Richard and Michel were wed at an evening wedding ceremony at the vibrant Canyon Gate Country Club, photographed by Nancy Easton at Easton Studios. (Love her ring shots!) Using deep red and purple colors, the wedding featured a romantic French masquerade theme with masks and fleur de lis details all coordinated by Distinctive Celebrations.

A special wedding guest led the bride and groom down the aisle – and what a beautiful canine guest he was! Michel and Richard were then wed under a red canopy on the balcony alongside the lake at Canyon Gate, and then the party got started as the new husband and wife made their entrance into the ballroom wearing their masks. Guests enjoyed a rose and rhinestone decorated cake from Cravin’ Cakes Bakery and music from a DJ from Knight Sounds.

Later in the evening, the couple then made their romantic getaway through a tunnel of handheld sparklers and into an incredible classic car. Is it a Ford? I kind of looks like it might be!

Congratulations, Richard and Michel!

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What a beautiful dog, and what a beautiful tuxedo for him!

 Vendor & Venue Goodness: 

Wedding Ceremony & Reception Venue: Canyon Gate Country Club / Photographer: Easton Studios LV / Wedding Planner + Coordination: Distinctive Celebrations / Groom’s Suit: Bowties Bridal & Tuxedos / Hair + Makeup: Stevee Danielle Hair and Makeup /  Bridal Shoes: Steven Madden / Floral: Wild Orchids Florist and Events / Cake: Cravin Cakes Bakery / Celebrant: Elegant Vegas Weddings / DJ & Music:  Knight Sounds Entertainment

 Wedding Gallery: 
Click on any photo to see a larger version

This post, Purple and Red Masquerade Wedding {Canyon Gate Country Club} is from: Little Vegas Wedding a Las Vegas Wedding Blog focusing on real Vegas weddings, elopements plus vendor and venue information. Be sure to Like Us on Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter or Pinterest for more like this!

Eric and Paige are from Missouri, and served as super cute models for this fashion shoot by Missouri photographer Lindsey Pantaleo. Wearing a couple of gowns generously provided by Norman’s Bridal (a bridal shop in Springfield, Missouri) she modelled in and around downtown Las Vegas for a portion of the shoot, then headed for the desert for a few more photos. Eric and Paige were engaged at the time, and were married later in 2012. I think you can see the chemistry between them…especially in the bedroom photos taken at the Golden Nugget Hotel.

The downtown photos are total glamourpuss. I think the mix of the fur, Eric’s fedora, the vintage signage and the twinkling lights look so great, and like they’re from another decade. So beautifully done.

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Vendor and Venue Goodness:

Photography by: Lindsey Pantaleo /Wardrobe and Bridal: Norman’s Bridal (Springfield, MO), Urban Outfitters and vintage / Shot on location at: Golden Nugget Hotel, Fremont Street & Vicinity in downtown Vegas, Red Rock Canyon / Hair + Makeup: Paige, the “bride”

This post, Vintage Glamour in Downtown Vegas {Bridal Fashion Shoot} is from: Little Vegas Wedding a Las Vegas Wedding Blog focusing on real Vegas weddings, elopements plus vendor and venue information. Be sure to Like Us on Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter or Pinterest for more like this!

What if your “something borrowed” for your wedding happened to be the very same wedding chapel your parents were wed at?

For Jaclyn and Tony, both Las Vegas locals, that became reality! They were married at Little Church of the West just like Jaclyn’s mom and dad were 43 years previous, and Key Lime Photography handled the beautiful photos of this historic day. 

This wedding was planned with under 40 days notice – there wasn’t even time to send out wedding invitations! Everyone was invited the old fashioned way, via telephone. The quaint wooden chapel that houses Little Church of the West – the oldest building on The Strip – is made of California redwood and added an intimacy to this wedding. Everything came together beautifully and after the ceremony everyone headed to Bootlegger Bistro for an Italian dinner, cake and some dancing!

How amazing is that? Just proves that you don’t need a year or two of notice to plan a meaningful, beautiful and fun wedding. Congratulations, Jaclyn and Tony!

