Elvis & Company...

It was the fabulous wedding of the Beauty and the Biker! So, here we are at the World Famous Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel with two more “I-Do’s.” Tiffany and Chris came to the Chapel to get married from Oregon. They wanted to make thier wedding memorable….So, Elvis was the way to go for them. It’s been 9 years since the date was pre-set. Chris could not resist Tiffanys charm. Just a couple of lookers making it official here at the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel. There were butterflies in the air and the weather was perfect! A handful, and then some of Chris’ and Tiffanys’ family and friends all made their way to the Elvis Chapel to witness their marriage.

With a license to ride and a marriage license in hand, Chris said “I Do” to his lovely Bride Tiffany. They had so many friends and family here to share in their joy. I am certain that once they announced that the wedding would be in Las Vegas, that no one could resist. The RSVP’s were many.They were surrounded by so much love. Chris and Tiffany really did remind me of Elvis and Priscilla. Mind you, Elvis really was a blonde. What a great looking couple! Wishing you both every bit of happiness you can stand! They topped their night off by riding off into the night to Larrys Hideway here in Las Vegas. Do you suppose they had Breakfast at Tiffanys the next morning? Just another classic Elvis wedding here at The Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel. Thanks to you both, and your super family and friends. Until the next wedding…

Good day,

Diana

While white is the color of purity and virginity in the Western world, it wasn’t always the preferred color during a wedding. In fact, it was seen as controversial!

Clergymen saw wearing white as flaunting sexuality in the faces of wedding guests, especially considering that virginity was seen as a marital prerequisite for the young lady. For centuries, you were more likely to see a black or yellow wedding.

The first mention of white in a wedding is during the sixteenth century, and for almost the next two hundred years the controversy raged in newspapers and wedding professional circles.

Around 1813, the fashion choice had gained enough attention to be featured in the influential French Journal des Dames. When Queen Victoria wore white during her wedding to Prince Albert in 1840, wearing white had officially become the norm.

While the color had to do with the symbolism of purity, it also symbolized something else: affluence. Because of the usually massive dress and specific color, the dress was only really worn once. Obviously only wealthy people are able to buy a dress that they wear one time and then toss away or save for the next generation, so it makes the wedding dress something only for the elite. Even today, 99% of brides wearing a white dress only wear it once.

After World War 1 and the Depression had encased the world, women everywhere had to make do with whatever dress they could afford. As the fashion tradition of the time was already firmed settled into a white dress, the designs were often very short and informal. After the ceremony, the dress was dyed into a different color to be used for everyday use.

It remains to be seen how long this tradition will stick around, considering the amount of off-beat brides out there that are keener on having a fun rather than a traditional wedding (something we specialize here at Viva Las Vegas wedding chapel). With the number of women still insisting on wearing white during their big day, however, it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere anytime soon!

Elvis is the host of a Dead Mans Wedding. Who’s the dead man? Why, none other than Elvis Presley. It seemed fitting that on the August 16th departure anniversary of Elvis Presley, Natalie and Sameer chose a “Dead Elvis Wedding” in August. So,who doesn’t miss Elvis? What a way to bring him back…In the wedding, Elvis really comes to life. He’s alive, he’s alive! So being from New York, all of Natalie and Sameers friends were able to watch the Wedding via our live webcast. ”Live from New York”, “It’s the Dead Elvis Wedding of Natalie and Sameer”. This is definately a ceremony your guests will never forget. Check out our website at,http://www.vivalasvegasweddings.com/

It was unforgettable, just like Elvis. If you have a theme in mind for your nuptials and you want to have a wedding that suits you…speaking of suits. We rent tuxedos and costumes here at The Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel, call us. For those of you that find Halloween significant, we still have a few openings. Reserve your date ASAP so that you can send out those RSVP’s. Natalie, you looked arrestingly beautiful. I know Sameer thought so, ( he’s in Law Enforcement ).Congrats, on making my Bride Pick of the Week! You were just as sweet as you were beautiful. Ha figures. Get it…she’s a model and vocalist-figures, hee hee.

