Eloping in Vegas

librasan

My fiance are looking to elope. This will be my second wedding and neither of us want the fuss of planning a wedding or dealing with family ahead of time. We plan to have a luncheon or cocktail hour at some point afterwards to celebrate our marriage.
Money and time are an issue. I would also like my 9 year old daughter to be a part of the ceremony.
We live in NJ and NYC is probably the easiest place to get married quickly without a fuss, but getting married at the marriage bureau seems a little like a trip to the DMV and we'd both like something a little more intimate and memorable.
So we are considering flying to either Vegas or Tahoe, but there are so many choices, it's hard to narrow down and know what's tacky/touristy and what's truly romantic or special.
With regard to Vegas: I've looked at the basic wedding packages at the major hotels on the strip. Paris and Madalay Bay look really nice, but would it be weird to get married in those locations with no guests? 
The Luxor has very reasonable pricing, but no photos of the facilities. The last time I was there, the hotel itself seemed a little run down. Does anyone have experience with their wedding chapel?
There are so many independent chapels, I just don't want to consider them without hearing from real people. Can anyone recomend one?
Or a reasonably priced outdoor wedding somewhere pretty?

aegrish

I do not think it would be wierd for you to get married with a small, simple cermony with no guests in LV at all.  Do you prefer a chapel?  There are a lot of wedding companies that will do much less expensive ceremoies (with little to no guests) outside various landmarks, such as Bellagio fountains, Mirage Volcano, even your hotel suite.  Only problem could the landmarks are not private of course, but again its a much less expensive option.  I looked at the Paris chapel, a little guady for me. Chapel of the Flowers has an outdoor area, but is North of the strip.  It's very reasonably priced though and the WC's there usually have great reviews from brides (the one I worked with when I was booked there was super nice).  Flamingo is also a popular option for outdoor weddings on the strip.  I am getting married at Caesars (in the chapel) and have had a great experience with them so far too.  Also, may want to consider getting married during the week to save $$ (mon-thurs rates are usually cheaper).  I agree with the 'run down' look of the Luxor.  I think it's a little outdated.

wiwicaty

Hi there!

I agree that getting married at the bureau feels a little impersonal. You can have an affordable romantic wedding in Vegas that fits both your budget and your expectations. One thing I have learned from this board is that no Vegas wedding is tacky. You can have the most glamorous affair or have Elvis officiate it by the Las Vegas sign and in either case it would be unique. It depends on the kind of people you two are and what tone you want to set. Plus it's just going to be the two of you, so what better way to have exactly what you want. It's not going to be weird to get married without guests, one witness is required though.

As far as locations, I've seen The Grove getting great reviews and I'm sure that the local ladies will help you even better than I can.

GL!

junebug61103

Ditto PP with Welcome to LV Sign...I know there has been a bride or two on here that got married there...its simple enough for the 2 of you...but its so unique and fun and you can hire a photag to capture the moments...then go out to a ncie dinner after!

aegrish

That's where my friend was married, although I would not recommend it beacause it was so noisy the couple could not even hear the minister with planes flying over and what not. 

missjets

I agree with all posters that marriage at the courts seems about as unromantic as you can get. But it's really about what the 2 of you want...many of my friends have hired JP's and done the ceremony at their homes or parks in our hometown. If it's about the love and promises shared it can be romantic anywhere Sometime simple is better IMO.

I really wanted to go to the Chapel of Flowers, but FI really wanted a Hotel ceremony. I figured I got to choose so much he should be allowed something, right?!

Anyways, if you do choose Vegas the CoF is beautiful and reasonably priced. Check it out

Charity

mwkoby

As PP said, you can really have any kind of wedding you can imagine in Vegas, it just depends on what you want.  The Vegas sign is a unique idea, but like PP said, it could be quite noisy.  I haven't heard of anyone on here using it before, but if you want a romantic setting, there's Swan Court at Mandalay Bay.  It's outdoors, a beautiful setting and really intimate.

Let us know what you end up deciding on!

lsvensson

If I were getting married alone (just me and my husband), I'd go out to Red Rock Canyon with the officiant and do it there.  It's gorgeous, private, and could make for a really meaningful ceremony.

j_jaye

Lsvensson is right red rock is a beautiful place for a ceremony.
Other unique ideas I have come across in planning are Cloud 9 (big hot air balloon above the strip), helicopter strip weddings, gondola weddings at the venetian...though I don't know if your budget so they may be more than you are willing to spend.

I also remember a bride (not sure if it was on this board or another) hiring a celebrant who married them on the street in front of the Bellagio Fountains. But I would think you would get lots and lots of spectators at that one...same goes for the LV Sign wedding (also it doesn't have to be done by Elvis they have traditional packages for there as well).

smokeybailey

The LV sign is right by the airport and on a busy street.  Also, you can't keep the tourists away.  If you are fine with that kind of predictability then it can work.  I think one of the chapels might be the way to go though.  My parents did an Elvis renewal at the Viva Las Vegas chapel and it was so much fun. 

(I am wearing my mom's wedding dress in the picture.)