It seems like everyone is getting married in Las Vegas! Reality TV star jwoww, rumors of a Cher wedding, they just keep on coming. I’ve gotten a lot of people asking me “Why Vegas?” As a local, I may have a different bias than others but there are definitely more than a few things that make Las Vegas a premier destination for upscale weddings. We’re not just the land of drive-thrus, anymore. Las Vegas is quickly becoming one of the celebrity and luxury wedding capitals of the world. But why?!

Everyone loves Vegas

It’s almost always true: people love coming to Vegas. What does this mean for your own wedding? One of the biggest concerns when planning a destination wedding is whether or not family members will fly in from all around the country (world!) for a weekend (or longer) trip. Even if the most romantic place in the world for you is Duluth, Minnesota, don’t plan people being excited to come to your February wedding in a city that barely gets above freezing in the winter… In choosing Las Vegas for your destination wedding, you are choosing a location that provides your guests with entertainment other than just your ceremony and reception. Who wouldn’t be excited to get an invitation to a weekend in Bright Light City, USA?

Vegas is for everyone

Vegas can do it all. Have a wedding on the beach in Miami, you get the “on a beach in Miami” look. Have a wedding at a historic chapel in the UK, you get the “historic chapel in the UK” look. Have a wedding in Las Vegas, you get as much class, charm, whimsy, elegance, fun, or beauty as you want. From the Old Vegas charm of the downtown district to the world-class, ultra-chic look of the newest casino/hotels on the strip, Las Vegas has something for everyone. Endless photo opportunities, from the lights of the neon graveyard to the seclusion of the desert mountains.

Vegas has everyone

Any desire that you and your wedding designer could think of for your special day can be accomplished in Las Vegas. World-class entertainment, premier spas and hotels, best-in-the-world dining and catering, the list goes on and on. Your wedding destination shouldn’t be a hindrance to what you want to do with your special day. With the opportunities that Las Vegas provides for even the most discerning of brides, you’d be hard pressed to find a city that can offer the array of amenities and choices that The City of Entertainment can give. In what other city can you go to a world-class show (Jersey Boys, Cirque Du Soleil, Elton John), eat at a celebrity chef’s restaurant, have a party at a premier nightclub, all on one street? The people and the opportunities of Las Vegas are, simply, second to none.

As a Las Vegas Wedding Planner, there are a number of reasons why I personally choose Las Vegas. I love the weather, I love the people, I love the culture, I love the history. But it seems that everyone is choosing Las Vegas for their own reason. And that’s what makes it a great spot: there’s something for everyone.

As a wedding guest, you play a huge part in the bride and groom’s special day. After all, you were invited to what is, potentially, the biggest party of their lives! They will be looking back at pictures of this day for the rest of their lives, and well-dressed guests really help complete their vision for their wedding. Here are some tips:

• Dress up. Is there anything worse than underdressing? When in doubt, overdress. I’m not saying that you need to wear your best pieces in an effort to compete with the bride, but if the invitation says “casual attire” (or, worse, doesn’t say anything at all…), a chiffon cocktail dress dressed up with some sparkly jewelry makes sure that you fit the broad spectrum that other wedding guests might define as “casual.”

• Mind your surroundings. The location of the ceremony and reception might provide your best clue to for what to wear. If the wedding is outdoors on a beach in California, you can probably rule out the dark, formal dress you’d be wearing at a country club or ballroom. Pair a light, flowing dress with some coordinating flats, and you’ll be sure not to twist your ankle walking across the beach to the ceremony site. If you’re not sure of the site of the ceremony or reception, a quick-drive by on your way home from work a few weeks before could be the difference between being a stand-out and being out-of-place.

• Know the lingo. Here’s a quick cheat sheet.

• Casual: Men – This means slacks (khakis are only acceptable before evening) and a polo or dress shirtand an informal dress for women. Choose heels over flats, just to be safe.
• Cocktail: Ladies wear cocktail dresses (makes sense…) and men wear dress shirts and slacks or a dark suit. Guys can forgo the tie for cocktail attire.
• Black tie: Take cocktail up a notch. If you choose a cocktail or tea-length dress, make sure that it fits the description of “dressy.” Men wear tuxes or, if necessary, a dark suit.
• White tie: Not seen very often anymore, but white tie is the most clear-cut. Women wear long, formal dresses and men wear black tuxes with white shirts and vests.
• Anything else: I’ve seen “festive attire,” “Sunday best,” and even “cocktail formal.” When in doubt, ask a friend. There is strength in numbers!

• Don’t get crazy. There’s no shame in “blending in,” especially at a wedding that’s not your own! Stay away from pairing bold patterns with lots of jewelry. Keep heels at a manageable height. Pick up a pair of simple nude heels and never worry about what shoes to wear again – those dyed-to-match shoes belong in your closet. And remember, being conservative in your choices is smart; you’ll be looking at these pictures long after styles change.

• Don’t stress. Chances are, if you’ve been invited to the wedding, the bride and groom consider you a special part of their lives. If you wearing something that doesn’t fit just right, are you going to get kicked out without a chance to catch the bouquet? Probably not.

Do you have any tips on navigating the fashion world of weddings? Got a question about what “daytime formal” means on a wedding invitation? Let me know in the comments!

In art, you will also see an emphasizes on the lush abundance of the season, and images of foods being gathered in the wild. The predominant mood of autumnal celebrations is gladness or thankfulness for the fruits of the earth. This is such a special time to be with family and to celebrate the blessings of our lives.  English poet John Keats’ poem To Autumn describes the season as a time of bounteous fecundity, a time of ‘mellow fruitfulness’. Other feelings associated with autumn are that of richness and lushness. When planning a wedding or event in this time, use it! Use it all in bringing those wonderful things into your wedding decor.