@sa88, I was told by my coordinator, that as long as my photographer doesn't bring in tons of obvious pro equipment, then can take photos from their seat as any other guest.
I was told by my photographer, who's taken pictures there before (Tyler Freear), that he can be a guest for sure, and if the head guy from Cashman isn't there, its possible he can take any pictures he wants to. It just depends. I plan to talk to my coordinator in August when I visit to find out more.
Are any of you organising a cocktail hour right after the ceremony at Aria? I'm thinking of doing this, while we take our obligatory 30 min Cashman photos, and then joining guests for a little bit, before the Strip tour. Or maybe this is unnecessary?
I was thinking about getting a couple bottles of champagne and letting people sip on them while we take our pics. But a lot of my guests want to hit the casinos and take pics too while we are doing all of that
Are any of you organising a cocktail hour right after the ceremony at Aria? I'm thinking of doing this, while we take our obligatory 30 min Cashman photos, and then joining guests for a little bit, before the Strip tour. Or maybe this is unnecessary?
yes...but in our suite. Our plan is have ceremony @ Chapel, walk back to suite and do a mini-reception so people can sip on Mimosas while we take pics and get ready for lunch, then head on over to the cosmo for lunch.
that said the champagne toast wasn't tooooo much of a markup if you wanted to do it directly through Aria @ the chapel.
yes...but in our suite. Our plan is have ceremony @ Chapel, walk back to suite and do a mini-reception so people can sip on Mimosas while we take pics and get ready for lunch, then head on over to the cosmo for lunch.
that said the champagne toast wasn't tooooo much of a markup if you wanted to do it directly through Aria @ the chapel.
We are doing the in-suite drinks as well, but after dinner, I was thinking to use a nearby bar for just one drink right after ceremony, think I'll find out prices to do this at the chapel as well then if not too expensive.
Has anyone actually visited the chapel? Are there any nice cocktail bars very close to it?
There is nothing near it as it is in the convention center. You would have to go back through the convention center and back to the casino area to find a bar...then you'll find lots
Oooohhh I am so glad i found this post!! We are getting married at Aria next Feb.
I'm a bit worried that the stage area of the chapel is going to look bland? Any idea's on how to dress it up? We will obv have floral arrangements but I think it needs a bit more.
@nicolemcguire89 I was thinking the exact same thing! I emailed my WC about the potential to have two small end tables or wooden pedestals on either side of the bride/groom with floral on top, just to break up the space. I am waiting to hear back if they have anything like that!
About decorations, I didn't know you can bring in your own, I really wanted a candle lit aisle, but it costs $475 as one of their options :S Too much, so at the moment I'm planning on not decorating at all
Ok ladies what are the thoughts about not doing a formal reception? Our wedding is 4:00p.m at the Aria and then we planned on renting a double decker tour bus (& stock with booze and cake pops/cupcakes) around 7 for 3 hours and hit the strip and watch the light show. After we were just going to hit the town. We are on a tight budget is the bus enough or should I plan a cocktail hour with food?
I think I've posted this before but I am getting frustrated and need some insight. My WC has a typical response time of three weeks or more. After rushing to get our room reservation info to lock in rates at the beginning of June, (and after follow up emails and finally a phone call from my FI), she just sent an email today saying she is still checking on the situation. I completely understand my wedding is awhile away, but room rates matter and we were hoping to get a good rate locked in before it escalates. She told us it was a top priority to get to her asap at the beginning of June. There have also been other instances with regards to other questions and plans with our ceremony with no response, voicemail or email. Has this been your experience with your wedding coordinators at Aria? Is your coordinator responsive and if so, what's the general time frame?
I know I'm not at Aria anymore but as time when on (especially after I booked) the response time significantly went down! I had to call numerous times before getting responses. I had Erica.
I concur. I sent them a simple email yesterday and didn't hear anything. It was a yes or no question. I just called them today and got the answer. I think they are getting a lot more busy now and are probably back logged. You've gotta keep on top of them I think. I know...no one wants to do that....but in the end it'll be worth it. If they think you're a PITA, they'll be more likely to pay attention to detail.
I have great communication with Erika. Usually doesn't take more than two days to get a response but I believe it is wedding season right now. You may want to just call and get the answers or request a different coordinator.
I agree with @hasgtaghroomzilla if you need something urgent then call. Most things feel urgent to is because we are batshit crazy brides lol. Jk I'm pretty chill,considering. If you are booking a room and need a group block, then you should get in touch with group reservations, they set up the blocks by the chapel coordinators. My communication with Marisa has been very little, but that's because I am pretty easy going. Her turnaround time is usually 1-2 days, through email.
When we originally looked at having our wedding at Aria we were in contact with Erika. When we did out scouting trip she decided not to show up. I was super stressed out thinking this would always be the case, but we ended up working with Deirdre and she has been amazing. She always responds within 1 or 2 days. However if you need something urgent i would agree with calling!
Thanks for the feedback! The issue was about our rooms for our stay and making sure we got the right rate through the chapel. We plan on staying 4 nights and had go through the chapel for the discounted reservation. It's just really nice to have a number to budget in and know its not going to increase on us. (I'm not too worried about the room blocks yet). I'm in luck because we both had all of our emails answered today It's funny how that works out!!
Okay ladies, this may sound silly, but as I watched one of the webcasting weddings, the chapel lighting itself looked dark during the ceremony with a spotlight from the camera people on their shadows on the altar. To me, it looks like the ceremonies are all taking place at night- is this to get the best photography? Is this the norm?
Okay ladies, this may sound silly, but as I watched one of the webcasting weddings, the chapel lighting itself looked dark during the ceremony with a spotlight from the camera people on their shadows on the altar. To me, it looks like the ceremonies are all taking place at night- is this to get the best photography? Is this the norm?
I visited the chapel yesterday and took pictures - all the pictures we took looked darker than how it actually looked in person.
It's not a very bright (as in full of light) room.
THe chapel isn't that bright, but it is beautiful. I haven't looked at a video, but we went there last weekend, and it just is beautiful. But, @hashtaggroomzilla is right, its not a bright room... I think they start weddings at noon though. Mine will be at 2. its on the convention center level of the casino and there are no windows...
We reserve our weddings in 1 ½ hour time slots (1 hour prior to ceremony to use the bridal and groom’s room and then thirty minutes for the ceremony). Regular Ceremony times: 10am, noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm. Any weddings from 6pmand onwards Do incur an after hour fee of $450.00 . Weddings that fall on a National Holiday will have an added holiday fee of $500.00. We require a $500.00 deposit to secure your date and time ($1000.00 for All Inclusive Packages), but you have until 1 month prior to your wedding day to pay in full, so you can also make small payments in between.
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Sigh, as it turns out we might be moving our wedding to the Cosmo =X
Re: Aria brides
Has anyone actually visited the chapel? Are there any nice cocktail bars very close to it?
Regular Ceremony times: 10am, noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm. Any weddings from 6pmand onwards
Do incur an after hour fee of $450.00 .
Weddings that fall on a National Holiday will have an added holiday fee of $500.00.
We require a $500.00 deposit to secure your date and time ($1000.00 for All Inclusive Packages), but you have until 1 month prior to your wedding day to pay in full, so you can also make small payments in between.