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Vendor and Venue Goodness:

 Wedding Venue: Little Church of the West / Reception Venue: Bootlegger Bistro / Photographer: Key Lime Photography /  Wedding Dress & Shoes: David’s Bridal / Photobooth: Joy Squad /  Floral: Little Church of the West / Cake: Freed’s Bakery / Hair: by the bride / Makeup: Jolene Williams at Oh My! Make Up

Wedding Gallery:

Click any photo to make it larger

This post, 40 Day Countdown to “I Do” {Little Church of the West} is from: Little Vegas Wedding a Las Vegas Wedding Blog focusing on real Vegas weddings, elopements plus vendor and venue information. Be sure to Like Us on Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter or Pinterest for more like this!

There are so many special spots around town that the real secret is to find a minister willing to meet you there to marry you at it. Today’s vendor feature is a little bit about this adorably cute pink Volkswagen Beetle, aka the Las Vegas Luv Bug. This vehicle transports the dynamic duo of Reverend Tim Rowland and his wife, Pam Rowland around to various marriage ceremony spots in Vegas!

Originally from southern California (San Diego), before they transitioned into providing wedding services, they were performing church and ministry work. Using their combined powers of officiating marriages and photography, a desire to work together and provide unique services, Las Vegas Luv Bug was born!

Let’s get to know a little more about them…

Little Vegas Wedding: For those readers out there who may not know who you and the Las Vegas Luv Bug are, please introduce yourself!

Las Vegas Luv Bug: Las Vegas Luv Bug consists of me, Reverend Tim Rowland and my photographer wife, Pam, and a pink VW Beetle that we have named the “Luv Bug.”  Our focus is on meeting the couple wherever they would like to get married, and helping them celebrate their wedding day. We provide officiant/ceremony, 20 digital photos, and a witness if needed. We can also assist with expedited recording of the marriage paperwork or an apostille for international couples. We will go anywhere in the greater Las Vegas area that our brides and grooms request.

Reverend Tim Rowland and his wife, Pam with their pink Beetle

LVW: How many years have you been in business and how did you initially get into officiating?

LVLB, Rev. Tim: We’ve been performing ceremonies for 15 years. We moved to Las Vegas in 1997 to plant a church, which we did for 8 years. I was working a full-time job in customer relations as well as church work in the evenings and weekend services. One of our church members suggested weddings as an alternative income source, so I solicited several chapels and found work a couple of nights a week at a downtown chapel. I began to really enjoy it, and it has taken me all over Las Vegas.

Pam has always had a love for photography and taken several courses. She photographed all of our church events over the years as well as family gatherings and annual family photos. This year, we created the Luv Bug so we could work together as a couple, combining our gifts and talents, and having a lot of fun while doing it. Plus, we get to drive a really cool pink “bug” that draws a lot of attention! We REALLY love our pink bug!

Some of the ceremonies the Luv Bug has officianted. Reverend Tim can be seen bottom photos, far left, with a couple from Canada he wed.

LVW: As far as ceremonies, what kind of variety, customization and personalizations do you offer?

Rev Tim: We have a standard ceremony that we use a majority of the time, but many couples have written their own vows, or have specific requests for their ceremony. We are willing to work with any requests a bride or groom may have. One thing I won’t do is prank the bride or groom. Years ago, I had a groom ask me to use his “nickname” for the bride during the ceremony, & I assumed it was a term of endearment between them. As it came out of my mouth, the bride teared up and a look of horror crossed her face. Turns out it was a name that was used to tease her when she was younger and she didn’t find it funny at all. Since then, I have a strict policy of not playing tricks on either bride or groom on their wedding day.

LVW: What is your preferred way to work with clients – email, in person, telephone?

Rev Tim: We have tailored our website to allow a couple to find out about our services and locations, book a date and time, and submit payment- all online! We are also available by phone or email to answer any questions a couple may have. With international couples, we find email is the most effective, because of the time difference.

The Luv Bug in action in the desert, downtown and on Las Vegas Boulevard

LVW: Where is the most unique spot you’ve wed people at?

