It's such an easy matter getting hitched in 'Vegas'. Friday morning, January 15th, we went downtown to the marriage license bureau and before Fernie and I finished parking the car, they came out waving their license to wed.
As they descended the stairs from the government office, a horde of people who'd been lingering outside converged on them like paparazzi.
“Free limo waiting if you get married at our chapel – we can go there right now” they yelled as they thrust pamphlets in their faces. A long black limo even chased us down the street. But no, it was all arranged - the wedding was to take place at 4:30 that afternoon at 'The Little White Wedding Chapel', a venue where Britney Spears, Frank Sinatra & Mia Farrow, Joan Collins and many more of the rich and famous took their vows.
L&J joined us and a long white limo picked us up from our hotel. There was a bit of consternation when he was late but he'd got stuck in the Friday afternoon rush hour traffic. We shimmied down inside the long tube of a car, kicking ourselves for not bringing champagne when we saw the glittering bar with pink and aqua revolving lights, set with champagne flutes. I wondered if Tracey and Harold were getting nervous and took a few peeks to check them out as they sat back in the rear seat but they looked as cool as could be.
We finally arrived at the chapel and giggled at the 'tunnel of love' and the myriad of photo-perfect spots tucked around the patio and gardens. There were several other weddings happening inside and one group of Hispanics were waiting for a groom who'd gone missing and the bride was hiding out somewhere probably scared that he'd run off. He turned up later on when we were leaving and the grim expressions were immediately erased from their faces and the relieved bride in full white regalia almost ran down the street to the chapel. Several other young couples dropped in while we waited to check out 'how much' a wedding would be.
The couple ahead of us were renewing their vows ten years after – the woman decked out in solid black. There was an ATM machine conveniently placed in the front office and it obviously only spat out twenties. It was well used when the 'grooms' realized that everyone – and I mean everyone – had their hands out.
Tracey and Harold were taken in hand, their paperwork checked and completed, a white boutonierre was placed in the lapel of Harold's suit and a lovely little white rose corsage given to Tracey. Fernie was called over to sign as witness and we were ushered into the teeny little chapel. There were three rows of red velvet lined pews holding no more than six in each row.
A dear little old lady sat at the organ in the back and asked what kind of music they'd prefer “country? traditional?......”. They looked perplexed but chose traditional.
Fernie and I sat on one side and L&J on the other – and the ceremony began. It was so extremely cute and surprisingly touching. Before we knew it, wedding bands were exchanged, promises were made, they were pronounced husband and wife and a kiss sealed the deal. With that, the photographer who'd snapped proliferately throughout the ceremony told us to follow him into the other room for more photos. Then there were photos outside under the arch, in a grotto and in the Tunnel of Love.
Before he was done, the photographer made sure to tell them that the organist had done a mighty fine job and a monetary token would be appreciated. When Harold crossed her palm with gold, the organist made sure to suggest that the photographer was so good that they would certainly want to reward him too. They had been told of the pastor's fee in advance and what would be an acceptable tip for the chauffeur.
That was it .... it was all over. So easy, so stress-free. And we all piled back into the limo which took us back to our hotel where we'd left a couple of bottles of champagne chilling on ice. It didn't take us long to polish them off and we all went out for a scrumptious dinner at the Cortez Room at the Goldcoast. Afterwards, the newlyweds continued to party it up long after we headed off to bed, staying out until the early morning hours.
The rest of the weekend passed in a blur of food, cocktails, gambling and entertainment being oh so lucky to obtain 60% off tickets to Bette Midler at Caesar's Forum. Can you believer $45 tickets? That tiny performer can still command the monstrous stage with her huge personality. It was a wonderful weekend!
