Did you do a scouting trip?

daisyygurl

We are from Canada and I have been to Vegas quite a few times already, but for planning for the big day we thought it would be helpful to ensure we choose the right options for us....What
kind of things did you check out on your scouting trip?  what was your biggest concerns about gettin married away from your home town....



thanks everyone!

vegasgroom

We wanted to see all our final list of venues in person before choosing one, not only to get a feel for the place, but you can also get a feel for how attentive their staff will be if you can meet the coordinator in person.  For example, on the web the Venetian looked great, but in person we really didn't like the chapel because it was very wide and only a few rows deep in the direction the chairs have to face.

torontozombielover

We did a scouting trip, but only because we got a great flight deal so did a quick weekend trip - stayed at a few different hotels for the fun of it (used groupons for good deals) and we used the trip to check out the venues we were considering (Little Chapel of the West, Mandalay Bay and Platinum Hotel. We also got some cupcakes from Retro to test them out

I haven't had any concerns at all - the Vegas destination is one of the best parts of the details! 

SD210

We did a scouting trip, but luckily we fit it into an already planned trip to Vegas (my FI attends a convention in Vegas annually so we went out a few days early to scout wedding stuff).  Prior to our trip, we narrowed down our choices to 2 locations just by doing internet research (we got pricing from a bunch of different venues, etc).  We made appointments prior to going out there with the 2 venues, as well as with a day of wedding coordinator.  I'm really glad that we did the scouting trip, as it made us 100% positive that we picked the right venue for us.
 
As for concerns re: getting married away from your hometown, my biggest concern has always been that I do not want to impose on my family and friends.  I feel "guility" that my extended family (aunts, cousins, etc.)  who live driving distance to  Boston will have to fly and pay for hotel if they want to come to my wedding.  A lot of them cannot afford it, so they won't be able to attend.  I think the biggest thing you have to anticipate is that there are some people who may not be able to afford to attend a destination wedding. 

vegasgroom

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_did-you-do-a-scouting-trip?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:91Discussion:6f3a2e4d-b32c-4ff0-90d2-ac37e3eedd5dPost:a54c9b9b-98eb-4a0c-aa7a-1bfc14a1c712">Re: Did you do a scouting trip?</a>:
[QUOTE]As for concerns re: getting married away from your hometown, my biggest concern has always been that I do not want to impose on my family and friends.  I feel "guility" that my extended family (aunts, cousins, etc.)  who live driving distance to  Boston will have to fly and pay for hotel if they want to come to my wedding.  A lot of them cannot afford it, so they won't be able to attend.  I think the biggest thing you have to anticipate is that there are some people who may not be able to afford to attend a destination wedding. 
Posted by SD210[/QUOTE]

You shouldn't feel guilty; your wedding is your day, have it wherever makes you happy.  Only reason to feel bad would be if it were someone else's big day and you made them have it where you wanted; kind of like what meddling inlaws attempt to do sometimes, only they don't feel bad about it lol.

mrsguilbert42013

We are doing a scouting trip as well, we leave next Thursday actually!  Like SD, we already had a trip planned to celebrate my 30th bday so this was just a great addition to our trip.  I plan on meeting face to face with my wedding coordinator, checking out the ceremony location (Juno Gardens at CP) eating at my reception restaurant (Mon Ami Gabi), and doing a cake tasting with the bakery used by my reception location (Marie's). 

That being said, I've been to Vegas before and I don't think I would scout if I didn't already have a trip planned.  The biggest benefit I think is being able to try my cake options, especially since it will be near my bday!

I think the people on this board, especially VG do a great job of getting us a ton of recent info, reviews, and pictures

SD210

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_nevada-las-vegas_did-you-do-a-scouting-trip?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:91Discussion:6f3a2e4d-b32c-4ff0-90d2-ac37e3eedd5dPost:7d5906a8-1e99-4086-912f-7d57bc2a22d0">Re: Did you do a scouting trip?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Did you do a scouting trip? : You shouldn't feel guilty; your wedding is your day, have it wherever makes you happy.  Only reason to feel bad would be if it were someone else's big day and you made them have it where you wanted; kind of like what meddling inlaws attempt to do sometimes, only they don't feel bad about it lol.
Posted by vegasgroom[/QUOTE]

Thanks!   You're right.  And I am certainly not all "you need to come to my wedding, family!"  I certainly hope they come, but I understand that with a destination wedding, not everyone will get to be there. 

mrsguilbert42013

I'm actually using the destination piece as an excuse to keep the guest list very small

nursing2u

Me too Mrs guilbert... Plus I knew that the people that I truly want and care about will come. I wont feel obligated to have everyone under the sun that I know attend.

We did decide to make a scouting trip for cake tasting and cupcakes also. This will also help me decide on I guess a few other little things like reception dinner vs suite ...I am still not sure if we can do a suite reception for 1800 or less for 30 people.

petitmonstree

On our scouting trip we mainly looked at ceremony and reception venues. We had narrowed down our options before leaving so we knew exactly what we were looking for so we wouldn't waste any time as we were only down there for 1 night and then the next morning we drove back home. Kind of wish we would have squeezed in cake testing though lol.

coopsbaby

We did, but we could have done without it easily. We had pretty much everything decided ahead of time, it just confirmed our thoughts. It was nice to taste test the cupcakes though!

bmiller1128

We didn't do a scouting trip. We have both been there  a lot and FI dad lives there. We just kinda chose online from pictures. However last month we took a tip to check it out and see what it looked like. I'm glad to say we picked a good one and I'm not disappointed at all

weeezer

I did a scouting trip last September, mostly because it was around my bday and I had never been to Vegas before. My parents go several times a year so they came with us. We visited 2 chapels, 3 restaurants, and had a cupcake tasting. Well dad only came to the cake tasting.. He was playing poker the rest of the time. We also took some engagement photos at the Neon Boneyard. Our trip was so helpful. One of the restaurants I loved online, I did not love once I was sitting in it. It was also good to see and walk the distance between the chapel and reception venue so we knew we would need to provide transportation for the guests. We spent 4 days there and it was a blast. We got to see what Vegas was like on a Saturday night and also on a Tuesday afternoon. We didn't need all of the 4 days for scouting, but it was nice to included a little vacay with it.

Vegas is really helping us to keep down the guest list to only people we know and love, instead of a bunch of randoms. Although FI's father has added 4 people this week alone... AHH!

daisyygurl

wow thats great feedback!   We are pretty sure on things, but we have decided to do a scouting trip as well...planned for this comin November.  we will visit two ceremony locations, two reception locations and we will fit in cake testing if it kills us...lol    Im a worrier, and I think it will put my mind at ease, we also wanna scoop out locations for our photo tour, we are having Tyler Freear do our wedding-Hes very talented!!  We are Going to vegas to keep our guest list down as well!!! see great minds do think alike!   We wanted ppl closest to us there, and we will be having about 20 ppl joining us .....