Spring is a time for love and the Las Vegas wedding industry is
geared up, ready and waiting for thousands of visitors to tie the
knot.
The appeal, of course, is the low-cost, no-hassle,
throw-caution-to-the-wind aspect of a Las Vegas wedding where
couples can go from “will you?” to “I do” in a matter of hours.
Increasingly, however, couples are planning elaborate events
bringing the family and friends along for a fun-filled elopement
and they are looking for something unusual as well as romantic.
The city where anything goes can fill that wish and with something
a lot more unusual than a drive-through ceremony in a luxury car or
a serenade by a faux Elvis.
In fact, clients can get married just about anywhere, in any
situation or costume they desire as long as they are willing to pay
the price. Following are a few suggestions.
Beam Me Up
Your clients can boldly go where few have gone before and get
married on the bridge of the USS Enterprise at Star Trek the
Experience in the Las Vegas Hilton. Wedding packages start at $500
for the Junior Officer Wedding officiated by Star Fleet Officer and
attended by a Borg, a Klingon or a Ferengi. (And next to those
guests, the bride is guaranteed to look good no matter what.)
The bridge will accommodate up to 45 guests. Several packages are
available up to $3,000 for the Admiral’s Wedding that includes 70
photos on CD, a video, flowers, four Star Trek characters in
attendance, champagne, gift shop certificates and 30 free tickets
to the Experience. All packages include discount tickets for all
guests.
The Experience also offers two-hour receptions in Quark’s Bar and
Restaurant starting at $150 plus $35 per person with a minimum of
10 people. There are tons of options and add-ins. The event can be
as simple or as elaborate as the Trekkie’s heart desires. The
Experience offers agents and brokers a discounted rate for weddings
and catering that can be marked up for the client.
702-697-8750
www.startrekexp.com
Out of This World
Outside Las Vegas, weddings can be held in a spot so
exotic it has been used as an outer-space location for movies.
Sandy Scott of the Las Vegas Wedding Bureau said Valley of Fire
State Park, about an hour north of Las Vegas, is the most popular
of the many outdoor wedding locations the company offers.
“Weddings out there are very beautiful,” Scott said. “Every time
you go out there you see something different.”
The area is famous for its colorful and unusual rock formations. A
natural red sandstone arch serves as a wedding alter.
Clients can tailor the event to fit almost any budget. The Valley
of Fire packages start at $1,750. The company can also cater a
reception in the park. Other possible locations include Red Rock
Canyon, Hoover Dam and Mt. Charleston. Or, clients can enjoy a
sunrise ceremony in a hot-air balloon.
The Las Vegas Wedding Bureau offers a set menu of travel agent
commissions that work out to around 15 percent. The commission on
the basic Valley of Fire ceremony is $250.
702-933-3464, 800-823-4095
www.702weddings.com
Ahoy Mate!
How about a wedding on a Pirate Ship? Treasure Island
offers a wedding at the lagoon out front that serves as the
location for the “Sirens of TI” show at night.
The guests assemble on the outdoor boardwalk, as the groom and best
man board a pirate ship and cruise into the setting. Then, the
bride arrives via rose-covered staircase.
It’s known as the Enchantment Package and costs from $1,999 to
$2,999. The basic package includes the ceremony, officiate,
flowers, music and photo package.
For an added fee, pirates from the Sirens show will serve as
witnesses and, for a little more, a pirate will swoop down from the
crows nest to deliver the rings.
702-894-7700, 800-866-4748
www.treasureisland.com
The beauty of a Las Vegas wedding is that clients can have the
bachelor party, ceremony, reception and honeymoon in the same city
and the guests can enjoy a world of entertainment options. No
wonder more than 120,000 weddings are held in the city every
year.
| LOSE THE RED TAPE
Getting married in Las Vegas is easy too easy some might say.
There’s no waiting period, no blood tests, no nothing. Clients can
jump right in save the regrets for later.
Many hotels offer special services, promotions and packages, and
generally these are commissionable for agents.
Here’s the basics:
Qualifications: The couple must be a man and a woman over the age
of 18. It is best if they aren’t close blood relatives. Proof of
age may be required but, so far, no proof of gender or lack of
relation are needed. (They will take your word for it.)
License: Both members of the bridal couple must appear downtown at
the Clark County Marriage Bureau (200 S. 3rd St.). The office is
open 8 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m.
Friday until midnight Sunday and 24 hours on holidays. (Hint:
Clients should expect long lines on Valentine’s Day and
holidays.)
Fees: $55
702-455-4415 www.co.clark.nv.us
|
