Honeymooners: Lindsay and Val
Type: Domestic travel
Budget: Mid-range ($1000-$5000)
Where did you go: We went to Vegas the Monday after our wedding on Sunday. We wanted to do something fun, but still be relaxing. We threw around Disney and NYC, but knew we wouldn't stop moving all week! Then we talked about doing another all-inclusive Mexico trip, but that's just *too* much relaxing for my taste. So, we'd been to Vegas before, and it's the perfect mix! You can relax all day and party all night!
What did you do: The biggest thing we did was see shows. We're huge Broadway-musical-and-show people but for a little over a year hadn't seen one because we sacrificed our show budget for the wedding.
The Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City was the garden backdrop to this "big gay wedding." They included their three children into all aspects... Read more
So we saw Phantom one night (with backstage tour), Cher another (completely last-minute purchase), and the best night was when we saw the Beatles Cirque du Soleil show “Love,” then ran and got our free drink in the Beatles lounge, and then ran two hotels over to the Bellagio and saw the late night show of Cirque du Soleil's “O.” A great whirlwind of an evening out in Vegas!
What would you have done differently? We went all-out for our honeymoon and spared no expense. But then we're not fancy people. We ended up in a suite in the Bellagio which was cool! But so not us! We're kids at heart and the snooty atmosphere and high-rollers everywhere were not our scene. I think we learned we should just stay where we'll feel most at home and not try and go “all out.”
What was the most meaningful moment? Our first night there we had dinner in the Bellagio at a Cantonese restaurant that looked out over the Bellagio fountains. It was quiet inside except every 30 minutes when the fountains would “perform.” One of the times the fountains started dancing to Elton John's “Your Song” which was our first dance not two days before at the wedding. It was a terrific beginning to our honeymoon.
What's your advice for other offbeat honeymooners? Make it your own! We got lots of odd looks and comments of “you're going to Vegas?” I guess to some it might seem tacky. Or where you go to elope. But to us it was the perfect mix! And we were so happy we got to “catch up” in a sense on the fun we'd been missing.
The cards that you're given at your wedding might have checks in them — take some of those and splurge on shopping, activities, shows, whatever YOU guys want — finally!
Vegas is a great place for a honeymoon! The Bellagio is gorgeous, but I can definitely see how it’s a bit stuffy. Luckily, there are plenty of other places to go within walking distance and it sounds like you ladies really did it up right. Congratulations and thanks for sharing!
My brother actually got married in Vegas, and a big group of family/friends flew out to join the festivities. It was actually great. They were married in the Monte Carlo, which is a DECENT location on the strip–not prime, but it feels reasonably family-friendly and not as busy as other areas. And the Monte Carlo isn’t snooty at all, but also isn’t seedy.
I think most people don’t realize the sheer overload of stuff that there is to do in Vegas. In one day, you can ride a roller coaster, go to an aquarium, see Cher, watch pirates duel, get patronized by a crackhead, swim, shop, play poker with advertisements for hookers and eat at an all-you-can-eat buffet for $8. Vegas is… a place all its own. LOTS of families bring their kids and have swell times.
But seriously. Pick up the hooker cards.
that restaurant she is talking about- its called jasmine. i had one of the best meals of my life there! they serve you off of silver with white gloves, and the places are all set with versace china when you walk in. its an awesome place!
also, ive seen the beatles love as well -same trip to vegas, actually- and that show is awesome as well! its theater in the round, which was my favorite part i think. it was totally different then looking at a flat stage…
I love seeing posts about vegas- I live there! All these places are in my backyard! Glad you both had fun!
I love Vegas – Disneyland for grown ups according to my partner. You both look so very happy. Congratulations!