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My Wedding Songs is headquartered in Las Vegas, NV.

Las Vegas is known for its entertainment and fine foods.

We are offering a local’s perception on a few Las Vegas wedding industry businesses.

Also get Las Vegas themed wedding ideas too!

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Las Vegas Wedding Packages – 20 Things You Must Know

Las Vegas Wedding PackagesWhen planning a destination wedding in Las Vegas, the easiest way to pay for and plan the wedding is to purchase a Las Vegas Wedding Package. Wedding packages can vary from all-inclusive round trip to all-inclusive packages offered by venues. Before purchasing a wedding package there are items you may want to negotiate into the final package price. Do not sign on the dotted line before reviewing our list.

20 things to ask for in Las Vegas wedding packages

  1. Transportation to and from the airport. The mega Strip resorts have free airport shuttles. However, maybe you want a chauffeur with your name on a sign waiting for you at baggage claim to whisk you away in a limo with champaign and strawberries. What about limo service to the wedding venue and errands around town.
  2. Attire rentals can be included in the wedding package. You can rent your wedding dress and the groom’s tuxedo. Just go to your local dress shop and tuxedo shop for measurements and give that to your wedding planner to have everything ready for you upon arrival.
  3. Travel expenses to Vegas and back home. Traveling may include car rental, airline tickets, parking fees and gas money.
  4. Room reservations are a must. Do you want a master suite or a cozy bungalow? In Vegas you can spend as much or as little as the budget allows.
  5. Wedding locations – where will the ceremony and reception be held? You can have a Harley-Davidson motorcycle wedding or married by Elvis with your name in lights.
  6. Don’t forget the wedding vendors like photographers, videographers, food providers, music entertainment, wedding cake supplier and flower shop. Check out our wedding budget for a list of standard expenses for your reference.
  7. Transportation to and from the marriage bureau as marriage licenses must be purchased in person!
  8. las vegas signTransportation to photography hot spots on your wedding night! Vegas never sleeps and neither should you the day of your wedding. Get your wedding party pictures in from of the Bellagio fountains, the word famous Las Vegas sign, and during the day with Red Rock mountains in the background.
  9. Many venues in Las Vegas are equipped to broadcast your wedding ceremony on the Internet for guests who are unable to make your special day. Venues typically include this in the price. Do not pay extra for this feature!
  10. Get specifics on tipping. The town of Las Vegas is a town that lives on tips. Many times tips are expected. Talk with your wedding planner and set tip envelopes aside – unless you want to carry around a wad of cash.
  11. We mentioned your photographer above. More importantly, what photograph package is included? Are the pictures a la carte? A la carte will be MUCH more expensive than a pre-planned package.
  12. With more than one-hundred thousand wedding in Las Vegas every year, time is money. Keep in mind that the more time you are at a location, the more money. Many ocular facilities can have multiple weddings in a single day.
  13. You must plan on where you plan to get ready for the wedding. Does the venue have a dressing room? You don’t want to be putting your make-up on in the bathroom as the processional music starts.
  14. Read the fine print of the contract. How much is the deposit? Is the deposit refundable in-case of an act of God or a change of mind? What if everyone is have a great time at the reception and you want to stay an extra hour? What is the time overage charge?
  15. There is a 8.1% sales tax in Las Vegas. Are there any charges that do not have the tax included that should?
  16. What if your niece Krista decides to bring a date? What is the charge for each additional person in attendance? What is the max capacity of your venues?
  17. For the reception, what type of bar is included in the price? Is the bar wine and non-alcoholic beverages only? How long will the bar be open and are waiters included?
  18. Maps always help you and your guests get their bearings. Be sure to have a map of the resort as even a Vegas local can get lost with all the gaming lights flashing. What is the fee to have maps made and provided at time of arrival?
  19. Can you get a discount with booking a block of rooms for family and friends? What is the tiered discount by the number of rooms booked? Negotiate!
  20. Lastly, take the advice from a Vegas local who also got married here. Actually, Sharon and I pushed our wedding out to Boulder City as we thought we were saving money. However, with the great deals on Las Vegas wedding packages offered, we would have saved money with one of the all-inclusive packages offered these days. Be sure to look for deals too! Shop around and talk to one of the many local wedding planners. This way you will have the advantage of an unbiased opinion of locations to fit your style and budget.
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Pastel and Bold Las Vegas Wedding Theme Ideas

Las Vegas Wedding Theme IdeasFor couples getting married in Las Vegas, what a better way to exemplify your Sin City wedding ceremony than with Las Vegas wedding theme ideas like invitations? Not only wedding invitations, but all stationery. Because Las Vegas is an entertainment mecca of the world and considered an adult fantasy land, everyone wishes to have a Las Vegas themed wedding. This can be accomplished through decor choices with the Las Vegas theme.

