Ceremony: The Wynn
Wow...is all I can say. Booking the Wynn is one of the best decisions I made regarding my wedding planning. Communication was perfect, and even when my original WC had to take maternity leave, my switch to the new WC was seamless. Everything went off without a hitch. The ladies (and Rev. Walter) at the Wynn Wedding Salons made sure I had my dream wedding.
I'm sure a lot of work went on behind the scenes, but from where I stood (nervously waiting to walk down the aisle) everything seemed so effortless and seamless. All the ladies were so calm and had a smile on their faces, which really helped to settle my nerves. I had a great time laughing with my day-of-coordinator (whose name I can't remember -- sorry to say) because she couldn't stop dancing to my "wedding soundtrack". Little things like that helped make my day stress-free and just perfect.
Rev. Walters, my officiant, was awesome. He was so friendly and relaxed! I felt like he really was MY pastor--like he really did care about us as a couple. The way he read our readings drew a few big laughs because he stopped and emphasized all the right moments....he had perfect comic timing. He was great with emails and I just can't say enough good things about him!
The actual salons were gorgeous! It actually took my breath away when they opened the doors and I got to see the salon all decked out. Everything at the Wynn was above and beyond what I'd hoped for and I'm so happy I chose the Wynn!
I'm sure a lot of work went on behind the scenes, but from where I stood (nervously waiting to walk down the aisle) everything seemed so effortless and seamless. All the ladies were so calm and had a smile on their faces, which really helped to settle my nerves. I had a great time laughing with my day-of-coordinator (whose name I can't remember -- sorry to say) because she couldn't stop dancing to my "wedding soundtrack". Little things like that helped make my day stress-free and just perfect.
Rev. Walters, my officiant, was awesome. He was so friendly and relaxed! I felt like he really was MY pastor--like he really did care about us as a couple. The way he read our readings drew a few big laughs because he stopped and emphasized all the right moments....he had perfect comic timing. He was great with emails and I just can't say enough good things about him!
The actual salons were gorgeous! It actually took my breath away when they opened the doors and I got to see the salon all decked out. Everything at the Wynn was above and beyond what I'd hoped for and I'm so happy I chose the Wynn!
Ceremony Photography: Cashman
I was very super duper extra special impressed with our Cashman photographer, Emily. She was so sweet and started taking pics right away. I thought she was just "setting up her shots" and taking some practice pics, but it turns out, she was really shooting and she got some great shots of me and my girls in the dressing room, waiting for the ceremony to start.
I didn't notice her during the ceremony, in a good way. I've been to ceremonies where you really notice the photographer crawling all around the happy couple and it takes away from the special-ness of the moment -- but not Emily! My family said that they didn't notice her aside from once or twice. Well, my uncle did, but he used to be a wedding photographer, so of course he's going to be watching. But he even said, that she had good instincts and that he could tell from what she was doing that she had gotten some great shots (and she did!)
We ordered an extra hour of photo time for after the ceremony, so that we could have some shots around the beautiful Wynn grounds. I had emailed a few shots I stole from knottie wiwicaty's page (with permission! thanks again wiwi !) and she made sure we got them! It was great because she was actually the photog for wiwi, so she knew how to set it up.
The best part is that my husband is a bit of a weekend warrior when it comes to photography, and he kept asking her questions about her equipment and the method involved in getting certain shots. He was like "why are you doing that? Why did you do that? What setting are you on?" And she was so nice and answered all his questions. A few times she would even explain a photography trick, have us pose, and then show him how it turned out. He LOVED it!
We bit the bullet and ordered the CD with the copyrights. It came to about $3,000, so budget for that ladies. But we feel it was well worth it because the quality of the pictures was so awesome. There was no way we would have been able to pic only 10 or even 20. By the time we would have finished picking out all the pictures we wanted, we wouldn't have saved much over buying the CD anyway.
But we don't regret buying the CD at all. If you pay for extra time, you might as well be prepared to get the CD. And like I said, the quality of the photos are phenomenal!
