May 22, 2007
Why do so many Americans opt for zany, Las Vegas weddings?
Periodically, I've asked why it is that so many Americans fly to Las Vegas for the explicit purpose of getting married in a happy-go-lucky, comical ceremony conducted by a minister dressed to resemble Elvis Presley or Rodney Dangerfield. Hundreds of such weddings take place each month in Sin City, and I've wondered why anyone in their right minds would seek out such an experience.While saving money is itself a reason for choosing to marry in Las Vegas (some chapels there charge as little as $75 for the license and ceremony), why the zany part? After receiving many unsatisfying explanations from readers, I have finally had a letter that comes close to achieving the right tone. It is printed below, without change:
"My wife and I are in our mid-30s and were married at the Little White Wedding Chapel in the fall of 2003. As we waited in the lobby for the preacher, I noticed a picture of Lorenzo Lamas on the wall claiming he was married here, so I knew we were in the right place. We had paid an extra $150 for a tacky Elvis impersonator to host the ceremony.
"He showed up in a yellow velour jacket and sang a bad version of "Viva Las Vegas" after the wedding. We then went outside and had our picture taken with the King and that wedding picture is now framed and hangs on our bedroom wall. After the wedding we treated ourselves to the $17.50 self-service buffet at the Bellagio for our 'reception'.
"Getting married in Las Vegas was the perfect solution for us. My wife had been married and divorced before so she felt no need to go through the stress, hassle, and expense of another wedding. I, being a typical guy and nonreligious, had no need whatever to get married in a church or have an expensive reception. She was thrilled at the idea of a $200, completely stress-free wedding.
"We probably saved over $20,000. We took the unspent cash and used it for a down payment on a house. We get much more use out of that house then we would have paying for our friends to get drunk at an open bar and gorging themselves.
"My wife is my perfect soul mate and getting married at a tasteless chapel in Las Vegas in no way lessoned or cheapened our love for each other. It was a fun-loving, upbeat, humorous experience that is what a wedding should be."
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Fifty years ago, 
Arthur Frommer is generally acknowledged to be the nation's foremost travel authority. He is the founder of the
