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| Step | Details |
| 1 | Gather up to 50 of your loved ones. The banquet room you'll want to use can't hold more people than that. Prepare to marinate in a lot of love and camaraderie for the next few days. |
| 2 | Reserve a block of rooms for them at
South Point Hotel. It's about7 miles south of the strip, but the hotel's free shuttle makes that manageable. If you still need convincing, does spa, bingo hall, 16-screen movie theater, 64-lane bowling alley, 24-hour gym and Bath & Body Works toiletries mean anything? |
| 3 | Know it's going to be a fun time when your honey's hotel roommate greets you at your door with a cocktail. |
| 4 | As more guests make their way to town, hit
H&M at the
Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood with a couple of your fashionista/o cousins. The dear-to-my-heart store had a grand opening the day we were there. |
| 5 | Make time to nap. If you're like me, this will allow you to not be distracted by conversation and instead feel your brain literally aflutter with planning and question marks. |
| 6 | Make sure your parents meet. Bear and mine hadn't, though my stepmom and Bear's mom did talk on the phone and exchange e-mails earlier, trying to figure out what they'd wear on the big day. On their first night in town,we enjoyed a perfect meal at
Don Vito's in the hotel. |
| 7 | Two nights before the wedding, gather in the piano bar with everyone who's in town so far. Give them a program containing profiles of everyone in the group. Extra points if you mention your stepbrother's approaching 40th birthday. Don't get mad at one of the performers when he takes your aunt's facetious request for
Free Bird seriously. |
| 8 | Around midnight, head to the taxi line to start a night on the town. Do everything you can't write about on your work blog. Go to bed at 7 a.m. |
| 9 | Stomach a little frozen yogurt the next day, praising the spirits that it's wedding jitters not a hangover in play, at the hotel ice cream shop with friends. Realizing that they're there for your wedding may freak you out a little. |
| 10 | Let your betrothed, who's been on vacation for almost two weeks, take a nap. |
| 11 | Have dinner with your pastor and fiance. Make sure to stand behind an affectionate, older Texas couple, with the wife not being shy about showing your group some dance moves. |
| 12 | Meet all your friends and family at the
bowling alley and give 'em eight lanes to play in. Take time to appreciate your family's skills/attempts. Leave in time to shower and be in bed by midnight. Have a friend in your room who can help you meditate. |
| 13 | Try to sound conscious when your good friend in Japan calls at 6 a.m. sad that she can't be with you on your big day. Pretend to sleep for a couple more hours. |
| 14 | Treasure having your loved ones stop by your room or pass you in the hallway as you get ready for the ceremony. Tell them to stop being nice to you as your eyes well up for the 37th time that day. As a finishing touch to your ensemble, wear a feather hairpiece you made. |
| 15 | Be impressed with the flowers Pam at
The Palette arranged for you. (She'll do a follow-up call and send you a thank you card later.) |
| 16 | Have drivers from
Bell-Trans bus/limo your group to your wedding site at
Valley of Fire State Park(get a permit from the park ranger months in advance to reserve the site). Plan your itinerary and then add some padding so your ceremony takes place at sunset for incredible light. Remember not to lean on the limo door during the ride to the wedding site or your arm will be red for the whole ceremony. Be thankful for your father knowing to hold your hand the whole ride up. When you start hyperventilating, just tell yourself you're going to see your best friend at his wedding. |
| 17 | Be prepared for what is probably the most surreal moment of your life. You'll feel humbled to see so many people you love dressed up and in the same place. Then you see your man is there and he's waiting for you to stand next to him. Wow. |
| 18 | On your way to the reception, ask your driver to stop at the
Welcome to Las Vegas sign for some photos. |
| 19 | Enjoy many more hours of smiles and tears with your crew as they toast you, smile at you and take photos with you in the private
Vegas Room at
The Bootlegger Bistro. Give your guests a CD with some songs they heard on the bus ride, including
Viva Las Vegas, of course. When you think the day can't get any more special, don't be surprised when the former
lieutenant governor and
her husband offer to serenade you and your new husband. |
| 20 | Be impressed with your new husband for finding a room service menu to stick under the door of your honeymoon suite so he can carry you through. The rooms I've seen in movies don't have door closers on them! |
| 21 | Go see the 1 o' clock show of the
Gospel Brunch the next day with whomever's interested in joining you. Be prepared to go on stage with all the other newlyweds and people celebrating anniversaries and birthdays. Give your grandpa a pat on the back for hitting the dessert line at least three times. |
| 22 | Awkwardly refer to your "husband" for the first time. |
| 23 | Host a
Packers party in your suite Sunday. Treasure the stained glass piece and quilt your aunts made you. Be impressed with your hubby and friends who drive to
In-n-Out Burger during half time to get 15 burgers and shakes. Later, play
bingo with your man, brother and friends. |
| 24 | On the drive home, keep your journal out so you and your new hubby and take turns noting favorite memories from the weekend. |
| 25 | Know that no one's going to attend your pity party for your
three-week vacation in Thailand earlier in the year leaving you little time after your wedding before you return to work. |