I didn't notice her during the ceremony, in a good way. I've been to ceremonies where you really notice the photographer crawling all around the happy couple and it takes away from the special-ness of the moment -- but not Emily! My family said that they didn't notice her aside from once or twice. Well, my uncle did, but he used to be a wedding photographer, so of course he's going to be watching. But he even said, that she had good instincts and that he could tell from what she was doing that she had gotten some great shots (and she did!)
We ordered an extra hour of photo time for after the ceremony, so that we could have some shots around the beautiful Wynn grounds. I had emailed a few shots I stole from knottie wiwicaty's page (with permission! thanks again wiwi !) and she made sure we got them! It was great because she was actually the photog for wiwi, so she knew how to set it up.
The best part is that my husband is a bit of a weekend warrior when it comes to photography, and he kept asking her questions about her equipment and the method involved in getting certain shots. He was like "why are you doing that? Why did you do that? What setting are you on?" And she was so nice and answered all his questions. A few times she would even explain a photography trick, have us pose, and then show him how it turned out. He LOVED it!
We bit the bullet and ordered the CD with the copyrights. It came to about $3,000, so budget for that ladies. But we feel it was well worth it because the quality of the pictures was so awesome. There was no way we would have been able to pic only 10 or even 20. By the time we would have finished picking out all the pictures we wanted, we wouldn't have saved much over buying the CD anyway.
But we don't regret buying the CD at all. If you pay for extra time, you might as well be prepared to get the CD. And like I said, the quality of the photos are phenomenal!
Reception: Maggiano's
What can I say that hasn't already been said about Maggiano's? The food was excellent, the venue was beautiful, the staff was soooo friendly and the price can't be beat.
Just a few things to add though, that you maybe haven't heard from other knotties:
One of my guests has a glueten allergy, and I made note of this to Cassy. During the reception, the chef actually came out and spoke to my guest and asked her what kind of pasta and sauce she would like. This just made her day, since she often can't eat much when she goes out to restaurants. She said she actually got to eat a full meal for once. She loved it so much, she actually went back to Maggiano's and ate dinner there the next 2 nights she stayed in Vegas!
Another antedote:
I had the Calbria room, which seats about 50 comfortably and 60 in a pinch. I had about 54 guests, so no real room for dancing. (Well, my crowd was dancing in between the tables, so maybe that doesn't count! haha). Our banquet manager offered to break down two tables so that we could have dancing room after everyone had eaten. That was great as it gave my family and friends enough room to start a Soul-Train line (yes, a Soul-Train line -- that's what a good DJ and an open bar will do).
Can't say enough good things about Maggiano's.
Just a few things to add though, that you maybe haven't heard from other knotties:
One of my guests has a glueten allergy, and I made note of this to Cassy. During the reception, the chef actually came out and spoke to my guest and asked her what kind of pasta and sauce she would like. This just made her day, since she often can't eat much when she goes out to restaurants. She said she actually got to eat a full meal for once. She loved it so much, she actually went back to Maggiano's and ate dinner there the next 2 nights she stayed in Vegas!
Another antedote:
I had the Calbria room, which seats about 50 comfortably and 60 in a pinch. I had about 54 guests, so no real room for dancing. (Well, my crowd was dancing in between the tables, so maybe that doesn't count! haha). Our banquet manager offered to break down two tables so that we could have dancing room after everyone had eaten. That was great as it gave my family and friends enough room to start a Soul-Train line (yes, a Soul-Train line -- that's what a good DJ and an open bar will do).
Can't say enough good things about Maggiano's.
DJ: Drew "Mojo" from soulweddings.com
Drew was awesome, no doubt about it! He played great songs, and had my guests up dancing even though we didn't have a dance floor, or much space at first.
I think ours was the only wedding that the "first dance" came last! He kept playing good music, and people kept getting up and dancing so he just rolled with it. We had the toasts and "first dances" near the end when everyone was winding down, but it really worked well to help wrap the party up.
He ended with a "love circle" where he had everyone surround us while he played "lean on me" which was a sweet touch.
