Lucky in Love
Weddings in Las Vegas Leave Nothing to Chance

If New York is “the city that never sleeps,” Las Vegas must be “the city that is never outdone.”

Stylish accommodations, epicurean delights, world-class entertainment—these are just a few of the elements that make our neighbor to the north such an appealing destination for weddings. Gaming and nightlife may be the first things that come to mind when you think of Las Vegas, but a closer look reveals a city ready to pamper and delight you with unparalleled service.

Las Vegas offers destination wedding experiences that will delight and entertain the most discriminating couples. From intimate gatherings to over-the-top extravagant soirees, we have found something for everyone here.

Weddings on the Strip

The event teams at the recently opened Palazzo and the equally opulent Venetian have put a tremendous amount of thought into producing weddings that appeal to the romantic couple who desires an intimately beautiful ceremony site coupled with world class cuisine.

The Palazzo Hospitality Parlor, for example, features a private outdoor terrace—perfect for evening ceremonies. As the sun slips beyond the horizon, a candlelit environment sets the stage for a romantic exchange of vows in front of a cast stone fireplace. The expert on-site floral design team will fashion dewy bouquets and centerpieces in the style of your choosing to complement the décor of the parlor. Elegant table linens and custom chair covers are available as well.

Those who desire a walk on the wild side may consider exchanging vows underneath the shark tunnel inside Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium, surrounded by sea life. Designed like an ancient temple slowing sinking into the ocean, this 95,574-square-foot aquatic environment features 16 different species of sharks and more than 2,000 aquatic animals.

If it’s an outdoor party you’re after, don’t miss the high-above-thecity Rotunda at The Pools at The Palazzo. Stage an elaborate brunch buffet for your guests featuring roasted vegetables, an omelet bar, fruit, French toast, and the most delicious array of salads and seafood. High above the bustling city, the view is unbelievable, and the service is beyond compare. Sip a mimosa and revel in the experience in this treasured “destination within a destination.” At night, the scene is transformed by twinkling lights and the cityscape as you’ve never seen it.

Wine and Dine

Couples seeking the ultimate wedding feast should look no further than Restaurant Charlie in The Palazzo. Renowned Chef Charlie Trotter’s new Las Vegas venue features a private dining room for parties of 12 to 30, wherein guests may dine on selections such as poached Maine lobster in Yellow Curry with Lotus Root or handharvested scallops. Guests will rave about the meals, but we implore you not to pass on dessert. Impeccable service in a marvelous setting.

Gourmands take note: Las Vegas is no place for a diet. Indulge, indulge; you can go to the gym later. Try Emeril Lagasse’s Delmonico Steakhouse in the Venetian, featuring the popular chef’s lively take on Creole classics.

Chef Thomas Keller’s Bouchon offers the ultimate homage to Sunday brunch, no matter which day you choose to enjoy it. Raise a glass of champagne to the pastry chefs who work virtually around the clock to turn out dainty cakes, sumptuous pastries, to-die-for chocolate confections and yes, marvelous wedding cakes here at the Venetian.

TAO restaurant and nightclub may be a favorite for celeb-spotting, but those in the know go for the delicate Pan Asian flavors served at the Las Vegas incarnation of the New York hotspot. As you gaze on the 20-foot-tall golden Buddha in the main dining room and ponder just how they keep all those candles lit, savor the Kobe beef cooked in a ginger scallion broth and the mouth-watering miso-glazed sea bass. You haven’t lived until you’ve enjoyed the delicate chocolate raspberry wontons with Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream. Decadent!

Luxurious Retreats

Not far from the city lights, the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa offers the best of both worlds: indulgent ambiance that JW properties are known for, set alongside access to Las Vegas gaming and entertainment. Lushly landscaped grounds surround the classically elegant architecture at the resort, which features golf, tennis, and a brand new 40,000-square-foot Aquae Soulis Spa & Salon.

Weddings at this JW Marriott property take on a decidedly aristocratic air. Think lush, sun-drenched garden parties on expansive lawns, cocktail soirees bustling with tuxedoed servers offering scrumptious hors d’ouevres on silver platters, trays of signature cocktails, and gala dinners.

