Vegas Plans are Commencing [Archive]

DecknAshley68

09-24-2009, 10:37 PM

My nervous meter has hit the extreme side!!! On the vent posts, I posted a comment on the upset we have had for the prior 2+ years and the prospect of our Vegas wedding idea. Well, here we are today.

We have the deposit paid for the hair/airbrush makeup package booking done today with the Glamsquad702. They were recommend by Rondee from the Little Chapel of the Flowers. We are still working out a few q's we have with her, but we are going to be paying our deposit for wedding date 5/19/2010 tomorrow.

Guess I am nervous for a couple different reasons. I have barely been out of my state my whole life. So, the Vegas trip is exciting but scarey. We had formally committed to the traditional wedding idea which was all paid for in full with very little money back--so that part of it, the money part, is really freaking me out!! And, we have a date set for the second time--full committment. This will be my second marriage and my FH's first. Having been divorced--it makes me a bit nervous. I take the vows seriously, but yet, I am divorced. So, how serious do you take them if you can walk away from someone in the first place? Is this just wedding jitters or is it something else?

Anyways, we are getting solid plans set for Vegas next May. We are gonna use the Little Chapel of the Flowers for our place. No hotel yet, have ideas on entertainment, no ideas on food yet--anybody here have suggestions on hotels and food that are on the inexpensive side but good for honeymooners--please give us a heads up!! We are hoping to stay for 12 nights, 13 days--all depends on our budget savings between now and next March. A BIG thanks to the posters here, you all are the reason we chose to pick the Chapel of the Flowers, as it was so highly recommended!! You all put me at ease with the recommendations and experiences. I have no doubt we have picked a wonderful locale for us!! Thanks again everybody!

gwenshack

09-24-2009, 10:53 PM

Glamsquad 702 did my makeup and they did a great job. Ask for James, if you can. He did mine and he also did hair and makeup for another (former?)member, Neebelung, who got married in the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.
Here are her pics
http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?t=21288

As for hotel reservations, you probably shouldn't try to make any arrangements until 2 to 3 months out. Hotels price REALLY high this far out and then they lower the rate the closer it gets. Sign up for e-mail offers on the websites of the hotels you are interested in and they'll send you info all the time about specials being run. You can also check websites like www.smartervegas.com (http://www.smartervegas.com) for promo codes for certain hotels, but, again, promo codes only come out 2 months or so before the dates they are good for.

As for food on the less expensive side, there are of course chain restaurants that can fufill for you for some of the meals - things like Margaritaville, Toby Keith's, etc - but for a special meal that's on the less expensive side you might want to try Mon Ami Gabi at Paris, which has a lovely patio that overlooks the Bellagio fountains.
http://www.monamigabi.com/vegas
Also, a lot of the nicer restaurants are running specials right now on prix fixe menus, that allow you to eat at nicer restaurants for less. This is due to the economy so you might want to check on these kinds of specials as the time draws closer. But, for right now, you can keep an eye on this website. It's pretty helpful.
http://www.lasvegasrestaurants.com/theme.cfm/theme/22/PrixFixeMenu
If you click on "special offer", which is a gray box in each of the restaurants' boxes, it'll let you know what kind of deals they are running right now. Hope that helps.

Anyway, I'll shut up now. I have a major Vegas obsession. I didn't just get married there, I go like 4 times a year and would move there if I could! LOL :star:

DecknAshley68

09-24-2009, 11:30 PM

Thank you so much for the info and links--I will check all of them out and add them to my favorites so I don't loose them too!:star:

Don't worry about all the info or the Vegas obsession--your insight and experience first hand helps those of us who are planning to go but don't know where to look for deals or even how the places are or how the service is. It is great to have recommendations from someone who really KNOWS all about it. Makes it a safe plan for everybody else.

Ok--I will shut up now and check out your links!! Thanks again, this has been wonderful to find this site and get the gutts to post on here--everyone on here has been great!:hearts:

gwenshack

09-24-2009, 11:36 PM

lilmsjess

09-24-2009, 11:39 PM

DecknAshley68

09-24-2009, 11:53 PM

Anyway, I'll shut up now. I have a major Vegas obsession. I didn't just get married there, I go like 4 times a year and would move there if I could! LOL :star:

Hot **** girl!! You have just given me such a relief!!! This is such a great start for me to begin my planning with. Thank you so much for the links...there are actually promos at a few hotels for the dates we are looking at already, would you believe??? Can't thank you enough for the starter!

