Why You Should Choose Vegas for a Destination Wedding

When most people think of a Las Vegas wedding, they think of a small roadside chapel, a room full of strangers (aka the guest list), an Elvis impersonator officiating the wedding, and the quickest “I Do’s” around. In reality, Las Vegas is the hidden gem of destination weddings. If you are looking to combine your ceremony with a true Las Vegas party, Sin City may be the right place for you!

Las Vegas is home to weddings of all sizes and budgets with a flair only Sin City can provide; reasons to consider a Las Vegas destination wedding include:

Flights – the number of flights in and out of Vegas would make your head spin. All major airlines have planes that travel in and out of McCarran International Airport, which is only 5 minutes from the downtown strip. Plus, due to the frequency of flights, most airlines offer reasonable rates from almost anywhere. All this means that your guests can find affordable flights arriving and departing at almost any time to suit their schedule. This makes it easy for guests to commit to your destination wedding.

Facilities – almost every casino hotel or resort offers an in house wedding chapel. For guests and potential wedding couples this means a full service one-stop-shop for all the ceremony essentials from the venue, officiant, photographers, florists, and top of the line food service. Moreover, all of this comes with a wedding coordinator to help plan and customize the ceremony. If you have ever been in a Las Vegas casino / hotel you will know that they cater to their guests – a wedding couple can expect top of the line service and support as they plan their big day.

Activities – for any destination wedding, guests will be looking for other activities to do outside of the main event (the wedding). Las Vegas has something for everyone from casinos, shows, shopping, restaurants, and tours. Guests can take advantage of all Las Vegas has to offer. Allow guest to plan their own activities, but also consider booking a few group events so you and your guests can enjoy a few group outings.

Everything in One – while in Vegas you can plan all of your events from the bachelor and bachelorette parties, the ceremony / reception, and the honeymoon. This is definitely a cost effective and time effective strategy for a modern couple. Our only tip is to allow at least one buffer day between the bachelor / bachelorette parties and the wedding. You will definitely need a day to regroup and refresh after a true las vegas party.

So if you are looking for a truly original wedding venue, an opportunity to party and celebrate with your guests, and roll in a mini honeymoon while you’re at it – consider Las Vegas!

Insider Guide to Las Vegas – the Little Things

If you are planning a trip to Las Vegas, you have probably already done your research on hotel deals, top rated casinos to visit, reserved tickets to a show, and planned some sightseeing you want to do during your trip; and if you haven’t yet, what are you waiting for? Las Vegas has something to offer everyone from the ultimate bachelor and bachelorette las vegas party, conventions for just about anything, family retreat packages, and couples weekends away; Las Vegas is a great host to any party.

To ensure your trip goes off without a hitch, check out some tips from locals to help you navigate your way through the Vegas landscape:

Weather – the summer temperatures in Las Vegas are hot! An average afternoon can see temperatures topping out at 115 degrees, and that is in the shade. In contrast, the air conditioning in the casinos is cold enough to warrant a parka in the middle of July. Dress for the weather and wear layers so whether you are inside or out, you will be comfortable during your stay. Do not forget your sunscreen – you will need it whether lounging by the pool or walking the strip; nothing ruins a vacation like a nasty sunburn.

24 Hours – Las Vegas is literally the city that does not sleep. Casinos, bars, lounges, and shops will cater to all hours of the day. Take advantage of getting dinner (or an early breakfast) after a night at the club – because you can!

Traffic – while most visitors to Las Vegas will not be driving around the strip, vacationing pedestrians need to be mindful of the traffic. Limos, party busses, taxis, and locals make for busy roadways. It can be shocking if you are not from the area or are on your first visit to the city. Just exercise caution when checking out the sites and stick to the sidewalks.

Gambling Lessons – while there are professional gamblers a plenty in Las Vegas, the average guest is more on the novice to beginner level. As a result, the tables and games can be a bit overwhelming for a first time visitor. During the weekday afternoons, most casinos will offer free lessons on some of the more popular games such as blackjack, roulette, and craps. This is a great way to get up to speed on some exciting games and to feel more confident taking a gamble. Try your luck – ‘beginners luck’ was coined for a reason.

Tipping is Key – from wait staff, to bartenders, bellhops, and even costumed characters / street performers; Las Vegas workers rely heavily on tips as part of their wages. Be sure to factor in tipping for your spending money during your stay.

5 Common Bachelorette Mistakes in Vegas

So the big day is on the horizon and the future is pretty much set in stone. The date is booked, the las vegas party has been planned, and the honeymoon is in the works. What is left to plan? The Bachelorette party! Marriage is certainly one of the most important events in a person's life. It’s a commitment to another person to share the highs and lows of life together. It’s important, though, before celebrating the bond of man and wife, to celebrate the bond of friendship between a strong group of ladies that helped the bride-to-be along the way.