His communication was great (even when mine wasn't) and I would definitely recommend him to anyone who wants their guests to boogie!
I think ours was the only wedding that the "first dance" came last! He kept playing good music, and people kept getting up and dancing so he just rolled with it. We had the toasts and "first dances" near the end when everyone was winding down, but it really worked well to help wrap the party up.
He ended with a "love circle" where he had everyone surround us while he played "lean on me" which was a sweet touch.
His communication was great (even when mine wasn't) and I would definitely recommend him to anyone who wants their guests to boogie!
Reception Photography: Todd Wilson of Bently & Wilson
Todd was awesome. I haven't gotten my pics back yet, but I know he was on it. Poor thing didn't even sit down to eat -- though, I'm sure he eats quite a bit at Maggiano's with all the vendor meals he gets!
My favorite part though is when he danced down the middle of the impromptu Soul-Train line my family started. As my crazy uncle said "you know you're having a good party when the photographer jumps in the Soul-Train line with you!"
(You can't tell from the pic, but he was actually dancing and taking pics at the same time here)
My favorite part though is when he danced down the middle of the impromptu Soul-Train line my family started. As my crazy uncle said "you know you're having a good party when the photographer jumps in the Soul-Train line with you!"
(You can't tell from the pic, but he was actually dancing and taking pics at the same time here)
Reception Decor: Las Vegas Bouquet
Wow! The flowers were above and beyond my expectations. Gosia was awesome to work with and she really made magic from my tiny little (under $400) budget.
She has some great ideas and is really good with communication, so I urge other knotties to give her a try. I know her website is a bit cheesy, but trust me, her work is A1 gorgeous!
She has some great ideas and is really good with communication, so I urge other knotties to give her a try. I know her website is a bit cheesy, but trust me, her work is A1 gorgeous!
Cake: Retro Bakery
What can I say that hasn't been said already about Retro? :-)
We had the Pucker up cake and even though I didn't get that much (too busy dancing), but my family said it was pretty nummy. Hubby and I plan on getting a Pucker Up cupcake or two when we return to visit my parents around New Year's Eve, so we can actually say we know what our cake tasted like! lol
We had the Pucker up cake and even though I didn't get that much (too busy dancing), but my family said it was pretty nummy. Hubby and I plan on getting a Pucker Up cupcake or two when we return to visit my parents around New Year's Eve, so we can actually say we know what our cake tasted like! lol
Make up and hair: Harmony Media
Harmony did an awesome job. She was so friendly and she did such great work. My husband said he was very impressed and everyone commented on my "blushing bride" look. The makeup stayed well into the night and the hair was still holding strong into the next day (even after I slept on it).
She's really not the best with communication, which caused a minor freak-out for me the night before. But I really should have just left it because she said she would call me the next day and she did. But I had been "making my rounds" getting in touch with all my vendors before the big day, and she was the only one who hadn't gotten back to me. I freaked out because I had been trying to get in touch with her for about two weeks before and no response. But I think part of it was me needing something to freak out about. She called the next morning ready to go so it was all good.
She did an awesome job and I got many, many, many compliments on it. If you hire a professional photog, you might as well go an invest in a hair and makeup artist.
She's really not the best with communication, which caused a minor freak-out for me the night before. But I really should have just left it because she said she would call me the next day and she did. But I had been "making my rounds" getting in touch with all my vendors before the big day, and she was the only one who hadn't gotten back to me. I freaked out because I had been trying to get in touch with her for about two weeks before and no response. But I think part of it was me needing something to freak out about. She called the next morning ready to go so it was all good.
She did an awesome job and I got many, many, many compliments on it. If you hire a professional photog, you might as well go an invest in a hair and makeup artist.
Other Vendors:
Favor tags: craftyclementines @ etsy
Cake topper: mudcards @ etsy
Hotel: Hilton Grand Vacation Resort on the Strip
Invitations: Bed, Bath, Beyond by Rexcraft
Grooms men attire: Jos. A Bank
Brides maid attire: David's Bridal