Also, those wedding shots of needlbug are so sweet--gets me in the mood for mine! I really love her dress, that was beautiful and the shark reef is a place we would love to visit while we are there. I bet she and her husband had such a great time! Thanks for the heads up on the Glamsquad too. I talked to Chad on the phone today, he sounds like such a sweet guy and told me that it will probably be James providing my service, if not James then he will be my man. One of the guys will be coming to my hotel room to pamper me! Can you believe?? I have never had that kind of treatment before. Chad was telling me to let it be my day and live it up and enjoy it. I am the complete opposite of a Bridezilla, I am too worried about everybody around me having what they need to make them comfortable and happy before I worry about myself. Even my former MOH took 4 hours trying on dresses, cutting into my wedding dress time by 2 hours, left me with a rush in 1 hour. I was upset and annoyed by it, but I never said anything to her and let her have her fun. She is not much of a dress person, wanted her to have a good time too. Unfortunately, she forgot the purpose of the dress day. I asked Chad in my email and on the phone, where ever you would like to do the service is fine, whatever is easiest for you. He thought I was nuts--do it in the room, why have to pack up and travel? It should be my day, be the Bride!! I have not had anyone around me yet treat me like it is my day or make me feel like the important Bride-to-be. It took a complete stranger over the phone to get me that excited and be like--heck ya...I am the Bride, it is my turn for some happiness too!! Well, there is a Groom, I can't forget about him. Gotta figure out a way to get him in on some pampering since I am doing this hair/makeup package. Any suggestions???

DecknAshley68

09-25-2009, 12:01 AM

i think gwen had mentioned it before, but if you're not a gambler, staying 12 days might be a PITA...

BUT, what you could do, is spend the night before, and night of, your wedding in vegas. then go to reno, then maybe lake tahoe...are you driving? it might be more costworthy to drive, because you won't have to worry about a rental car...or, if you're up for it, you could always rent a really neat car and drive that...vegas flights ARE fairly cheap, depending on times...BUT, you'll still need to rent a car. maybe if you drove, you could do a "road trip honeymoon"...like, drive straight there, but then on the way home, scout out before hand neat places to stop!

To start...what is PITA (not good with acronyms yet) :blink:

Anyways, we are driving--pray the car doesn't break down either way!! We have a savings reserve specifically for road trip emergencies on the side, just for planning sake. We had looked around on the net for entertainment ideas and have seen, so far, day and nighttime stuff that could occupy us for at least 5 days or so. 12 days is long, but we desperately need a vacation. The suggestions of driving elsewhere to see other sites might be a good idea. I am pretty much in charge of all the planning, reservations, the whole nine on my own--feel pretty overwhelmed with the idea. It is easy to put together an itinerary in class for a fake trip for a boss, but to do your own--scary!! We are in Colorado and my FH tells me that we will be driving through the Salt Flats or something like that-that last hours and is for the longest drive of your life. Not sure what is between here and Vegas to see.

I do and will take in any suggestions though. So, please give up some ideas and if you got web links, that makes it so much better!! Thanks a bunch...

gwenshack

09-25-2009, 12:07 AM

DecknAshley68

09-25-2009, 12:13 AM

Yes! I do have a suggestion to pamper the man!
Obviously I've never been here myself but I've heard nothing but good things about this place.
http://www.theartofshaving.com/taos6/barber-spa.php?trk=footer

I had to laugh...thank you so much for the recommendation--if I had a normal FH, that would be perfect!! Unfortunately, this guy has the full beard and mustache going with hair longer than mine!! I know for sure that Locks of Love would kill to get their hands on his hair, he has the thickest hair I have ever seen. Basically, this a man with beautiful locks but could pass for the classic hunter look 24/7/365. He would kill me if I reserved him a package like this!! The spa idea in itself sounds pretty good though--maybe I could at least get him a massage or something set up? He does physical labor and working on the scrap is really hard on him. He tore apart and loaded over 66,000 pounds of scrap metal last summer to pay for our former wedding plans, and is currently taking in what little we have left over the next couple months.

