The Family Equality Council today announced the list of honorees and presenters for the organization’s 2011 awards dinner.

The event, which honors individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to helping loving families achieve equal rights, will be held Saturday, January 29, 2011 at the House of Blues in West Hollywood.

This year’s honorees include Dan Savage and Terry Miller, founders of the It Gets Better Project; Kris Perry & Sandy Stier and Paul Katami & Jeff Zarrillo, the plaintiffs from the Perry v. Schwarzenegger trial; and actor Luke MacFarlane from the ABC TV show, “Brothers & Sisters.”

Jane Lynch from the FOX TV show, “Glee” and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black will serve as presenters.

Family Equality Council Executive Director Jennifer Chrisler said the annual awards dinner is also an opportunity for LGBT parents, friends and allies to mark the progress made in helping diverse families achieve full equality. Chrisler will be introduced at the awards dinner by California Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez, a long-time supporter of LGBT families.

Proceeds from the event help sustain Family Equality Council’s educational, advocacy and policy work.

FAMILY EQUALITY COUNCIL is the leading national organization that works to ensure equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families by building community, changing hearts and minds, and advancing social justice for all families. Find out more at www.familyequality.org.

Posted January 27, 2011 11:27 AM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

These days, brides get married to the wedding before they get married to their mates. With so many choices and so much stress, it is easy to get lost in planning a great wedding and forget to focus on building a great marriage!

Here are some Wedding Goddess tips for stepping into married life with strenght and wisdom:

1. Be aware that getting married can stir up a lot of emotions. The process itself sets forth period of growth and change that can be very nerve -wracking. Once you decide to marry you will begin the process of getting ready for marriage … and unresolved emotions may come to the surface to be explored. Be prepared to do some inner work along with all the external preparations. Honor and address the emotions and fears that arise. Trust they are natural. Don't sweep things under the rug. There are things you can do in addition to pre-marital counseling.

2. Ask yourselves, and each other, A LOT of questions. Don't assume that married life will be the same as single life. And don't be afraid to get to know each other's truest feelings. It is important that you you delve into everything from how you'll raise your kids, to what kind of color scheme you want in your home, to how you will spend free nights at home once the wedding is over. Many brides and grooms tend to want to avoid the deep talks, and dwell on the surface aspected of getting married. Your married life will be a lot smoother if you communicate with and listen to. Be willing to hear things you may not like and agree with... find ways to compromise or give in to one another.

3. Picture Your Future. In addition lots of questions and thoughtful answers, begin to think about and visualize the life you want to share. What will it look like? What will your new roles be like? What kind of home and family life do you home to have. Although it is fun to day dream, it is very practical to give thought and vision to the life you want to create. You might even want to create a treasure map or a book of choices to guide you.

Continue reading "Beyond the Wedding - Tips For a Healthy Marriage" »

Posted November 14, 2007 5:16 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

It ain't easy raising girls these days. Whether your kids, or the celebrity kids who parade across the evening tabloid news, girlhood is not what it used to be!

There are so many influences from less than fabulous role models who show the darker side of feminine nature ... so much media and advertising input giving girls unrealistic expectations about how they should look ... so much peer pressure and so little support of girl's self esteem.

Even the wedding industry paints a picture of the perfect bride, establishing the fantasy of the 'perfect wedding' at an early age.

We can see from some the role models offered up by young Hollywood that girls today grow up too fast and often skip past the simple joys of “girlhood.” This summer, Barbie comes to the rescue!

Barbie, a 48-year icon of girls' childhood's, has been adored and admonished for her role in influencing girls. Once just a prom queen and fashion plate, she has become a doctor, lawyer, athlete and Goddess in special editions over the years and perhaps as she heads toward 50 she's becoming a wise woman who can inspire young girls.

Her parent company Mattel is hoping so. Mattel and Barbie have launched We Believe in Girls, a program that aims to give parents a voice about the state of girls today. Parents can participate in polls as well as weigh in on discussion forums about societal pressures their daughters face everyday. The poll results will then help shape the content of a global, 10-country research study this summer.

Everyone is invited to participate, from moms and dads to teachers, academics, social commentators, behaviorists — anyone who cares about girls' well being. They want to hear your ideas, opinions, points of view — in short the unfiltered truth.

In addition to collecting real advice from real parents, the website will be augmented with relevant articles, website links and an engaging array of diverse parenting points-of-view from around the world.

Posted July 12, 2007 9:09 PM by Editor | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

Everyone is talking about 7-7-07. Let's not forget 6-21-07.

It is Summer Solstice, traditionally a heavenly time to pledge your love.

And its a lucky day indeed. It is the longest day of the year, a time when the sun is at the height of it’s power, and good vibrations abound.

The folks at Chiff.com put it this way:

"Awed by the great power of the sun, world civilizations for many centuries have celebrated the Summer Solstice - otherwise known as Midsummer. The Celts and Slavs celebrated with dancing and bonfires to help increase the sun's energy, the Chinese marked the day by honoring Li, the Chinese Goddess of Light, and the Druids celebrated it as the wedding of Heaven and Earth, resulting in the enduring modern custom of a "lucky" wedding in June.”

Continue reading "A Midsummer Night's Marriage - As Lucky as 7-7-07?" »

Posted June 20, 2007 6:59 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

I was interviewed today for an article about interfaith weddings and in sharing stories about some of my couples I was reminded of a really interesting wedding I co-officiated several years ago.

The bride, a recovering alcoholic, wanted a libation ceremony that honored her connection to the earth and would not make her family run screaming from the room (a wine ceremony might). So we used water, which I asked the guests to help me bless.

If you happen to be looking for a non-alcoholic libation ceremony for your wedding, try this!

Continue reading "Wedding Libation Ceremony - No Alcohol, Just Love" »

Posted June 19, 2007 6:32 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

Some people are saying that 7-07-07 will be the most popular wedding date of the century.

Wedding venues across the nation say the 7-07-07 wedding date has booked up fast as couples set their sights on pledging their love on a "lucky day."

You can just imagine what a popular day that will be in Las Vegas, especially since 7-7-7 is a winning jackpot!

Ever wonder why else the number 7 is so hot? We have 7 wonders of the world, 7 seas and 7 continents. Superstitions abound about the numbe. From the religious and spiritual perspectives, here are some of the reasons it is considered sacred.

In the Bible. The number 7 is a perfect and important number.

From the Jewish perspective: The number 7 is prominent in the Torah and the Zohar. God rested on the seventh day of creating earth, and hence, sanctified and deemed Sabbath on day seven. There are seven blessings over the wine are recited under the huppa during the marriage ceremony.

From the Catholic perspective: There are Seven sacraments, we have Seven Deadly Sins (Lust, Gluttony, Avarice, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, and Pride) and Seven Virtues (Chastity, Moderation, Liberality, Charity, Meekness, Zeal, and Humility).

From the Christian perspective: In the New Testament, Jesus tells Peter he must forgive "seventy times seven."

From the Native American and Wiccan traditions: Their are 7 directions: east, west, north, south, Above, Below and Within. There are 7 sacred ceremonies.

From the Hindu tradition. There are 7 energy centers in the body called chakras. They represent both physical and energetic centers and they are: root, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, crown. In the Hindu wedding ceremony, the most important part is Saptapadi, the 7 steps around the sacred flame as 7 blessings are chanted.

From the Japanese Shinto religion: There are "Seven Lucky Gods" who preside over fortune.

In mythology: Innana, the Babylonian Goddess Queen of Heaven, had to descend 7 levels to the underworld stripping her jewels, clothes, crown, and ego (7 items in all) along the way in order to rescue her beloved Tamuz from the depths of hell.

Lucky 7

From sports to the stars: 7 comes up sacred again. In astronomy and astrology there are 7 planets that can be seen with the naked eye.In baseball, there was only one number 7 - Mickey Mantle.

Gambler's luck. In the game of craps, 7 wins in any combination. Lady Luck is a character who wears dice for earrings and they always have the number 7.

As you can see, ancient and popular thinking would seem to make 7-07-07 a helluva wedding date, a triple chance at good luck! If this is your wedding day, may it be a lucky roll of the dice!

