We’re getting hitched. Now the question is, why might we pick Vegas as our Celebration of Love location?
What is it about “Sin City” that makes me say, “Yup! That’s where I want to have my wedding!”?
Well, you know – it is the Marriage Capital of the country (I wonder where is the Marriage Capital of the World? How does one even determine those things? Perhaps it is simply self-declared. Perhaps I’ll look up some research…)
In the meantime, I’m going to trust my Lyft driver’s statement as fact.
So why do people like to get married in Vegas?
Well, first of all, it’s fun.
And infinite possibilities.
We’ve already been having a blast narrowing it down, feeling out prices of venues and restaurants and resorts. It’s been a great excuse to start traveling again, especially when we are able to go mid-week for incredibly cheap.
Take this next trip, our 3rd Venue Recon, it was just $65/person for flights, plus we can stay at a comped room for just $50/night in resort fees.
It can get pricey quick, though, if you let it. The food is easily $25/person per meal, and that’s not including drinks. And drinks, if you want to pay for one, is easily $20 a pop too. So, for a single meal you’re easily spending upwards of $100 for two.
That’s where it’s key to get creative.
Find a game you like, and play it!
Get that free drink the comped reward for putting in your money, and saying, “hey, I’m gonna place a bet on me, and at the very least, hopefully, have fun and drink for free.”
Of course, it’s important to remember that gambling is designed for the casino to win. Even giving your free beverages of your choice is a way to help you lose your money to them. (And I’m not talking about tipping the servers, always tip!)
That’s where your personal creative strategy comes in.
And, your pre-Vegas research.
For example, I’ve recently learned that each casino and each game has different payout options, and they change on different days and times of day. For example, at the Cosmopolitan’s Chandelier Bar, I sat down to do a little Video Blackjack to earn a free drink at a swanky, vibin’ place. Turns out – minimum bets are $1. Which doesn’t sound like much, until you realize how fast Video Blackjack can go.
Luckily, I had a Vegas-noob moment and tried to use the wrong rewards card in the machine. Phew! No free drink, but also no accidental spending of way more than my anticipated “Blackjack for a free drink” budget.
We’ve always loved to travel, so a destination wedding feels in line with “us.” Why not a destination in the US, that’s easy for all to access? Another great reason for Vegas. (This is us, in Amsterdam, circa 2015).
And back to the research – gaining a basic understanding of the games, and the strategies that go along with them, is a way to set yourself up for success.
And what is success in Vegas?
Well, that’s up to you! But here’s what it is for me:
To have fun. To allow myself to spend money on play. To try to get free drinks. To enjoy the vibrant energy, the optimism and hope that comes with that one tantalizing possibility… to Win Big. To go home with more than you came with, to place your bets and have them pay-off, your luck, your chance, your choice to show up and partake in the gamble of life.
Okay, I got a little philosophical there.
But seriously, this is about fun. And, yes, the best fun has a level of responsibility too. And that’s where research, mental prep, and visualizing your trip comes in.
This is something I learned in middle school from my parents ~ the power of visualization to help day-to-day things happen. From getting the perfect parking spot to a week-long trip flowing flawlessly, taking a little time each day to see things through, work through the hiccups, and harmonize the future reality with how you feel inside.
So that’s my round-about “why” on getting married in Vegas.
Because for us, this is about organizing a grand Celebration of Love. To have fun, with the entire experience, and to have fun with our friends and family, planning an event that is unlike any we’ve attended, tapping into a city’s energy that is full of life, possibilities, and endless ways to enjoy each other’s company.
Here’s to savoring the journey,
Top photo from the Neon Museum.