Having the wedding in Las Vegas was a dream come true for the Mother of the Bride also~ Our Liz Taylor mother look alike had always dreamed of coming to Las Vegas. She really did look like Liz Taylor! It too, was a dream come true and a special day for her. Thank you all for the fun fright night. Until next week. I think I’ll go out in song… I was struck by lightning, walking down the street….I was struck by lightning last night in my sleep, It’s a dead man’s party, who could ask for more? Come and set your wedding date and get those invitations out the door. Get those wedding invitations out the door.

See ya,

Diana

The Finnishing Touch...

I need a sign! Tell me where to go? Hi, it’s me again Diana your friendly Chauffeur from the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel. Today I am told to ”go to the sign”….Within minutes I am at the Four Seasons Resort Hotel and I am picking up my next Vow Renewal couple. They are accompanied by a few of their dear friends and there daughter. Their daughter Sophia, was just cute as a bug and so sweet. A little princess indeed.

At the Viva Las Vegas Chapel we have couples from all over the world as you can see in my past blogs. Most of them make their initial plans over the internet and make there way to Fabulous Las Vegas. Peter and Pernille are from Denmark! Oh, and for those of you that do not know….if you are not much of a phone person, but you need some information regarding a Wedding or Vow Renewel, we have Livechat. Go to our website attached WWW.VivaLasVegasWeddings.com and speak to a live Wedding Reservationist. Just press the button that says Livechat, it is red. We are always happy to help and answer your questions.

Peter and Pernille have been married for 10 years and have always wanted to get married by the King. They chose our Las Vegas Sign Wedding/Vow Renewal. In this package, we pick you up in a beautiful stretch limousine at your hotel on “The Strip,”and carry you off to the Las Vegas Sign to make your wedding dreams come true. There are flowers for the Bride and a matching boutonnaire for the Groom. Within a matter of minutes, the Bride and Groom are married by Elvis. Your witnesses are all of the visitors who are just at the sign to take a memorable picture of their visit to Las Vegas. Just imagine it…you and your lovely Bride are dancing away below the Las Vegas Sign and Elvis is serrenading the two of you. Happy onlookers are now your guests at your 10 year wedding renewal. Your new found friends are enjoying your nuptials and sharing in your joy and begin to sing with Elvis just for you….Viva Las Vegas! …Viva las Vegas! I’ll say that again..Viva las Vegas!

The energy is fantastic, and the photos are so great. I have attached a photo of the great looking couple at the sign. I am not a professional photographer, but the Chapel does supply one with this wedding package. The black and whites on these weddings at the sign are just amazing. Keep that in mind…

Peter, Pernille and Princess, thank you and your super fun friends for a great afternoon of fun in the sun! I am now Finnish. No, you are Finnish. Pernille is from Finland. Hugs to all of you. I’ll see you again in ten years, how about a James Bond themed Wedding then Peter and Pernille???

Until we meet again,

Diana

Viva Italia!

So here we are in Fabulous Las Vegas with so many exciting weddings taking place daily. I arrive at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to pick up my next Bride. And what do I see?? It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a…No- It’s SUPERMAN!! What? Oh yes, I picked up Batman-Superman-Wonderwoman and Batgirl. Now I know I will be safe all night. In case you were wondering ..crime was down on the Las Vegas Strip because our action Super Heroes were in town for the weekend. I then begin to think…does Superman marry Wonderwoman? Or does Batgirl say yes to Batman after all these years? No silly, that would never happen. Just then I spot my beautiful Bride and Groom Francesca and Paolo from Italy with their marriage license in hand. They are both decked out, and ready to say “I do.” Oh me too…stay tuned for my next Wedding Blog ( I will get married ). Now everyone is in the Batmobile and off we go to the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel. Four, Three, Two, One. Woohooo, what a time we are about to have.

