Stigma attached to Vegas weddings

[BeachRunner]

I''ll admit, each time I hear Vegas wedding, I do picture a drive-thru wedding chapel. I''ve been to Vegas, and actually been to a wedding in Vegas. They got married at the Flamicgo (i think). They had a small facility on the grounds. It was a nice wedding.

I have a co-worker getting married in a couple weeks in Vegas. She and her FI are only taking their closet friends, no parents allowed. They have a balcony setting, and are tying the knot during sunest. I''m sure it will be beautiful, intimate, and romantic!

To each their own!

 

[Clairitek]

Date: 2/26/2009 2:20:18 PM
Author: FrekeChild
Ok, I think it''s story time.

When FI first took me to Vegas (first real date) and the day after we made our relationship official, we walked past THEwedding Chapel at Mandalay Bay. And I thought to myself...''Wow, I could actually marry this guy.''

And now, 3 years and 8 months after thinking that, I will be.

For us, Vegas is magical, and I want to share THAT Vegas with my guests, and take them on a miniature journey of our relationship.

So I''ve been there, thought that Vegas was for shotgun/drunken weddings, but actually being there, showed me that it didn''t have to be.

I think that if any stigma still exists, it''s from people who haven''t been there, or people who have been there, and only seen raunchy Vegas. Which is definitely there, if you look for it.

Did I mention that my wedding will be taking place during the Adult Entertainment Expo?

Not to mention he proposed to you there! You forgot to mention that part.

Ummm... can you say Bachelorette Party!!!

 

[oobiecoo]

Date: 2/26/2009 2:20:18 PM
Author: FrekeChild
Ok, I think it''s story time.

When FI first took me to Vegas (first real date) and the day after we made our relationship official, we walked past THEwedding Chapel at Mandalay Bay. And I thought to myself...''Wow, I could actually marry this guy.''

And now, 3 years and 8 months after thinking that, I will be.

For us, Vegas is magical, and I want to share THAT Vegas with my guests, and take them on a miniature journey of our relationship.

So I''ve been there, thought that Vegas was for shotgun/drunken weddings, but actually being there, showed me that it didn''t have to be.

I think that if any stigma still exists, it''s from people who haven''t been there, or people who have been there, and only seen raunchy Vegas. Which is definitely there, if you look for it.

Did I mention that my wedding will be taking place during the Adult Entertainment Expo?

lol sounds like a blast!

I''ll admit that I don''t exactly envision elegance when I hear of something getting married in Vegas... but the more I hear about them and see pics, the more I am changing my thoughts.

 

[Rhea]

Date: 2/26/2009 2:25:24 AM
Author:FrekeChild
Do you think there is any stigma attached to Vegas weddings/elopement anymore?

So what do you guys think? Tacky? Is there a stigma? Or have people gotten over it? Is it actually a positive now?

I think it''s a bit of both. I always picture that Vegas wedding are romantic and carefree, a bit more laid back and less bridezilla. I see them as spontaneous, which can be both a good and bad thing.

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 2/26/2009 2:30:11 PM
Author: redfaerythinker
I think it all depends on who you''re talking to. If no one has ever seen or been to a ''nice'' Vegas wedding, then yes, they will naturally assume drive through and Elvis.

Although I have heard of and seen very fancy Vegas weddings on tv, but I still think of the little white chapel and Elvis. I think it''s just because that''s what i''ve seen more of, so it''s more easily recalled by my brain. I''m sorry Freke. I think your wedding will be stunning though. I mean how can it not be with that dress of yours.

No apology necessary! I used to think the same thing! And there certainly isn''t anything wrong with a drive through wedding, it''s just not exactly what I think of when I think of weddings in general. So I can easily see why people think of it.

And thanks RFT for your lovely compliment about my dress! I''m so excited to wear it!

 

[Rhea]

Okay, now that I''ve answered and read your story, I think it sounds romantic. We chose to have a London wedding, a somewhat different wedding for our peer group, so that we could share that with our guests. Your wedding ideas have always sounded very fun to me!

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 2/26/2009 2:38:44 PM
Author: brandy_z28
I''ve definitely found that there is a stigma associated with getting married in Vegas. From my experience it''s mainly from people who''ve never been. Hopefully your guests will have an open mind and either join you or miss out. Just make sure you have plenty of nice pictures to show off to them, rub it in.

