| rev:text
| - My partner and I had our wedding here in early April, 2016. We are a gay couple so this was a same sex ceremony but there really wasn't much that needed to be done differently. Despite every Las Vegas chapel I spoke to saying they do same-sex weddings, I got the feeling that none of them (including Vegas weddings) had extensive experience with them. I wasn't surprised by this and knew it might be a few awkward moments in the planning. There were many times when we sort of had to guide them.
BEFORE THE WEDDING...
Unfortunately, most of the preparations that took place in the month preceding the wedding felt like a pure business transaction. There was almost nothing very personal or special about it. I guess that's not terrible but it should be noted. I was frequently reminded of the rules, particularly the "no photos on the premises" rule. We ultimately decided on a package that was part of a special deal - free upgrade to the next level. It included a few things that were specific to a bride so we didn't need those - no problem. We also added on the Elvis experience! I wanted Elvis to do the whole deal, officiate and everything. I wanted the unity candle too.
I was assured several times that they had everything down and the day would be great.
About a week before the ceremony, the planner and I ran through the entire plan for the wedding day again. She was very clear about everything and repeated things that I would call "rules." She told us that even though Elvis would officiate, he couldn't -legally- marry us so she said we would go into a room after the ceremony and be legally married by a minister.
DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING....
As planned we were picked up at the hotel to be taken to the clerk's office and then the pre-ceremony meeting. The limo driver was GREAT! No issues that we were both guys. We felt very welcome! We walked over to the chapel and met with a new "planner" because our planner didn't work on Saturday's.
Here's the first time I got concerned... we went over everything again. She was either new or uncomfortable. At first, she didn't even mention Elvis. I reminded her. Then she didn't know Elvis was officiating. Reminded her. Reminder her about the candle. She stumbled a bit over some details but the concerning part was things she didn't seem to know at all.
DAY OF THE WEDDING...
Limo driver picks our parents and both of us up at the hotel. Another GREAT guy. They really have good limo drivers! Helps you relax on your way to your wedding! We arrive and check in. I was SO THANKFUL that the guy who was assigned to get us going was a gay man. He was great. Very reassuring.
About 30 minutes before the wedding, we were taken up to a room by the chapel entry.
Here's where the next concerning part happened and it's not what I wanted to happen less than an hour before the wedding! The minister came in - she was AWESOME. My type of person - dry sense of humor, no issues with it being two guys. SURPRISE #1: We were getting legally married right then! Recall, it was supposed to happen after the ceremony. Alrighty - I told her we needed to get my dad as a witness. Done deal. Married!
UNWELCOME SURPRISE #2: Elvis didn't know he was supposed to officiate! They went out and told him in front of our guests. Thankfully, he was able to do it without any preparation. He then came in and met us. Cool guy.
THE CEREMONY...
It was great! We had it in the chapel with about 40 guests. Everyone had a great time. That's what matters, right? Elvis was really smooth about telling us what to do - you know, put the rings on, face each other, etc.
They forgot to do the candle. I only realized this when they handed us a big candle as we checked out. We had such a good time, I'm not going to make a big deal about it but it goes to their lacking attention to detail that I've described above.
Despite not pre-purchasing a photo package, we had a photographer that took loads of photos, including posed ones. We knew they were going to try to sell these to us.
NEXT DAY...
We went back to the chapel as planned to view the photos. Our package included 19 candid photos from during the ceremony. Their packages are almost scientifically designed to push you to spend more. Bottom line is that EACH PHOTO COSTS $50. They were up front about the package prices, it's on their web site. We weren't told the per photo price until right then though. We were cornered. What are we going to do? It was our wedding. We bought 10 photos. That's not $500 by the way. It's $500 plus their 19% fee that covers tax and "service fees." It's ubiquitous.
Be forewarned, they charge an additional 19% on EVERYTHING. It's not hidden. They tell you. Just make sure you add it to everything you buy from them.
IN THE END... the part that counts, the wedding itself, was fantastic! They need to tighten up their attention to detail. My advice to you is stay on top of everything and be pro-active about confirming everything you want.
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