Continue reading "Why is 7-07-07 Such a Hot Date for a Wedding?" »

Posted June 13, 2007 7:50 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

I love the new book, Las Vegas, Nevada: A Photographic Portrait, (Twin Lights Publishers, 2007) featuring the photos of Randa Bishop.

Bishop has photographed locations from Australia to Zimbabwe, shooting in over 50 countries and 60 Islands. This experience must have prepared her well for the diversity of Las Vegas. She really captures both the extraordinary casinos, statuary and landmarks as well as the stunning beauty of the area. She also includes the classic - Wayne Newton, the scary right at the Stratosphere, and the Little Chapel of the West.

Each photo shows a true aspect of Las Vegas ... that each casino or area is like its own little world.

Throw them all together and they compose a massive, sparkly, energy-packed, fantasy-driven town. Individually, parts of Las Vegas sing with beauty and grace - and culture! For example:

* Her shot of New York, New York gives you the feel for the real NYC.

* A Photo of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and the mock Eiffel tower looks like the real thing.

* The Golden Atlas on the grounds of the MGM Grand comes alive.

* The image of Nike, Greek Goddess of Victory, in front of Caesar's looks as real as the original (only the telltale "Caesar's Palace" sign gives it away).

This is the Las Vegas that I fell in love with, the one that is rich in culture, images of angels and divine beings from many traditions. It is the Las Vegas that gives you the sense of being treated to a smorgasbord of travel adventures all in one place! The book truly shows you that you don't have to enjoy gambling to enjoy Las Vegas.

The book is also a bit of history lesson. For example, did you know that the famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign" was created by Betty Willis in 1959? Cool, huh.

This is a great book to buy as a Las Vegas keepsake if you are coming here to marry, or to give to family, friends and/or members of the bridal party.

Posted June 6, 2007 9:26 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

This weekend my husband Rev. Vic Fuhrman and I attended Book Expo America (BEA) in New York City and completely immersed ourselves in the publishing world for three full days. Wowsa. It was fun. I have books published with four different publishers, so it was nice to visit them all.

One of my greatest surprises was to happen upon the booth for Skylight Paths Publishing and Jewish Lights Publishing. I have a number of their books on my book shelves, and have heard of so many of them, for some reason I never realized they are from the same publisher.

These interrelated companies produce some of the most extraordinary and soulful books on spirituality and religion and they do so in the true spirit of interfaith. As interfaith ministers, hubby and I truly appreciate the kind of material these folks are bringing to the world. Here are some of the titles we feel are especially helpful couples about to marry in blended-faith unions:

How to Be A Perfect Stranger: The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook. This is a phenomenal reference book - winner of the Best Reference Book of the Year Award, in fact -- that tips you off to practices and traditions in all faiths. How to Be a Perfect Stranger: A Guide to Etiquette in Other People's Religious Ceremonies is also terrific. Both are edited by company founder and president, Stuart M. Matlins along with Arthur J. Magida

Perfect Stranger's Guide to Wedding Ceremonies: A Guide to Etiquette in Other People's Religions is also edited by Stuart M. Matlins and great guide for anyone going to a wedding based on a different faith or culture, let alone marrying in one.

The Creative Jewish Wedding Book: A Hands On Guide to New and Old Tradions. by Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer. This is helpful, creative and modern; gives a great sense of tradition and how creative you can be. We just added to our library.

They also have a number of special series that share selections and saying from specific faiths, such as The Qur'an and Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. These distill the teachings of important holy books and are great tools for those of us who are not religious scholars, but who want to learn about other faiths.

And the "What You Will See Inside" series that takes you into the worship practices of various faiths, one book at a time, such as What You Will See Inside A Hindu Temple or a Mosque/ Catholic Church/Synagogue.

For all you folks of any faith or background in the market for wedding bling, you have to check out Engagement & Wedding Rings: The Definitive Buying Guide for People in Love, by Antoinette Matlins. It tells you everything you need to know about purchasing the best wedding jewlery, including: What to look for; what questions to ask; how to protect against the unscrupulous; how to know whether or not you’re getting good value; and how to create a ring that expresses your innermost feelings.

To peruse other titles, go to: www.skylightpaths.com and www.jewishlights.com.

Continue reading "Great Books for Brides and Grooms of All Faiths" »

Posted June 5, 2007 11:11 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

Everyone is talking about 7-7-07. Some call it "the luckiest day of the millennium."

Couples around the country are booking this wedding date like crazy. Las Vegas will host a huge number of nuptials that day. Come to town and you will likely see a sea of white dresses, tuxedos and limos parading along the Las Vegas Strip!

The Garden Chapel at Flamingo Las Vegas noticed a surge in wedding bookings for this day a while back and decided to shoot for the best luck possible. They came up with a very cool idea!

They will host 77 weddings on 7/7/07. They will utilize 7 venues on property, including a number of poolside weddings, to accommodate all those lucky couples.

Some local Las Vegas couples are among the lucky 77 but Kris LaBuda, Flamingo Garden Chapel Manager, tells us that 94 per cent of the couples are coming in from out of town to wed.

LaBuda and staff are gearing up to be “Wedding Central” on this day. On very busy Saturday during the peak of Las Vegas' wedding season there would be about 31 weddings. So they will be handling more than double the love -- and logistics!

We asked Kris LaBuda 7 questions about the Big Day:

Continue reading "The Flamingo Las Vegas Will Be Wedding Central on 7-7-07" »

Posted May 18, 2007 8:06 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

It's wedding season and brides all around the world are focused on one of the most important aspects of the big day - looking fabulous! I just learned about "The Metaphysical Diet," from Steven E. Hodes, M.D., and thought you might like to try!

Dr. Steve is a board certified gastroenterologist with over 25 years private practice and author of the forthcoming book, Meta-Physician On Call. He’s devoted himself to speaking and writing about metaphysics and healing, with an eye toward helping people regain their health, strength and the ability to explore life’s challenges from as more spiritual perspective.

He's given us permission to share his practical, yet spiritual tips for weight loss.

Try The Metaphysical Diet
By Steven E. Hodes, M.D.

As a gastroenterologist, people ask me for diet advice constantly. They want to know the fastest, easiest way to slim down. Sorry to say, there is no “magic pill.”

The solution to the problem of weight control involves understanding the interaction of body, mind and spirit. Even with this awareness, however, it is necessary to understand and examine the practical and scientifically based perspective on managing weight.

I am not a fan of ‘fad’ diets. There are basic scientific truths which govern the way our bodies function and we should be aware of them: consumption of more calories than one can expend in physical activity results in weight gain. Conversely, the opposite is true for weight loss. Fat contains more calories than protein or carbohydrates -- Per gram of weight – that’s why fatty foods make us fatter.

There is an element of truth behind the anti-carbohydrate mania we see in today’s diets—elevation of blood sugar activates insulin which adds fat to our bodies - but I do not agree with the extreme version of the Atkins diet in which carbohydrates are regarded as “poison.”

Our problem with weight control in this country is actually quite simple—we eat too much!

Continue reading "Brides-to-Be: Try the "Metaphysical Diet"" »

Posted May 15, 2007 6:15 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

Could it be that weddings are working? Or at least sticking.

News on the marriage front is not very romantic or sexy, but it tells us that the divorce rate is down. It is the lowest its been since 1970. In 1981 we were a country with a 50 per cent divorce rate. Recent statistics say that could be changing.

The only problem: No one is quite sure if relationships are any better or if Americans have gotten better at choosing the right mates.

The Associate Press conducted an interesting probe into this topic, sorting through statistics and interviewing many experts on the topics. They pondered the questions: Is divorce declining because marriage is better, people are more grown up about it, or we take commitment more seriously?

The answer: Not necessarily. It could be there are just less people marrying, and more are living together "out of wedlock." You wouldn't know if by this culture's increased interest in "everything wedding" but AP reported the divorce rate is down because:

* The number of couples who live together without marrying has increased tenfold since 1960

* The marriage rate has dropped nearly 30 percent in the past 25 years.

* Americans are waiting about five years longer to marry than they did in 1970.

They report: "the national per capita divorce rate has declined steadily since its peak in 1981."

Some experts says the real story lies in what they call the "The Divorce Divide". College educated couples seem less likely to split up, while couples who are not as educated or affluent tend to divorce more.

Does this mean people who've gone to college and have good jobs appreciate love, partnership and family more?