Las Vegas Wedding Theme Ideas

Wedding themes are first expressed in save-the-date cards and then in wedding invitations. Guest will know what to expect with a Las Vegas themed wedding invitation. Will the bride and groom be married or witnessed by Elvis? Party favors could include pairs of dice and poker chips. Music entertainment could include songs from Elvis, Wayne Newton and the Rat Pack. The food would be the classic $1.99 Vegas buffet. Showgirls greeting guests into the reception venue.

las vegas theme wedding table number cardsA decor choice would be table numbers. Table numbers help guests find which selected table to sit at designated by the bride and groom. If only table numbers are used, guests at the table can still decide who to sit next to at the table.

Once the wedding is complete, brides can showcase their Las Vegas theme with specialty thank you cards. Thank you cards should be sent as soon as gifts start arriving. This will help with the burden of writing so many thank you cards and also remember the little details of each gift. All thank you cards should be sent no later than six weeks after the wedding.vegas wedding thank you cards

Las Vegas themed weddings can also be emphasized with hand written letters in Las Vegas stationery. The stationery can be used to write personal notes to the bride and groom during the wedding reception. It can also be used to write letters to family and friends celebrating anniversaries.
las vegas theme wedding stationery

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Top 10 Las Vegas Wedding Photography Blogs

wedding in fabulous las vegas mural

When you think of Las Vegas, we are sure that you think about how Las Vegas is the wedding capital of the world.  More couples come to Vegas to get married than anywhere else like Disneyland and Jamaica.  Being the wedding mecca that Vegas is, many websites claim to offer the best knowledge about getting married in Sin City.  As a result, we thought we would put a list of our favorite blogs about the Las Vegas wedding scene.

This is not an ordinary list of wedding planning websites, like our own, My Wedding Songs, that talk about the Vegas wedding scene.  Rather, we wanted to put a list of wedding photographers that focus on the city of Las Vegas.  This way, visitors to their sites can not only see the photographer’s talent, but also the beauty of getting married in the “big city”.

So here we go, in no particular order, a list of our favorite Las Vegas Wedding Photography Blogs created by Las Vegas photographers.

Las Vegas Wedding Photography Blogs

What did it take to be on our list of our favorite Las Vegas Wedding Blog?

  • We only listed Las Vegas based photographers because they know how to bring the Vegas beauty into the art of photography.
  • The blogs must have a post within the past sixty days.
  • There must be an influx of Vegas area wedding themed photos filling their blog posts.
  • Modern website design that keeps visitors’ usability in mind.

No, we were not paid to list any of the sites and we do not have any connection to any site.  We just want to share with our visitors great Las Vegas blogs to get ideas on Vegas area photos and wedding photo ideas.

Do you think we should add a Las Vegas wedding photographer’s blog to our list?  Please comment below and let us know why the blog should be included in our list.  We will take all requests and respond to all comments.  We will also REVISE the list as new suggestions are made.

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Las Vegas for a Destination Wedding – Know the Details

Las Vegas destination wedding
Thousands and thousands of bridal couples come to Las Vegas every year to get married. Most people think of Vegas for the two mile stretch of road known as “The Strip”. When thinking of weddings in Las Vegas, most think of the hundreds of wedding chapels on The Strip area from drive-thru’s, Elvis themed weddings to the famous Little Church of the West chapel. However, there is so much more to Vegas than just what is portrayed in movies and television.

Las Vegas for a Destination Wedding

What is your Style?

Deciding what kind of style you want for your wedding will set you in the right direction when selecting items for the wedding – from the dress to the venue. You want the venue to really tell your style. If the bridal comes to Vegas just to party, then a luxurious room at the Bellagio will not fit the grand scheme of things. However, maybe a private room at the Hard Rock may just what the heart desires. Want to get away from the hustle and bustle of The Strip but have an elegant event? Try country clubs or golf club houses.

Vegas is the wedding capital of the world. Start planning as early as possible.

