Obviously, I love to publish in-suite weddings on Little Vegas Wedding. The endless combinations of amazing suites with personalization makes them so fun! Mike and Sarah did things the DIY way and had planned their wedding to be a party right from the start, making the suite a great choice. They picked one of the coolest ones in Las Vegas to have their reception in, the retro Vegas Stardust Suite at Orleans, following a garden ceremony at Flamingo.
Why Sarah and Michael Chose Las Vegas
We wanted our wedding to be both an intimate affair and a wild party. We wanted a wedding location that worked for our tight budget but made us feel like VIPs. And most importantly we wanted an afterparty that was casual but that our guests would be talking about long after we came home to Boston. Vegas seemed like the obvious choice!
Ceremony – Flamingo Gazebo Chapel
We took a limo from the Bellagio to the Flamingo (we had already done our “First Look†photos in the elevator bay on our floor). We showed up to the ceremony site a little early (we even had time for a quick beer in the lobby while we were waiting for directions to the gardens!) so we were able to take our time and get some additional photos before guests arrived.
We met our officiant who was very down to earth and professional. We called Mike’s mom via FaceTime, who wasn’t able to travel to Vegas for the wedding, so she got to witness the ceremony after all. I walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of “Whatever It Is†by Zach Brown Band, one of our favorite songs. The ceremony itself was short and sweet, between 10 and 15 minutes.
After we were pronounced man and wife and had our first married kiss, Mike took two pairs of sunglasses out of his jacket pocket and we walked back down the aisle donning our shades.
Reception – Stardust Suite in The Orleans
The Stardust Suite at the Orleans is amazing and absolutely huge. Part of our package included overnight accommodations of the adjoining Presidential suite, so when we opened the doors between the two suites, we had 5000 square feet of party space! They had a dance floor set up for us and DJ Godzilla playing every song on our playlist; open bar for the night with Adrian the bartender taking great care of everyone; taco bar and hors d’oeuvres set up along the windows; Monday Night Football playing on the flat screen TVs scattered across the room.
Tracy, our photographer, set up an unofficial “photo booth†in one corner with a turquoise sequined backdrop. The views of The Strip from the small balcony were unbelievable. We used the Presidential Suite to set up a table for the Welcome Bags, and we took a TON of fun pictures in there. We didn’t have a typical wedding reception: there were no planned first dances, no wedding cake, no tossing of the bouquet or any speeches. However we did do several group tequila shots and lots of group photos! (Editor’s Note: And a pretty awesome pillow fight, it looks like!)
Favorite Memory
We didn’t have an announced first dance as a married couple, but when our wedding song came on, we knew what to do. Mike and I were across the room from each other but as soon as DJ Godzilla started playing “Whatever It Isâ€, we rushed to meet each other on the dance floor for our “impromptu†first dance.
DIY Details
This wedding was full of DIY details and handmade touches! I spent over forty hours glueing 3000 individual Swarovski crystals to a pair of shoes with blue soles to get that Louboutin look. The bouquets were handmade by the me and a friend out of feathers, crystals and ribbon. Welcome bags were created for each of the 46 guests and were packed full of very useful items: wedding activities, area info, and a Hangover Helper package with Advil, heartburn medicine, Emergen-C packs, gum and bottled water, plus a thank you note.
Sarah and Michael’s #1 tip for other couples planning a Vegas Wedding
Laugh at the things that don’t go as planned. The order of our wedding songs got messed up; the limo buses forgot us (the bride and groom!) at the ceremony site and had to turn back. Things go wrong. But you know what? Those are what make every wedding unique and memorable. Besides, every bride needs a picture of herself jokingly thumbing for a ride in her wedding dress!
Sarah and Michael’s Guestcount and BudgetÂ
The wedding party had 48 guests and the end budget was about $8000
Vendor and Venue Details:Â
Photographer: Tracy Sloboda, friend to the couple / Ceremony Venue: Gazebo Chapel at Flamingo Las Vegas / Reception Venue: Stardust Suite at The Orleans / Wedding Coordinator: Pamela Eddy from The Orleans / Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo with alterations and Alfred Angelo sash / Hair + Makeup: Melissa of Amelia C & Co. / Groom’s Suit + Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse, inspired by Bradley Cooper’s look in “The Hangover†/ Feather Bouquets: DIY / Catering: The Orleans / Celebrant: Reverend Maria Romano of Love Knots / Entertainment: DJ Godzilla / Stationery: Mean Maharani / Transport: Bell Trans / LED Ice Cubes: Glowproducts.com / Swarovski Crystals: Rhinestonebiz.com
Ohhhh myyyyy goodness! I want your exact wedding!! How much fun and you look fab!
Great job! Email me if you can so I can get more deets.
Going to look for venue on holloween.
Cerenity. Let me know how your search progreses, as we probably want the same thing.
We actually are all booked for 10/16/15 at Flamingo and StarDust with the Double Decker Bus as our transportation between venues for roughly 60-70 people.
Your wedding looks like so much fun! We are in the process of planning a destination wedding to Vegas now. Do you think the Stardust could accommodate up to 70ppl (with the pres. suite included)?