Attention to detail and uncompromising service are hallmarks of the JW brand, so expect to be pampered here. Weddings ranging in size from intimate restaurant terrace affairs, to ceremonies on the Lagoon Patio, to Ballroom fetes can be crafted to your specifications. Ask about Suite 6200, a private grand suite with a penthouse feel. Experience the thirty-foot cathedral ceilings, marble entry and a majestic sixth-floor balcony overlooking the Southwest Las Vegas Valley.

This is one of the few places in Las Vegas where you can bring your wedding coordinator, photographer and florist to work their magic alongside the fabulous JW event and catering team.

For a memorable rehearsal dinner, don’t miss the Carmel Room where the chefs will delight your guests with exquisite Mediterranean cuisine in the most elegantly appointed modern dining room. The guys will love rounding out the evening at Gustav Mauler’s, a cigar bar and lounge featuring hand-rolled cigars and premium cocktails.

Entertainment abounds at this venue, which features 11 restaurants and lounges as well as an on-site casino. Those guests who absolutely must hit the Strip can be shuttled there in no time. Desiring the awe-inspiring spectacle of a Cirque de Soliel show, a round of golf or spa services for your guests? Ask your well-equipped concierge to lend you a hand in making the plans that take full advantage of this destination.

Adventure-seeking? Red Rock Casino Resort Spa, located outside Las Vegas in Red Rock country, might be your ticket to outdoor nirvana. Make no mistake, the luxurious accommodations that Las Vegas is known for are here (including one of the swankiest pool environments we’ve ever experienced), but guests also have access to an Adventure Spa that brings nature to your doorstep on a daily basis. Between rock-climbing in one of the foremost climbing destinations in the world, horseback excursions and rafting trips down the Colorado River, you may not even have time for gaming. There’s even an indoor climbing gym!

Going to the Chapel

Wedding chapels in Las Vegas are no longer the campy, drive-through Elvis-officiated venues of urban legend. No, traditionalists will fall for the lovely chapels in the finer hotels in Las Vegas.

The beautiful Terrazza di Sogno (“Terrace of Dreams”) at the Bellagio is as charming as they come. Timeless European design, featuring stained glass windows behind the altar, chandeliers of amethyst Venetian glass, and ornate tapestries bring an Old-World elegance to the Las Vegas wedding takes romance to another level. The spectacular view of the Tuscan-inspired landscape with the famed Fountains of Bellagio in the background will make any couple swoon.

You’ve never seen a prettier, more chic chapel than the wedding chapel. The understated sophistication of this venue, located near the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, feature a baby grand piano, slipper chairs covered in sumptuous ivory silk, and glass-beaded lights. Each of the three identical chapels includes the use of his and hers dressing rooms, and can accommodate up to 100 guests. The luxurious foyer, with its earth tone decor and crushed velvet upholstered furniture, is a perfect backdrop for photos and receiving your guests.

Perhaps the most personal chapel you can imagine is a wedding in one of the romantic Gondolas at the Venetian. A pristine white gondola adorned with opulent gold accents is reserved for these intimate ceremonies as you drift along the canals. And yes, the gondoliers sing beautifully.

Let us Entertain You

There is nothing more exciting than planning entertainment for guests at a Las Vegas destination wedding. Premier golf, shopping, spa retreats, comedy shows and nightclubs are all available for the asking.

The hauntingly beautiful Phantom of the Opera has come to Las Vegas in its own theatre, designed specifically for this production, which is not to be missed. Even veteran Phantom fans leave this spectacular 95-minute production with a renewed sense of awe and appreciation for the romantic scores, which are flawlessly performed on this stage six nights a week.

Thrill seekers should look no further than G-Force One, which brings the zero gravity experience to Las Vegas. Train with an expert coach, board the specially modified aircraft and try out parabolic flight in the same way NASA has trained its astronauts. Flights begin and end at the Signature Air Terminal at McCarran International Airport on selected dates for high-flying, lighter-than-air excitement.

If you’ve ever wondered why there are so many advertisements for Danny Gans in and around Las Vegas, it’s because no visit here is complete without seeing this guy perform. A family-friendly show featuring Gans’ impressions of more than 100 singers, celebrities and public figures will leave you alternating between fits of laughter and sheer amazement that one person can nail so many personalities on one stage, in one night. No wonder he has his own theatre in the Mirage. You have never seen or heard anything like the talent of this entertainer.

Photography:
The Palazzo
The Venetian
JW Marriott Las Vegas