They chose the PINK CADDY themed wedding because it is a blast! Go to my “Themed Weddings“  Wedding Blog for more information on the PINK CADDY wedding. Francesca and Paolo you are my Bride and Groom pick for the week! You look maaaaarvelous! So,once again as I sign off, let me tell you that Francesca, Paolo and the rest of the Super Gang had a Super time! They dined at the Top of  the World restaurant at The Stratosphere Hotel where they could view the entire Las Vegas Strip ( for crime of course ) and to have a dinner fit for a Super Hero. Who’s your favorite Super Hero? I would have to go with ” Batgirl.”  I love hanging upside down. You can view my Batgirl costume ( 2009 Halloween Blog ) under “The Monster Mash” title. Until we meet again…stay tuned to my Wedding Blogs on the same Bat Webpage Viva Las Vegas Weddings.com and to the same…”Batgirl.”

Yours truly,

Diana

This weeks Bride of the week comes to us from Canada.  Oh Canada.  Now, this Bride was not only beautiful….but she is talented too!  She made her husbands jacket ( like a smoking  jacket) and she made her own “vintage”  wedding dress!  I could not believe it. The dress fit her like a glove and she was a glowing bride.  Now, the talent doesn’t stop there.  She even made these fabulous wedding invitations for their family back home.  They have planned a big shindig in August for their family and friends to celebrate their union and view their awesome wedding( DVD ) in Vegas!.  The wedding package they chose was the PINK CADDY~ Ohhhhh!  One of my favorite weddings here at The Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel.  So, picture this…your guests are in the Chapel, fog begins to stream into the room and the music from Space Odyssey is playing. Padum, Padum…..And suddenly you hear a car horn honking and the Chapel doors fly open….  And yes, you guessed it, Elvis is driving a 64 convertable Pink Caddy with the Bride and Groom in the backseat. Your guests are wowed and it is so much fun!  I especially like it when the guests are surprised.  I have attached a photo of Celeste and Jeffrey for you to see . I hope you enjoy it.  Also, I have attached that PINK CADDY wedding invitation she made for her special July 1st wedding.  Many years to you two.  You made my day.

Warmly,

Diana

1. Put your Maid of Honor in charge: Your Maid of Honor has a lot of duties on your wedding day, but the most important should be making sure that you look good. Ask her to check your hair, your dress, your husband’s wedding suit or tux, your make-up—everything—before the photographer says, “Cheese!”
2. Don’t try anything too new: If you are doing your own makeup, don’t experiment with anything you haven’t used before. Use all the same cosmetics that you usually use, only a little bit heavier so your features look more pronounced in pictures.
3. Use waterproof mascara: Your wedding + tears of joy= waterproof mascara.
4. Let a pro “do” your face: Having a professional makeup artist apply your makeup on your wedding day is often a great way to ensure that quality, non-smudging cosmetics are used and applied properly.
5. Use blotting paper: If you have greasy skin you might be tempted to carry some powder foundation with you and reapply frequently. Unfortunately, this can leave you with makeup on your clothes and in your hair, dark lines around the perimeter of your face, and unblended (and very noticeable) makeup blotches. Instead, buy some absorbent blotting papers to soak up the grease, reduce your shine in photos, and avoid foundation issues.
6. Body tape is your friend: There is nothing worse than ill-fitting garments in your wedding photos. If you have shoulders that won’t stay up, buttons that gape open and a dress that shifts badly when you move, use body tape to keep it in place. Remember the J Lo Versace with one strategically placed accessory holding it together? Invisible body tape was the real star that night.
7. Have a tiny mirror: Keep a small lipstick mirror in the palm of your hand so you can quickly check your vital areas before any photographs are snapped.
8. Don’t rub your eyes: Do not put your hands anywhere near your face or hair after they are done. Be aware of any nervous or unconscious gestures you have—like raking your fingers through your hair or rubbing your eyes—and stop yourself before you perform them.
9. Hire a professional photographer: Professional photographers are paid to make you look good in photos. Not only that, but they are often skilled in the illustrious art of Photoshop, which can get rid of pimples and stray hairs, can even out skin tones, make you look thinner and can even make the Sex and the City girls look 20 years younger. It really is a powerful magic.