Rev Tim: There is quite a long list of locations you can perform weddings at … are there any places you can’t do? Helicopter weddings have to be the most unique, because they can go anywhere. We’ve done weddings on Strip tours, Red Rock Canyon tours & Grand Canyon tours. One of the neatest experiences I had was when the bride and groom had me pretend to be another tourist so they could surprise her parents with their wedding over the skies of Las Vegas at night. Her mother was elated!  Casino floors or other private property are generally off-limits, unless the couple obtains the owner’s permission. Most public places are fair game, as well as hotel rooms, homes, or backyards.

LVW: Do you provide wedding ceremonies in any other languages other than English?

Rev Tim: I speak Spanish, and have done hundreds of ceremonies in Spanish. I lived several years as a child in Mexico (my parents are missionaries) and learned the language by immersion.

LVW: What is the one thing you wish couples wedding in Vegas knew?

Rev Tim: That their choices for getting married are wide open. They can make it as simple or as extravagant as they want (or can afford) so think outside the box, and don’t be bound by tradition! That’s why we say we service “weddings as unique as you are.” We find many couples will spend extra money on a nice hotel suite, where they hold their ceremony, and when all the guests go home, they can spend the rest of their time on a really nice honeymoon where they got married. Our mobile service is designed to be simple and affordable so they can invest their money into other aspects of their celebration. There is much more to a Vegas wedding than the “chapel.” Often, on-location ceremonies provide a much richer background for their photos.

LVW: Are there any vendors in the Vegas area you particularly like to work with, or would like to work with?

Rev Tim: Most of what we do is fairly self contained, but there are a few we really like:

• Kent Ripley, Elvis entertainer. First-class Elvis, I’ve worked with several over the years, and Kent is one of the most sincere & fun entertainers I know. It’s not about him, it truly is about the couple.
• Tony & Kathleen Cooper at Balloons in Las Vegas. They truly are balloon artists, able to transform a room, create a centerpiece that really completes an event.
• Dana Lopez, bridal beautician at Mosaic Salon does an awesome job as a stylist!

LVW: What is your favorite part of the wedding day?

Rev Tim: That’s a hard one. I’ll have to split it: Firstly the moments just before the ceremony when the bride and groom have a child-like excitement for what they are entering into, as well as the moments just after the couple is pronounced husband and wife. There is a relief, as well as an expectancy in their eyes. It’s a moment of “We made it!” coupled with, “We are just starting a new part of our lives together!” There is a sweetness there that is hard to describe.  It NEVER gets old!

And my standard “fun” questions:

On a typical Sunday we can usually find you napping after church,  but you’d rather be smoking a nice cigar (Tim) or drinking a nice glass of wine (Pam) on the back patio.

If you weren’t a officiants, you’d probably be: Bored out of our minds at 9-5 jobs!!

Thank you so much, Tim & Pam! I can’t wait to see you in your little pink Beetle zooming around Las Vegas, delivering love!

All Photos by Pam Rowland except for the top photo taken by their daughter

Las Vegas Luv Bug Wedding Services
702-956-2LUV
www.lasvegasluvbug.com
Weddings start at $119

This post, Better Know a Vendor: Las Vegas Luv Bug Mobile Minister is from: Little Vegas Wedding a Las Vegas Wedding Blog focusing on real Vegas weddings, elopements plus vendor and venue information. Be sure to Like Us on Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter or Pinterest for more like this!

This intimate 40 guest wedding at the Wynn used inspiration from terrariums and greenery for the theme, which complimented the gold, peach and blushing pink colors elsewhere in the wedding. Photographed by the lovely team of Tiffani and Ellie at Sun & Sparrow, you will be blown away by the ways the natural theme was incorporated into the details.

Jason and Victoria traveled from Los Angeles for their destination wedding which was held in the peaceful and private Primrose Court at Wynn, and included a number of DIY projects pulled from wedding blogs and Pinterest to complete the theme. 

The bride, Victoria, writes: “I did all of the centerpieces, table numbers, and cake table decor. My favorite was how the terrarium apothecary jars turned out.  It was long and laborious but it came together just as I wanted.” She even spent time creating initial prototypes to make sure all of the projects turned out just perfectly. What attention to detail. To complete the floral looks, Pam at The Palette assisted, adding peach Sahara roses and green orchids to the manzanita branches. 

After the garden ceremony, and a short bridal portrait shoot, the wedding party headed over to Joe’s Stonecrab restaurant at the Forum Shops to dine, drink and dance. What a sweet end to a beautiful day.