The first item to book on the checklist is the ceremony and reception locations. This will guarantee the wedding will happen at your desired location. Then, ask the event planner at the booked locations for a list of preferred vendors. This will help narrow down the list of people to contact. Next, check online for vendor reviews and services. Typically a bride will only trust vendors with more than 10 reviews. Next, check other vendor directories (like ours USA Wedding Vendors) as vendors in all price ranges and styles will be listed.

Communicate your style with the hired vendors.

Be sure to Skype, text, email and talk to hired wedding vendors to illustrate what is expected on the wedding day. Personalize the day to your style and incorporate it into the day. The bridal couple must feel like it is their special day, not someone else’s special day made to fit their needs.

The marriage is not official with a marriage license.

Visit the Las Vegas Marriage Bureau to receive a marriage license. No blood tests required and no waiting period. However, the bridal couple will need Government I.D. or passport, $60 cash or $65 credit card, and if needed – date of last divorce decree. License is valid for one year. The bridal couple must apply in person. Start the application process at www.clarkcountynv.gov.
Las Vegas for a Destination Wedding

Enjoy “Sin City”

Las Vegas is one of the entertainment meccas of the world. The wedding party and wedding guests can travel to Vegas less expensive than other locations. Not only does Vegas have the Strip, but the area offers so much more off Strip like Fremont Street, Red Rock National Park, Valley of Fire, Lake Las Vegas, and Hoover Dam. In addition, there is much to do in Las Vegas that is FREE! Be sure to check out the following no cost fun – Cactus Garden at Ethel M’s, the Atrium inside the Bellagio, the water fountains outside the Bellagio, Fremont Street Experience at night, and TV show hot spots Rick’s Restoration, Kount Kustoms and Gold & Silver Pawn (Pawn Stars).

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7 Reasons to Get Married in Las Vegas

Get Married in Las Vegas

Dubbed as the wedding capital of the world, Las Vegas is the most popular wedding destination by far, with around some 120,000 weddings performed every year. And despite it’s reputation–drive thru weddings, tacky chapels, and cheesy photographs–that’s not what getting married in Vegas is all about.

For a clearer picture, here are seven reasons why tying the knot in Las Vegas is a great option.

Get Married in Las Vegas

1. Easy on the budget

Compared to traditional American weddings that cost $25,000 on average, Vegas weddings are very affordable. For a few hundred dollars (or less), you get a complete wedding ceremony. For a few more dollars, you also get ceremony enhancements and a decent reception.

2. Less pressure and stress

Let’s face it, traditional weddings take months of planning and put a lot of pressure on the couple. At Las Vegas hotels with wedding chapels, you can skip the stress because they have wedding coordinators who can help the couple arrange everything–from the officiant, bouquet, music, photography, to toasting glasses. And all these you can plan over the phone or online.

3. Rule out unwanted guests

In every wedding, there are those guests you’d rather not include, but have to. Getting married in Vegas helps you rule out these unwanted guests easier–whether it’s your drunk uncle, bridesmaid’s weird boyfriend, cousin you barely know, or your boss.

4. Booking is easy

Las Vegas chapels are easier to book than other venues. Even on short notice, you’ll be able to book a chapel and officiant for your wedding. Most hotels prefer reservations, but other places even accept walk-ins. Just be sure not to tie the knot on Valentine’s Day or any other popular holiday because the chapels are swamped with couples.

5. You can have it all in one place

Las Vegas weddings are convenient because they allow you to combine your bachelor/bachelorette parties, wedding ceremony, reception and honeymoon in one hotel. Some hotels have cheap wedding packages that cater to the couple’s every need–from expansive pools and lavish spas to famous nightlife activities and roulette tables.

6. No need to wait

Are you so eager to be married to the one you love? If your thoughts are geared towards being officially together with the love of your life that you can’t wait any longer, Las Vegas is the best option. If you’re the type of couple who want be spontaneous, Las Vegas is the place.

And last but not least….

7. Tradition isn’t dead (unless you want it to be)

Getting married in Vegas doesn’t necessarily mean quickie weddings. Unless, of course, you’re a couple of crazy kids who met over the poker table and haven’t gone to bed since. In fact, if you want a destination wedding in Las Vegas, you can have one that’s as unique and traditional as you dreamed it would be. Many casinos and all-inclusive resorts offer special wedding packages that are great for traditionalists. You can even opt for a suit-and-tie type of wedding.