He would tell me no spa stuff for him, but I am in charge of booking everything, so if it is booked, reserved, paid for--he can't welch on me, right?!

gwenshack

09-25-2009, 12:18 AM

That's hilarious!
But I think a massage would be a great idea. The awesome thing about Vegas is that nearly every hotel has its own spa and pretty much every spa tech is quite good at what they do. Every spa is trying to one up the others so they're not going to hire anybody bad. I've had more than my fair share of awesome massages in Sin City. So you could totally just book one for him in whatever hotel you end up choosing. ;)

DecknAshley68

09-25-2009, 12:48 AM

Looking for entertainment under one of the links you gave me, great discounts and lots of info!! Anyways, came across "adult" entertainment and found Stripper101. Thought it was a show, but discovered that is an ongoing class for the ladies. Might be something fun for me to try while he gets occupied on something else while we are there? Have you heard of that and what do you think?:coolblue:

gwenshack

09-25-2009, 12:52 AM

Yes, I've heard of it. They have it at Planet Hollywood. I've never taken it, but I dug up some reviews for you. :)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/stripper-101-las-vegas

http://las-vegas-hotels.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g45963-d552971-Reviews-Stripper_101-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html

Doesn't seem to get bad reviews from anyone!

lilmsjess

09-25-2009, 01:04 AM

To start...what is PITA (not good with acronyms yet) :blink:

P=Pain
I=In
T=The
A=A$$

lol.....hmmm. colorado? lemme check...i got this on someone else's blog lol...they were travelling from denver to san diego...
Rocky Mountains onto Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Salt Lake City, Bryce canyon, Grand Canyon...another woman mentioned hoover dam, and some hot springs out near pueblo colorado...also, idk know where you are, but me and my 1st x-hub renewed our vows on lover's lane in pueblo...you might be able to try and look around online to see if you can find it...if nothing else, you might be able to take some pics of yourselves! a way me and fh broke up the monotony of a road trip, was pulling into every town, and doing something...wether going to walmart, or lunch...whatever...not just that, we didn't do fast food on roadtrips. we do now, we have kids lol...but before we had the baby, we'd plan our trip around certain meal times, so that way we'd be able to try different resteraunts in different areas...have ya'll thought about actually driving over to california, and going to the beach? another thing, you could always rent a vacation home, rather than hotels...
http://www.vrbo.com/100766
http://www.vrbo.com/113078
http://www.vrbo.com/160047

those are just a few...BUT you can also check bed and breakfasts!how many people are you expecting? the reason i ask, is sometimes, you can find BNB's with elopement services(or up to 10-20 people), sometimes free if just 2 people(you find a minister and you pay that)...also, when i was looking at vegas, i was looking at getting married at a BNB...much nicer, without the rush! chapels book back to back...but, we didn't find many actually inside vegas...that wasn't too good, we wanted to be in town...

lilmsjess

09-25-2009, 01:05 AM

DecknAshley68

09-25-2009, 01:22 AM

P=Pain
I=In
T=The
A=A$$

Thanks for the help on the acronym!! A newbie big time, right?!

FH looked at the comment and has no idea on where Bryce Canyon is. Also, after explaining where these places are located--he said that would be a lot of driving, he falls asleep easy, and he isn't sure our suburban would last that long...;) But, the bed n breakfast would be an excellent idea for the trip to and from Vegas for sure!! I have never even been to Colorado Springs and they have a few places there I would love to see. That is worth checking into with your ideas. Might be worth shortening the Vegas thing to maybe 5-7 days and spending a couple days in Colo Springs? Any ideas on places within a straight shot between Denver and Vegas we could check out or in Colo Springs? I always look at the links too--Thanks a bunch!!

gwenshack

09-25-2009, 01:31 AM

Thanks for the help on the acronym!! A newbie big time, right?!

FH looked at the comment and has no idea on where Bryce Canyon is. Also, after explaining where these places are located--he said that would be a lot of driving, he falls asleep easy, and he isn't sure our suburban would last that long...;) But, the bed n breakfast would be an excellent idea for the trip to and from Vegas for sure!! I have never even been to Colorado Springs and they have a few places there I would love to see. That is worth checking into with your ideas. Might be worth shortening the Vegas thing to maybe 5-7 days and spending a couple days in Colo Springs? Any ideas on places within a straight shot between Denver and Vegas we could check out or in Colo Springs? I always look at the links too--Thanks a bunch!!

The drive alone between Denver and Vegas is just breathtaking and amazing. That was my favorite part of cross country trips! If you're taking the 70 you'll head through the mountains (to this day those are some of the best/most beautiful pics I've ever taken), pass through Grand Junction, on through Utah and the northwest corner of Arizona before heading down the 15, into the beautiful desert, toward Vegas.
You could always stop in Vail - you'd pass right through there...