Such a cute first look sequence!

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Vendor and Venue Goodness:  

Wedding Venue: Wynn Las Vegas, Primrose Court / Reception Venue: Joe’s Stonecrab at Caesars Palace / Photographer: Sun & Sparrow Photography / Hair + Makeup: Makeup in the 702 /  Floral: Pam at The Palette / Cake: Aracelli Cake Studio / Stationery: Wedding Invitations by Wedding Paper Divas

Wedding Gallery:

Click to see a larger photo

This post, A Woodsy, Terrarium Inspired Wedding in a Garden {Wynn} is from: Little Vegas Wedding a Las Vegas Wedding Blog focusing on real Vegas weddings, elopements plus vendor and venue information. Be sure to Like Us on Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter or Pinterest for more like this!

Amanda and Dan are a couple of crazy Canucks who were married in the very fun Pop Up Chapel at Cosmopolitan, and Mike L Photography was there to take all the amazing images to follow.

Amanda said that she originally started to plan for a wedding in the newly renovated Skyline Chapel at Quad, but after feeling like there were so many add ons and extra costs – they jumped ship to the seasonal Pop Up Chapel. With no extra fees for an outside photographer or florist, plus the option to play their own music, it worked out perfectly!

The comicbook-esque paper origami bouquets and boutonnieres with added superhero action figures were handmade by the bride (instructions for the projects can be found here and here) How awesome and funky are they!?

After the ceremony, and before the reception, the wedding party limo’d over to the Welcome to Las Vegas sign and took some atmospheric bridal party shots. What an awesome looking bridal party. Best Woman in a suit? Yes, please! When all the hard posing work was done, it was time for drinks, food and celebration at Firefly Tapas Kitchen and Bar, where the guests drank sangria and mojitos from the open bar while sampling paella, stuffed dates, camarones ajillo and many other Spanish treats.

Amanda said she booked Mike & Courtney to do their photos after following their work for three years, and honestly – these photos do not disappoint. And you should really go read the story about how they started dating on Mike L’s blog. It’s pretty hilarious.

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– — – — –

Vendor and Venue Goodness:

Wedding Venue: Cosmopolitan Pop Up Wedding Chapel / Reception Venue: Firefly* Tapas Kitchen and Bar Las Vegas / Photographer: Mike L Photos/ Wedding Dress: Galina Signature Line from David’s Bridal / Jewelry: “Merry” necklace and “Puzzle” earrings by Swarovski / Bride’s Shoes: “Himber” Pumps by Spring / Hair + Makeup: Harmony Medina /  ”Floral:” Hand folded origami paper bouquets, a DIY project by the bride! Instructions  here and here/ Cake: The Cupcakery at Cosmopolitan Pop Up Chapel / Cake Topper: “Vegas BABY!” Custom Wire Cake Topper from heatherboyd on Etsy / Stationery:  Vintage Vegas line from Vintage Wedding Invitations via Zazzle

Wedding Gallery:

Click any photo to make it larger

This post, A Wedding with Colorful Comic Book Charm {Cosmopolitan} is from: Little Vegas Wedding a Las Vegas Wedding Blog focusing on real Vegas weddings, elopements plus vendor and venue information. Be sure to Like Us on Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter or Pinterest for more like this!

These rooms were chosen based on their price point, ease of access and the amount of success brides and grooms have had pulling off their own receptions in them. There are a multitude of choices around town though, so be sure to share your favorite suite in the comments!

Mandalay Bay – Vista or Media Suite

Photos, Tour, Floorplans: {Vista Suite, Media Suite}

These are, arguably, the most popular suites for couples to use for DIY reception parties. And well they should be! They’re well priced, it’s fairly easy to cater yourself and the views can be spectacular. The Vista Suite has a slightly better layout the the Media Suite and a larger bar area, but the Media seems to have better sound proofing if you think things will get rowdy. You may be tempted to get the Hospitality Suite, but it’s not recommended. The hotel will almost certainly know you are ONLY hosting a party and will need food and beverage. It could be very difficult to cater this event with anyone but Mandalay Bay’s planners

# of People: Media Suite with 1035 square foot living room area, with seating for 22 people, will hold up to 40 people. Vista Suite with 949 square foot living area: seating for 21 people, will hold around 40 comfortably

Special features: Expansive views of the Strip, pool or south Las Vegas/airport. The Media Suite has a mini theatre room with a huge TV and sound system, plus a bar area. Vista Suite has three huge TVs, a large dining table and bar.

