If you’re planning a Las Vegas destination wedding and would love some tips on how to ensure everything goes smoothly, then you’ve come to the right place. Lakeside Weddings & Events has several suggestions that you’ll want to make note of – from how to transport your bridal gown to filing for a marriage license, as well as what type of package is best for out-of-state weddings, and more. With that said, let’s get started so you and the one you love can begin planning your once-in-a-lifetime ceremony and reception.
Suggestions for Planning Your Las Vegas Destination Wedding
Las Vegas is known as the Wedding Capital of the World. Why is this the case? Because people from all around the globe tie the knot in this exceptional location. It’s a fabulous city to marry the one you love, and it also couples as a honeymoon destination where you can take advantage of the Vegas Strip and other areas Las Vegas is known for. But we’re guessing that you have already researched all the benefits of getting married in this city, so we’ll get straight to our tips for making sure your wedding turns out to be a beautiful and unforgettable affair.
Choose a Wedding Venue that Takes Care of All the Details for You
One of the most important aspects of planning a destination wedding is choosing a venue you can trust to take care of all the details of your big day. This is essential when you don’t live locally. Why? Because you’ll need a second set of hands that can easily get everything ready for your ceremony and reception. This includes setting up ceremony chairs, having music ready to play as you walk down the aisle, handling every aspect of the reception, and so on.
This can be easily accomplished; all you would have to do is book an all inclusive wedding package at Lakeside Weddings & Events. An all inclusive package is best for those having an out-of-state wedding; it allows you to pass the torch as far as all the arrangements are concerned, allowing you to focus on what matters most. You can view examples of this package type below:
All Inclusive Ceremony & Reception Packages
- Swan Garden All Inclusive Packages
- Grand Garden All Inclusive Packages
- Heritage Garden All Inclusive Packages
- Waterfall Garden All Inclusive Packages
Check out our all inclusive packages on one page to see which ceremony sites and reception halls are available, as well as what’s included with each package.
Take an In-Person or Virtual Tour of Potential Wedding Venues in the Las Vegas Area
First things first, you have to fall in love with a wedding venue before you can book a package. If you’re able to visit the area to check a few venues out, it would be a great opportunity to take a live tour, as well as meet the staff and wedding coordinators. However, not everyone can make the trip, and that’s perfectly ok because many venues have virtual tours and photo galleries that showcase the venue’s ceremony and reception spaces. With that in mind, take a moment to view Lakeside Weddings image and video galleries below, where you’ll see lakefront ceremony sites, as well as romantic wedding gazebos, elegant reception halls, and more.
Wedding & Reception Venue Image Galleries
- Heritage Garden Ceremony Site
- Waterfall Garden Ceremony Site
- Lakeside Chapel Ceremony Site
- Swan Garden Ceremony Site and Swan Banquet Room
- Grand Garden Ceremony Site and Grand Atrium Reception Hall
Wedding & Reception Venue Video Tours
- Swan Garden and Swan Banquet Room
- Grand Garden and Grand Atrium Reception Hall
- Heritage Garden Video Tour
- Lakeview Chapel Video Tour
Here’s a sneak peek of our Heritage Garden ceremony site, where you can create beautiful memories and fantastic wedding photos:
Our venue has assisted couples from other states, as well as those from out of the country, for many years now, enabling them to seamlessly get married in Las Vegas. So, if you live afar, and you’re interested in one of our all inclusive packages, or even a ceremony only package, don’t hesitate to contact Lakeside Weddings with any questions you may have.
Invites Should be Sent Well in Advance for Destination Weddings
After you’ve booked your wedding venue, you’ll want to give your guests plenty of advance notice so they can clear their schedules. This is especially important when having a destination wedding because your guests will need to make travel arrangements, possibly take time off from work, and the like. For weddings where guests will be traveling great distances, it’s best to send “Save the Date” cards out before the official invites are mailed. “Save the Date” cards should be mailed about six to eight months before the wedding. For those having a holiday wedding, giving them even more notice, such as 10 to 12 months, would be wise.
The official invite is normally mailed to the guests around six to eight months before the big day. Some couples mail them out even sooner when a destination wedding is going to take place, possibly ten to twelve weeks ahead of time.