My mom is refusing to go to our wedding (she loves my FI, so that''s not it) and we''re not even getting married IN Vegas. She could stay elsewhere and never even have to enter the city limits!

Oh well, she''s going to miss out. I love Vegas. I love the lights at night (big fan of Christmas decorations- you should see my yard the day after Thanksgiving!

) and all of the excitement. That and I get to be selfish and not have to compromise what I want, FI is on board with it so that''s all that matters. And a huge plus is that it was a heck of a lot cheaper than anything I could have done here! Win-win if you ask me.

Brandy...I''m sorry your mom isn''t going. I think that is so weird that she refuses to go in general just because it''s Vegas.

I think that it being easy to get there from NM, the fact that everyone can use it as a vacation and that it would be tons cheaper is what makes it a win-win for us too.

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 2/26/2009 2:42:33 PM
Author: Lynny0780
Freke are you having it in the chapel, or outside?

We''re getting married in the Silver Chapel. It''s still January after all! Have you been in communication with any of the wedding planners yet?

 

[choro72]

I hope I didn''t offend anyone with my wedding factory comment. I''m sure that impression came from the fact that we visited the place during a busy three day weekend. Bellagio is still one of my dream wedding location, and if I had a story like Freke''s (which made me shed a tear btw

), I will definitely insist on doing it!
I really can''t wait to see pictures of your wedding, Freke!

 

[FrekeChild]

Oh! Another reason I wanted to do Vegas, was people would understand why their kids wouldn''t be invited. Vegas isn''t exactly kid friendly!

Sorry Clairitek! He did propose there (I could have sworn I mentioned that? But there have been a TON of Vegas wedding threads, so I''m sure I''ve typed it at least 20 times. And yes, the Bachelorette party was one of the first things planned out.

Thank you guys for your input.

Meresal I don''t hate you (How could I?! It''s only your opinion!!) And I can certainly see why you feel that way!

Addy The more I''ve gotten into this planning stuff, the more I''ve seen how much more relaxing it is to plan a wedding in Vegas and not have to worry about every little detail. It''s like a cookie cutter, but I get to choose the decorations!

tropiqal Ours is certainly a wedding in Vegas, but I would LOVE to have some pics at the Neon sign graveyard. I think that would be awesome.

BeachRunner I know exactly what you mean.

oobie I had to laugh when I found out about the Adult Expo. Here I was planning the least campy/Vegas-y wedding I could, and to find out there would be **** STARS strolling the streets. Eh well, maybe FI and the boys won''t even need to go to a girly show for the Bachelor party...

Museik I''m laughing my bootie off at your pirate wedding. I think it would be a lot of fun to do one of those weddings. I''m really not that uptight about everything, I swear! And I''m with you on the weather in August. F that noise.

BEG Laughing my bootie off some more. How old were you?

Po That''s awesome!

Sba Yikes! That would probably turn me off of Vegas too!

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 2/26/2009 5:36:26 PM
Author: choro72
I hope I didn''t offend anyone with my wedding factory comment. I''m sure that impression came from the fact that we visited the place during a busy three day weekend. Bellagio is still one of my dream wedding location, and if I had a story like Freke''s (which made me shed a tear btw

), I will definitely insist on doing it!

I really can''t wait to see pictures of your wedding, Freke!

Awww Choro!!! You''re so cute!!!!

You didn''t offend me! FI saw what I was posting and he said, "Are you going to be mad is someone tells you they think it''s tacky?" I told him that a)not many PSers would put it that tactlessly and b)I used to think the same thing until I visited there and then started to look into it for us!

And I hope pictures turn out ok!!!

 

[honey22]

I guess as I live in Australia and have never been to Vegas, I think my perception would be skewed towards that line of thinking, mainly due to movies etc I guess. However, in the end it doesn''t matter what other people think about your wedding, as long as you both are happy that''s fine.

Freke, this is YOUR dream wedding, don''t let other people cast a shadow of doubt or make you second guess your plans. They sound perfect FOR YOU!!!

 

[musey]

I think that probably a lot of younger people (who have not been exposed to the reality of Vegas, either through stories/TV/movies or visiting there themselves) tend to think "eeeeeww, Vegas, tacky!" At least, that''s what I thought before going there the first time.

