New Year, New Wedding Date!

Wow what a year it has been since my last post! Thank you everyone for your understanding and support during our tough decisions, delays, and stressing out times! Without any further delay, I wanted to announce to everyone that David and I finally were able to set a new wedding date and location!

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!

Saturday, June 8th, 2013

The Holiday Inn in Solomon's Island, MD

5:00PM Ceremony in the hotel courtyard,

followed by cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres

7:00PM Dinner in the Patuxent Ballroom,

followed by reception and dancing until 11:00PM

A Crazy Cancellation

To all our friends and family that have gotten excited with us over the prospect of a Vegas wedding, I am so unbeliveably sorry to inform you that we have decided that this is not the right path or the right time for us.

It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make, but encountering so many different issues in trying to plan this destination wedding I have come to the realization that it is just not right. The difficulties in planning for a city we are unfamiliar with, the unresponsiveness of the hotel venues in trying to plan with them, the expenses (growing way beyond what we originally intended and wanted), and most importantly the fact that so many loved ones would not be able to attend has weighed heavily on this whole process and finally made me realize that it is not meant to be.

We absolutely love and appreciate those of you who have planned on this event with us, and am so sorry to cancel, but ultimately we have to do what is right for us. We wanted to let you know now before anyone has gotten too far in planning to make the trip with us.

Starting at ground zero, we need some time to figure out a new date and plan, and hope you bear with us and show us the same support in the future as we figure out what is right for us. Also bear with us as this is a sensitive and emotional decision, but one that we feel is right.

Have no fear!

Searching, searching, searching for the perfect reception...

...sneek peek group event
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAxRBBQidtw&feature=related

xoxoxoxo
happy thanksgiving friends!

Lost in the Mix

I am so upset, I have been in contact with the Mandalay Bay Group Dining for The Mix Restaurant since April of this year, and have repeatedly asked what I need to do to reserve the space. They have been great at answering all my questions about the details of how the reception would work, but have never sent me any actual forms to fill out even though I would repeat the day and times I wanted to reserve every time I've spoken with them. Today I recieve this:

"

Good Afternoon Kady,

Unfortunately, at this time, Mix is no longer available for March 17, 2012. We can assist you with other restaurant options if you are interested.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

Mandalay Bay | THEhotel | Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas            Michelle McCurdy-Luksch

Group Dining Coordinator

     

"
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

Hotel Group Code- Booking your room at Mandalay

Hi everybody! Lovin this 70 degree weather! This is what is should feel like in Vegas in March! :)

Got the group code for booking your standard 550DR room at Mandalay Bay.

G03HAR
But please let me know when you are ready to book your rooms with this code so that I can track how many people use it, and call to increase the quantity if necessary. I have 10 rooms blocked off through February 15, 2012, and also need to verify with them the list of guests using the code by that date. It would also help a lot to let me know if you DON'T plan on booking a room at Mandalay. I will try to get out invitations as soon as I can, but feel free to e-mail me with your RSVP ahead of time! kady.heck@navy.mil or kadidical@verizon.net

So the dates and rates using the code are as follows:
3/15/12- $160
3/16/12- $200
3/17/12- $200
3/18/12- $160

I did an experiment and it doesn't look like the code works when booking through the Mandalay Bay website. I have contacted them as far as fixing that, and noticed they did mention the option of allowing guests to book online and they would set up a special link for me... so I will update this page with that link when I get it!!!

Did another experiment just through the regular booking site above (without code working) and here are some prices... based on 2 people... including airfare... standard 550DR room (king /2 double beds, based on single/double occupancy)... turns out it is cheaper to go Thursday through Monday ($1,643) than Thursday through Sunday ($1,829). Yay so stay longer!

Also, I understand if many of you want to be doubling up in rooms to save money. FYI they charge $35/night for each person above double occupancy, with a maximum of 4 guests to that room. Therefore, I would recommend if 4 people decide to split a room- that at least 2 people are 'non-existent'. No guarantees about that though. Check-in 3PM, check out 11AM. Be prepared for fees. I'm sorry but Vegas is just expensive, I have come to realize this. There is 12% tax. There may be a $20 resort fee charged daily.

