Vegas Memories

Before I hop into showing off some of my Vegas wedding photos, let me start off with a flashback to July 2004.

It was vacation time back in 2004. Myself, my boyfriend Jeff, his SIL Sarah and his brother John all came together for a week trip to Arizona. We had decided that we should go to Vegas for the night since we were so close.

After we arrived in Vegas and we walked around on the strip and came across the Venetian Casino Hotel which has gondola rides out front. I asked Jeff if we could go! We had to put ourselves on a wait list, but we walked around the casino and the hotels lavish shops until it was time for our ride.

Jeff and I boarded the boat and started the slow romantic ride through Vegas' own Italy canals. After we passed under the bridge (shown above) Jeff started to say something but I quickly interrupted him making a comment about the Starbucks sign I has just seen (yeah, I will never live that part down). After a little pause Jeff started to say something again and this time I realized what he was asking. He pulled a ring out of his pocket and held it up to ask me to be his wife. I smiled so big (I felt like I had the kool-aid pitcher smile on my face) and told him of course I would.

After spreading the news of our engagement, it was time to figure out what we wanted to do for our wedding. I had asked Jeff what kind of wedding he wanted and he said just something small and intimate. I knew I couldn't get away with a small wedding with my large family around here, so it was decided we would have a destination wedding. After some thinking, we brainstormed and wanted to return to Vegas since that is where our wedding story began.

I thought it would be a full circle if we could get married at the Venetian, but those prices for the wedding packages were out of control. So, I researched all the chapels in the hotels on the strip and found one at the Luxor that fit into our price range (and if we got married during the week, it was an even better discount). We decided to get married on Monday 7/31/2006 .

Luxor Hotel

There was a small group of us that went to Vegas for our special day. My parents, Jeff's dad, Jeff's dad's friend Julian, John, Sarah, Jeff and myself where there for the long weekend. We got there on Saturday and on Sunday walked up the new Vegas strip and visited Old Vegas.

Sphinx outside of the hotel

On Monday it was wedding day. Jeff's brother was his best man, my soon to be SIL was my made of honor and our parents and Julian were our guests. Since we were already married, we didn't do any of the bride can't see the groom on the day of the wedding, but I didn't want him to see me all dressed up until it was time in the chapel. So when it was time for our (me and my SIL) hair and make-up appointment, that is when the girls and guys went their separate ways.

All dressed up and waiting for showtime

Putting on the last touches

Jeff checking his odds before waking into the chapel

I couldn't find the link for the "professional" photos' from the ceremony and there was no camera's allowed either. So, I can't show you pictures from the actual ceremony, but here are some that took place after. Oh, and my make-up was a little too heavy, but that's what the beauty boutique did for me and I really didn't have time to do much touch-up. I just wanted to pass that tid-bit along.

Mom, Dad, Me & Jeff

Me and my FIL

*I accidentally deleted the picture of my SIL & BIL and another one of just me when I was doing the finishing touches on this entry since I started it at home. So, I owe two pictures! I didn't forget to post the one with my SIL & BIL. I just wanted Sarah to know I didn't forget about them!*