just the two of us

ingalou

so we are planning a wedding ceremony in Vegas in December.  we have decided to avoid any headaches we will just have it be the two of us and have a reception at home for family and friends.  i'm hoping some of you can give me some ideas for a really cozy but amazing place to have the ceremony.  one of the ideas i have pictured is at night with the lights of the strip behind us in our pictures...I've never been to Vegas so any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

smokeybailey

So what is headachey about a wedding ceremony with guests vs. a reception with guests?

direy25

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_just-two-of-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:20e8a2c8-1969-42ba-93fb-104da3fd96b0Post:2c982260-f7e0-4f26-987c-9dd9bff15d08">Re: just the two of us</a>:
[QUOTE]So what is headachey about a wedding ceremony with guests vs. a reception with guests?
Posted by smokeybailey[/QUOTE]
Excellent point - the reception was actually the "stressful" part of the planning for us.  "Stressful" is in quotes as it actually wasn't that stressful.

ingalou

the headachey part would be that we both work for our family's businesses and not everyone in our family would be able to attend and some would have to stay home to make sure the businesses run smoothly.  and i really don't want the heartache of telling someone in either of our families that they have to stay home and work.  also his parents are divorced and do not get along.  trying to make them get along for a few days sounds like a headache to me.  dinner and drinks for a few hours when we get home would be a lot easier in my opinion.  I should probably say that it's not a big reception.  Just something that his grandmother could attend as she isn't doing well and is in a nursing home and would not be able to go to vegas.

wiwicaty

So you're eloping?

Hmmm I can't think of any particular "cozy" places... oh wait, maybe you can have an officiant come to your suite overlooking the Strip, that sounds pretty cozy...

Anyways, let me paste you the vegas knotties bio list to get some ideas: 

http://sites.google.com/site/vegasknottieslyrical/the-list-1

If you could give us more specifics it would be better. Are you picturing it outdoors, indoors, on the Strip, off the Strip, in the desert, in the canyon, etc?

direy25

I don't have any advice or recommendations for chapels, but regarding the pictures, you should really consider doing a photo tour of the strip.  You'll get some awesome shots that way.

queenklm33

A few that come to mind, Eiffel Tower Observation Deck, the top of Stratosphere, and  the Terrace at Bellagio.

smokeybailey

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_just-two-of-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:20e8a2c8-1969-42ba-93fb-104da3fd96b0Post:03d80e39-d9a1-4eed-bf73-eeabaa4e8142">Re: just the two of us</a>:
[QUOTE]the headachey part would be that we both work for our family's businesses and not everyone in our family would be able to attend and some would have to stay home to make sure the businesses run smoothly.  and i really don't want the heartache of telling someone in either of our families that they have to stay home and work.  also his parents are divorced and do not get along.  trying to make them get along for a few days sounds like a headache to me.  dinner and drinks for a few hours when we get home would be a lot easier in my opinion.  I should probably say that it's not a big reception.  Just something that his grandmother could attend as she isn't doing well and is in a nursing home and would not be able to go to vegas.
Posted by ingalou[/QUOTE]

So then, why Vegas?  Why not get married at home to avoid the headache and heartache of having a ceremony in a location that requires an overnight stay?

If we knew "why Vegas" people might be able to give you some ideas.

lsvensson

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_just-two-of-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:20e8a2c8-1969-42ba-93fb-104da3fd96b0Post:b1db4626-70b5-4cf6-a66d-379406084203">Re: just the two of us</a>:
[QUOTE]A few that come to mind, Eiffel Tower Observation Deck, the top of Stratosphere, and  the Terrace at Bellagio.
Posted by queenklm33[/QUOTE]

<div>These are all great; I also hear you can get married in front of the Mirage Volcano, which could be cool.  Also, you can get married in Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef aquarium.  </div>

smokeybailey

You can probably get married anywhere you want.  You can sky dive and get married or have a wedding in a helicopter.  Everything depends on the OP's vision.  She has chosen Vegas for a reason (instead of local) so I would assume she would want to incorporate that reason.  (perhaps the skyline is the reason for "why vegas"?)