Instead of flying out of the country for a destination wedding, consider Las Vegas. What do you think?

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Mission Belt Company Review from TV Show Shark Tank

Mission Belt Company Review

First and foremost, this is not a sponsored post and we did not receive anything free.  We paid for the belt and this is a real life story about the belt itself and their customer service.  We are doing this post because we are passionate about the belt and love the idea that the belts are made in America!  How did we first find out about Mission Belt?  Well, being fellow entrepreneurs, we first heard about the company on the TV show Shark Tank.  Shark Tank airs on Friday nights on ABC.  The official Shark Tank website can be found here – Shark Tank.  The owners of the Mission Belt Company were able to strike a deal with investor Daymond John for $50,000 and 37.5% stake in their business.  Wow, what a great way to celebrate and grow the business in one deal.  The other thing we love about Mission Belt is that for every belt sold, one dollar goes toward helping fight global hunger.

mission belt ratchet

Mission Belt Company Review

What is so great about a Mission Belt?  Well, the belt does not have any holes!  That’s right, the belt should have a longer life because there is no pulling on the single holes.  The belt is built on a ratchet system.  The leather has notches built into it and the buckle ratchets on the leather.  Then, once you want to release it, there is a lever on the bottom of the buckle to release the lever on the notches.  What a fantastic idea!  We ordered the belt about a month after the show aired on TV.  IT was an exceptionally long wait to receive he belt after ordering it, about 6 weeks.  However, customer service did provide a same day response from a tweet and said it would ship within the next week.  However, two days after the tweet, the belt shipped and we had a tracking number!  That was the first awesome example of customer service.

If looking at the first picture at the top of the page, you will see the belt.  We were totally excited and wore the belt practically every day.  The bad news was that after 2 weeks of wearing the belt, the cover on the loop fell off.  See below.  SO disappointed.  So we proceeded to email the company stating that maybe because our 108 degree weather loosened the “topping” and it fell off.  Awesome example of customer service number two – they responded “That is so lame that happened.  We will be shipping you out a replacement leather. It should go out in 2-3 business days so you should get it sometime next week. Thank you for your patience!”  Guess what – We received it the next week!  Awesome customer service number three.

broken mission belt

In a wrap up of my mission belt, I am one of the few of a growing story for the mission belt.  If they keep up the great customer service, the belt should grow astronomically.  The customer service makes me a believer and we are now going to order another belt in brown.

Any mission belt would make for a great groom or groomsman’s gift to celebrate participating in a wedding.  They will love it as much as we do!

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Luxor Wedding Chapel Las Vegas Review

Luxor Wedding ChapelWhen visiting Las Vegas, you cannot miss visiting the Luxor Hotel and Casino.  The Luxor the the second furthest south mega-resort on the Strip.  The Luxor is the one in the shape of a Egyptian black pyramid.  It shoots a high beam (understatement of the day), out the top into the sky that can be seen from space.  The Luxor features hotel rooms in the pyramid and the only want to bet to them is not an elevator.  Rather you take an inclinator as it travels diagonal.

As for the wedding chapel, the decor is covered in marvel.  The decor is not Egyptian.  We would call it French Renaissance.  When entering the chapel, we were greeted by a sign stating to enjoy a self guided tour of the chapel.  We thought this was not a personal touch.  However, there were people working behind the main desk that I am sure would answer any questions if we were planning a wedding.

on camera Luxor Wedding Chapel

Just past the front desk, we were shocked by the above sign, “The Chapel at Luxor – By entering this chapel you agree that your image mat be broadcast on the internet.  Then, you can see the look of the hallway into the two chapels.  The decor is very elegant and top notch.  See below.

Finally we have the chapels.  There are two chapels to choose from at the Luxor.  All deposits to reserve the chapels must be received thirty days prior to the event.  Don’t forget to bring your marriage license, unless the event is vow renewal of commitment ceremony, or else they cannot perform the wedding festivities.  Keep in mind also that you cannot bring in your own flowers, photography, videography, ministry unless purchased from the Luxor Chapel.