Experts say that it could just be that having a few bucks helps ease some of the tensions of modern family life. The more upbeat experts attribute it to new attitudes toward marriage that lead people to want to honor an uphold their vows, and stick together, for better or for worse.

Ouch. It is so sad to talk about marriage without thinking of a bride and groom, a happy couple, the love that brings them together... and the possibility that even when things become, dull, tough, and seem hopeless for love, there might still be a spark that two grown up people can choose to reignite to bring love alive again.

When life gets tough, it sometimes helps to remember what it is that made you fall in love with your mate, and look one another in the eyes and repeat your vows.

I take you
to be my husband/wife.
To have and to hold
from this day forward
In good times and bad times,
In sickness and in health.
To love, honor and cherish,
All the days of my life.

Regardless of the divorce stats, 120,000 or more couples come to Las Vegas each year to marry. You are always invited her to renew your vows too!

Continue reading "Divorce Rate Down: Good News For Married Couples and To-Be-Weds" »

Posted May 11, 2007 6:53 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

It's May Day. Love is in the air.

Those of you who have found true love and are getting ready for marriage can sit back and enjoy the day with the one you love. If you are still searching ... today is a great day to reflect on the relationship you want and say a prayer for true love.

Meeting your love match often requires a combination of consciousness and conscious effort, making choices and allowing things to happen as they are meant to be. It requires some level of faith and believing in love, even when romance seems far away. A little help from experts never hurts!

Several years ago, my friend Arielle Ford did a wonderful book about real lovers who found each other in mystical ways, Hot Chocolate For The Mystical Lover: 101 Stories of Soul Mates Brought Together By Divine Intervention, and this month she launches her "Soulmate Kit" offering a step-by-step process for finding "big love."

I was happy to be included as the expert on how to use Feng Shui to magnetize true love.

Arielle often says, "You never know what is around the corner" when it comes to love. That is SO true. One day you are yearning to meet the love of your life ... next minute .... that person is standing before you.

Her personal love story is an inspiration. She's convinced that a prayer and prophetic dreams set the stage to bring her together with her beloved. It began one night when she whispered her prayer for true love into the ear of her spiritual teacher, Ammachi, and asked to be healed of anything that might be standing in the way of love. Soon, she had dreams that gave insights about the man she would soon meet and fall in love with.

A few weeks later Arielle, then 44 and working as a hugely successful book publicist, was sent on business to Portland, to work on a project that involved Brian Hilliard. Although they had never met, they had both had dreams that told of finding each other. A year to the day of whispering her prayer, they were wed by her spiritual teacher and another ceremony followed, officiated by their friend, singer Kenny Loggins.

Having known Arielle before Bri, and being dear friends with them both since they've been together, I can attest to the fact that theirs is a match made in the heavens! They've always been an inspiration. In fact, Arielle was a bridesmaid at our Las Vegas Elvis Wedding at Graceland Chapel and Brian walked me down the aisle!

Check out my interview with Arielle about soulmates.

Continue reading "Find Your Soulmate - New Soulmate Kit Shows How" »

Posted May 1, 2007 6:17 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

It's May... It's May... the lusty month of May...

Beltane, also known as “May Day,” is the ancient Celtic fertility holiday that celebrated the rites of spring with much frolicking and fun. It begins tonight at sundown April 30th and lasts all day on May 1.

Beltane signals the beginning of the bright half of the year. It means “Bright Fires,” or “Brilliant Fires.”

In ancient times, two great fires were lit, and made with healing herbs. The light would guide the townspeople through the night, and some would jump skyclad over the flames and or rides their animals between the two fires to be blessed by the sacred smoke.

It is also the holiday of soulful love, a time when we feel called to open our hearts and or connect more deeply with others. It celebrates love, attraction and courtship – and “mating season.” Here, we call it “wedding season.”

Its origins among the Celtic peoples of Western Europe and the British Isles, particularly Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Think Excalibur Hotel!

One of my favorite examples of Beltane is the scene in the movie, Camelot, where Queen Gwenevere (Vanessa Redgrave) goes off with her court “a-maying.” She sang the famous Lerner and Lowe song:

It's May! It's May!
The lusty month of May!...
Those dreary vows that ev'ryone takes,
Ev'ryone breaks.
Ev'ryone makes divine mistakes!
The lusty month of May!

Even today it sort of sounds like a night in Las Vegas.

Continue reading "Beltane and the Greewood Marriages" »

Posted April 30, 2007 7:12 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

A Minnesota National Guardsman was able to virtually "kiss the bride" when he and his beloved were married yesterday. There were 6,000 miles between them, but they became one when they shared vows via video conferencing.

It is a technology that has brought our men and women in the armed forces home for moments at a time to witness special moments like seeing newborns for the first time, graduations, and other events.

It is also similar to technology that many Las Vegas chapels have been using for years to help couples who come in from town broadcast their weddings live to loved ones in other states.

Spc. Abraham Rhode and Amanda Hart were able to use video teleconferencing -- with the help of a Chaplain -- to be joined as husband and wife, according to the Associated Press. The bride was in Minnesota and the groom in Iraq.

This couple is apparently among a handful who have opted for marriage by video conference since the start of the war. They were able to arrange it when they discovered his deployment would be delayed, and they had a baby on the way.

They'd planned an August wedding, which he was due to come home and help plan, but they settled for official union via video conference. Hart said even so it was "was pretty exciting, overwhelming."

Posted March 29, 2007 5:15 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

It is always nice to come across articles that others write about the wacky and wonderful world of getting married in Las Vegas. It gives you perspective on how special this town really is and what a "Wow" it is for couples who come from all over the world to say "I Do" in our uniquely Las Vegas way.

I came across this article by Molly Snyder Edler, a staff writer at OnMilwaukee.com, and it speaks to the true allure of Las Vegas weddings for the hundreds upon hundreds who marry here each year: You can come from anywhere, any time, and have a wedding that truly speaks to your personalities and your idea of what a wedding should be. You can have an all out fantasy wedding, choose something wacky, or just have a nice little romantic experience and then head out on the town. There are some awesome photos with her piece, which begins ....

"Not every couple dreams of having a typical church wedding or the classic reception featuring the Chicken Dance, spoons clinking water glasses and a tipsy maid of honor toasting the smooched-out newlyweds. Instead, thousands of lovebirds -- approximately 130,000 couples every year -- choose the slightly more alternative route and express their undying love in the heart of Sin City."

"Vegas is one of the easiest places in the world to get hitched. For only $55 (the cost of the marriage license), a couple can legally tie the knot, and neither a blood test nor a waiting period is required. The law insists that a witness is present, but most chapels can provide one if the couple is alone."

Continue reading Molly's view on Vegas weddings.:

Posted March 22, 2007 7:12 AM by Charlotte Rose | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

Brides and grooms are booking wedding venues and vendors like crazy to grab what is seen as the "Lucky 7" wedding date. Vegas is booking up fast as couples plan early (for Las Vegas) for 7-7-07 nuptials.

For those of you who are rushing to the altar to get hitched on that wedding day, here are some wedding stressors to watch out for and some Wedding Goddess Solutions to help you through.

1. Remember, Bridezillas are made, not born. I've said it before and I will say it again...It is easy to get sucked into the vortex of wedding planning stress, and overwhelmed by the stress, pressure and expectations of those around you. You have to include stress management, self-nurturing and time to chill out as an integral part of her wedding planning process.

Continue reading "7 Tips for Avoiding 7-7-07 Wedding Stress" »

Posted February 27, 2007 5:26 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

There are a couple million couples who get hitched in the United States each year and you can be sure that a heaping number of them got engaged last week on Valentine's Day. Congratulations!

Getting married is huge step in the life of any bride and groom. The journey to the altar is a sacred time of truly getting ready for a long term, loving relationship. Too often, couples get lost in the hoopla around getting hitched, instead of focusing on the steps of preparing for married life.

My advice: Don’t just plan a fabulous wedding ... prepare for an awesome marriage.

As romantic as it is to get engaged, and plan a wedding, there is so much more to be explored as you head toward your wedding day. I find that as weddings become more creative and self-expressive, more and more couples want to by-pass deep reflection and mindful preparation and go straight to the party planning and the wedding dramas. They tend to avoid taking time out to talk about what their married life will be like.