And there you have it, nine simple tips to make sure that your wedding pictures look fantabulous for decades to come so you can head off to your honeymoon in peace!

With a star like Elvis you expect a crazy, over-the-top wedding filled with exotic animals, strange tuxedo prints, dresses that weigh 100 pounds and circus acts galore. And when you find out that Elvis’ wedding took place in Vegas, well the possibilities of excess simply blow your mind. But in truth, none of these things were present at Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu’s May 1, 1967 Vegas wedding.

The Where and The Wear

Elvis and Priscilla exchanged vows at the Aladdin Hotel. The ceremony was small and private and both Elvis and Priscilla wore traditional wedding garb. It is said that Elvis’ tux was too big for him, though it’s hard to imagine why the King of Rock and Roll couldn’t get a simple tuxedo that fit when his sequined and bedazzled suits were marvels of human contouring.

Priscilla wore a white dress a bit like a shapeless sack (oh the 60′s…) with lace sleeves and a veil that floated like a cloud around her bouffant hair. In pictures she looks both stunning and happy—but then, what 21-year old marrying the most famous face in music wouldn’t have?

Before They Were Wed

What is really crazy about Elvis and Priscilla’s relationship is not so much their nuptials but their courting. You see, Elvis met Priscilla in 1959 during World War II when she was just 13. Two years later he asked for permission to have her live near him in Memphis and finish high school there.

What do you think happened during this time though? A 15-year old girl in love with a still living, still sexy music legend residing in a home far away from her parents and super close to her love? Yeah, mmhmmm… gradually, she moved herself right over to Graceland. According to Priscilla’s book however, (no matter what your dirty little mind is feverishly concocting right now) the two did not have premarital sex.

And there you have it. The sordid, scandalous story of young love and—oh, well, I guess the way it’s told here isn’t too scandalous and actually kind of sweet these days (except that whole 13-years-old thing). More importantly is the view of the wedding as exactly the type of affair the couple wanted, and it took place right here in the most romantic city in the world.

Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel's Deluxe Outdoor Gazebo Wedding

Whether you are married, divorced, engaged or permanently single, chances are good that you still enjoy watching or reading about a big, famous wedding. Sometimes that means the marriage of two fleeting Hollywood celebrities—which is usually fun and over the top—but not quite as amazing as truly historic weddings can be. Here are some of the 5 most memorable historical weddings.

1. Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer: Who could forget the astonishing 25 foot train donned by Lady Diana Spencer during her July 29, 1981 wedding to Prince Charles? Although it did look like the attention paid to her train might have been better spent tending to her hair, it was an amazing event nonetheless as the future King of England took his first bride in front of 600,000 live viewers and 750 million television viewers.
2. King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn: Framed by forceful and selfish religious reforms and a suspicious beheading, the marriage of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn is one that has fascinated historians and Tudor-junkies alike for centuries. Their wedding, which took place in a small chapel during a secret ceremony in 1533, was done in spite of the fact that the King was already married to his deceased brother’s former wife Katharine of Aragon who was stripped of her title and forever called a Dowager Princess after his marriage to Boleyn.
3. Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu: Married in 1967 here in the wedding capital of the world, Las Vegas, these two had a very understated and traditional wedding. In this case, it wasn’t the wedding itself that was so memorable as much as it was the tying of a ball and chain around the ankle of the world’s most lust-worthy singer.
4. Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly: April 19^th 1956, Hollywood legend Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III of Monaco. While it was technically their second wedding, it is more notable than the first–which they had the previous day–because of the majesty of the affair. With 600 guests packed into the St. Nicholas Cathedral and about 30 million more watching from the comfort of their own homes (an amazing number in 1956), Kelly glided down the aisle in 125 yards of silk and taffeta decorated with 125-year old lace sewn together by an MGM costume designer and 36 seamstresses over 6 weeks.
5. Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin: On June 16^th 2008, in perhaps the most historic moment in wedding history, lesbian activist Phyllis Lyon married her long-time partner and fellow lesbian activist Del Martin in the first ever gay marriage. The ceremony itself was simple and held in the San Francisco Mayor’s office, but what is amazing about this wedding is the decades-long fight for equality waged by these two octogenarians who had been a couple for more than 50 years.

