A Different Kind of Vegas Wedding
By Herb Rubinstein, Travel Writer

Considering a Vegas wedding because of the fabulous entertainment, nightlife and easy transportation from all over the country? But turned off by the crowds, glitz and intensity?

Just 900 feet above and  30 minutes drive east from the Las Vegas strip, there exists another world.  A world where quiet, lush palm lined streets wind around meticulously maintained golf courses. Where flowing streams are home to an amazing variety of bird life. Where elegant mansions evoke a European theme and are guarded by bubbling waterfalls. Where lush greens roll down to the shores of a desert lake. You come across a quaint village that looks as though it was plucked from the south of France. This is Lake Las Vegas.

The Monte Lago Village is a replica of a French fishing village complete with lovely outside restaurants and shops, cobblestone streets lead down to the harbor. It is the site of numerous Music Festivals that take place year round. 

For full information about The Monte Lago Village Click Here

There are so many settings to choose from in such a small area.  There are two major hotels on the lake: Loews and The Ritz Carlton. The Ritz is situated adjoining the Monte Lago Village, in a Venetian  style, built out over the lake.  They have a large waterfall that many use as the backdrop for their wedding ceremony.

Loews is a few pars down the lake and commands the best unobstructed panoramic views of the lake and the hills above Lake Mead. The decor is Moroccan with sweeping views from all angles. Their Andalusian gardens offer a wonderful wedding setting.  There is a bridge that the bride and groom can cross to make their grand entrance.  Another option is to have the groom enter in a gondola followed by the bride in her gondola where they are delivered to the alter. They can handle quite large weddings in the newly refurbished and expanded gardens.

Here is the Loews site; they have great pics and they also have a website devoted to weddings!

Because this is still Las Vegas you can easily contract with top-notch entertainment.  Chatting with Raquel Sanchez of Loews, I asked her about some the unique arrangements that Loews has made.  “We had a wedding that hired artists from the famed Cirque du Solei to perform during the reception”.

Light Up the Night

Fireworks?  We are not talking about tiny little sparklers or three-foot fountains…we are talking light up the night, make the ground tremble, proclaim to the world your vows, professional fireworks. Firework permits are available and can be arranged by the hotel.

LLV is really about outdoor recreation.  If your wedding party consists of many families with young children, this location is ideal. Kayaking and sailing on the lake, golfing, biking the many bike trails. There is no shortage of things to do in a highly secure, private area.

After a day on the lake the kids are going to crash early.  Time to slip down the hill and enjoy some of the best nightlife and entertainment in the world! 

We took in The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil show at the Mirage.  The songs of the Beatles are interpreted by the acrobatic performances of the artists. This is a must-see show and the most impressive stage production this author has ever seen. Here is a link the their website. Click Here

So, if you want a quieter more laid back kind of Vegas Wedding, consider Lake Las Vegas and you won’t be disappointed.

About the Author

Herb Rubinstein lives and works in Santa Barbara, California. A veteran world traveler, Mr. Rubinstein has published many travel stories. "I especially like Eco Adventure stories."

You may read some of these stories at http://travelwritingdude.wordpress.com.

Photos courtesy Herb Rubinstein