Invitations4LessJoyce

09-25-2009, 08:50 PM

I know you're concerned about long driving days, but if you have twelve days, I think you could make it work. I'm from Northern AZ and have done a lot of driving in the areas of NV and Colorado, and some in Utah.
Bryce Canyon is awesome! Only spent about half a day there and wish we could have done more. Zion is also very pretty. We've stayed in cabins there that are, um, rustic, but it's so secluded and quiet and beautiful.
If it were me, I'd plan a trip in a big circle with Vegas in the middle. Leave from CO and go through Utah, hitting the sights along the way, then spend about four nights in Vegas, maybe five, but I think that is enough, then drive through northern AZ on your way back home. Las Vegas to Flagstaff is literally only about four hours. The south rim of the Grand Canyon is just an hour and a half north of Flagstaff (if you want to go to the National Park portion) and Sedona, remarkable in its own right, is just 45 minutes south of Flagstaff. You could spend two nights in that area before heading on towards Albuquerque and Santa Fe (Albuquerque is about 5 hours east of Flagstaff and Santa Fe is an hour north of Albuquerque). Santa Fe is probably more charming/interesting than Albuquerque, but also probably pricier. Albuquerque is a six and a half - seven hour drive to Denver.
I'm not sure exactly where you are in CO, but that should give you an idea, as long as you are in the Denver area or know how long it would take you to get from Denver to home.
Of course, another option from AZ would be to go through Cortez, CO and see Mesa Verde then Durango, then pass through the southwestern portion of the state and possibly hit the Canon City area. Your choices are many and you have lots of time, so make the most of it!

DecknAshley68

09-30-2009, 10:53 PM

No problem. :) As you get further in your planning and see things of interest to you, please feel free to hit me up for opinions and reviews and more suggestions...especially with hotels - I've been in all of them and stayed in a lot of them.

Got a q for you--We have booked the Stratophere for the entire trip, may 16-may 27. We got the Luxury Grand Suite at a huge discount. Maria, from the Stratosphere, said that with such a deep discount, she would have to put us on a lower floor. So, not sure what to expect there, bad view, close to a noisy pool? But, we figure we would try that $20 sandwich thing we keep reading about to request the same room but with a higher floor level and a good strip view. You think that would work? We wanted a nice suite so that we could have a wet bar with a fridge. And, having a dining table in there helps with cutting a wedding cake in the room. Read reviews on it and they are mostly good--but depends on where we are looking, otherwise it is 50/50. So, we are very hopeful that things go well. If you have stayed there, especially in that kind of room--we are desperate for pics!! We have looked and looked for pics of that particular style room and can't find any.

One thing, we don't need the rides!! I am quickly discovering they are popular for the thriller rides--Thriller is right!! NOT for us. We both have horrible motion sickness and he can't ride rides anyways. "Liquid Courage" aint gettin' me on those things--no way, not happenin!! lol

Also, if you have suggestions on how to get tickets for shows that would be great. Do we order tickets between now and then or wait until we are there? Could we get discounts or something by waiting? And, we heard about coupon books, how do we get one of those? One last q, we got an email reservation confirmation--but it doesn't show the room type, the full balance, or the deposit amount. It just has the arrival/departure dates, the 1st night room rate and $ amount for that night(in those words), and the policies (generic). Should we have a formal detailed reservation from them that lists the type of room or the billing costs related to it? Thanks for any assistance you can offer--

gwenshack

09-30-2009, 11:23 PM

You booked the Stratosphere? I guess I misunderstood! I thought that you all were booking into the Flamingo.
The Strat is okay in terms of the room and all, but the location is less than desirable. It's not in the nicest area (they have been making a lot of efforts to clean up around there though), and it's not walkable to the main part of the strip. It is on Las Vegas Blvd but it's 2 miles North of what is typically considered "the Strip", so you will probably have to take cabs in order to get anywhere.
I'm glad that you got what you wanted out of a room though! The hotel itself is quite impressive (and tall!).

As for the $20 trick, there's a lot of debate about that. There's even a website devoted to tracking how often it works at certain hotels! There's really no evidence that it works - you can, of course, try it, but just asking nicely upon check-in if it would be possible to be a higher floor because you're on your honeymoon and have never been to Vegas before you'll have just as much of a chance as the $20 trick IMO. I know several people in the hospitality industry who sort of think the $20 trick is insulting, and I can sort of see why. It's basically viewed as a bribe by some.

I'm sure your e-mail confirmation is fine - although if you're uncertain that your room type is guaranteed you can always call them to confirm. People do it every day and that won't think anything of it. ;)

Coupon Books -
There is a coupon book in the monorail stations. Taxi cabs have a magazine in them called 24/7 that usually has some coupons. Many casino hotels give some sort of coupons to their guests. I believe Stratosphere does. Some of the hotels will give you some coupons if you sign up for their players card. There are coupons in the tourist magazines in most hotel rooms. There is something called the American Casino Guide, but that's paid membership only to get their coupons. Most of the coupons are pretty worthless, to be honest. I wouldn't spend too much time trying to get them.