Arrive in the Vegas Area at Least a Week Before the Ceremony
Couples who get married in another state or country should plan on arriving at their destination at least a week in advance. Of course, there are no hard rules; you can arrive the day before if needed, but a week seems to be what most brides and grooms tend to prefer. Why is this the case? For starters, those traveling from a different time zone will need some time to adjust as the jet lag can cause most people to feel run down. It’s recommended to give yourself at least three days of recovery time to ensure you feel your best for your ceremony and reception.
If you’re not going to travel to the Vegas area ahead of time for a hair and makeup trial run, then it’s suggested that you schedule it a week before the wedding date – we’ll elaborate on bridal salon appointments in a bit. In addition to this, you may need time to take care of last-minute hiccups, as well as arrangements such as picking up a tux if the groom didn’t bring one from a local shop.
Most of all, having some downtime to relax and not feel rushed and stressed is essential. For couples who want to ensure a stress-free wedding day, we recommend booking your ceremony at sunset. Having a sunset ceremony or what’s commonly referred to as an evening wedding, can offer you and your guests the entire day to get ready, and allow more time for pre-ceremony wedding photos. Morning weddings are preferred by some, and this time slot has its own set of advantages. It all really depends on what your goals for the day are, which will determine what time is best to tie the knot.
Research Hotels on the Vegas Strip for You and Your Wedding Guests
Couples who have a Las Vegas destination wedding will have a wide variety of fabulous hotels to choose from. Since most brides and grooms also make this city their honeymoon destination as well, it’s recommended that you do an extensive search to pinpoint a hotel that you’ll absolutely love. We use the word extensive because there are so many popular hotels to stay in if you’re getting married near the Las Vegas Strip, which could make it difficult to choose one. So, planning ahead and booking your room well in advance is a good idea.
As a courtesy, some couples also do research to find a few hotels that they can recommend to their wedding guests. This may include a few low-cost, medium-range, and high-end hotels to fit the various budgets your guests may have. As a bonus, you can even throw in the names and locations of car rental agencies in the vicinity.
Book Your Bridal Hair & Makeup Appointment and Trial Run
When you get married locally, it’s easy to book your bridal hair and makeup appointment with your favorite salon. Because of this, it may seem difficult or even overwhelming to find and schedule an appointment in a distant city for the most important day of your life. This is why it’s crucial to select a bridal salon in Las Vegas as early as possible.
Once you have your sights on your preferred stylist, book your wedding day appointment as soon as you know the date of your big day. This way, you have your time slot reserved and won’t have to worry about it. Reserving your date is important because there are many weddings that take place in Las Vegas, which means bridal salons will be busy on a regular basis. But there’s nothing to worry about if you’re ahead of the game and book it well in advance.
In addition to your main appointment, it would be wise to have a trial run – a test run of your must-have wedding day hairstyle. If you’re planning on making a trip to Las Vegas to check out ceremony and reception venues, as well as hotels, then be sure to book your trial run during that time. If you’re not making the trip to Vegas beforehand, then having this done the week of the wedding is best. A test run isn’t mandatory, of course, but it’s recommended because what if you’re not happy with the style you thought would look perfect – and you find this out the morning of the wedding day.
You should know that it’s not difficult to find an excellent salon that you can trust here in Las Vegas – so there’s no need to worry. We highly recommend The Salon at Lakeside, that’s located in the Desert Shores area of Summerlin, near the Vegas Strip. Check out their Bridal Updo Hair & Makeup page for information on what they offer. And if you’re planning on sporting an updo, here’s another page you’ll want to visit – 7 Bridal Updos Styles You Should Consider. The Salon at Lakeside is well-known in the bridal salon industry and has worked with brides from all over to ensure they look gorgeous on their wedding day.
Don’t Forget to File for Your Marriage License
With the hustle and bustle of wedding planning, it can certainly be easy to forget a thing or two on your to-do list. One thing you should make sure not to slip through the cracks when getting married in Las Vegas, is filing for your marriage license. Fortunately, obtaining one in this city is super easy. Although you can apply and get your license the same day, it’s recommended that you file in advance so it’s taken care of – one less thing you need to worry about the week of your wedding. We put together an entire article on how to apply; make sure to check it out – Las Vegas Marriage License 101 – Everything You Need to Know. Also, you can apply for your license online at the Clark County Clerk’s Office website.
