Photography credit - Kristen Marie
The excitement, creativity and convenience of a Las Vegas wedding is already awesomely unmatched. Now there’s a way to get even more from your big day when you celebrate it over one of the year’s three-day holiday weekends – from Presidents Day to the close of the summer season on Labor Day, you have a number of options open to you.
Accommodate guests who want the extra day to travel, or just extend the festivities in a way that’ll make the weekend more fun than you could have ever imagined. From “last date” nights to de-stressing at the spa to an easy outdoor adventure, and more, here’s the itinerary to help you plan the long-weekend destination wedding of your dreams.
Have a “last date” before you say I do!
Reminisce about your first date on a playful “last date” before you finally take that walk down the aisle. It’s a great moment you can make just for you two alone before all the festivities start for the weekend.
Head to the Neon Museum to be wowed by the bright lights of a time before. The museum has been collecting and preserving the neon signs from almost a century of Las Vegas’ history. Take a tour, or just stroll through yourself – the stunning site is even available for photo shoots or the wedding itself, should you want to book it for the big day. Or, to really experience the signs in their fully neon glory, catch Brilliant! The night time show uses sight and sound to bring the vibrant life back to the iconic signage of Vegas’ past.
Then take your romance to altogether new heights with a dinner at the renowned Top of the World Restaurant at The Strat, Hotel and Tower. Marvel at the menu and taste some of the most delectable dining creations on the Strip while the whole venue itself revolves for a full 360-degree view of the breathtaking city and surrounding desert.
Calm those pre-wedding nerves with a soothing spa day.
Even those of us with calm nerves can have moments of jitters, and it’s no surprise if you do too before you recite your vows. Luckily, a Las Vegas event puts you right in reach of any number of spas to let you stretch, exhale and relax.
The Forbes Four-Star spa and salon, Spa Mio at M Hotel, will have you tingling in elegant awe. This is the full-on pampering and blissed-out experience of your dreams, offering the highest quality products during your appointment or for purchase. The spa offers 16 treatment rooms readied for body wraps, facials, stone massages, or even hair and makeup sessions that will have you looking and feeling your absolute finest before the big day. Vdara Spa offers a European heat experience that leads you through a journey of temperature shifts, priming you for body or facial (or both!) treatments that will have you on cloud nine. Technicians are expertly selected and trained, their approach as much holistic as it is personalized, and the products not only luxurious, but award-winning.
Pick a package at the Golden Nugget Spa & Salon and get whisked away to its de-stressing setting equipped with saunas, whirlpools and steam rooms while you wait for your fine facial or body treatment. Additional services, like waxing, makeovers and hair stylings, are also available. Plus, have your nails primed and polished before you leave this heavenly oasis.
Lace up the hiking boots for a post-wedding outdoor adventure.
The ceremony might be over, the reception wrapped, but that doesn’t mean the celebration has to stop. Head outdoors to Las Vegas’ natural landscapes – just a short trip from the Strip – for a view that will awaken your eyes to unparalleled serenity.
The Valley of Fire is 40,000 acres of red rock; dusty trails; and a wide, silent sky that will touch your soul. There’s no better place to find a peaceful moment after declaring your eternal love! Book a campsite, or a group camping space for you and a few friends, to continue the festivities. Dine at the picnic sites, take a hike on one of its scenic trails, or check out one of the scheduled events programmed by the park itself. Hop aboard the Desert Princess, the three-level paddle wheeler, for a romantic cruise across Lake Mead. It’s spacious, climate controlled, and has an open deck for views with the cool, fresh breeze in your hair. The tranquil, sight-filled ride will let you catch your breath after the wedding event.
Red Rock Canyon lets you reconnect and unwind with its 13-mile drive and options for hiking across so many winding trails. You’ll find peace here, of course, but your sense of wonder will be engaged, too, as you explore its unique plants, wildlife and mysterious geological formations. Its visitors center offers planned events, plus indoor and outdoor exhibits.
Or, forget the great outdoors – kick it poolside in style instead.
Keep up the tempo! In the end, you might just want to transition into honeymoon mode with the incredible poolside amenities Las Vegas has to offer. You’ll find lapping waves and umbrella-adorned sips – it’s all up to you to choose which side of the pool-party spectrum you want to dive into.
There are seven – count ’em, seven – different pools to choose from at the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace to help you splish-splash your way into total chill mode. Extravagant Roman architecture gives you the feel of an Italian getaway; countless cabanas and daybeds let you stretch in the sun or in the shade; and the impeccable poolside menus have you sated like ancient royalty. Each pool provides a unique atmosphere that will cater to your desires, whether it be ultimate relaxation, an adults-only vibe or a rambunctious dance party.
In case you want to take the party to ultimate extremes, try the Moorea Beach Club at Mandalay Bay where high-energy music will have you thrumming even within the waves. Relish the chance for Euro-style sunbathing, cushioned chaise lounges and poolside massage bookings. This is extravagance and decadence defined, so jump in to make the honeymoon start with a huge splash. For a luxurious encounter, try The Pool at The Wynn, where you’ll lounge in the lush surrounding gardens, be waited on for whatever it is you wish from its food and drink menu, and take a dip as you please. There are private cabanas with stocked refrigerators, misting fans to keep you cool, and plasma TVs for your exclusive entertainment.
Whatever way you want to design your three-day weekend destination wedding, Las Vegas has the ideas and inspiration to make all the pieces fit.