Wedding
Chapels in Las Vegas seem to have a lot of unspoken policies, that people have a
hard time swallowing, especially when they find out the day of their wedding.
These questions are sometimes overlooked and assumed it is all ok, as “It is my
wedding”… Wrong…. Each chapel has different policies that is true, but
they tend to be very similar in their thinking and not to deviate. Some are
more flexible than others, as you will find…just as some are prettier, cleaner,
friendlier staff and open different hours. Search the chapels out, go in and
see how you are treated, is it clean, and will you be proud to have your friends
and family there? Do you feel emotion when you walk in? Believe me, you will
find these things; just take the time to shop. Give our local chapels a chance
to prove that we too are a wonderful wedding destination!
1.
Outside Affiliates
Please
note that Nevada is one of the few states that require you to be registered with
the state office to perform weddings. If you are a Minister from another state,
you usually can do services in another state without registering with the state
office, but not in Nevada. You must belong to a Church and register with the
state office, and they will issue you a license for Nevada so you can perform
weddings. If a brother, cousin, etc. wants to officiate your wedding here in
town, they can apply at the County Clerks Office for a special pass. That pass
is usually issued for 3 days and will entitle them to officiate your wedding.
Most chapels discourage outside officiates.
2.
Outside Photographers
Most
chapels will not allow outside photographers to come in. Photography is their
bread and butter and do not accept this easily. They will usually allow
photographers to take photos during the wedding, but not after when their
professional staff are doing their job. Sometimes cameras are not allowed
inside the chapel either. Of course we sometimes can…. for a fee of course.
3.
Gratuity for Limousine Drivers
There is
always an additional fee for your Limousine Driver. It is approximately between
$25.00 and $45.00 per round trip. The drivers expect to receive the gratuity at
the end of the round trip back to your destination. The Limousine Drivers
position is paid at a minimum wage per hour, so they make their money on
gratuity. When they give you good service, they only know if you are pleased,
by the gratuity you give to them.
4.
Gratuity for Ministers
Ministers are usually outside contractors and are not paid by the chapel. The
money that they receive from the couples is the only money they make. The
suggested amount is usually $50-$75.00 for a chapel wedding, and $25-$35.00 for
a gazebo or Drive up wedding.
5.
Bringing your own music
Chapels
welcome bringing your own music. The staff understands that some people have
special songs to play, instead of the wedding march. Bring the music on a CD,
which is easy for a staff member to queue up. The songs are not played in
entirety because there is a time factor involved. There is usually music played
for the processional and the recessional, which would be a piece of the song you
have chosen and then faded out. If you desire to play the song in its entirety,
you might want to purchase extra chapel time. Some chapels do have organs or
pianos. Bringing in a family member, or guest to play these instruments, is not
favored by the chapel due to the liability of the instrument.
6.
Seating capacity
Investigate the seating capacity of the chapels. After the seating capacity
some will allow standing room only, so more people can be accommodated. Most
chapels accommodate 20-75 guests seated, although there are a few that can
accommodate up to 100.
7. Rice
and Birdseed
Throwing
rice is a definite “NO”. Birds eat the rice which inflates their stomach, which
will cause them to explode. Yes really explode!! Birdseed of course will bring
birds, so that is also suggested as “NO”. An alternative is to use bubbles or
to throw rose petals which the wind will blow away.
8. How
long in the chapel
The
amount of time spent for a wedding inside the chapel is 30 minutes. That time
is usually broken into half of the time for the service, and half for the photo
session. Some chapels book weddings on the 30 minute tie slots, while others
book on the 15 minute time slot. Understand that the time seems to be quick,
but weddings are completed in that time frame, and you really did not realize
the amount of time you spent. If that all makes you too uncomfortable,
purchase additional time from the chapel, which is usually sold in 30 minute
slots. The prices for additional time can be as low as $59.00 to as high as
$200.00, especially on a Saturday or busy holiday.
Joni
Moss
Nevada
Wedding Association
LV
Wedding Connection
505 East
Windmill Lane Suite 1B
Las
Vegas, Nevada 89123
702-236-8728
joni@lvweddingconnection.com
www.lvweddingconnection.com