Planning and executing an amazing bachelorette party is the best way to celebrate this bond. In Las Vegas, a city that has so much buzz it’s hard to sleep, bachelorette parties happen every weekend. It’s a city that embraces the more seductive side of life, a place that supports people in their path of self-discovery in any way, shape, or form. This is usually a great thing for bachelorette parties. However, like any major event in life, sometimes they can go very wrong. Either the entire weekend is spent waiting in lines, or perhaps one of the guests was not prepared for some of the more sexy events and causes a scene. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to consider some of the major bachelorette party planning mistakes before planning the big weekend in Las Vegas.

The 5 Mistakes

Planning a Rager Every Night - This might seem obvious, but in Vegas it’s pretty tempting to want to plan a late night every night. It’s not spring break after all, even if it feels like that for some of the girls!

Doing the Obvious - Sure, dinner and drinks over a weekend would go well. Would it be the kind of life-altering event a bachelorette party should be? Probably not. Check out some of the pool party options in Vegas, venture beyond the strip for some manicures and pedicures, or check out some of the sexy male dance shows that always end with a surprise!

Do VIP and Get Reservations - The worst thing is a poorly planned evening with everyone wondering what is going to happen next. Get reservations booked in advance, and inquire into a party package deal from a local company that gives large groups VIP access and limo service.

Don’t Plan Too Much - Let’s say the whole party is a week-long occasion. Why plan something every night? It’s best to leave a few open nights for spontaneous planning. That way the bride won’t feel overburdened with things to do. It should be a relaxing trip in some way too, of course.

Don’t Leave Things Up to Chance - On the flip side, a lot of bachelorette parties are planned too loosely. Leaving every decision up to the group will lead to a lot of disagreement and wasted time. May as well ask the group what kinds of activities they want to do before planning anything. That way no one is surprised and everyone feels included.

Some Tips for Rolling High on a Budget in Vegas

A lot of people probably think that Las Vegas is only for the rich. It’s not a surprising assumption given the kind of advertisement about the city that is pretty much everywhere. The images are usually of a group of women dressed in expensive outfits, sipping champagne while dancing in a club. A lot of people would look at that ad and think: okay, the flight down there is one thing, not to mention the hotel room, the cover at the door of the club, what I ate for dinner, and etc etc. The list of costs can seem endless when all that is considered is the glamour of the advertisement.

 

Fantasy vs. Reality

The usual depiction of Vegas is a place where people go to blow all their money on the craziest weekend of their life. This expectation is more of a fantasy than anything else, as for most people Vegas is not like this at all. It’s important for people to know that Vegas can be affordable without losing out on the excitement and fun. It can be affordable in a classy way, as long as travelers know what kind of deals are available. Being able to party in style without blowing the budget is really the unique benefit of Las Vegas. Can the same be said of New York or Los Angeles? Definitely not. The reality is that Las Vegas is an entertainment capital—that means the city (and it’s resident club owners) want to make it affordable for everyone that visits to party like they want to.

Rolling High, Spending Low

Here is a list of some tips for how to get into the best parties without spending $500/night.

Go with a Las Vegas Party Planning Company - Vegas is home to a lot of party planning companies that offer package deals. While this is not an option for a couple, it is probably the best option for groups of 3+. These package deals are comprised of discounts on food, VIP access to specific clubs, and limo service. For those who have not been to Vegas, they should prepare themselves for the long lines outside clubs. Getting a VIP pass is the best idea because it will save money overall and save tons of time. This is how to save money in Vegas. It all depends on the size of the group and what it is they are in Vegas for, but one thing is guaranteed: money will be saved and tons of fun will be had.

5 Star Restaurants Have Happy-Hour - Most of the best restaurants will be booked solid every night between 8-10pm. So instead of calling months in advance to try and book a table, why not come before the madness and feast on amazing food for super cheap? A lot of gourmet restaurants have a happy hour between 4-7pm and then again at 10:30pm each night. A slight adjustment to the dinner schedule will provide the same quality of food for half the price.

What to Expect in A Vegas Casino

Those travelling to Vegas for the first time should prepare themselves for the splendor and class of the casinos along the strip. They truly are overwhelming at times, especially on a busy Friday night when everyone is out looking their best and excited about winning some money. Casinos in Vegas are really the pinnacle of all things to do with the gambling industry: they are larger than any other casinos, they are more flashy, they stay open 24/7, and perhaps best of all are surrounded by a city that lives and breathes on the excitement of putting money against the house.

A lot of people come to las vegas party, or for a specific event. There are great restaurants, bars, and clubs to accommodate these partiers, and for many that is the sole purpose of coming to Vegas. This is a shame because it’s in the casinos that the real value of the city is present. What is it that holds people back from getting a Vegas casino experience? Perhaps they feel overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle around the casinos. Or perhaps they want to save money and fear losing it all in one big night. In the interest of helping guests overcome these kinds of misconceptions, here is a list of what to expect in a Vegas casino:

1.

The Prices Are Not Astronomical - Any casino has to be set-up to induce customers to bet. The odds for blackjack are no different in Vegas than anywhere else in the country, and the same goes for baccarat and other card games.

Newcomers to gambling can take gambling classes offered by the casinos that explain how the card games work, and what good strategies are.

