This Oklahoma couple embraced the best of the glitzy city.
By: Jenna Mahoney-AS SEEN IN BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE-
Las Vegas. Did two little words ever spark so many opinions? No matter what your mind first goes to contemplating "Vegas, baby," there's one word everyone can agree on — fun. The neon-laced oasis — which is chockablock with stellar entertainment, top-chef cuisine experiences, all-day and-night discos, unbeatable spas, endless nuptial celebrations to suit every style and more — is just a good time. And that’s what prompted Alexandra and Shelby Ford to host an intimate wedding in the go-go city. "Vegas is a classic balance of luxury and debauchery. We wanted the party atmosphere in a place where our closest friends and family could really let loose," they say. What they got was an only-in-Vegas, vintage-style celebration complete with new tattoos. "Vegas makes a great party."
Star Power
Alex and Shelby wanted an intimate party that was downright fun. After they swapped vows in the 2,700-square-foot Jackie Gaughan Suite at the El Cortez Hotel & Casino, a friend gifted the couple matching tattoos of the El Cortez logo and their wedding date. "Our guests served themselves at the vintage bar in the corner," they recall, and later enjoyed beer and pizza. "Getting married in the Jackie Gaughan Suite was as extravagant as it was affordable. The Old Hollywood feel meant we didn’t have to do much to the space and our friends felt like they were at a celebrity house party," says the couple.
"The balcony of the Jackie Gaughan Suite is the best spot to watch the sunset over the Vegas strip. Our friends and family chatted and drank champagne while we gathered around the large balcony windows post ceremony."
“Sons of Cakery did our vintage themed pink heart cake. The classy/trashy vintage vibe was so important to us and they nailed it.” For the florals, the couple got Roots Flowers to craft the bridal bouquet and boutonnière with an old Hollywood feel. "They were perfect!"
For food: "We love the Cosmopolitan for brunch." Says Alex: "I would go to Nacho Daddy every day if my wife would let me."
Legally Wed
Famously, Nevada has no waiting period or blood-test requirements for swapping vows. Marriage licenses, however, are required, as is proof of age. Proper legal identification must be presented along with the $85 fee in person.
Travel Notes
Since its founding in 1905, the Desert Oasis of Las Vegas has been all about glitz and glamour. Once owned by Bugsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky and their associates, the circa 1941 El Cortez Hotel & Casino is the embodiment of the vintage Las Vegas feel that put the shining city on the map for romance-seeking travelers. Today, the family-run hotel offers modern accommodations with luxurious amenities coupled with a distinct retro vibe that’s in the words of Alex and Shelby "a great party." The gaming fl oor is a classic with its old-school slot machines, neon signage and some of the city’s oldest blackjack tables. The hotel's bar and eateries include The Parlour Bar & Lounge, a clubby watering hole, the sports bar/cocktail lounge called Ike’s, and an old-school all-day-and-night eatery and modern sushi restaurant. Accommodations include the Origiinal 47, a collection of renovated guest rooms with vintage-inspired décor, which are accessed via a staircase from the casino, a series of Cabana suites with decadent marble bathrooms, and where the couple got married — the grande dame Jackie Gaughan penthouse suite, among others (room rates start at $75 a night).
Wedding Details:
- Photographer: Amber Garrett
- Videographer: Sidney Robinson
- Ceremony/Reception Site: El Cortez Hotel & Casino in the Jackie Gaughan Suite
- Florist: Roots Flowers
- Cake: Sons of Cakery
- Hair and Makeup: Makeup in the 702
- Suiting: OK Sew Co.