Las Vegas Destination Wedding Frequently Asked Questions
It’s perfectly normal for a couple to have more than a few questions regarding their destination wedding, and we’re here to answer them for you. After all, we have years of experience working with brides and grooms who don’t live in the Las Vegas area. With that in mind, dive into the questions and answers below for some helpful insider’s tips:
How do I transport my bridal gown when the ceremony is not local?
First and foremost, never pack your wedding dress in a suitcase, especially one that you’re checking in on an airplane. It’s best to place your gown in a long garment bag that is meant to hold long dresses of this sort, and then carry it on the plane, or lay it across the trunk of your car if you’re driving, and the same goes for the groom’s tux.
It’s also imperative to ensure you’ll have a way to press and steam your wedding dress and tux before the ceremony. Many couples purchase a small garment steamer and bring it along with them, or the hotel may be able to assist you with this task.
If you’re indeed flying, if possible, along with your dress and tux, pack a carry-on bag containing all the essential wedding day items. For women, this may include your shoes, jewelry, hair accessories, and other vital elements. It’s important because what if you check your luggage and the airport misplaces your bags, which happens more often than you can imagine.
Should I hire a wedding planner when having a Las Vegas destination wedding?
It’s highly recommended that anyone having a non-local wedding should have a wedding planner or coordinator. They will know the ins and outs of planning a wedding in Las Vegas – from the meal that can served during the reception, what wedding flowers are available in the area, how to obtain the best wedding photographer, as well as information on ceremony music, and more.
A wedding planner will ensure you won’t have to spend time trying to figure out all the details. They will do it for you, as well as keep the ceremony and reception on track on the actual day of the wedding. Wedding coordinators will have the inside scoop on the best wedding specials, along with recommendations on ceremony and reception venues in the Las Vegas area.
It’s worth mentioning that it’s a good idea to have a coordinator whether you’re having a large wedding, or a wedding for two. With that in mind, you’ll be happy to know that Lakeside Weddings & Events provides a coordinator with all their packages, no matter what size wedding you’re having. While we’re on the topic, be sure to head over to this article we put together on Reasons You Need a Las Vegas Wedding Planner.
Lakeside Weddings & Events Ceremony and Reception Resources
Anyone having a destination wedding in Las Vegas can certainly benefit from our tips, but couples should also take advantage of Lakeside Weddings & Events resources. We know you’ll love to browse through our informative pages that can place you on the path to having an incredible wedding day.
This includes details on guest seating arrangements, as well as a page dedicated to outdoor weddings, and indoor ceremony chapels too, reception information, and how to plan a small wedding. This is just a small sampling of what we can advise you on; below, you’ll find our extended list:
- Looking for a few ideas for a Las Vegas wedding theme? This post has what you need!
- Have a beautiful ceremony at one of our lake wedding venues near the Vegas Strip.
- Learn how to plan a ceremony and reception that includes up to 50 guests.
- Not sure what type of wedding flowers to showcase on your big day? Check out this page for some tips.
- Plan a beautiful ceremony at one of our lake wedding venues near the Vegas Strip.
- What’s better for a wedding reception, a DJ or live band? Read more to find out!
- Want to know how much it will cost to have a Las Vegas destination wedding? Learn more.
- If you would like to have an outdoor wedding in the Las Vegas area, then dive into this page.
- Couples who need help planning the perfect wedding ceremony should check out this post.
- For those who need info on reception only packages; you’ve come to the right place.
- See details on wedding photography if you’re in need of a photographer on your special day.
- We provide a fabulous wedding cake with all our reception packages – find out more.
- If you’re having a Las Vegas destination wedding, you’ll benefit from taking a few video tours!
- Lakeside Weddings also hosts special events if you’re ever in need of a venue.
- Learn how to plan an affordable Las Vegas wedding on a tight budget!
Book an Affordable Destination Wedding Package for Your Special Day!
If you live out of state or within another country, and you have your heart set on getting married in Las Vegas, know that Lakeside Weddings & Events can perfectly and seamlessly host your special day. Our team of seasoned wedding professionals has extensive experience assisting couples who are having destination weddings. We can help you plan your dream come true wedding day, ensuring a beautiful ceremony and reception. If this sounds too good to be true, feel free to contact Lakeside Weddings so we can help set you on the path to marrying within the Wedding Capital of the World. We look forward to meeting you and hearing all about your wedding day dreams and goals.