Even a great relationship must be nurtured and built into a great marriage. Here are eight tips to give your marraige a head start!

Continue reading "Advice for the Newly Engaged - Prepare for an Awesome Marriage" »

Posted February 19, 2007 5:38 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

On happy note, love sizzled in the air in Las Vegas yesterday as thousands of couples took a gamble on marriage and got hitched on Valentine's Day. Congratulations to all the newlyweds!

There are about 122,000 or more weddings in Vegas each year and a huge percent of them on the holiday of hearts! It was BUSY! Some people just flew in and out to exchange "I dos." Some are still hanging around to enjoy the town, and the honeymoon!

Chapels filled with couples in love. Venues throughout Vegas offered special wedding perks and packages. Elvis sang his heart out. Hotels were crammed with instant-honeymooners who moved from chapel to wedding night, with maybe a little celebratory meal in between.

The clerk's office -- which recently underwent a budget cut and change in hours -- was open for 24 hours to accomodate the Valentine's Day crowd. With $55 cash, and a dream, couples lined up for hours awaiting their turn to fill out the paper work for a marriage license. Then off they went... to get married.

Sigh. This is what Las Vegas is all about!

If you missed it this year, no worries. The great thing is you can visit anytime and easily tie the knot.

Since the other thing Las Vegas is all about is gambling, check out your marital odds at Vegas Wedding Odds, a goofy website that can tell you if yours match is made in heaven.

Continue reading "Thousands Get Married In Las Vegas on Valentine's Day" »

Posted February 15, 2007 8:41 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

The Year of the Dog will bow-wow out today as the Year of the Pig oinks it's way in.

Feb 4 marks the changes of the animal guards in Chinese Astrology, on the solar calendar. It’s February 18 on the lunar calendar, which is also the day that the Chinese New Year is celebrated.

There are twelve animals on the Chinese Zodiac in all and each year heralds in a different animal and energy that is considered to have its auspicious as well as unlucky aspects.

Chinese mothers do not want their children to tie the knot this year. That’s why 2006 brought a mad dash to the altar by couples seeking a marital blessing during of the auspicious Year of the Dog. Many believe this year is not so great – for marriage anyway.

The Year of the Pig – which follows the Year of the Dog every 12 years – is also known as “Year of the Widow.” Not a good time to wed, according to many Buddhists and those who follow the Chinese fortune telling calendar.

Continue reading "Is 'The Year of the Pig' Bad News for Brides?" »

Posted February 4, 2007 9:20 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

Eva Longoria and beau Tony Parker have jumped on the bandwagon of thousands of other couples around the country who have selected 07-07-07 as their wedding date.

Parker is French, so the wedding is planned for the Chateau de Chantilly in Parker's native France. Longoria was quoted as saying that her hubby-to-be is highly superstitious and believes the 777 wedding date will give their marriage the best start.

They are not the only ones! Hotels across the land are seeing that 7-07-07 date book up fast as couples set their sights on pledging their love on a "lucky day."

You can just imagine what a popular day that will be in Las Vegas!

Ever wonder why the number 7 is so hot? From a spiritual perspective, here are some of the reasons it is considered sacred.

Continue reading "Eva Longoria Picks 7-07-07 Wedding Date - Is It Truly Lucky?" »

Posted January 28, 2007 7:07 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

Did you ring in the New Year with a ring? To all you newly engaged brides, congratulations! Now the fun begins.

Perhaps you will consider Las Vegas right off the bat. This is truly a town that caters to taking care of all your wedding needs. About 140,000 or so couples get hitched here each year.

However, If you have your heart set on a hometown family affair, or a destination wedding, set off on the path of the wedding of your dreams, and stay clear of the nuptials of your nightmares.

I am firm believer that a bride has to include stress management, self-nurturing and time to chill out as an integral part of her wedding planning process. It is a journey that is bound to have some bumps in the road, but no need to take the “Stress Express” to the altar, as so many brides do these days. Taking care of you, and your relationship, is the best way to reduce stress and keep yourself together.

Here are some tips to get you through the tough spots:

Establish boundaries from the start: Some brides get sucked into the vortex of wedding planning stress, and overwhelmed by the pressure and expectations of those around her. You will not be able to please everyone or manage everyone’s emotions. Focus on managing your own … and being true to yourself. It’s your wedding, not your mom’s, sister’s, or your maid of honor’s.

Stay close to your groom: You will cut your stress in half if you two remain a united team. You won’t see eye to eye on all things … but you must stand together and back each other up when it comes to making decisions. When well-meaning-but-meddling relatives try to sway you, stay strong and hold on tight to one another!

Continue reading "Now That You Are Engaged ... Tips for New Brides-to-Be" »

Posted January 17, 2007 8:06 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

Wow... my phones are ringing off the hook with calls from brides who got engaged over the holidays, and those who slacked off on wedding planning during the holiday season. Everyone is back on track for planning The Big Day. Congratulations!

What a relief. Feels like "Divorce Season" is behind us, now that Britney Spears, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston are settling into single life. With some of those celebrity break-ups fading from the front page of the news, we mortals can celebrate marriage again. Hooray. Love is still alive.

Let's figure out how to KEEP IT THAT WAY, celebs and we regular folk, alike.

In honor of the New Year, want to remind brides-to-be and their grooms to always honor the love you have and keep the lines of communication open.

So if you get a little crazed dealing with wedding details ... or if you find you are not always seeing eye to eye ...or if you ever feel your relationship needs a tune up ... think back to the early days of love, when all you could think about was one another. And think back to the moment when you became engaged -- and how you were both kind of floating on air.

Here’s a little exercise for clearing the air if you ever find yourself stuck in a rut or being unloving with each other, or if you just need to take some sacred time to share what’s on your mind.

Continue reading "Happy New Year! Let's Celebrate Love and Marriage!" »

Posted January 2, 2007 5:12 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

Tomorrow is Winter Solstice ... shortest day and longest night of the year. Las Vegas will be lit up with neon galore but I think we can also use a hunk ... a hunk of burning love to herald in the light.

Winter solstice is a cool time to get hitched. Symbolically, if you can make it through the darkest night together, it helps you begin married life with more sunshine to come.

You also beat the New Year’s rush to the altar and can marry on a day that is close to all the holidays – Christmas, Kwanza, Yule, Hanukah. In fact, Winter Solstice this year falls on the same day as the seventh day of Hanukah, December 21 – another festival that celebrates the light.

Since it is said that bride and groom represent two lights coming together as one stronger, brighter light, it’s a great way to celebrate the merging of your lives.

There is much folk lore and history about this time of year. You’ll find many of the holidays celebrated by different faiths this time of year find their origins in the ancient Winter Solstice customs, named after the Roman sun god, Sol. It is considered a spiritually auspicious or celebratory time. Some factoids:

Continue reading "Winter Solstice is a great time to marry" »

Posted December 20, 2006 7:12 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

‘Tis the season to be jolly! Gosh darn it, it is time to have some fun.

I happened upon one of my all time favorite movies, Mary Poppins, the other day, just as Uncle Albert (Ed Wynn) and Bert (Dick Van Dyke) were floating to the ceiling in a wave of giggles singing the classic song, “I Love to laugh.”

I love to laugh
Loud and long and clear
I love to laugh
It's getting worse ev'ry year

The more I laugh
The more I fill with glee
And the more the glee
The more I'm a merrier me

It filled me with so much joy and reminded me how much we all need a good laugh, especially when in the throes of the holiday season.

Las Vegas is a fun town, but you will always have those days when everything that can go wrong does go wrong.

Just shopping and preparing for the holidays and family visits, it is very easy to get frustrated, bent out of shape, and lose your sense of humor. There are a lot of things that can lead us down a bumpy, grumpy path. But there is one thing that can snap us out of it in a nanosecond: Laughter.

Continue reading "Mary Poppins in Las Vegas? Spread Holiday Laughter and Cheer" »

Posted December 19, 2006 5:40 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
Wedding Goddess Wisdom

Around this time, a lot of average people are wondering how the heck they will survive this Thanksgiving Holidays.