No matter where you decide to get married—with us here at Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel in Sin City, or in Maui, The Bahamas or your momma’s backyard—your nuptials are your own. They represent you and your fiancé’ and the one-of-a-kind pairing that your marriage will create. That means that your actual wedding should not be ho-hum or average. You don’t need the same flowers as your best friend had or the same cake knives that some famous starlet used—you need something that sets your wedding apart as uniquely your union does. Here are ten easy and popular ways to set your Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel wedding apart from the crowd:

1. Make it two parts Las Vegas Wedding Chapel and three parts you: The best way to set your wedding apart is to let it be about you. Your wedding doesn’t need to be about what your mom wants or what your fiancé’s grandfather thinks is appropriate and it doesn’t have to match the universally accepted “dos” of a wedding book; it has to be about you, your fiancé and all the things you love about each other.
2. Include family traditions: Adding family traditions into your Las Vegas Wedding Chapel ceremony and reception is a great way to personalize your wedding and appropriately represent the joining of two families. Let us know what you want and we’ll help!
3. Use music you can dance to: Who says you have to walk down the aisle to the Wedding March? Maybe you like to dance to the beat of a different drummer. Don’t be afraid to incorporate any music you love into your ceremony.
4. Flowers, shmowers: Bouquets don’t have to be made out of flowers. You can make them out of fruit, candy, toys, tissue paper, tools—anything that more adequately represents you and your fiancé. Of course, if your heart is set on the traditional, our floral shop offers a wide variety of bridal bouquets and decorations ranging from the merely gorgeous to the gorgeous and exotic.
5. Décor galore: Like bouquets, your Las Vegas Wedding Chapel décor does not have to consist merely of ribbons, tulle and bows. You can use dramatic textiles, unexpected accents and even stage props—if that’s your thing. At Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel, all of our themed weddings include authentic décor.
6. Find the right costume: Just because everyone else wears a traditional wedding dress and tuxedo for their ceremony doesn’t mean you have to. You can wear the costume of one of your favorite television show characters, a work uniform if you both met at work, or any other ensemble that makes you feel good and looks good in pictures. If you’re having your themed wedding at Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel, you can rent your princess gown, flapper dress, or Blue Hawaii flowered shirt at our costume shop.
7. Choose the right time of the night: There may be a certain time of day or night that is more meaningful to you and your fiancé than the traditional hours people get married. The Las Vegas Wedding Chapel is open extended hours so we can help you tie the knot when you want to.  We are open Sunday through Thursday from 9a.m. to 9p.m. and 9a.m. to 10p.m. Friday and Saturday. Don’t just choose any time of day to exchange vows—make it your time of day.
8. The hair’s the thing: There is no right or wrong way to wear your hair for your wedding. There is also no right or wrong color. Coordinate your hair to your outfit, your wedding colors or theme.
9. A theme ties the wedding together: A bride in white makes for a traditional, elegant wedding, but if you’ve already done the long white gown thing, or simply want something a little different, we’ll throw a themed wedding for you. Be serenaded by Elvis in our popular Las Vegas Wedding, prowl the Italian underworld as a gangster and his moll, or sing along with sea shanties at your very own pirate wedding!
10. Show that elegance is not a forgotten art: But what about elegance and simplicity? At the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel, we have both indoor and outdoor locations that create a simple, elegant and sophisticated environment for your ceremony and reception. Add in your own choice of music and dress and you will have a uniquely chic experience.

So don’t let societal or family traditions limit your wedding planning. Create a ceremony and reception that you and your fiancé will cherish and remember forever.