Vegas Wedding Baby!

No, not my wedding.  I attended a Vegas wedding last weekend.  Vegas has long been known as a bachelor/bachelorette party destination, as witnessed by Financial Freedumb's recent excursion.  However, this is the fourth wedding I have attended in Las Vegas, and the third in the last three years.

There are plenty of good reasons for this trend. 

First, it's cheaper.  I haven't priced it out, but from what I hear the big casino/hotels on the strip have it all set up, including chapel, officiant, photography, and flowers.  All for much less than you would spend at a church and hotel in most other cities, especially Los Angeles.

Second, its Vegas Baby!  Who doesn't love Vegas?  When you have a wedding in your hometown, there will most likely be out of towners who come to attend.  One of the problems is that you have to give them things to do, and kind of play host.  Aren't you already busy enough?  In Vegas, you need not provide any activities or entertainment.  If they can't figure out how to keep themselves busy in Vegas they have bigger problems.

The only problem for your guests is taking an unplanned trip, and the costs associated.  So, how much did I spend this weekend to attend out friend's wedding?

Flights:  $130 each, $260 total. 
Hotel:  $96 for one night at Harrah's.
Gaming:  $0.  I enjoy playing craps and blackjack.  Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I didn't have time to do any gambling.
Taxis/Shuttles:  about $40
Cigars/Drinks:  about $50

Grand Total:  $446

Not bad at all, considering flights for two to Vegas will often cost this much.  The wedding was Saturday afternoon, so we returned Saturday night.  This is a great way to travel.  You not only save on one night of hotel this way, but the airplane tickets are generally cheaper.

Comments

[D]

My first marriage was in Vegas. I can't help to associate this with failure.

I'm all for destination weddings though. The ones I particularly like are the beach ones. A friend of mine married on a volcano in Hawaii. Do this and you can visit FF. The honeymoon can start when the plane lands. Paradise is good.

One recommendation if you decide on a destination, let the parents and siblings know well in advance, in case they can afford to go. Especially the parents, being one myself I know how important this is.

[financial freedumb]

I gotta commend you on not gambling...I don't think there's anyway I would've been able to not gamble a little...

[financial freedumb]

Oh you know, a side note...My friend's friend who came to the party actually could've been you. How funny would that have been...he's in finance, 5'6", lives in LA, and getting married in December...I dunno when your wedding is. He doesn't drive a TL though, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't you...unless you also drive a Civic.