Cost: $480 – 780+

Be aware: Hotel security shows up around 9pm, make sure you have escorts with keycards to get straggler guests up.

Want More? Check out photos of real Vegas insuite receptions held here

MGM Skyline Terrace Suite

Floorplan and Photos

These are newly renovated two-story suites with a nearly 800 square foot open air patio (hence the “terrace” part of the name) showing off the Las Vegas Strip in all its glory. Lots of seating both indoors and out, there are limited amounts of these suites available, making them unbookable online.

Best for: 30 people in a 2086 square foot room, including terrace. The wedding chapel staff told me in March 2013 that they were best for 25 people, though…

Special features: That magnificent outdoor patio! Those views!

Cost: $700-800+

Be aware: Only 14 of these suites available, and they must be booked via phone.

Want More? Check out photos of real Vegas insuite receptions

Photo: Five Hundy by Midnight Flickr Feed

Cosmopolitan Wraparound Terrace Suite

Photos / Floorplans

Cosmopolitan is the Strip’s hipster darling hotel at the moment (April 2013), with their Wraparound Terrace Suites featuring panoramic 480 square foot verandahs sporting views of the Bellagio fountain and Strip, making them an attractive option for wedding ceremonies and proposals. They are a little pricey, but they are beautiful rooms with lots of high tech upgrades. 

Best for: 40 people in this 1680 square foot room (including terrace) Seating for 17

Special features: The huge balcony with coveted Bellagio fountain views. Wine fridge.

Cost: $300-975+

Be aware: The floors the suites are on are keycard access only, so you will need someone to bring guests up to the room. The fairly small casino has quite a bit of security, you might get questioned if you are seen carrying large amounts of booze and party goods up to the room. On the upside, wraparound suites in the east tower might be easy to access with party supplies – it’s a straight shot up from the parking garage to the room

Want More? Check out photos of real Vegas insuite receptions

Mirage Hospitality Suite

Virtual Tour | Floor Plan

At 1105 square feet and on a special floor, the Mirage Hospitality Suite is the perfect setting for guests planning a small gathering. With entertainment in the form of a sound system and DVD player, a dining table for 8 well as a wet bar, these rooms are stylish and open.

Best for: 1105 sq ft, 20-30 people, seating for 15

Special features: Sound bar with USB port and DVD/CD feed with surround sound set up for being your own DJ, 2 large TVs, wet bar and personal fridges. Available in 1 or 2 bedroom versions

Cost: $210-334+

Be aware: This is another hotel with security after 9pm. The suites are on the top two floors of Mirage and require keycard access as well. Only one bedroom Hospitality Suites are available for online booking, to book two bedroom Hospitality Suites you must do so over the phone

Want More? Check out photos of real Vegas insuite receptions

Photo: Five Hundy by Midnight Flickr Feed

The D Suite

Photos

The D hotel was renovated and reopened in 2012 on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. For those who choose to have a ceremony at the Golden Nugget or at another nearby downtown location like Neon Museum, The Smith Center or World Market Center, this would make a great choice for a small post-wedding party. The hotel has a retro Vegas vibe, and the suites reflect this.

Best for: 15-20 people, seating for 10

Special features: A wet bar with 2 fridges, three TVs, and a well located central downtown location

Cost: 159-399

Be aware: Again, the lobby is quite small so be aware when you are bringing supplies up to the room. The elevators are kind of small and slow, too.

Things to keep in mind: these suites are not just for wedding ceremonies or receptions, they would be great for bachelorette or bachelor parties, meet and greets for your guests, post-rehearsal parties, dessert receptions and cake cuttings. I’ve even seen day after wedding brunch spreads!

Be sure to read tips and tricks on hosting your own wedding reception. Or perhaps you prefer to host your wedding at a mansion or private home.

