This week’s Wedding Story comes from a bride who had a fabulous destination wedding in fabulous LAS VEGAS!
When did you get married?
We were married on May 1, 2010
Where was your ceremony? Reception?
We had a destination wedding! Our ceremony was held in the Classico Chapel at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV. Our dinner reception was held at Canaletto, a restaurant inside the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.
Godiva chocolate favors
What made you choose that reception location?
We originally had planned a bigger, traditional wedding in our hometown. All of our plans changed when my mom got very sick about 6 months before our original wedding date of June 13, 2009. We ended up canceling our plans to wait for her to get better. When she died, two weeks before our original date, we decided to go in a completely opposite direction for our wedding. We decided to go destination so that we could keep it small. I chose Canaletto at the Venetian because it is a beautiful restaurant with private rooms that overlook the canal that runs through the hotel. I had also eaten there before and knew that the food was amazing. It was perfect for us. There was a live string trio playing in the piazza below our private room, so we turned down the music we had playing and let the live music entertain our guests.
What was your favorite aspect of your wedding?
I truly loved our reception. We didn't have the typical reception with a dj and dancing. We simply had an amazing 6 course dinner in a beautiful room. We did keep some of the traditional elements though. The best man introduced us, we had a champagne toast, and had a phenomenal wedding cake. Because we only had 22 people there, we were able to go around and talk with all of our guests, and still were able to relax and really enjoy the evening.
What was the best resource you used during the planning process?
The Las Vegas wedding forum on theknot.com! The brides there are all so helpful and sweet. Past brides have put together a list of vendors and FAQs to help new brides in the planning process. I have formed wonderful relationships with some of the brides on that forum, and they definitely made the whole process easy and fun.
What's the one thing you would have done differently?
I wish I would have gotten more sleep the night before, I only got about 5 hours of sleep! After our reception, we had plans to go and have an after party at an outside lounge at the Mirage hotel, but I literally could not keep my eyes open! I really wish I would have been able to stay up with my guests and really enjoy the beautiful night!
Cake courtesy of Cake Designs LV
Any advice for future brides?
If you are planning a destination wedding, just know that you will have to give up some control. Also, make sure you take a minute to take it all in, the night will seriously fly by.
Photos courtesy of Deacon Tyler
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