ChrisG83

Most of the chapels on The Strip are on the north part so you may not get the hotels like you want but there is comapny that does weddings anywhere you want just not private property, they have the officiant meet you there or they can  come pick you up in a limo. So you can stand in front of the Bellagio Fountains which is really pretty and popular. Or the Las Vegas sign which will for sure give you lots of lights in the background. Hopefully this helps.

mizutamababy

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_just-two-of-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:20e8a2c8-1969-42ba-93fb-104da3fd96b0Post:354bda96-908d-4529-9f36-26aba6163c91">just the two of us</a>:
[QUOTE]we have decided to avoid any headaches we will just have it be the two of us and have a reception at home for family and friends.
Posted by ingalou[/QUOTE]

Generally the ceremonies are quick and easy (no real prep besides choosing your package/floral/attire) in Vegas, but the receptions take the most work/time because many chapels don't have on-site reception spots.  However I assume that would still be the case if you were at home, too.

If you're concerned about not inviting guests here due to ceremony woes, I wouldn't stress over it and go ahead and do both here.  But I can see why an at home reception might be attractive if you've absolutely got your heart set on Vegas but you know your guests can't make it for a DW.  Don't worry about explaining yourself too much, but just know that at home receptions are not very popular on TheKnot so you might get a lot of differing opinions.  (Especially on other forums outside of this local one.)  That being said, most of my friends who have done DW have done at home receptions for friends/family/other guests that could not attend.  As for where to tie the knot, really anything is possible in Vegas depending on your budget/interests, so if you told us more about what kind of atmosphere you're looking for and your budget more people might be able to suggest the perfect place.

smokeybailey

Mbaby-I don't think anyone has problems with the AHR as long as all guests that are invited to that are also invited to the DW.  I personally don't "get" the AHR but that's just me.  Either you come to my wedding or you don't.

The only exception is my grandma.  I plan to go to her house post wedding, order in food (for her, me and maybe my mom and aunt) and go through pictures.  If she wants me to put on my dress, I will. 

mizutamababy

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_just-two-of-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:20e8a2c8-1969-42ba-93fb-104da3fd96b0Post:dcd65c45-4066-4459-9620-6115ed80224a">Re: just the two of us</a>:
[QUOTE]Mbaby-I don't think anyone has problems with the AHR as long as all guests that are invited to that are also invited to the DW.  I personally don't "get" the AHR but that's just me.  Either you come to my wedding or you don't. The only exception is my grandma.  I plan to go to her house post wedding, order in food (for her, me and maybe my mom and aunt) and go through pictures.  If she wants me to put on my dress, I will. 
Posted by smokeybailey[/QUOTE]

But that's just it- I don't think she's inviting guests to the DW.  It seems like she's eloping and then doing an AHR after the fact.  We all know the E board would have a field day with that, as would many others on TK.  Outside of TK?  Nobody seems to care what you do with your wedding; they just want to see the porn afterwards.

I can see the benefits of an AHR, but I personally wouldn't do it.  We don't care enough to spend the time/energy/money on people we weren't close enough to invite.

ToriJWG

I just got married in Vegas 21 days ago!  It was just the two of us plus my parents who just actually moved to vegas!  We got married at the Chapel of the Flowers and it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!  The ceremony was just what we wanted!  Our pictures turned out amazing!  It was so easy and unstressful which was just what we wanted!  After the wedding we went to dinner at  the Belligio and walked around it was wonderful!  Just an idea

smokeybailey

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_just-two-of-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:20e8a2c8-1969-42ba-93fb-104da3fd96b0Post:411cecc0-b69b-4581-8596-835346c8ae1b">Re: just the two of us</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: just the two of us : But that's just it- I don't think she's inviting guests to the DW.  It seems like she's eloping and then doing an AHR after the fact.  We all know the E board would have a field day with that, as would many others on TK.  Outside of TK?  Nobody seems to care what you do with your wedding; they just want to see the porn afterwards. I can see the benefits of an AHR, but I personally wouldn't do it.  We don't care enough to spend the time/energy/money on people we weren't close enough to invite.
Posted by mizutamababy[/QUOTE]

I would be put off by someone's inviting me to their AHR but not to their wedding.  And if they elope?  I feel like you are choosing to do something intimate and an AHR is the opposite of that so it totally feels like a gift grab to me.  Also, the people I know outside of TK feel the same way.

