Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

GETTING MARRIED 189
weddings are a specialty. They even have a New Age minister on call who can
perform a Native American ceremony. And yes, you can get married by an Elvis
impersonator. Las Vegas Weddings can also arrange your honeymoon stay, complete
with sightseeing tours, show tickets, and meals.
Weddings can be very cheap in Vegas: A license is about $55, and a basic service
not much more. Even a full-blown shebang package—photos, music, some
flowers, video, cake, and other doodads—will run only about $500 total. We
haven’t quoted any prices here, as the ultimate cost depends entirely on how
much you want to spend. Go cheap, and the whole thing will set you back
maybe $100, including the license (maybe even somewhat less); go elaborate,
and the price is still reasonable by today’s wedding-price standards. Be sure to
remember that there are often hidden charges, such as expected gratuities for the
minister (about $25 should do; no real need to tip anyone else), and so forth. If
you’re penny-pinching, you’ll want to keep those in mind.
Be aware that Valentine’s Day is a very popular day to get married in Vegas.
Some of the chapels perform as many as 80 services on February 14.
But remember, you also don’t have to plan ahead. Just show up, get your
paperwork, close your eyes, and pick a chapel. And above all, have fun. Good
luck and best wishes to you both.
Chapel of Love This is a friendly place largely run by women (men take the
photos and are the limo drivers), featuring four different chapels. Good news
came when the Divine Madness fantasy wedding chapel closed and brought all of
their many costumes and props over here—along with their silly sensibility. The
chapels herein have been remodeled as well, and while you won’t get, say, fantasy
hotel level set-design, this is the spot for Fun Weddings, for those who want
Renaissance or Egyptian-themed nuptials (to say nothing of Gangster, Tarzan &
Jane or Adam & Eve). None of the rooms are very big; and again, if they say
“jungle,” you should think “plastic plants.” It’s a hoot, anyway. There is also a
reception room for a cold buffet or hot hors d’oeuvres. Their packages are quite
reasonable, and they put all the “hidden” charges (such as suggested gratuities
for the minister and so forth) right in their brochure, so there are no surprises.
1431 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 800/922-5683 or 702/387-0155. www.chapelsoflove.com. Mon–Thurs 8am–
10pm; Fri–Sat 8am–midnight; Sun 9am–9pm.
Chapel of the Bells Sporting perhaps the largest and gaudiest sign on the
Strip, this chapel also shares a parking lot with the bright pink Fun City Motel.
We won’t make any jokes. It is also probably the least helpful, most cranky of
the wedding chapels we’ve dealt with—on such a special day, who needs it? The
chapel has wood paneling, sage carpeting, and gilt trim up by the pulpit. Electric
candles light the walls. It seats only about 25. They prefer advance booking
but can do same-day ceremonies if called to.
2233 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 800/233-2391 or 702/735-6803. www.vegas.com/weddings/chapelofthebells.
Mon–Thurs 9am–9pm; Fri–Sat 9am–midnight. They stay open as late as they need to on holidays.
Cupid’s Wedding Chapel “The little chapel with the big heart.” Well, it just
might be. The manager explains that, unlike other chapels on the Strip, they
schedule weddings an hour apart; this gives them time for the full production
number. The folks at Cupid’s pride themselves on offering “a traditional church
wedding at a chapel price.” This includes a bridal processional, dimmed lights
as the minister introduces the happy couple, and then a tape of the couple’s
favorite song, so they can have their first dance right there at the pulpit after