Holly and Chris are a couple who met through work and decided to get married in Las Vegas because they wanted “a place our guests would remember,” in addition to their wedding. Their wedding day looked like an absolute blast, from the sweet first looks Holly had with her dad and her husband-to-be, to the retro-Vegas shots at the Fun City “pink” Motel which coincidentally matched their wedding palette! Blush pink and gold created a modern, airy and fresh atmosphere at both their ballroom ceremony at Mandarin Oriental and the reception that followed at Joe’s Stone Crab. Simply gorgeous.
 
WHY LAS VEGAS?
I was born and raised in southern California and Chris was born and raised in central Illinois. We both met while serving in the Marine Corps together and just decided Vegas would be a great place for everyone to travel to instead of one of our hometowns. Vegas is so fun and completely different from any city we have been to. We wanted a place our guests would remember … including our wedding!
CHOOSING THE VENUES
I knew I didn’t want anything cheesy. I didn’t want a chapel ceremony or outdoor since it’s so hot in Vegas. I wanted something elegant and classy. I felt that Mandarin Oriental and Joe’s Stone Crab provided that. The process wasn’t easy though. I researched and researched to find the perfect location!
THE CEREMONY — Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas
The ceremony was very romantic! It was a basic room but Mandarin is so beautiful that it didn’t need many decorations. I did have blush uplighting which made the room pop! It was so pretty and flirty. I personally chose all the music myself. Chris and I love music and I knew I wanted something different and unique.
THE RECEPTION — Gigi Room at Joe’s Stone Crab, Caesars Palace
My theme was vintage classic. Not shabby chic vintage, but more Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe. The Gigi room is so romantic and classy! I wanted all my guess to feel special. We only had 35 close friends and family there so we knew the Gigi room would be perfect for that. We also had blush uplighting which changed colors once dancing started. We also had beautiful centerpieces, a wonderful cake and a DJ.
WEDDING DAY CHALLENGES
I felt that everything went smoothly! I knew little things would go wrong but nothing extreme. I think all brides should know that a big event like a wedding won’t be perfect and it’s fine if it’s not. It’s about getting married in front of your best friends and loved ones. The only complaint that I really have is the heat but we knew there was nothing we could do about that, especially since it was the middle of July! We couldn’t take that many pictures outside so we went into a lot of hotel lobbies and in the shaded areas for pictures.
LAS VEGAS WEDDING TIPS FROM HOLLY + CHRIS
Just to do your research. I felt that looking at blogs, websites, TV shows and anything about Vegas helped me with the wedding. I knew where to book hotels, limos, flowers, cake and everything else from the web. We did make a trip about a year before the wedding to look at possible venues which I think made a world if difference. Everything looks different in person!
GUESTCOUNT +Â BUDGET
We planned on a very small wedding of about 20, but it grew to about 45. In the end 35 guests were able to join us, which was the perfect amount! I didn’t really have a budget in mind I just knew I didn’t want to go overboard and worked with a 10k budget. However that jumped to 16k, which was fine with us. That covered everything from my dress, plane tickets, flowers, an amazing dinner service and everything in between. I knew it was money well spent because my guest couldn’t stop talking about the food!! The only splurge I had was the ceremony flowers that I ordered through Mandarin Oriental but they were so big and beautiful!
VENDOR + VENUE DETAILS :
PHOTOGRAPHER . Unposed Photography
CEREMONY VENUE . Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas
RECEPTION VENUE . Gigi Room at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab
OFFICIANT . Rev. William McFarland III / DAY OF COORDINATION . Archel Rowling Events / FLORAL . The Palette / Ceremony Flowers: Mandarin Oriental / CAKE . Hott Cakez / BRIDAL FASHION . dress – David Tutera, Frew’s Bridal / HAIR + MAKEUP . Stevee Danielle / BRIDESMAIDS . Frew’s Bridal / TRANSPORTATION . Las Vegas Limo / STATIONERY + PAPER GOODS . Champagne Press / ENTERTAINMENT + LIGHTING . Bliss Entertainment