There are so many beautiful hotels, and the (manufactured) settings within those hotels can be so magical. Why not take advantage? The only remotely negative thing I think when I hear "Vegas wedding" is how public they seem to be. Every time I go to Vegas I feel like the hotels are crawling with brides! Not that it has to be that way, or even that it is for the most part, it just happens to be my own personal experience since I''m the one not at or involved in the wedding, just out and about seeing a few brides dance past!

In a way though, I kind of like that. There''s a romantic air to the idea that people of all types are convening there to get married. It makes it a sort of magical place in that way.

 

[FrekeChild]

Lol. Reading Honey''s post I just thought of that movie with Cameron Diaz that came out last year (I think?).

Yeah that''s what I tend to think of when I think Vegas wedding...

I swear I''m not insecure about my wedding! I just wanted to get your guys'' take on it!!!

 

[Haven]

I do think there''s still a stigma attached to a Vegas wedding, and I imagine it will persist for as long as Vegas remains home to drive-thru wedding chapels, casinos, and the like.

I''ve been to Vegas multiple times, and while it isn''t exactly MY favorite place to visit, I do think that it is possible to have a beautiful and elegant wedding there, which is what I think of when I think of YOUR wedding, Freke.

I can''t wait to see your pictures and hear all about it.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 2/26/2009 2:25:24 AM
Author:FrekeChild
So what do you guys think? Tacky? Is there a stigma? Or have people gotten over it? Is it actually a positive now?

I don''t think that a Vegas wedding is tacky. It CAN be tacky but that is a personal choice. There are so many top notch wedding venues/packages for the couple who wants to get married in Vegas that a Vegas wedding can be as classy as a wedding anywhere else ... and lots of fun for friends and family too who are able to turn it into a little wedding/vacation trip.

Is there a stigma? Yes, I think that there is still a stereotype as to what a Vegas wedding is ... I think that it is more of a general stereotype in that if I had a friend, for example, who I know has great taste tell me that she was getting married in Vegas, I wouldn''t even think twice about it being gauche. I would be confident that it would be a grand affair. If, however, I heard about a stereotyped scummy celebrity type getting married there, I would not think that it was a classy event. This being said, if they were getting married anywhere, I wouldn''t think it would be classy, period.

I think that getting married is Vegas is a great idea and is really budget & fun friendly for guests who would be traveling out of town to attend your wedding anyways.

 

[Bia]

I don't think there is the same stigma.

Let's face it, Vegas just isn't for everyone. But anyone that loves Vegas, really loves it. Also, Las Vegas has a rep for being glamorous, exciting (tad naughty

), with its own culture (luxury without being sterile). Plus, there's no arguing that it has some amazing hotels, venues and restaurants.

So again, no I don't think there is the same stigma. Unless that stigma characterizes a wedding that is really fun, and maybe over-the-top (in a good way!). AND, if nothing else, just anti-traditional.

But I guess it's all relative to who you ask

 

[katamari]

Date: 2/26/2009 11:39:58 PM
Author: Sparkalicious

Date: 2/26/2009 2:25:24 AM

Author:FrekeChild

So what do you guys think? Tacky? Is there a stigma? Or have people gotten over it? Is it actually a positive now?

Is there a stigma? Yes, I think that there is still a stereotype as to what a Vegas wedding is ... I think that it is more of a general stereotype in that if I had a friend, for example, who I know has great taste tell me that she was getting married in Vegas, I wouldn't even think twice about it being gauche. I would be confident that it would be a grand affair. If, however, I heard about a stereotyped scummy celebrity type getting married there, I would not think that it was a classy event. This being said, if they were getting married anywhere, I wouldn't think it would be classy, period.

I totally agree with Spark. There IS a stigma. And, Vegas (i..e. the city planners and officials) doesn't help with it. When you use "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" as your city motto, people are going to think of it as a skeezy place. That's why I found it so interesting that they chose the motto when they were doing all the upscaling renewal.

But, that said, all types of weddings carry some sort of stigma. The church-wedding with a reception-hall reception carries the stigma of being cookie cutter. Vegas and many of the resorts in the Caribbean, carry a marriage factory stigma, DWs carry a stigma, generally, as being less serious and involved, etc. That said, though, I never judge anyone I actually know for their wedding decisions, because as soon as I heard about what they picked, that route always makes sense to me in terms of them or their relationship.