It all starts off okay. The turkey is cooking. The yummy smell reminds you of childhood. You want so much to conjure good feelings and the sense of joy of younger days. There is something about coming hungry to Thanksgiving dinner ... it helps you maintain a sense of innocence, possibility and calm; and it allows you to also feel hunger for family closeness and joy.

Then you eat ... and eat ... and eat ... and perhaps drink ... and you find yourself weighed down and exhausted.

Then reality sets in: Some us seem to share a gene pool with people we have nothing in common with, or who agitate us to no end. Just like planning a wedding, holidays tend to exacerbate family drama. If you are sharing thanksgiving and in the midst of planning a wedding, you might be getting a double dose of it.

I am not saying that everyone's family is dysfunctional. Some people really enjoy holidays. But many people seem to want to know how to quell anxiety and anger when it comes to family gatherings.

The solution: Ditch your family and run off to Las Vegas to frolic!

Or intend to bring a little light and grace to your family. In fact, you can turn a meal into a sacred event if you emphasize the positive. Here are some ideas to put to use before the Tryptophan and carbohydrates begin lulling you to La-La Land:

Continue reading "Survive Thanksgiving with Grace and Joy!" »

Posted November 22, 2006 4:20 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

Some people love the idea of saying “I Do” on Halloween!

My husband once officiated a wedding at a Halloween festival in New Jersey for an audience of 400. The young couple he married was dressed like the car accident victim’s in the movie Carrie. They asked him to wear the scary mask of horror icon Jason. He was assisted by a Ghoul and a Goblin character. When he left the stage we discovered he was, in fact, the warm of up act for Billy Mummy, of Lost In Space fame, who immediately took to the stage.

We had never imagined we would ever see so many intensely professional Halloween costumes and people walking around in “character.” Except, perhaps, at a Las Vegas Halloween wedding!

Here’s a hoot of an idea for Halloween Brides and Grooms: Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel, which is known for its penchant for wackiness and recreating favorite movies and themes, is offering special Halloween themed wedding packages through October 31. They were recently named by Travelocity as one of this year’s hottest “Halloween Getaways.”

As if getting married isn’t scary enough, the folks at Viva Las Vegas can transform their chapel into anything from a foggy, Gothic graveyard—complete with the Grim Reaper, candles, and creepy music—to the costumed set of the Rocky Horror Picture Show (Minister Frankenfurter’s services included).

Nothing like having a Sweet Transvestite officiate your Halloween wedding!

Find out more at: http://www.vivalasvegasweddings.com/

Continue reading "Two Las Vegas Haunts are Hot this Halloween" »

Posted October 27, 2006 7:56 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

I heard from a Las Vegas bride who is getting a little frantic about how she will look in her wedding dress next month when she strolls down the aisle here. She feels that she is packing a few pounds too many and that she may be bulging a bit from her strapless gown.

My advice? Just walking around the Las Vegas strip is great exercise! It requires an amazing amount of footwork and movement just to get from the entrance of a casino to a coffee shop within. Just crossing the street here is an aerobic workout! Avoid the people movers, and walk the stairs whenever possible. Just put on a comfy pair of sneakers and keep moving.

One bride I know goes to the Miracle Mile at the Aladdin every night and cruises the length of it more than once for an hour to get fit for her wedding. There are something like 170 stores to window shop in, lots of interesting things to see and even a mock thunder storm every hour. It's a fun place to walk through and you can do it over and over again. If your tootsies hurt after, you can get a reflexology foot rub from one of the massage therapists who offer massages all day long.

Make your work-out a Las Vegas experience! At the same time, avoid Las Vegas classics -- such as buffets with too much salty and greasy foods, and late nights with little sleep and cocktails. Get your beauty rest and try to eat nourishing foods as you count down to the Big Day.

For some extra hints, I sought the wisdom of Elissa Hyman, one of the New York's most popular personal trainers and fitness consultants. She's founder of BRIDAL BODY PERFECT for brides of all ages, shapes and sizes. Elissa generously offers these ten top tips for looking and feeling gorgeous in your wedding dress:

Continue reading "Look Great In Your Wedding Dress" »

Posted October 25, 2006 6:47 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

I arrived in Las Vegas Sunday and met my hubby at The Aladdin where he was attending a conference. We are sort of having a second honeymoon, in theory, since we celebrate our second anniversary in a few days... and we honeymooned and had our marriage blessed here. It's a working second-honeymoon, though. I have been touring wedding chapels to gather stories. He's been at a conference. Tonight we are going to see Tony 'n Tina's Wedding at the Rio, just for a little more wedding cheer.

The Aladdin, our home these past few days, is in an odd state of transition. It's due to morph into a Planet Hollywood property, according to signs and staff. The rugs and hallways have this flying carpet, Persian feel to it. The rooms - the one I am in anyway -- have the Planet Hollywood vibe. Ours has a huge photo of the villains in Superman II and Pierce Brosnan as James Bond nabbing a criminal. On one wall is a shirt worn by B movie actor from a 1992 movie. Its encased in a plastic box. Some of my hubby's co-workers have reported odd masks and movie weapons in glass encasings. Do people really want to sleep with this kind of movie memorabilia?

This hotel has posters of Mike Tyson, promoting his training camp, between 11 and 1 PM, all over the place. His face is even on the hotel keys. He is supposed to be out there daily keeping himself in shape before the masses. For two days I have made my way to the big wrestling ring in the middle of the mezzanine lobby. No Mike. He's blown it off Monday and Tuesday so far. Maybe you can catch him today. So many people were disappointed by his no-show. I kept asking if he gets docked pay for not showing but no one seems to know.

There are some very cool aspects to The Aladdin...

Continue reading "Second Honeymoon in Las Vegas - Sort Of" »

Posted September 13, 2006 9:08 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

So you are getting married in Las Vegas, not making a huge deal out of it and wondering if you even want wedding gifts. Planning your wedding will be easy … but your biggest quandary is how to deal with the folks back home who would like to honor your marriage with a gift.

You will say your “I dos” in a lavish ceremony, but would like to donate some of the wedding booty to charity. You wonder how to go about doing that.

You can’t decide on wedding favors and wonder if you could put the money to good use somewhere else, maybe saving the rain forest or giving to cancer research. But where would it be acceptable to just donate a small amount, and have it be meaningful?

Those are just some of the scenarios that describe couples who decide to include charitable giving in their weddings. Giving to charity has become a national wedding trend and you don’t have to be Mr. and Mrs. Donald Trump – although they did it too!

Since Las Vegas saves brides and grooms money, and gives them a chance to win more, seems like a natural to want to ‘give back.’ And that’s what many couples are doing – in times of their joy they feel that if they are going to whoop-it-up on their wedding day it will be for a good cause.

Continue reading "Share the Joy... and the Wedding Winnings" »

Posted August 22, 2006 7:22 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

Remember the commercial depicting the bride and her bridesmaids looking mighty tired and slightly guilty, driving down the strip in a limo, and breaking out in laughter amongst themselves over what they had all just experienced? To the observer it would seem the bride and her maids had just had a taste of the kind of pre-wedding fun once reserved for the groom and his guys.

Then the classic voice over: What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas ...

Or does it?

One researcher went behind the scenes a few years ago to explore the truth about what happens when a bride-to-be and her friends get a little wild right before the big day.

Dr. Beth Montemurro, assistant professor of sociology at Penn State's Abington Campus, documented her findings in the journal Sexuality and Culture in the article "Sex Symbols: The Bachelorette Party as a Window to Change in Women's Sexual Expression."

She interviewed dozens of women and personally attended many bachelorette parties all in the name of attempting to determine the true significance of today’s bachelorette party - especially the sexy ones!

Continue reading "Bachelorettes Gone Wild?" »

Posted August 8, 2006 6:11 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

If you are in the midst of planning a wedding, you might be wishing you ran off and eloped in Las Vegas right about now.

Everybody loves a wedding … yet we are living in a nation of stressed out brides.

Bridal stress is unique. It is essentially temporary, yet is connected to much deeper family issues and emotional challenges. It can easily be triggered by practical issues – ask any bride who has tried to interpret a tricky vendor contract or shop for bridesmaid dresses with their attendants -- and is exacerbated by family dynamics. There is often a decision to make, or challenge to resolve, at every turn of the journey to the altar. Every little nuance, and nuisance, can put you in a momentary tizzy -- if you let it.