In terms of show tickets - this place http://www.tix4tonight.com/ has locations all around Las Vegas - the closest one to the Strat (I think) is at Fashion Show Mall on the corner of LV Blvd and Spring Mountain Rd. There's no guarantee what they'll have on a daily basis. It's first come first serve and a lot of people get up first thing in the morning to raid whatever cheap tickets are available.

If there's something you REALLY want to see you should buy the tickets in advance. Otherwise there are no guarantees. You can always check out www.vegas.com (http://www.vegas.com) sometimes they offer discounts on show tickets. As does www.fatwallet.com (http://www.fatwallet.com) on occasion.

cpatterson19

09-30-2009, 11:25 PM

When checking into your room don't be afraid to ask for a room with a better view or on a higher floor. Have the groom do it. Works about 60% of the time.

About your bill I would call reservations and ask just to be sure. It should show your deposit amount and balance. Different hotels different things. I think they probably did it that way for incidentals. No need to worry about all that though. As I mentioned before its all covered. Hotels like the Strat could quote you one price and when it comes to incidentals and taxes you get another price about $50 higher. Not to worry though.

Tip
For the next few weeks and months you should keep an eye on specials being offered at your hotel and room type. Especially coming up to the check in date. Your reservation is so far in advance that specials may not yet be available but may be added if you called and requested it. Always remember to use the line "JUST MARRIED". Gets you a long way and lot sometimes. Vegas is so used to weddings though I really don't know. Maybe a few of you that honeymooned there or got married there con add some cents to that.

gwenshack

09-30-2009, 11:31 PM

Always remember to use the line "JUST MARRIED". Gets you a long way and lot sometimes. Vegas is so used to weddings though I really don't know. Maybe a few of you that honeymooned there or got married there con add some cents to that.

People on the street are really excited to see you in your wedding garb, but, for the most part, people who work there see couples get married every day. It doesn't hurt to say you just got married though, so long as you don't expect anything so you don't get disappointed! ;)

cpatterson19

09-30-2009, 11:36 PM

People on the street are really excited to see you in your wedding garb, but, for the most part, people who work there see couples get married every day. It doesn't hurt to say you just got married though, so long as you don't expect anything so you don't get disappointed! ;)

LOL....thats what I was afraid of Gwen. Its like people get so used to seeing a new couple.

DecknAshley68

10-01-2009, 01:15 AM

Thanks a bunch to you both!! Gwen, I added those links to my faves so we can have more places to check for research.

Well, we were looking at the Flamingo, as the pool is OMG!! And the hotel looks great, right center of the action. But, when cpatterson was checking into them for us, they didn't want to offer up any discounts and they were going to charge $15 rental for a fridge in the room. So, that was out. We really had a wishlist in mind, and the wetbar and fridge were important to us. The Stratosphere had such a good price for the Suite, we are ok with the location and hope for the best as far as the surrounding area. Since we are driving there, we figure as long as hotels that have amenities, restaurants, entertainment we will use and free parking--we can drive. cpatternson recommended a one-week pass rather than a day-to-day pass for the bus. Great suggestion! We plan to use that for sure. And, FH thinks that we can walk (in comfortable shoes) as much as we feel to look at things and if we get tired, we can hop on the bus back too. He sais that will be another way to kill time in between costly entertainment.

I will take your suggestion to not annoy and insult the staff with the $20 sandwich. Hopefully, I can convince FH to tell the hotel employee that this is my first real vacation (which it is) and time in Vegas and see if we can get an "up" in the room. Being honeymooners, I wouldn't be surprised if we ended with a Romance Suite, as that is the same price. I do think you 2 are right about the wedding thing not being as a big a deal though. Probably like when people go to the hospital complaining of an ailment--one of those "heard it before, give me something new" things. But, maybe when I am in my dress in a restaurant that evening--maybe we will get some looks or a dinner discount? Do you think the Stratosphere might give us a free dinner or discount if we go up to the desk in our wedding garb after the ceremony is done and say we haven't had our dinner yet?

I saved your weblinks and will keep an eye out for these coupon books. cpatterson said that the hotel will give us a coupon book when we arrive also. Hate to pass those things out like confetti, but money ain't cheap--so we need to be!! :p