I think that by having a special connection with your FI means more than anything. As I was reading your story, it made me fully regret to not choose the place where I fell in love with my FI as our location. It is fantastic and will make your wedding awesome.

 

[Bia]

Date: 2/27/2009 12:07:00 AM
Author: katamari


I totally agree with Spark. There IS a stigma. And, Vegas (i..e. the city planners and officials) doesn't help with it. When you use 'What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' as your city motto, people are going to think of it as a skeezy place. That's why I found it so interesting that they chose the motto when they were doing all the upscaling renewal.


But, that said, all types of weddings carry some sort of stigma. The church-wedding with a reception-hall reception carries the stigma of being cookie cutter. Vegas and many of the resorts in the Caribbean, carry a marriage factory stigma, DWs carry a stigma, generally, as being less serious and involved, etc. That said, though, I never judge anyone I actually know for their wedding decisions, because as soon as I heard about what they picked, that route always makes sense to me in terms of them or their relationship.


I think that by having a special connection with your FI means more than anything. As I was reading your story, it made me fully regret to not choose the place where I fell in love with my FI as our location. It is fantastic and will make your wedding awesome.

I agree with katamari, where she said that all types of weddings carry some sort of stigma (I'd highlight it but I'm on my MAC and I don't know how to do it on this contraption!

)

I think many people think traditional weddings carry a stigma too...of being run-of-the-mill and the only snooze fests

My FI is one of them. Watch us have a majorly traditional wedding

 

[honey22]

Date: 2/26/2009 2:55:13 PM
Author: Clairitek

Date: 2/26/2009 2:20:18 PM
Author: FrekeChild
Ok, I think it''s story time.

When FI first took me to Vegas (first real date) and the day after we made our relationship official, we walked past THEwedding Chapel at Mandalay Bay. And I thought to myself...''Wow, I could actually marry this guy.''

And now, 3 years and 8 months after thinking that, I will be.

For us, Vegas is magical, and I want to share THAT Vegas with my guests, and take them on a miniature journey of our relationship.

So I''ve been there, thought that Vegas was for shotgun/drunken weddings, but actually being there, showed me that it didn''t have to be.

I think that if any stigma still exists, it''s from people who haven''t been there, or people who have been there, and only seen raunchy Vegas. Which is definitely there, if you look for it.

Did I mention that my wedding will be taking place during the Adult Entertainment Expo?

Not to mention he proposed to you there! You forgot to mention that part.

Ummm... can you say Bachelorette Party!!!

I would kill to be at that party

 

[elle_chris]

We did the drive-thru wedding

but no Elvis. It was fun, that was the whole point of it. Neither of us is romantic so renting a convertable Mustang and going through the drive thrue was perfect.
Was it tacky? Not as tacky as I thought it would be. We have some amazing pcictures that were taken in the chapel and gazebo and the whole experience was wonderful without any pressure.

Planning a traditional wedding wasn''t something I was very interested in doing. Besides trying to get both sides of the family together, the cost involved for just one day, the stress involved in trying to get everything perfect wasn''t something I was looking forward to going through.
The only thing I would have done different had I known at the time it was available, is plan the ceremony in our room. We stayed in a gorgeous suite at the Bellagio and they do wedding ceremonies right in your room. Oh well, maybe a renewal ceremony down the road.

 

[[email protected]]

hmmmm....there is one very wealthy girl I work with who said, "Oh you had a "wedding"...I figured you were wearing jeans!"
Besides that, nobody had a big problem with it, and I am from a fairly highbrow, ivy league kind of family.
Actually when I see the stress, expense, and years of planning New York brides go through, Vegas seems like the sanest thing ever.
Most people say, wow, that sounds like fun.
And as you know, we did have Elvis!

It''s funny, because I am not the hugest Vegas fan, but I did meet the hubby there.

 

[Porridge]

Only people who haven''t been there and seen it properly would think that IMO. Vegas is Vegas meaning that it could be anything from the quickest of shotguns to the most lavish of affairs and everything in between.

 

[marchswallowbird]

I think Vegas itself is tacky in general (just my personal opinion), the opulent/luxurious hotels notwithstanding. I would personally not choose it as a wedding destination. Others who have similar thoughts may still attach a "stigma" to a Vegas wedding, but not necessarily because of the "shotgun wedding" reason.