Viva Love Vegas
Las Vegas is cashing in on the wedding industry, evolving from elopements to full scale wedding destinations, and Circus Circus Hotel and Casino is leading the pack.
The mecca for raucous bachelor and bachelorette parties is evolving, becoming a retreat for romantics as well as risk takers. The pit stop wedding chapels are being replaced with pre-planned events, buffets are being pushed aside to make room for big-name chefs, and the raving nightclubs are swapped with spas. What was once only peppered with participants in the city’s nightly playground, the infamous strip of the neon-lit Nevada city caters to couples during the day, offering activities for both young and old. Of course, old Vegas still exists, but the city’s pledge to pamper is enticing a whole new crowd.
It’s this embrace that is the reason Sin City has become a destination wedding hot spot. Couples are lured by the cities’ inexpensive one-stop shop. Within walking distance from any point on the strip are Broadway-style shows, theme parks and, of course, a never-ending abundance of celebrated casinos. Not to mention, it’s a jumping off point for some of the West’s most alluring wonders such as the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. And as any wedding planner will tell you, a bundle of activities is the perfect equation for a successful destination wedding. “There are many options that couples can choose from so it makes it easier to plan a small, yet intimate wedding, to a large gathering of friends and family,” says Carl Pica, VP of Retail Operations at Circus Circus Hotel and Casino.
The Chapel of the Fountain at Circus Circus is the first and longest-running hotel chapel in Las Vegas, and has seen the evolution of Vegas weddings, from the 80s Elvis-blessed elopements to the modern day destinations. “Being in business for that long, our guests have come to expect a knowledgeable staff, a contemporary chapel and a worry-free experience.” With a commitment to excellence, the chapel has recently just been refreshed creating a romantic atmosphere to make your wedding memorable. For pre-wedding pampering and bridal beautification, head to Alexandra Noel Salon located in the hotel. Try one of their nourishing hair treatments, such as the Bath of Light, which will add vitality and luminous shine to your locks, or splurge on one of their nine nurturing facials to give your skin a true wedding day glow. Their staff of master stylists is well-versed in bridal hairstyles, lash extensions, waxing services, manicures and makeup applications, providing brides and grooms a convenient place for their day-of style needs.
They offer a multitude of inclusive packages, as well as elegant extras to tack on, ranging from the mere must-haves to their popular Circus Spectacular, which includes a three-night stay along with the wedding ceremony, as well as one of the few commitment ceremony options in Vegas. Although same-sex marriages are not recognized by Nevada state law, Circus Circus’s trained and knowledgeable staff encourage gay couples to take advantage of their LGBT-friendly option.
After the I Do’s have been exchanged, the newlyweds can host a reception in Circus Circus’s customizable banquet and meeting space for up to 600 guests. Their catering menu offers multi-course options featuring fresh field greens, a choice of several mouthwatering chicken dishes—from savory chicken Marsala created with a rich sauce of wine and mushrooms enrobing a chicken breast to their Southwestern chicken, a flavor explosion of herbs and spices. The meal is rounded out with a choice of fresh vegetable (steamed veggies, carrots or green beans) and a choice of starch side with options including a meticulously blended rice pilaf, mashed potatoes oven roasted to perfection or a creamy fettuccine Alfredo.
Included in the reception pricing is an elegantly decorated head table for the wedding party to sit, color-coordinated linens and candle centerpieces, cash bar and dance floor. Of course, with Las Vegas being the country’s center for entertainment, there is no shortage of live band or DJ options to kickstart the celebrations.
As with any good destination wedding locale, Las Vegas is chock full of sights and sounds to satisfy the senses, and guests need not meander further than a single building to find them. Circus Circus is known for its gravity-defying gymnastics acts as much as its whimsically-clad cavern of casinos. Eleven circus compositions make up their menu of magic, ranging from aerial artistry to mystical illusions. And for those that seek thrills beyond the blackjack billiards, the hotel and casino offers one of Las Vegas’s most riveting amusement parks—the Adventuredome—which boasts one of the most sought-after coasters in the country, the Canyon Blaster. Completely indoors, the ride begins with a punishable 90-degree turn, climbs nine stories only to drop at 45 degrees. Reaching speeds up to 55 miles per hour, the coaster zig zags through a double loop and double corkscrew and mercifully ends after two minutes. Pint-sized attendants can enjoy junior rides, such as the Miner Mike, a kid-friendly coal choo-choo train and Thunderbirds, which allow kids to play pilot above The Adventuredome crowd in a remnant 1920s airplane. A variety of other attractions, including miniature golf, bumper cars, and a ride aptly known as the Sling Shot, make up the remaining five acres of fun.
This perfect blend of meticulous ceremonial detailing, ranging from on-site florists to photography, and a whirlwind of family fun options is exactly why Circus Circus is leading the Las Vegas wedding destination era. “We get a wide range of couples that have ceremonies in our chapel. Ceremonies that are very traditional to the fun and off-beat,” says Pica. “I think that’s what makes Circus Circus so appealing—we cater to everyone!”
And regardless if you hit the jackpot or not, you and your new spouse are guaranteed to come home winners.