Las Vegas weddings promise less stress … less mess … more fun! But that doesn’t mean you won’t have your moments. This is a major time in your life and whether you are in New York, Oshkosh or Nevada, you might hit a few stress speed bumps.

Here are some of the challenges, and the Wedding Goddess Solutions, for brides-to-be:

1. Bridezillas are made, not born. It’s supposed to be the happiest time of your life – and you want it to be – yet planning a wedding is like working a second job. You have to find the time to tend to a multitude of details as part of an already busy schedule while managing vendors, family anxieties and demands, your groom, your emotions and an array of tricky wedding dynamics. True, some brides are downright demanding but most are nice people, sucked into the vortex of wedding planning stress, and overwhelmed by the stress, pressure and expectations of those around her.

Wedding Goddess Solution: A bride has to include stress management, self-nurturing and time to chill out as an integral part of her wedding planning process. When you feel the stress building, take time out, go for a walk, slip into a movie, get a massage, go for a manicure, write in a journal, do something un-wedding. You have to love, honor and cherish yourself if you want to be loved, honored and cherished by someone else!

Continue reading "Wedding Goddess Wisdom for Stressed Out Brides" »

Posted July 31, 2006 1:09 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

So you are thinking of getting hitched in Las Vegas … but aren't sure it will be your family’s cup of tea.

There are so many options for saying “ I do” that you can find a way to include the family and friends. Consider these ideas:

-Invite them to join you for a fun and fabulous destination wedding.

-Arrange a live internet hook ups so the folks at home can see you speaking your vows and pledging your love either from the comforts of home or as part of a little hometown gathering.

- Tell them you are opting for low stress and high fun and heading to Las Vegas and make plans to return with a video and photos, and have a reception or dinner with the family when you get home.

- Elope. Return with video and photos, and invite loved ones over for dinner to share the news and the views after the big day.

Although many people tend to see Vegas as a wild party town, I believe Weddings in Las Vegas can actually be a very healing experience for all.

Continue reading "How to Include Family and Friends in Your Wedding" »

Posted July 21, 2006 7:45 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

Rejoice!

If you are in Las Vegas to tie the knot or renew your vows this Wednesday, June 21, you've made a very lucky choice. It’s summer solstice … the longest day of the year, a time when the sun is at the height of it’s power and good vibrations abound.

“Awed by the great power of the sun, world civilizations for many centuries have celebrated the Summer Solstice - otherwise known as Midsummer,” according to Chiff.com. “The Celts and Slavs celebrated with dancing and bonfires to help increase the sun's energy, the Chinese marked the day by honoring Li, the Chinese Goddess of Light, and the Druids celebrated it as the wedding of Heaven and Earth, resulting in the enduring modern custom of a "lucky" wedding in June.”

Because the midsummer celebration marks the center of the year, a complete six months away from winter solstice, it is viewed as an aspect of yin-yang, male-female. The two points of the year, together, are considered the marriage of heaven on earth.

It is a time of year that celebrates the rites of summer and encourages people to fall in love and consume each other in fiery summer passion. It happens in the Northern hemisphere each year on or around June 21.

The solstice evokes a sense of divine summer love. It is one of the reasons June is considered one of the most sacred months to wed. (That, and the fact that the month is named after Juno, Roman Goddess of Marriage).

Continue reading "June ... A Sacred Month for Marriage" »

Posted June 20, 2006 7:06 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

Brides often ask me why planning a wedding can seem like a crisis. And they wonder why weddings can bring out so much wackiness out in other people.

Of course, getting hitched in Las Vegas helps you side step some of the more agonizing aspects of wedding planning, but it is still good to know how to guard against people who drain your batteries as you try to enjoy “the happiest time of your life.”

The truth is … weddings represent a major life event that, along with the inherent joy, can bring out the dark side of even your closest, most loving friends and relatives. Unfortunately, some brides feel they are drowning in negative energy. It gets better once the big day comes around – I swear – but dealing with the people who keep you in crisis mode is no fun along the way.

I asked my good friend, Judith Orloff, M.D., to share some of her insights. She is a board certified psychiatrist, a medical intuitive and bestselling author. Her latest book is, Positive Energy: Ten Extraordinary Prescriptions For Transforming Fatigue, Stress, and Fear Into Vibrance, Strength, and Love (Harmony Books). I love how she enlightens us to the existence of “Energy Vampires” – those people who can drain your battery – so I asked her to shed some light on how they get in the way of wedding planning, as well as how to spot them, avoid them and rise above them.

Continue reading "Brides Need All the Positive Energy They Can Muster" »

Posted May 25, 2006 5:38 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

According to TheWeddingReport.com, 2006 will see a modest 1% increase in the number of U.S. weddings, reaching a total of nearly 2.3 million estimated weddings. Couples should expect a 4% increase in wedding cost over last year with an estimated cost of $26,800 per wedding.

77% of couples surveyed said they’ll use the Internet to help plan their wedding and 13% of them said they’d actually purchase products and services from online vendors.

Of those who will shop online, here’s the breakdown: 60% will look for a wedding cake, 58% the wedding dress and the bride bouquet.

And of those willing to buy online, 32% said they’d purchase wedding favors, 31% attendant gifts, 29% invitations and reply cards. According to the site, that makes the online wedding market worth over $7.9 billion.

They report that wedding costs will likely reach an average of $31,400 by 2010.

So what are you waiting for? Chances are if you’re thinking of marriage, the sooner you do it the less it will cost.

Posted May 22, 2006 11:04 PM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

If ever there was a case for eloping to Las Vegas, it was the unfortunate wedding fiasco that dominated the headlines this time last year – The Runaway Bride.

Remember the woman who became the poster child for bridal stress and who gave the world a much needed glimpse into the darker side of getting hitched?

And you thought your journey to the altar has been filled with drama! As the story unraveled we learned that she had unraveled too.

She even stopped in Las Vegas, but not for a good time. On the night she would have been celebrating her rehearsal dinner with her 14 bridesmaids and loving friends and family by her side, she was having pizza alone.

Although she said she was running from “certain fears” and not cold feet, she fessed-up that she couldn’t face the huge and lavish hometown affair, complete with 600 guests and 28 attendants. She cut her hair to disguise herself, hopped on a bus and headed west to escape her wedding.

Who doesn’t remember the massive search … the sobbing fiancé … the heartbroken relatives parading across TV news as the world waited and wondered … what happened to Jennifer Wilbanks, then 32, who disappeared four days before her April 30, 2005 wedding.

People feared the worse, as Jennifer quietly rode far as she could, away from the big day she had dreamed of and planned for.

Continue reading "Want To Be A Runaway Bride? Do it the Fun Way!" »

Posted May 2, 2006 7:01 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Las Vegas singles tired of the same old, same old can try something new — speed dating.

And wouldn’t you know it, there’s a company that exists solely for the purpose of facilitating the quick and painless dates. It’s called HurryDate.

Here’s what he company has to say about itself …

Continue reading "Las Vegas speed dating through HurryDate" »

Posted April 26, 2006 10:58 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

Many cultures have different ways of blessing the hands of the bride and groom.

In Thai ceremonies, for example, the couple kneels as elder, married relatives pour blessed water from a conch shell onto their hands and offer words of blessing. In the ancient Celtic tradition of hand-fasting, the couple’s hands are literally tied together to symbolize spiritual and physical unity as prayers and blessings are recited.

Of course, in Las Vegas, the tradition is to have Elvis bless your hands as he serenades you with a song that touches your hearts!

In any tradition, a hand blessing is a ritual that is meant to draw you closer to one another.

I have always heard that the hands are a connection to the heart, and a hand blessing symbolically brings two hearts together. When I officiated the wedding of a physician recently she confirmed that physically there is a connection between the veins in the hands and the heart.

I like to offer couples a non-denominational approach. It can be done at any point in the ceremony yet fits in perfectly right after the exchange of the rings.

Continue reading "Let Elvis Bless Your Hands and Hearts" »

Posted April 25, 2006 7:14 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

Every day is a wedding day in Las Vegas … but some days are more popular than others.

Valentine’s Day is an amazing love fest in this town because couples love to get hitched on the holiday of hearts – it’s so romantic! New Year’s Eve is a second runner up – gives you a fresh start, as you launch into a new beginning, together.