If you are are not set on doing everything yourself, Planet Hollywood’s Apex and Panoramic suites area really fun game-centric rooms with great mid-Strip views. They are only bookable through a coordinator, though, and you must use in house catering. Palms and Hard Rock have AMAZING suites that are super pricey, but offer one of a kind amenities. You could even rent one of the fantasy suites at Caesars Palace, including the same room used in the movie “The Hangover” or the Absolut themed suite.

Another choice is Orleans, which is slightly off Strip. Their Stardust suite is huge and is “free” with the requirement of a $4,000 food and beverage minimum, and must be booked through catering. Probably not so hard to spend since it’s all inhouse catering and liquor, though.

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Photo Credits: Ryan Jackson Photography, MGM Grand, Mirage, Five Hundy by Midnight on Flickr

This post, 5 Great Choices for an In-Suite Reception is from: Little Vegas Wedding a Las Vegas Wedding Blog focusing on real Vegas weddings, elopements plus vendor and venue information. Be sure to Like Us on Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter or Pinterest for more like this!

Omnomnom… guests enjoy a cheese and fruit spread from Whole Foods at a Mandalay Bay in-suite wedding reception. Read more about this wedding!

For couples choosing Las Vegas as a destination wedding location many factors can play a role in the location they choose for their reception. These factors include: budget restraints, a desire for a casual setting and wedding guestlist size.

As a result, many couples end up hosting part of their wedding day festivities in a hotel suite. Luckily, with so many hotel choices, Vegas has many fancy-schmancy options to accommodate small in-suite ceremonies, receptions or post-reception cocktail parties. Heck, even I hosted my post-reception cocktail party in a super-size suite at Mandalay Bay!

These rooms offer VIP views, luxurious amenities and a “high roller” experience which will surely make your event one to remember. It’s also a great option for those on a budget or with smaller groups of people looking for an intimate experience. Here are some weddings on Little Vegas Wedding featuring the reception in a hotel suite!

For those with a bigger budget and those who want it the details taken care of, using the in-hotel wedding or catering planner is probably the easiest – but most expensive – option. Consider the convenience carefully! Going with the in-house team could potentially remove a lot of your more personal touches, as you are at the whims of the in-house catering and beverage menu, and their prices!

If you prefer to go the DIY route, or with the help of an outside party planner, you can control a lot more. The costs can be significantly lower, but there can be a lot of added stress with worries over getting the room ready and getting everyone up there in time, and without attracting attention.

Today we’ll explore the different aspects to take into consideration before you hold your in-suite Vegas wedding reception.

Saddling up to the bar in a Mandalay Bay Hospitality Suite. More on this wedding…

Choosing the Hotel

How many guests do you expect? There are suites that will hold up to a hundred guests, but most will fit 20-40 comfortably.

Stand up or sit down? If you are having a cocktail party, plan on 5 to 6 square feet per person. Remember square footage for Vegas hotel rooms includes the bedroom. Look for suites with a bar to encourage mingling. Most of the suites offer a range of seating instead of tables, so casual stand up cocktail parties are the best option.

Do you have any guests with limited mobility? Vegas hotels may look near to one another on a map, but the distance can be far in fancy footwear or to elderly or young guests.

Looking for VIP amenities and entertainment? Suites vary greatly. Some are upwards of $5000 a night, but can offer your guests a once in a life time experience, from bowling in a suite used by celebrities or an incredible outdoor patio floating high above Vegas. Some suites come with games like foosball or pool tables, others with gorgeous patios and yet others focus more on media and entertainment centres. Some couples hire entertainers to make appearances or to help make their entrance to the party.

Ease of entry. Some hotels have better set ups than others for getting items up to the room without attracting attention. For example, Vdara and MGM Signature have fabulous suites, but they are valet only hotels and have very small lobbies, which might attract unwanted attention if you aren’t going the official route.

Fresh air? At this time, only a few hotels offer open air patios or balconies. If you are really set on this, your selections may be limited.

With seating for 25, the Media Suite has lots of room to mingle. More on this wedding…

Logistics

Consider getting help. Hiring a wedding or party planner will allow you and your guests to enjoy the day much more. Absolute Beverage and Culinary Pros offer hire by the hour bartenders and runners to help you get items to your room, set things up/clean up or serve up beverages during the night. Scheme Events, Green Orchid and various other Vegas wedding planners offer day-of coordination services and will help set up the party. Of course, you could always see if your Cousin Joey is up to the task, too.