The least expensive wedding package starts at $299 with a twenty guest minimum.  The packages increment from there and top out at $1625 – The Diamond Package.  The Diamond package includes the chapel, music, bridal room, rose bouquet, certificate holder, champagne and champagne flutes, photography, photos, DVD, photo album, and hotel room.  Additional services include webcasasting, additional chapel time, champagne service, and photography upgrades.

chapel at Luxor Las Vegas

Luxor Wedding Chapel

If wedding planners, brides and grooms, are looking for a location to hold the wedding reception along with the wedding chapel for the ceremony, check out the Luxor Ballroom.    They have their own catering team, offer help in decor, floral, entertainment and ice sculptures.  Groups of 20 or more can be accommodated in the facility.  Cake and champagne packages start at $16.95 per person and food menus start at $24.00 per person.  The Luxor also has additional eating facilities for groups including Tender steak & seafood, Rice & Company, More the Buffet, Tacos & Tequila, and Public House.
Luxor Las Vegas Chapel

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Rick’s Restoration Las Vegas Review

Rick's Restoration Las VegasRick’s Restoration is a Las Vegas business that restores the old to knew. The items include old Coke soda machines, pedal cars, old machinery and motored vehicles. Rick and his business airs on TV on the station The History Channel as American Restoration.  The crew on TV includes Rick Dale’s family: wife Kelly, brother Ron, son Tyler and son Brettly.  It is one of our favorite must see locations in Las Vegas.
Rick's Restoration Las Vegas Review
When visiting Rick’s, be sure to take the free tour of items they have restored and brought to life.  Many of the items have appeared on TV.  If you have the time, visitors can also pay to take a tour of the back lot where all the magic happens and view the “boneyard”.  The also hold monthly car shows on the property.  Be sure to check out their facebook page for updates (we are not fans of their website).  You cannot park on the property.  We recommend getting there early and either pay to park next door on the Iron Works lot or really early to park in the street.  They was a live band and many cool vehicles – see below.  The best part was that Kelly and Rick were actually walking around and approachable.  How many TV stars do you know that are approachable?  They did have a few hot do vendors but we really didn’t stay long for the car show.  However, we are able to mark it off our Vegas sites must see list.
Rick's RestorationRick’s Restoration Las Vegas is near the Interstate 15 and Charleston.  It is considered in the arts district.  You can walk the area and really enjoy the old artistic feel of Las Vegas.  Rock’s Restoration is a spin-off of the TV show Pawn Stars.  The pawn shop from Pawn Stars, Gold & Silver Pawn, is only a few miles away.  We recommend driving between the two businesses – particularly in the Vegas heat.  For more information about the business, visit their website http://www.ricksrestorations.com.  On the website, they sell memorabilia items and items they have restored wishing to sell.

Rick's Restoration Las Vegas car show

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Bonnie Springs Ranch Wedding Chapel Las Vegas Review

Bonnie Springs Ranch Wedding Chapel
If you are looking for an Old West feel to a wedding, a must-see location is Bonnie Springs Ranch Wedding Chapel and Reception Hall.  The wedding chapel services start at $250.  For the reception hall, daytime  buffet reception packages start at $29.95 per person for fifty or more guests.  Two hour beer and wine bar  is $18 per person and the same for a open bar is $24 per person.  Wedding planners also have the ability to take over the whole town with homemade BBQ, wild west entertainment saloon girls, dancing girls, cowboys and much more.

Bonnie Springs Ranch Wedding Chapel las vegas

Bonnie Springs Ranch Wedding Chapel

Where is Bonnie Springs Ranch?  It is west of Las Vegas just past Red Rock National Park.  Take Charleston Blvd west and you cannot miss it when you get to the mountains – 10 minutes west of Las Vegas.  What is at Bonnie Springs Ranch?  Couples and family an enjoy horseback riding, an Old West themed Motel that also has a pool, restaurant, and petting zoo.    The petting zoo features a wide variety of native and exotic animals.  However, the main attractions are a ride on a train and the Old West shows.  The Old West shows are inside what they call Old Nevada.  Od Nevada features live shows and gunfights, 1990’s melodrama, and wax museum – as seen on the TV show Ghost Adventures.  Bonnie Springs Ranch is very kid friendly during the day.  The shows get kids involved and participating.  At night, there are ghost tours for the adults.

bonnie spring ranch wedding reception

bonnie springs wedding reception

For the country themes wedding in the Las Vegas area, this is the place for  a wedding.  Yes, there are dirt roads and trails.  The nearby scenery includes Red Rock National Park.  So bring your cowboy boots and get ready to cowboy up!  One of the best features is that all the people working on the ranch are in character and look and play the part.

For more information, visit Bonnie Springs Ranch official website.

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