Makes you wonder … does getting married on a meaningful holiday ensure a happy, long lasting marriage? Well, could be that selecting an auspicious wedding day can at least roll the dice in your favor ... and Las Vegas is the perfect place to plan a wedding that is slated for what is considered a lucky day!

In the Hindu, Buddhist and other Asian traditions it is customary for Bride and groom or their parents to consult an astrologer for a date that would be the most auspicious for the wedding. That tradition has caught on with couples in the west.

Continue reading "Is Your Wedding Date Written In The Stars?" »

Posted April 16, 2006 11:19 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

Even the calmest brides and grooms may find themselves a little nervous on the big day. While Las Vegas is such a fun and entertaining place to wed, you may still be in for a few butterflies in the tummy and wedding day jitters. It’s only natural! You want to try to enjoy your wedding experience as much as possible, so here are some tips for trading nervousness for calm.

Manage your time on your wedding day. Nothing is more flustering to a bride – and her groom --than running late on her wedding day. Create a time line that includes everything from your morning coffee, to leaving for the ceremony, and stick as close to it as possible. Take control of time on your wedding day so that it does not add stress to the natural butterflies in the tummy.

Continue reading "Lighten Up! It's Your Wedding Day" »

Posted April 4, 2006 3:32 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Las Vegas is a city of numbers, hopefully lucky ones. If you are waiting for that once in a lifetime moment to get married, it just might be tomorrow. On Wednesday of this week, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be: 01:02:03 04/05/06.
This date and time combination will never happen again.
So, book those flights, contact the chapels, get the license at the Clark County Court House and have the once in a lifetime moment be your anniversary date forever.
While you are at it, you might want to visit the Keno lounge of your favorite casino before starting the honeymoon.

Posted April 4, 2006 11:20 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

When you become engaged and begin your journey to the altar, it is important to figure out from the start the kind of wedding you truly want and where you want it to be.

For some brides and grooms, a big lavish affair is their hearts desire. For others, small and intimate will do the trick. For some, bliss means getting married barefoot on the beach. For others it’s a theme wedding that takes them back to the 1950’s or into the future. And then there are those who choose a destination wedding. About 140,000 of those couples get hitched in Las Vegas each year.

Here, you can have ALL of the above arranged … and then some.

While Las Vegas is famous for high profile elopements, as well as quick and easy ceremonies for less famous brides and grooms, many couples actually put time and energy into planning a traditional – or not so traditional – wedding. They hire vendors, have to deal with arrangements and get involved with making it fun for friends and family. Some have sit down dinners; others arrange unique combinations of sacred vows and a wild night of gambling.

Anything goes! But even in this stress less town, it is to be expected that some couples might find themselves feeling a little concerned – about their families, certain formalities (or lack of them) and the fact that they have opted for a wedding experience that may not quite be what Mom and Dad had in mind.

Continue reading "Say "I Do" to Less Stress" »

Posted March 26, 2006 6:56 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

There are so many different possibilities for getting hitched in Las Vegas. From Elvis impersonators to elegant chapels, from themed weddings to drive by “I dos,” the options are limitless. There is one thing you can do in almost any kind of ceremony that would truly honor the uniqueness of your union — include personal vows.

Personal vows are a wonderful way to express your love on your wedding day. Contained within those vows are the seeds of dreams to come true, and intentions for your married life. For many people, vows are the hallmark of the wedding ceremony. Imprinted in many a mind is the romantic image of a loving couple looking deeply into one another’s eyes and calmly vowing their love and devotion on their wedding day.

Continue reading "How to include personal vows in your Las Vegas wedding" »

Posted March 16, 2006 12:07 PM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Coming to Las Vegas to get married? Unlike Japan where tipping is considered an insult, tipping is expected and should be added into your budget.

Suggested Tipping Guide from the experts: The people you interact with count on tips for a decent living so don't forget them while you're on your trip. They often get stiffed or are treated rudely when people take their lousy luck out on them.

At the Craps table: When the shooter's point is a six or eight I'll occasionally throw a dollar chip down on the layout and say "Hard six for the boys" or "Hard eight for the boys". It's a dollar bet that pays $10 if the next six or eight is thrown "the hard ways" (as doubles) and it's a way to not only tip the dealers but get them into the action. (Note that if the number your hard bet is on is shot easy, i.e., not as doubles, the dealers don't get the dollar, the house does, but the dealers still appreciate your getting them in the action.) Another way to get the dealers in on the action is to place a chip next to your chip(s) on the Pass Line. This is a Pass Line bet for the dealers. When you do this, the stickman will often say "Dealers on the line". Another alternative is to simply throw about 5% to 10% of any winnings down on the layout "for the boys" as an out-right tip when you're ending your session.

Continue reading "Las Vegas wedding "tips"" »

Posted March 8, 2006 1:55 PM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Lieutenant Govenor Lorraine Hunt married Dennis Bono in a Las Vegas cermony on Sunday. A reception was held at the Hilton Hotel in the Tuscany Sky Villas. Among the guests: Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme, Lance Burton and Gabriella Verace, Freddie Bell, Nelson Sardelli, Blake Pier, Corrie Sachs and Kathleen Dunbar. Hunt and Bono, both performers, joined together to sing "Our Love is Here to Stay."

Hunt is the owner of The Bootlegger Bistro, a nightclub long popular with Las Vegas locals and showroom performers. Hunt is herself a singer, and often performs at the restaurant. (In Nevada, the job of lieutenant governor is essentially a part-time post, which allows Hunt to keep her "night job.")

Hunt filed for divorce from her second husband, Blackie, in July 2003; he died on December 30 of that year, before the divorce became final.

Continue reading "Lt. Gov. Hunt marries Bono in Vegas Wedding" »

Posted March 7, 2006 10:10 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

According to a recent American Express nationwide survey, 58% of newlyweds feel that dealing with the costs associated with their wedding was the most daunting aspect of getting married.

A college roommate of mine used to claim he would marry more money in an instant than he’d earn in a lifetime. Lucky for him, true love won and he didn’t hold out for that millionaire heiress. 12 years and three kids later, I’m sure that’s why they’re still together.

Continue reading "Wedding debt" »

Posted March 6, 2006 3:45 PM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Diamonds! Having a Las Vegas wedding? Don’t forget the rings. If you need help picking the perfect diamond, check out the Oscars. Diamonds are the jewels of choice in Hollywood.

Dolly Parton will be sporting an assortment of the bobbles. When she performs, Parton will be bedecked in vintage diamonds from designer Fred Leighton, including a rare cut of tear-drop earrings and a diamond bow on her hip.

If you were lucky enough to be invited to the $70 million display of diamonds at an invitation-only diamond event in the Hollywood Hills this week, you would have experienced the latest styles.

“Everyone in LA is cynical and spoiled and seen it all,” said Sally Morrison, director of The Diamond Information Center. So, stars attending the diamond event searched for the perfect items they will be borrowing for the big Oscar night. (I thought they owned the earrings and other goodies.)

Continue reading "Diamonds at the Oscars" »

Posted March 2, 2006 8:42 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Caesars Palace will play host to Barbara Walters and her buddies from ABC show “The View“ this week. If you are thinking of strolling by the fountains, the area will be restricted for guests such as Celine Dion, James Denton, Maurice Benard, the Pussycat Dolls and many others.

Denton, of course, is from the top rated TV show “Desperate Housewives.” Bernard can be seen on “General Hospital.”

The show will feature a segment on Las Vegas cocktails, because when in Vegas, one must talk about cocktails.

Wolfgang Puck will go shopping with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck on Tuesday’s show. Also on Tuesday is comic, and singer Roseanne.

Continue reading "Caesars Palace: Host to ABC’s “The View”" »

Posted February 20, 2006 6:36 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

In the land of 24-hour chapels, marathon-running ceremonies and drive-thru nuptials, one rarely thinks of the other side of wedding bliss. The home of quickie weddings is also the land of quickie divorces.

You may find it interesting that quick divorces were a large part of Nevada’s industry and growth. In the 1950s a dude ranch housed Hollywood celebrities, among others, establishing their short six-week residency requirements for divorces. In what’s now the beautiful Floyd Lamb State Park at Tule Springs, people were taking advantage of Nevada’s liberal divorce laws. Nevada was the first in the nation to have the shortest residency time requirement.

