Vegas has many "capital" titles and one of the more popular distinctions is "Wedding Capital of the World." As far as weddings and the pre-matrimony events (parties and paperwork), a Vegas wedding is very user-friendly. Where else can you have a raging bachelorette party of epic proportions in the early afternoon, get your marriage license 45 minutes later and have an equally equally epic fantasy wedding moments later?
The ugly side to that easy access is the proliferation of UNS, Unplanned Nupitals Syndrome. Vegas is one of the few places in all of creation where a cheesy pick-up line could lead to the ultimate pick-up line, "I do," hours later. Unlike your common hangover, Gatorade and Alka-Seltzer won't help it go away. Unless of course, Gatorade and Alka-Seltzer is the name of your law firm.
Just a words of caution my friends: hormones and alcohol are combustible so as with most anything in life, moderation is key.
Here are five places (with itineraries) to get married in Vegas:
1. Trick or Treat Weddings
Who knew that All Hallows' Eve was such a big day to celebrate love by exchanging vows that expire only upon death? October is the fifth most popular month nationally after the big spring and summer months and Halloween in Vegas is one of the biggest wedding days. Hey, marriage is a lot like trick or treating anyway so if the gown fits ...
Location: Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel (several packages)
Stag/Hen Parties: Sanctuary at Krave
Honeymoon: New Orleans
2. Extreme Weddings
Aisles? Aisles are for wimps. If you really want to prove your everlasting devotion, jump out of a plane while getting married. There's also the safer, helicopter weddings, but it just depends how much you want to back up that lifelong commitment. Actions speak louder than words.
Location: Helicopters or other places that usually doesn't involve standing
Stag/Hen Parties: Mix, ghostbar, VooDoo Lounge or other high altitude venues
Honeymoon: In a tent at the bottom of the Grand Canyon
3. The Love Hangover
If you're in Vegas with the one you love this could be a great story to tell the kids. If you end up in this situation with a stranger, then obviously you didn't heed my hormones-alcohol warning or your name is Britney Spears.
It goes down like this: You start the evening out with a nice dinner and a bottle of wine. Before you know it, you're at a bar doing your best Nicholas Cage 'Leaving Las Vegas' impersonation and somewhere between the fourth and fifth shot of Jagermeister, you and your significant other, or significant stranger, decide to enter into unholy matrimony.
The sad truth is you can get your paperwork and married faster than you can grab a cab at McCarran during peak travel times.
Location: Any chapel where the taxi driver drops you off
Stag/Hen Parties: N/A
Honeymoon: Hotel buffet
4. The King and We
Elvis-themed Vegas weddings are an industry within an industry within an industry. What started out as a novelty experience more than 25 years ago at the Graceland Chapel, has ballooned just like the Elvis did in the early '70s. Now, you can have Elvis marry you in a car, in a bar or even on a bicycle. He can sing before, during or after your wedding or just walk the bride down the aisle.
Location: Graceland Chapel
Stag/Hen Parties: Champagnes Cafe, Lucky Strike Lanes
Honeymoon: Memphis
5. Fairy-tale Wedding
What wedding guide would be complete without a fairy-tale wedding option? While the extreme and quirky weddings always get the attention, if you've watched the nonstop wedding coverage on Style Network, you know that typically traditional weddings do occur in Vegas. Given the mirage-like surroundings of the desert, there's almost no better place to have a fairy-tale wedding. In Vegas, you can get married in Paris, Italy, Egypt or Rio. There's probably nothing more romantic than a sunset wedding on a boat on Lake Las Vegas, unless the bride gets seasick in which in that case, stick to the Bellagio Wedding Chapel or the Star Trek Wedding.
Location: Any of the major casinos
Stag/Hen Parties: Scores, Chippendales (hey, it's tradition)
Honeymoon: Honolulu
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1. In one week, I will be getting married on 7 -7-07 in Key west, FL. We were able to save money by having a simple and romantic wedding on the beach, they even provide the flowers and photos for under $600.00 We are coming home and having a reception. This was a stress free plan, and can't wait to leave!
susan at 9:26PM on Jun 30th 2007