Going completely DIY? Keep a careful schedule of all pick up and return times, and all of your rental receipts and such. When the going gets tough, the tough turn to a schedule. And trust me, if you’re ballsy enough to go DIY on this, you’re going to need it.

Dessert reception in a Mandalay Bay Vista Suite. More on this wedding…

Catering

What kind of food do you need? Would you prefer post-reception dinner late night snacks only? A full dinner? Dessert or cake cutting only? Only cocktails? Remember you’ll need to keep the food cool or hot. Popular options for casual catering include Whole Foods, Costco, Jason’s Deli, Masterpiece Catering and Albertson’s.

How much booze do you need? For liquor and bar supplies, Lee’s Liquor is convenient with many locations and great prices. Don’t forget if you want a custom beverage, you might need custom bar tools, too. The Kitchn has a useful post to figure out how much you should buy to drink. Consider the people who many not want or be able to drink as well – a fresh fruity lemonade might be nicer than regular old cola

Don’t forget the ice! Hotel ice machines will not provide the amounts you need without running from floor to floor all night. Just buy it and be done with it.

Let them eat cake. Many Las Vegas bakeries, including Retro Bakery, will deliver cakes or cupcakes right to your hotel suite for a small charge. Totally worth it … that is unless you like melted buttercream. There are lots of other delicious options in Vegas too, like cookies, doughnuts and macarons.

Enough room for dancing in a Mandalay Bay Hospitality Suite. More on this wedding…

Entertainment

How will you entertain your guests? Music is always a great choice, but some rooms come with large screen TVs, pool tables, foosball or other game options. Other couples have had photobooths and dance floors set up (in larger suites.)

Hiring entertainers. For a memorable experience you might consider having an entertainer come to the suite, in the form of an Elvis impersonator, magician, musician or showgirl. In a town of entertainment, the sky is the limit. Another Vegas bride even had Star Wars Stormtroopers and Darth Vader show up!

DIY DJing – Set up your song for your first dance, your favorite tunes and mix in a few Vegas-themed songs from the Ultimate Las Vegas In-Suite Wedding Mix Playlist to play on the in-suite iPod dock or soundsystem. (Note: many hotels are not set up to work with the brand new iPhones)

Using the media in the room. To keep guests busy, you might consider setting up a long photo slideshow of you and your spouse and guests at the party. Many of the newer TVs can be hooked up to phones, computers or even accept USB keys. Some people are just happy watching sports, though.

Budgeting

Staying on budget. To stay on budget, you might consider holding your event Sunday through Wednesday night, when room rates are a bit cheaper. If you find a great deal, don’t be afraid to book a room then release it later. Most rooms are refundable if you cancel them 48 hours ahead of your check-in.

Think of all your costs! Factor in rentals and additional party supplies into your budget and pick ups. Costco and Smart & Final sell disposable cups, plates and cutlery. RSVP Party Rentals and Rebel Party Rentals offer specialty glassware, plates and cutlery, tables as well as lighting, popcorn machines and chocolate fountains and more – everything you might need for a successful party.

How much? For my post-wedding reception afterparty in 2010, we ended up spending about $3500 for deli platters, cake, 2 custom cocktails, wine, beer and a few hard liquor choices (tequila, rum, vodka, whiskey) as well as a bartender for three hours and the Mandalay Bay suite for the night, for 50 people. We had boxes of beer left over that I gave to people in the lobby as we checked out, but ran out of custom cocktails. They were popular!

Media room in the Mandalay Bay Media Suite. More on this wedding…

Decor

Do I need extra decoration? The suites often look great on their own, and the views can be fantastic. You probably will not need much more decoration! If you really want to, spend most of your decor budget on one central spot, like a guestbook table or cake display table, where a photograph of it will make a splash instead of a few sparse items around the room.