2. Casinos Are Connected To Hotels - This has been an emerging trend is Steve Wynne built the Mirage Las Vegas in 1989. Today there are numerous ‘integrated casino resorts’ as they are called, and it makes for easy gambling an hour of the day. The great thing about gambling is that it’s quite intuitive - sometimes just having the feeling of being lucky will induce someone to want to gamble, and it’s in those moments that being close to a blackjack table could be quite lucrative.

3.

Spacious and Beautiful - A lot of casinos across the country will feel cramped and stuffy in comparison to Vegas. It really does feel like a castle.

4. Expect To Be Offered Drinks - A waitress will come up and offer complimentary drinks. This is one of the secrets to why Las Vegas is a great party city: the casinos actually offer free drinks to guests to induce them to stay longer. Pretty good strategy, right?

5. Only Busy At Peak Hours - The best time to give the casinos a try is early afternoon or just after midnight.

What Is The ‘Thunder From Down Under’ All About?

Ladies travelling to Vegas might be curious to know about the hottest male show on offer at the moment. It’s called ‘Thunder From Down Under’ and it’s just sizzling with testosterone, rock hard abs and quirky comedy. ‘Thunder From Down Under’ is a show put on by Australian studs that want to turn on as many ladies as possible every single night. It’s a travelling show that has been in Vegas for a while now, but it might pick up and move across the country so ladies visiting Vegas better get a good look at these guys while they have the chance. It’s the perfect treat for a girls night out, a Bachelorette extravaganza, or any single ladies looking to get in the mood. The best way to enjoy the show is in a group of ladies looking to get seduced by men that are not afraid to bare skin and shake their booties.

The Different Female Fantasies

This show is all about attractive men with chiseled abs embodying different female fantasies. The show runs through a number of different scenarios in which the actors usually wind up singing, dancing, making jokes, and often taking off layers of clothing! It’s truly an interactive experience as the actors will need some encouragement before they bare skin to the crowd.

Who’s Who?

There is Alex, the bearded husky gentleman who looks like he was carved out of a rock. He’s the kind of man that would own a ranch back in Australia - or close by in Texas for that matter - and whose presence speaks louder than the few words he will utter. The strong silent type, right of a ladies dream.

There is Jason, who is all blonde and gorgeous like he was dropped by an angel into the deserts of Nevada just to satisfy ladies fantasies. He’s the kind of man that is not hard to get to know - the personality type that is lighthearted about life because everything is beautiful.

There is Edward, the smart-ass whippersnapper who is appealing because of his sense of humour as much as his body. He’s the intellectual and he knows it! It’s a real pleasure for him to get the crowd going, so ladies be prepared to hoot and holler in response to Edward’s invitations and sly sex appeal.

Ryan P. is the wildcard of the bunch. Part jock, part handyman, and part showman. He might seem shy off the top but that’s all part of the show.

Get The Night Started Right

Meeting and interacting with these gentlemen is the best way to get a las vegas party night started right. Any groups of ladies travelling to Vegas simply cannot miss these hot bod’s from down under.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Vegas?

Las Vegas is one of the largest tourist hubs in America for good reason.  Dubbed sin city because of the plethora of casinos, bars, and clubs, Vegas has always burned brightly in the imagination of Americans and global travellers looking to let a bit of steam off and try their luck at fortune.  Of course it’s not only the debauchery that people crave – it’s also the grandiosity and glamor that can be felt walking down the strip or sitting in the patio of the Hyde Hotel.  Las Vegas is larger than life, and that’s why people love to travel there. 

For those interested in booking a trip, it’s worth considering what time of year is best.  Unlike most popular travel destinations, Las Vegas does not have a high season and a low season.  Costs in Vegas are determined by events (either sport or conventions) that bring people into the city.  So, traveller’s that have the flexibility should take advantage of the lower air fare and hotel prices on a weekend when there are no major sporting events going on.   

Summer Time Is Still Affordable

The upside of travelling to Vegas is that there are always relatively affordable flight deals.  The general recommendation is to travel between May and September/October because the city will be in full bloom and the prices are reasonable.  While the best time to go is clearly subjective, it is certainly worth experiencing the Strip on a steaming hot July evening.

Spring Is Expensive Because Of All The Events

Vegas gets popular around big sporting events or conventions each year.  The week before one of these events prices will go up.  Of course the bigger the event the more expensive prices will be – even in the colder months.  That means planning a trip in February might backfire if it falls on Super Bowl weekend.

March is usually the busiest month in Vegas because the climate is warmer and there is March Madness, Spring Break, NASCAR, and COMDEX all happening in quick succession. 

Fall Is Cheapest

For those looking to las vegas party on a the cheap, consider travelling between September to New Years.  The city calms down in these months because there are no major events, and the cooling weather makes it possible to walk across the Strip in the daytime without having to lather up with SPF 50 sun tan lotion.  January-February, on the other hand, is rather uncomfortable, as temperatures fall to around 43-50 degrees Fahrenheit.  That being said, saving money on the flights will leave more cash to spend at the casinos or one of the amazing clubs!