If you want to celebrate with all your people, invite all your people.  If you only want your people around for the gift giving part of the event, I will side eye that every time.

Don't assume on my behalf that I will not travel to your wedding.  Invite me and allow me to say no. Hell, I might surprise you.

hgaf

I live in south Florida & am getting married in Vegas & what I am doing to capture all the vegas lights is a Vegas strip photo tour. We are stopping at different locations on the strip to take pictures, I have seen sample pictures online & I think they look awesome.

AJF021410

An AHR sounds like a bigger stress to me, and I would never attend one if invited.....JMO You can have a ceremony at the las Vegas sign. There is also a chapel at te top of the stratosphere

AJF021410

Also, an AHR is very anti-climactic. And yes, sounds like a gift grap if I wasn't wanted at the wedding to begin with...

wiwicaty

Somehow I think of AHRs in a different context... we didn't plan one in NYC (our home) but are probably going to have one in Rome for the guests that couldn't travel to Las Vegas. It would be just a party honestly, with absolutely no gifts. 

I don't think AHRs per se are frowned upon on TK, it all depends I guess. Although I agree that eloping and throwing an AHR does make it gift grabby. 

ebuchanan89

We are getting married in April - just the two of us.  No one is offended.  We will have a party at home in the summer when the majority of the family members are able to make it.  No one is offended about that, either.  It is a party, not a 'gift grabbing" ploy.  Gifts are given for weddings - a gathering that does not immediately follow a wedding is exactly that - a gathering/party/celebration, whatever you want to call it, and you are not breaking any rules by having one.  Should a guest decide to bring a gift, then how very nice of them, but gifts are neither expected nor required.

Check out the Chapel of Flowers.  I have found that they are very easy to work with and it is kind of a one-stop-shopping sort of thing, which makes it easier for those of us who have never been to Vegas.  It took us less than 2 weeks to decide on the package that was right for us and make any changes to the flowers/pictures that we wanted.  All that is left to do is the airline tickets.  Stress free.

Good luck!

mizutamababy

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_just-two-of-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:20e8a2c8-1969-42ba-93fb-104da3fd96b0Post:8f586e95-0fbe-4ed9-ac0b-bb2aee78a162">Re: just the two of us</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: just the two of us : I would be put off by someone's inviting me to their AHR but not to their wedding.  And if they elope?  I feel like you are choosing to do something intimate and an AHR is the opposite of that so it totally feels like a gift grab to me.  Also, the people I know outside of TK feel the same way. If you want to celebrate with all your people, invite all your people.  If you only want your people around for the gift giving part of the event, I will side eye that every time. Don't assume on my behalf that I will not travel to your wedding.  Invite me and allow me to say no. Hell, I might surprise you.
Posted by smokeybailey[/QUOTE]

I agree that's how it usually comes off...  but I know a lot of overseas brides that end up doing this.  Or rather, they have two "receptions"- one at the DW and the AHR.  I'm pretty laid back so it wouldn't offend/irk me unless I was really close to the bride/groom getting married and not invited to the DW.

If I knew the person but we weren't the closest of friends, I'd probably be relieved for a second AHR so I could still feel like I shared in the event without having to attend the DW to be involved.  But of course everyone has a different take on it.  <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" title="Cool" />

jcal4

We are getting married on the gondola at the Venetian.  Just the two of us.  When we return home we will have a celebration dinner with immediate family.  Good luck & have fun!!!