Closing Thoughts and Tips

Not every hotel is as open to hosting small parties, so your mileage may vary. Many hotels insist you go through their catering department and some have security which makes it a challenge to get many people up to the room without drawing attention. Tips for pulling off a successful suite party include:

• Getting most of the guests up to the room before 9pm. That magic time is when many hotels post security guards at elevators checking for keycards, making it difficult to get that group of 10 or more people up with you without raising eyebrows. Some other hotel suites are on keycard access only floors – be prepared for this!
• Bring up food and drinks in small batches, hire a company or planner to do it for you or just tip a porter well to bring it up
• Keep the music and noise to a reasonable level
• Make sure you have cash for tips and gratuities! Include a stash of cash to tip housekeeping staff well when you vacate the room, bellmen, or other service staff who help you, including any entertainers, runners or bartenders you hire.
• Bring garbage bags and ice – the hotel will have some, but there will not be enough
• Something not working out perfectly? Improvise – that bathtub makes a great beer cooler and people can sit on the bed if they need to
• Don’t be afraid to move furniture – but move it back after
• Be flexible – your specific room option may not be available on check-in and the room may not be ready at check-in time
• Keep the room tidy – lots of photos will be taken and it will make leaving the next day a lot easier
• These rooms also make great choices for meet and greets, day after brunches, rehearsal meeting spots as well as bachelor and bachelorette parties!

Do you have a tip for anyone planning an insuite reception? Add it in the comments!
And check back tomorrow for a list of five excellent choices for an in-suite reception in Las Vegas!

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Photos: Ryan Jackson & Personal Photos

This post, Tips for Planning a Perfect In-Suite Wedding Reception is from: Little Vegas Wedding a Las Vegas Wedding Blog focusing on real Vegas weddings, elopements plus vendor and venue information. Be sure to Like Us on Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter or Pinterest for more like this!

Earlier today, we got a look at Julia and Bruce’s straight out of a magazine high fashion engagement session on The Strip photographed by Renaissance Studios Photography. Those pictures were super hot and stylish, but the second part of their engagement session is a little bit quirky.

Since Julia and Bruce were planning their wedding at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto to have a musical theme, their photographers Clint and Shawn thought it would be fitting to make the music happen in their engagement session, too.

Now most photographers might find a set of ivories in a piano bar on The Strip and take a few photos at it, but not this intrepid pair. They found a piano on Craigslist and went to go pick up the piano with a rented U-Haul truck. That’s when they found out the rental truck didn’t have a ramp and that upright pianos were very, very heavy.  All ended well though – the piano made it out to the desert, totally surprised the bride and groom and the photos are absolutely fabulous. 

Oh and the piano? It was gifted to a member of staff at Planet Hollywood Resort, where they were staying, much to the recipient’s delight. Now that’s music to this blogger’s ears. 

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 Vendor and Venue Goodness:

Shot on Location at: Valley of Fire State Park / Photographer: Renaissance Studios Photography / Piano, chair, lamp and assorted other props:

This post, Desert Engagement Session in the Key of Awesome {Valley of Fire} is from: Little Vegas Wedding a Las Vegas Wedding Blog focusing on real Vegas weddings, elopements plus vendor and venue information. Be sure to Like Us on Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter or Pinterest for more like this!

It’s not often that I would split up a post of engagement photos, but I felt like this destination engagement session was really two posts in one, they were so different. Look for part two, set in the desert landscape just outside of Vegas publishing later this afternoon!

The first post from Renaissance Studios Photography are all high fashion, and full of editorial style. Shot in the Las Vegas condo of Canadians Julia and Bruce, it’s a perfect ode to the city they love. If you were ever wondering what to wear for your engagement session on the Vegas Strip, it seems white makes a really great foil to the lights and glitz of the casinos!

Be sure to come back later today to see what surprises the photographers had up their sleeves for the desert portion of their photos. It’s a BIG one.

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And as long as I got my suit and tie…

 Vendor and Venue Goodness:

Shot on location at: Caesars Palace, Elara, Las Vegas Boulevard / Photography: Renaissance Studios Photography

This post, A High-Fashion Vegas Engagement Session {The Strip} is from: Little Vegas Wedding a Las Vegas Wedding Blog focusing on real Vegas weddings, elopements plus vendor and venue information. Be sure to Like Us on Facebook or Follow Us on Twitter or Pinterest for more like this!