"Guests’ can also contact our Group Services department at (702) 632-9000 or toll free at 1-877-632-9001 to book a reservation.  Please remind your guests calling in, they must provide the reservation agent with your group code of: (G03HAR).

We look forward to your stay at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino."

I will continue to update this post with more details as they are available. Check back regularly!

Schedule and Sight Seeing

Thursday
Boys and girls, we are hoping you fly in on Thursday because that night we are going to hit the town for bachelor/bachelorette parties. Plans TBD, suggestions accepted! Perhaps meet up at LAX at the Luxor (the big pyramid), right next door to Mandalay Bay as the last stop of the night. Also, this site has package deals which would eliminate transportation worries as well as hopefully eliminate some of the I'm-just-trying-to-get-into-a-club-without-paying-a-million-dollars-or-waiting-all-night-to-get-in- drama that I have been reading about... specializing in bachelor and bachelorette nights. Ideally if we go this route I would like both the guys and girls packages to end up at the same night club :) http://www.lavishvegas.com/

Friday
David and I will be scheduling a photo shoot in the afternoon at the Neon Sign Boneyard. Also, we will be setting up a 'rehersal' dinner for the wedding party and immediate family. Guests can use this day to visit some other fun places!

Saturday
The wedding! 4:00PM!

Neon Sign Boneyard
Where the old Vegas neon signs go to die. This is where we are going for a photo shoot, but the museum is also open to the public, with reservation for a guided tour (with $15 donation) 10am Mon-Sat.

Fremont Street
Also vintage neon signs, but these have been refurbished and put into one location in all their neon light glory! This would be a great place to take pictures with lots of classic Vegas lights! The tunnel is also totally made of lights and features animation of different scenes. Located about 8 miles from Mandalay Bay Hotel.

Pawn Stars
Only about 5 miles down Las Vegas Blvd from Mandalay Bay, taking a trip there would be a great way to see the whole Las Vegas strip (Mandalay Bay is at one end near the airport, and Gold & Silver Pawn is at the other end of the strip).

Minus 5 Ice Lounge
In the Mandalay Bay Hotel, the only 100% ice lounge in the US- founded by the same guy who made one in Europe. Was recently featured on the travel channel as a must-visit place in Las Vegas. You get fitted into a parka before entering, and they also recommend staying in the bar for only 30-40 mins due to the extreme temperature (and due to their being no bathrooms inside). Most drinks are vodka based with high quality juices, and the cups are made of ice of the purest spring water from New Zealand.

 Carnival World Buffet
Largest all-you-can-eat-buffet in Las Vegas. Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner, also featured on the travel channel recently. 3 miles south of Mandalay Bay, off of W Flamingo Rd.

Just some interesting highlights I have found so far. Of course there are tons of casinos, restaurants, and night clubs, but I will let you all search those yourselves! Check back to see where we decide for our bachelor/bachelorette parties!

The Chapel & Wedding Party

Silver Chapel at Mandalay Bay

Ceremony is at 4:00PM, arrive AT LEAST 15 mins early, the doors will shut promptly at 4:00PM and if you are not there and seated, you will not be let in! Ceremony should be pretty short, and will be followed by about 45 mins of pictures of the wedding party and immediate family. Video of the ceremony will be taken and we get a DVD of it, and it will also be webcasted live for all who cannot attend to watch! (Be aware Las Vegas time is 3 hours earlier than East Coast time. Also, the wedding video should stay up on the site for 30 days to watch in case of technical difficulties or you miss it live.)

Bridal Party:
Maid of Honor: Tara Hubbard
Maid of Honor: Christina Scalzo
Their dress, similar to this in a fucshia color, with bright green flower in hair and green shoes:

Grooms Party:
Best Man: Dillon Gatton
Best Man: Mathew Harris
Groomsmen: Shawn Donovan, Jeff Roberts, A.J. Dobson, Avram Niverba, Dan Mazuc
Their attire, casual suit, with bright green pocket square:

We are hoping all who we've asked to join us in our wedding party can make it out to Las Vegas!