouse (A) We had joint bach parties, but separate
dinners. Both places had great food and service. My husband rode the bull at
PBR.
High Roller (A) We met up at High Roller. I had prepaid for 24
people. Check in was easy peazy. Guests loved it and we went at night.
Elite Transportation (A) We rented a Mega Bus to transport us for
the bach party night. Our driver was Billy and we spoke way in advanced
regarding what he was able to do with comps to the strip club. He was nice and
responsive. Bus was kick ass.
Hofbrahaus (A) This
is my husband’s and I favorite spot. It is the replica of the one in Germany.
We all got steins of beer and huge ass pretzels. The guy that is usually on
stage singing German songs and holding drinkin competitions was not there, and
I was super bummed. They had a 3 guy band that played newer songs and
traditional German songs. We had Apple Core shots that comes with a slap on the
ass with a wooden paddle from the waitress. I still have a welt. While we were there Billy got us booze for the
bus and brought me a receipt. Our guests had a great time and we will continue
to come here every visit to Vegas.
Olympic Gardens (B)
So Billy had said guys could be comped in and the ladies had to pay $35 to see
the male strippers, which were all were aware head of time. Well, when we got
there Billy’s guys no longer worked there and they wanted us all to pay $35 and
were dicks about it. I said “F- that” and we were going to leave, but then
Billy offered to help pay with his tip as he felt bad. Girls were given 2 free
drink tickets. The dancers were fun to watch. They aren’t nude. I had a lap
dance in my seat from Ramone who was funny and I didn’t feel uncomfortable at
all. The guys apparently sat at the bar while where and talked politics lol.
None got a lap dance and they did even watch the dancers. We were there for
about an hour.
Wicked Spoon (A+) My
in laws hosted a parents dinner here and it was freaking fantastic!