45 years later...

Gary and Rose were married in our gazebo yesterday afternoon with 3 guests in attendance. I did not coordinate their wedding but helped stand guard to keep some privacy for their ceremony. Rose came in to the Gift Shop this morning after her photo appointment and I asked her how she liked her photos, and gradually we started talking about how Gary and Rose met.

Gary and Rose went to high school together 45 years ago. They were not an item in high school but had gone out on one date. Rose told me that they both parted ways after high school and had married other people. They would see each other at their high school reunions but up until their most recent reunion, were still unavailable. At their last reunion, Rose realized they were both single and decided to walk right up to Gary and let him know it was their time now. She gave him her number and told him to call her. Rose figured since she made the first move that night, it's now up to him to make the next one. He called her the next day!

I could tell Rose was emotional telling me their story of how they've come together. She knows that fate has now given them the chance for their love. Before she left, she pulled out a note that she had found from his yearbook when they graduated, a note she had written to him saying what a sweet caring man he was and to "look me up after graduation."

Congratulations Rose and Gary and I wish you many wonderful years together.

Valetine's Day Perfection!

I had the privilege of coordinating one of the most fabulously styled ceremonies I have ever seen!

Monday was Valentine's Day and of course a busy day for weddings all across the country. Joel and Shanteria had their wedding at 3 PM in the Magnolia Chapel. Our Magnolia Chapel is the most modern of all of our chapels and the perfect choice for Joel and Shanteria. Shanteria was going for the Old Hollywood Glamour look and it permeated every part of their ceremony. They brought in their own special made unity candle, a poem for her to read to her new husband, a matching garter, a bouquet of red hydrangeas, tulips, roses and ranunculus with ostrich feathers, and a beautiful netted hair piece. Joel was dressed up in a classic styled zoot suit and Shanteria in a one shouldered fitted dress with sassy red heels.

Shanteria sauntered down the aisle to "Giving Myself" by Jennifer Hudson as she walked on top of red silk petals as her groom took his first breath-taking look at her. Their photo shoot was even more fabulous. Vanessa took them into our photo studio and used our black and white Damask backdrop, those are some of the best photos I have ever seen!

Congratulations Joel and Shanteria and enjoy every Valentine's Day anniversary!

Brad and Michelle

Brad and Michelle were two people that were excited and ready to get married! They just had that extra sparkle in their eyes when I met them.

They had a deluxe first look which meant that the bride and groom are hidden from each other until the ceremony. Brad was so excited, and a little nervous, but it all worked out. Michelle was glowing when she walked in. Her dress was fabulous and matched her personality perfectly! They were so happy when they first saw each other as Michelle was walking down the aisle with her father.

I'm so glad Megan and Emil were able to capture the unforgettable moments of Michelle and Brad's wedding. They were such a fun and loving couple. I am so happy I was involved in their wedding day! Congratulations, Michelle and Brad!

Carlos and Sarah

I had the privilege of coordinating Carlos and Sarah's wedding! They are such a great couple together and so in love. Danette, who was their photographer, and I had a great time getting to know them and laugh a lot with them before their ceremony.

Their wedding was originally going to be a surprise for their family and friends. A few weeks before their wedding, they went to a funeral and decided they needed to tell some happy news to everyone. Well, they told their family and friends and are now happy newlyweds!

One fun thing that we found out while talking with them is that Carlos was debating wearing a blue velvet tuxedo shirt for the ceremony. Sarah was not about to let him do that! Way to stick your ground, Sarah! Needless to say, Carlos did not end up wearing that. :)

Sarah and Carlos said everything was painless and really happy they chose to be married at Chapel of the Flowers. Thank you to Carlos and Sarah for letting me be a part of your special day! I wish you many happy years of marriage! Congratulations!

Childhood Dream

Ever since Tracy Stone was a little girl she always had the dream of having a fabulous Vegas wedding, which included staying at the famous Bellagio hotel. Well on January 31, 1981 at 3pm her sweetheart and her were married in London where they live.

However, exactly 30 years later that dream came true for her. Paul and Tracy Stone came to Las Vegas and renewed their vows here at the Chapel of the Flowers on January 31, 2011 at 3pm!! And to top it off, they stayed at the Bellagio hotel!

It was wonderful seeing this very sweet couple so happy and in love after 30 years! I am so glad I had the opportunity to coordinate their wedding and be a part of making this dream come true!!

Brent and Julie

As a coordinator, I mostly only get to see couples on one of the happiest days of their relationship. I don't get to see their relationship blossom and grow over the years or how they interact with each other outside of the gown and tuxedo.

Brent and Julie got married in the Magnolia Chapel on Saturday the 29th at 2PM. Julie wore a short white dress and Brent in a very classic suit. They were so adorable and playful together and super in love and I was so excited when I ran into them the last night of their honeymoon. On Sunday nights at the Mandalay Bay, there is a house band called The Limit and they play fantastic old and new music. My friend and I were there when the lead singer says "We've got to play a request for the newlyweds over here!" And then I see Brent and Julie running over to the dance floor as the band starts playing the opening notes to "Sweet Child O Mine" by Guns N Roses. They danced close and smooched during the song, they were so sweet to each other and looked like they were having the time of their lives. When the song was over and they made their way back to their table, I had to go over and say hi. I told them it's really good to see couples outside of the chapel not on their wedding day and to see how in love they are from day to day. I congratulated them again and we said goodnight.

Seeing Brent and Julie totally made my night and once again made me love what I do working at Chapel of the Flowers.

New Year's Wedding on 1/1/11

Javier and Elsa were one of the many couples who decided to start the year off right and get married! Not only was it New Years Day but it was also 1/1/11! What an incredible combination for a wedding day!!


Javier and Elsa not only chose the perfect day to get married, but traveled all the way from Andalusia, Spain to do it.

To make the day even more amazing this couple had Elvis sing and marry them!! Javier and Elsa danced down the aisle to "All Shook Up", lit their unity candle to "Love Me Tender" and left the building to "Burning Love"! I very much enjoyed being a part of this couple's fun-filled wedding day!!