Wedding

December 30, 2001

We left Chicago’s Midway airport Sunday at 10 pm. We arrived in Las Vegas just after midnight Vegas time.

Hotel/Casino Paris next stop!

Upon checking into the Paris they didn’t have a king non-smoking room, so they put us in a double queen. (snag #1) I recommend not arriving so late. They failed to tell us when making reservations that the room is reserved but not blocked until arrival, so basically first come, first served. (We were told to check back in the morning to see about changing rooms to a single King.) The room was very nice, with a lovely bathroom containing a separate shower and bathtub, side by side. By this time it was after 2 am, so we were ready for sleep!

Next Morning

December 31, 2001

Up early to call my hair dresser and let her know I was in Vegas then off for a breakfast of pastries and strong coffee at the Paris sweet shoppe. We then grabbed a taxi to the Courthouse to get our license. As long as you know the date of your divorce you don’t seem to need your divorce papers. I had mine with me, just in case, but I wasn’t asked for them, or even asked to see an ID!? The cost was $50.00, the line wasn’t long before 10:30, but it was getting pretty long by the time we left.

Outside and down to the corner to grab a cab (same cabbie was waiting) to Danielle’s ice cream and candy shop. We had seen them on Food TV and wanted to take home some ‘white chocolate covered popcorn’ to our daughter who had requested it. Our cab waited (off the clock, wasn't he nice!?) and we went back to the Paris to drop things off and grab a quick lunch before getting ready for the ceremony.

We decided to call the chapel to verify the time the limo would pick us up. (Snag #2) They were glad we called because the person who took our information hadn’t written down most of what they should have. She got the credit card# but didn’t know where we were staying, our phone number, etc. even though I had told her and asked what she needed. We gave them the info then and went to lunch, Sushi at the Venetian.

Back to the Paris to relax and get ready to have my hair done. Phone rang and it was the chapel, they couldn’t seem to get a limo on New Years Eve at such short notice. Needless to say I was crying by then. I don’t think 6 weeks is short notice... Anyway, after I got mad, cried and said I guessed I’d get there however I was able, after many calls back and forth, trying to charge more for the limo, finally, they located one for the original fee.

Cool down time, then into my undergarments and a pair of silk lounging pj’s. Debbie arrived promptly at 2:30 to do my hair and make-up. What a sweetheart she was! She did a super job on my hair and make-up. I found out she’d even visited my website!

Into my dress and heels, pinned boutonniere to groom’s suit and helped him with his tie pin, then... downstairs to await our limo! It was a few minutes late and traffic was bad, but we finally got to San Francisco Sally’s Victorian Wedding Chapel! The ladies were very nice and the chapel was so cute! We awaited the minister and took a few preliminary pictures. (I do recommend getting someone you trust to take photos for you, many of ours have the groom’s head cut off and the lighting was dim)

The ceremony was brief but lovely. I, of course, blubbered like a big baby! (snag #3) The video camera didn’t go on so we didn’t get a video of the ceremony, but that’s OK, it was a small chapel and might have not been the best video anyway. The minister was well spoken and very nice. The chapel was just the cutest thing! I love pink... my dress was pink, the flowers were pink and most of the decorations in the chapel were pink, so I was in heaven! After the ceremony we took a few more photos and rode back to the hotel in the limo. The driver had thoughtfully provided us with a chilled bottle of champagne, so we enjoyed our first toast as husband and wife!

We dropped off the marriage certificate and a few other things we didn’t need and proceeded to dinner in the Paris. We had 6:30 reservations at Les Artiste Steak-house in the Paris. We sat on the second floor overlooking the restaurant in a high-backed half-circle booth. Our waiter was very nice and kept us satisfied. We started with pan-seared foi gras. Just before the appetizer arrived we were set upon by an accordion player and vocalist wearing authentic French costume. They started with a few bars of the "wedding march" and then Lance broke into "Speak Softly, Love" Mark, being Italian, really enjoyed this :) We then shared a spinach and proscuto salad after which I had a veal chop and Mark had prime rib, both with grilled baby vegetables. We were too full by then to have dessert... too bad, we love creme brulee!

To Treasure Island

to see Mystere

9:00 show of Mystere - Cirque du Soliel... what can I say? It is pure genius! I would see it again and again (if I could afford it!) It is beautiful, artistic, strange... We bought the audio CD, the video isn’t available until the show retires. It’s been running 10 years now... We did buy a video of another show called Saltimbanco and have yet to watch it. We got party hats and a mini bottle of champagne each in the show. The show let out shortly after 11 pm.

We decided to stroll down the strip, slowly making our way back to the Paris and we’d video tape the fireworks at midnight on our way. The strip was closed to any traffic, taxis were hard to come by and would take the long way anywhere... We enjoyed a leisurely stroll until about midnight when things began to get really crowded. (snag #4) Some college chick stole my party hat as we walked along, just snatched it from my head! After the fireworks we continued to walk along and got caught in a crush. It was crazy! There was no escape and you had to go with the flow of the crowd. It was hard to breathe and I was afraid of being separated, I got stepped on more than once and nearly panicked! Mark kept hold of me and made sure we got out. That’s one thing I will never do again! LOL

Finally made it back to the Paris and enjoyed the rest of New Years Eve in our room.

The rest of the trip

January 1 & 2, 2002

Slept late, visited the nearby casinos, had wonderful crepes at the Paris, bought souvenirs, got a 10 minute shoulder and neck massage, played slots and had a wonderful champagne buffet dinner at the Paris. We didn’t win anything to speak of, won back a bit but lost all we put in. We didn’t expect to win anything so we weren’t disappointed. We flew home Wednesday evening and after waiting a long time for our luggage we arrived home after 2am.

We are still tired!
It seems we are not quite the spring chickens we used to be :)
The trip was wonderful and romantic.
All I could have asked for and more!

I have included the snags for any of you having a Vegas wedding who might want to know what to look out for :)

Click the pic to visit

Beautiful Brides

By Deb

No Web-Site

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Midi - Speak Softly Love

theme from "The Godfather"

Click here for the fun karaoke version

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