Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

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CHAPTER 7 . WHAT TO SEE & DO IN LAS VEGAS
their “first” kiss. They also offer family weddings for those couples blending preexisting
families; the children become a part of the service, and as their parents
exchange rings with each other, the kids are given their own small token, to let
them know the parents are marrying them as well. The chapel is pleasantly lowfrills
and down to earth, with white walls and pews, and modern stained glass
with doves and roses. (Kitsch-phobes will be pleased to know that the cupids are
only in the lobby.) It seats 60 to 70. They recently added a classic banquet hall
(and by that we mean, think New Jersey banquet hall) so you can have your
reception and wedding all in one place. And, yes, if they don’t have something
already scheduled, they will take walk-ups.
827 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 800/543-2933 or 702/598-4444. www.cupidswedding.com. Sun–Thurs 10am–
10pm; Fri–Sat 10am–1am.
Graceland Wedding Chapel Housed in a landmark building that’s one of
the oldest wedding chapels in Vegas, the Graceland bills itself as “the proverbial
mom and pop outfit. We offer friendly, courteous service, and are willing to go
that extra step.” No, Elvis never slept here (one of the owners was friends with
Elvis and asked his permission to use the name). This is a tiny New England
church building with a small bridge and white picket fence out front. Inside is
a 33-seat chapel; the walls are burgundy and white, with a large, modern stainedglass
window of doves and roses behind the pulpit. The pews are dark blond
wood. It’s not the nicest of the chapels, but Catherine Oxenberg and Caspar Van
Diem got married here. Jon Bon Jovi and Lorenzo Lamas did also, though not
to each other.
619 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 800/824-5732 or 702/382-0091. www.gracelandchapel.com. Sun–Thurs
9am–9pm; Fri–Sat 9am–midnight.
Little Chapel of the Flowers Their current claim to fame is that Dennis
Rodman and Carmen Electra exchanged their deathless vows here. Given that
fact, it doesn’t look the way you might think. This is actually the spiffiest wedding
operation on the Strip, with another miniature old-fashioned church building
with a very tiny garden and gazebo. They have two chapels off their pretty
and comfortable lobby (mock-antique look). The Victorian chapel, which holds
only 30, has white walls and dark-wood pews and doesn’t look very Victorian
at all, but is the nicest of the lot. The Heritage Chapel holds 70 and adds rosecolored
drapes and electric-candle chandeliers. They also offer a medium-size
reception room and live organ music upon request. It’s a pretty, friendly place
that somehow manages to act as if every one of the many daily weddings they
do is special. They do not allow rice or confetti throwing.
1717 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 800/843-2410 or 702/735-4331. www.littlechapel.com. Mon–Thurs 9am–10pm;
Fri–Sat 9am–11pm.
Little White Chapel This is arguably the most famous of the chapels on the
Strip, maybe because they have the big sign saying Michael Jordan and Joan
Collins were married here (again, not to each other), maybe because they were
the first to do the drive-up window. It is indeed little and white. However, there
is a factory-line atmosphere, processing wedding after wedding after wedding,
24 hours a day. Move ’em in, and move ’em out. (No wonder they put in that
drive-up window!) The staff, dressed in hot-pink smocks, is brusque, hasty, and
has a bit of an attitude (though we know one couple who got married here and
had no complaints). They do offer full wedding ceremonies, complete with candlelight
service and traditional music. There are two chapels, the smaller of which