Help on planning the big day...!

CAJLondon

I'd like to make our wedding day as full-day an event for our guests (from the UK) as possible.  I've posted elsewhere on this board about the timing issues we might have with Cili.

If we do an all-in-one ceremony and reception at Cili, then unless they are a little more flexible we won't start until 6.30.

Any ideas on things to do before the ceremony? 

I know that I have to factor in time for hair and makeup.  That's the same, I would say for the photos so that our valuable reception time (four hours from end of ceremony, which includes time for meal and toasts etc) is not eaten into. 

How long would you say should be allowed for hair and makeup and then pre-ceremony photos?  I wouldn't want the makeup to start running and the hair to start drooping pre-ceremony.

Would it be a good idea to get a party bus plus photographer to do a strip tour for photos etc beforehand?  Then perhaps get to Cili for 5pm to get a load of photos done pre-ceremony?

Any other ideas?

I am a bit bamboozled...thank goodness I have a year to plan this!!

Thanks!

queenklm33

As a guest attending your wedding I think I would feel a little "wilted" if you planned a lot of activities prior to the actual ceremony.
If it is just you getting hair and makeup done, I would say plan on that taking an hour and a half.  Any MAU will ask when you need to be ready by and plan your times from there, unless they are booked with another client that day.
Pre ceremony pictures can be planned for as little as an hour.  But if you want a lot of shots around Vegas it takes time to travel and get to said spots.  Strip traffic is usually very slow.
Have you considered having perhaps a brunch, hosted or non-hosted to start the day out?  Or for your guests that are still standing after the reception, plan on hitting a club or lounge.  Some knotties have booked bottle service at clubs to guarentee a table.
If you want to host a strip tour, I would consider doing it earlier in the day as just an activity, not necessarily as a photo op and give your guests time to change and freshen up prior the actual ceremony.  In addition if you are getting married in June the temps will be close to if not 100 degrees.

nycheryl

I agree with not planning anything major for that day for your guests.  Our ceremony is at 5pm, and I'm assuming our guests will want to sit by the pool, gamble, or just hang out during the day.  I've also listed some "sites to see" on our website, in case they want to be tourists.  They will be committed for at least 5 hours for your wedding, so they might want to enjoy a little private vacation time.

The majority of our "planned activities" are the day before and after the wedding. 

Maybe you can do the party bus for your meet and greet?  Then you could just go with your FI/WP to do pre-ceremony pics.  You will be amazed how long things take - just assume it'll take longer than you planned!  IMO, you don't want to be overwhelmed or have a super rigid schedule on your wedding day.

HTH!

vfriday

Our ceremony wan't until 6pm and I didn't plan anyhting for my guests.  There is so much to do in Vegas, your guests will likely enjoy having the day to explore. 

smokeybailey

My wedding starts at 5 pm.  I have nothing planned for guests prior to that.  We have cabanas rented for Sunday but that's it.  I am sure they will find plenty to occupy themselves. 

The BP's hair and makeup starts at 8:30 am with a first look at 2 pm, WP photos 3-4:30 and then the wedding gets started.

I am not even doing anything for guests on Friday.  We have an RD planned but the WP but nothing for other guests.  We may meet up with some people on Thursday night, but it's completely optional.

klonny

I'm getting married at Cili too, and am actually very excited about a 6pm ceremony because that gives guests a good chunk of the day to go out explore Las Vegas. I think it's really important not to overplan things for guest b/c they will enjoy the free time to themselves. It's not as if they'll be bored for a minute!

CAJLondon

Thanks, all.  I feel a little better.  My concern was that having dragged people 10,000 miles away, I didn't want the wedding event to be a flop.  I'll try to relax about it a bit! 

nycheryl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_planning-big-day?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:280d2541-c6e7-4c7b-b3e5-c31d3fafb426Post:e08383c3-0c66-4d6e-90c8-f0847d4878a8">Re: Help on planning the big day...!</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks, all.  I feel a little better.  My concern was that having dragged people 10,000 miles away, I didn't want the wedding event to be a flop.  I'll try to relax about it a bit! 
Posted by CAJLondon[/QUOTE]


Your wedding event won't be a flop!  :)  If you feel so inclined to help people plan their trips, feel free to do so.  Put things on your wedding website, or arm them with maps and coupon books.  Luckily, there's a ton to do in Vegas... even if you just want to relax! :)