Hindsight is 20/20, so they say. Looking back, I am happy to tell you there would have been many things I would have changed about my wedding day.

I would have reconfirmed the day before with the hairstylist that never showed, I would have made time for breakfast with my dad despite schedule changes and I would have brought water to my Neon Museum shoot. What were we thinking? I’ll tell you that first drink at our Border Grill reception never tasted so good, though!

Vegas Wedding Mistakes to Avoid| Little Vegas Wedding
The exact moment my photographer delivered the news that my husband had lost his pants, just 15 minutes ahead of our wedding

So, what would real Vegas brides and grooms who have gone through a wedding in Sin City have changed about their wedding? Lots of things, it seems. If you are a regular reader of The Knot Las Vegas forum, you will recognize some of the names sharing their wisdom, since these brides and grooms were kind enough to contribute their advice based on their wedding experiences. Added in are a few from LVW’s Facebook page.

A little perspective is a good thing from time to time, and sometimes we can get so stuck on one idea, it’s hard to imagine changing it. Hopefully you find this advice useful, especially if you are struggling with some decisions in your Vegas wedding planning.


PICKED A COOLER DRESS
I would find a simple short dress! I love my dress, but it is heavy and we are getting married in July. What the hell was I thinking with this huge dress?? - ssteele04

I would’ve picked a smaller dress for sure. - missmo14

If I had to do it again I might have picked one of the two-piece convertible gowns. Those look awesome. – KrisLSmiley

AVOIDED TOO MANY VENUES
I would have picked one venue for everything! I wouldn’t have arranged to host so many pre-wedding parties and events
. - missmo14

PREPARED FOR A LOT OF WALKING
Shoes! I would have had more comfortable shoes!!
- samiam125

GOTTEN A HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST ALL TO YOURSELF 
Do not book all of your girls with the same makeup and hair artist as you! It’s too many women in one room and you will be late. Book your own and only invite 1-2 others (that can stay calm and help you) to join. Anyone that can’t handle stress should not be allowed in the same room as you the morning of. – Kari P

EATEN BREAKFAST
I wish my husband and I had gone out for breakfast/coffee the morning off, as I was too nervous to eat! - Courtney B.J.

PREPARED FOR THE HEAT
I would not have scheduled my Strip tour for 4:00pm, since it was like 100 degrees in June.
- lauraaustin2003

I would not have ordered a cake. It was horrible and, honestly, after all the courses, plus the heat in July, I wouldn’t have had room for it anyway. – spoon1984

MADE TIME FOR PHOTOS
Don’t forget to take pictures with key people and do it early. Just grab your photographer and walk around the room. I missed out on many photos with people that I love
. - mistiqnunu

I wish I had taken more casual photos with my sisters while we were getting ready. There’s some great individual shots, but we were rushing to finish everything so we weren’t late! – Courtney B.J. 

BOOKED A VIDEOGRAPHER
We had an Elvis officiant and he was so funny and entertaining, I wish we had a recording to remember everything by! – kellamity

USED A HASHTAG
We asked guests post photos of everything and use a hashtag! From their travels to Vegas, to events on The Strip and anything from the wedding. I loved how connected our guest felt using the hashtag because we could all see each other’s fun photos! – Kari P

REALIZED VEGAS WEDDINGS = HANGOVERS
We should not have booked a day after brunch. Worst idea ever. Not just for us, but pretty much all of our guests. I DO not recommend one if you think your reception is going to get wild, and especially if you are going the DIY route and have to do things like return rental cars, glassware and clean up the party suite the next morning.
 – Kelly, Little Vegas Wedding

NOT CONSIDER THE DAY’S TIMELINE
Would have liked to do more pictures but due to our ceremony being between 4pm and 4:30pm, the sun ended up going down at 5:30pm.
– connor1975

I would not recommend having your wedding before 4pm. We had an 11am wedding with a lunch buffet, but most of our guest were hungover, tired or not ready to drink. Around 1, some people started to dance and get in the mood, but it was tough getting the energy out of people that were partying in Vegas the previous night. – Kari P

ROCK OUT WITH YOUR FROCK OUT
I wish I had not changed out of my dress before we hit the hotel bar, since let’s be serious: when am I ever going to wear it again?! – Courtney B.J. 


I also want to point out this post on the Scheme Events blog that details some of the mishaps and problems they successfully navigated at Las Vegas weddings they planned. Funny in retrospect, but probably really stressful at the time!

Photo: Ryan Jackson

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