Continue reading "Quick Divorce and Floyd Lamb Park" »

Posted February 18, 2006 7:58 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Some narrow minded individuals may think ice relating to weddings applies only to winter weddings or diamonds.

But did you know there’s a National Ice Carving Association with more than 500 members that is the only organization in the United States devoted solely to promoting the art of ice sculpture across the country and around the world?

Talk about ice, ice baby!

For the truly unique touch, consider an ice sculpture for your wedding reception.

And if you’re married in Vegas in the summer, be sure to place the ice strategically so it doesn’t melt before your party’s over or be prepared to watch your money melt away. At least you can say it was ‘cool’ while it lasted.

Posted February 17, 2006 8:43 PM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

In an effort to draw more tourists to its rural town, Lovelock, Nevada opened Lovers Lock Plaza on Valentine’s Day.

There’s an ancient Chinese tradition where couples place a lock on a chain and throw away the key, thus preserving their love forever . . . at least according to the tradition. I wonder what the divorce rate is in China? Surely locking your love can’t be that easy.

If you visit the Great Wall you’ll see miles of chains holding lovers’ locks. And if you saw last season’s Amazing Race on ABC you watched as contestants had to search for one lock among hundreds of locks that would be unlocked with their key.

So, for those of you who want to preserve your love forever, a quick jaunt to Lovelock, a lock and a key, should do the trick.

Posted February 15, 2006 8:30 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

You may think Valentine’s Day, named for a Catholic saint named Valentine, is on February 14 to commemorate the saint’s birth or death.

Actually, today the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. And there are several legends surrounding the saints and explaining the Valentine’s Day story.

Some claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival.

According to Roman legend, part of early celebration included having young women place their names in a urn to be drawn by the town's bachelors. The two would then become paired for the year, often resulting in marriage.

Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day around 498 A.D. At that time the Roman 'lottery' system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and was outlawed.

Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February — Valentine's Day — should be a day for romance.

Whatever the reason, for good or bad, we’re stuck with Valentine’s Day.

Some may feel the pressure of recognizing a loved one the ‘right’ way. For others, they feel sadness over the loss of a loved one, or loneliness from never finding someone to truly love.

Hopefully, for most of us, it’s a day to remember and celebrate romance.

Posted February 14, 2006 11:07 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

On this day of love, those who are prepared to tie the knot, already have their marriage license in hand. That makes yesterday one of the busiest days of the year at the Marriage License Bureau and today one of the year’s busiest days at Vegas wedding chapels.

This morning marriage license officials confirmed they produced 721 marriage licenses by the time midnight rolled around last night. And they were bracing to process another 600 licenses today. That’s about twice the number produced on a typical weekday. Talk about earning your pay.

Posted February 14, 2006 8:02 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

What do you think would happen to the wedding industry in Las Vegas if a three-day wait to get a marriage license were in place?

Perhaps the Britney Spears episode — where she ran off to Vegas, got married, then woke up the next day claiming the marriage was just a joke — would be prevented.

But perhaps such discretion just doesn’t fit in Vegas.

The Mississippi House voted Tuesday to eliminate their three-day wait to get a marriage license. However, similar bills have passed the Mississippi House the past two years, only to die in the state’s Senate.

The new bill would also allow 18-to-20-year-olds to get married without parental permission and would eliminate the premarital blood test that screens for syphilis.

Supporters say the changes could help Mississippi's economy by encouraging more weddings in the state.

Biloxi — Las Vegas. Mississippi — Nevada. Are they playing follow the leader, or what?

But try as they might, the Gulf Coast state is just too humid to truly emulate Nevada. Besides, there’s something to be said for no state income tax. Thank you, Nevada.

Posted February 8, 2006 9:31 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

If you’re looking to hook-up with just the right wedding dress maker or zoot suit purveyor, we’ve got just the place.

It’s called VegasVows.com.

From bridal accessories to locations for bachelor and bachelorette parties, weddings, reception halls, florists, and entertainment, VegasVows.com is a terrific online resource for do-it-yourself wedding planners.

The site provides Vegas wedding information and connects you with vendors for commitment ceremonies, drive-thru weddings, Elvis weddings, helicopter weddings, Internet weddings, Red Rock weddings, and more.

Just tell them the bloggers at wedlok sent you.

Posted February 7, 2006 9:21 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

For those of you interested in the ‘how to’ of Vegas weddings, planning the perfect event to serve your needs and your pocketbook, we recommend Neon Nuptials: The Complete Guide to Las Vegas Weddings (May 2005).

It's available on Amazon.

Author Ken Van Vechten includes more than 220 pages of ratings, narrative comments, and advice on everything from the process of obtaining a marriage license to where to get married by the only Elvis impersonator who is an actual clergyman.

Readers will find the ratings and comments section with first-hand information on each Vegas wedding facility most useful. The facilities are rated on Kitsch Factor (does it scream Las Vegas?), Romance Quotient, price ranges, hours of operation, types of ceremonies offered (religious, non-denominational, rabbi available, etc.), and more.

And in case you’re wondering, same-sex marriages are not legal in Nevada, yet. But single-gender “commitment ceremonies” are increasing in popularity.

An excerpt from the book, regarding a chapel that earned low marks:

“The carpeting is red, worn, and cheap. Pounds of stucco adhere to the walls. Lattice and faux flowers abound like a craft supply store on steroids. The ceiling is given over to a sky treatment that compares to the one at Caesars Palace Forum Shops as Chef Ronald McDonald does to Emeril Lagasse, and industrial-grade air deodorizer almost knocked both my wife and me off our feet when we visited.”

Posted February 6, 2006 2:03 PM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

That's right; the wedding cake started out as a fertility symbol and was a major part of the ancient marriage ceremony.

Ancient Romans would bake a cake made of wheat or barley and break it over the bride's head as a symbol of her fertility. (Why is it always the bride?)

It became tradition to pile up several small cakes, one on top of the other, as high as they could, and the bride and groom would kiss over the tower and try not to knock it down. If they were successful, it meant a lifetime of prosperity.

In the 1660s, a French chef was visiting London and observed the cake piling ceremony. He conceived the idea of transforming the mountain of bland tumbling biscuits into an iced, multi-tiered cake sensation.

The British hated the idea, but before the close of the century, British bakers were offering the very same French creations.

Continue reading "The Wedding Cake: A fertility symbol and tasty treat" »

Posted February 6, 2006 12:11 PM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

How much is your love worth? Can you put a dollar amount on the value of your relationship and happiness?

Experts say budget two months’ salary for a ring, but that amount is just a starting point for most.

Know what you want and the language of the jeweler before shopping. Often a prospective bride or groom will fall in love with a stone on first sight; just like in real life. Remember to include the cost of the wedding band—a common oversight.

Diamonds are evaluated according to the “4 C’s”: carat, color, clarity, and cut.
Carat refers to the diamond’s weight. Bigger isn't always better!

Continue reading "Diamonds: The choice is yours" »

Posted February 2, 2006 11:53 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

For those of you who find yourself considering a trip down the isle for a second time, or maybe the third or fourth, here’s a terrific resource — I Do Take Two.

It’s a website complete with information on second weddings and vow renewals.

Continue reading "Getting married the second time" »

Posted February 1, 2006 11:23 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Did you know that February is National Weddings Month?

Who makes these determinations anyway? It seems there’s a month, week or day held sacred for any and every cause.

Continue reading "National weddings month" »

Posted February 1, 2006 11:10 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Imagine standing 4,000 feet above the Colorado River on nothing more than a sheet of glass. The views up and down the spectacular Grand Canyon are totally unobstructed. You literally have an eagle's view.

That must be why the Hualapai Tribe named this destination the Grand Canyon West's Eagle Point. By mid-summer, you will be able to take a stroll out beyond the rim of the Grand Canyon and look straight down, down, down ... or even get married.

Soon the Tribe's destination will include The Skywalk, which will be a first-ever cantilever shaped glass bridge to suspend more than 4,000 feet above the Colorado River and extend over the Grand Canyon.

Continue reading "Glass Bridge to suspend above Colorado River" »

Posted January 31, 2006 4:48 PM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Wedding planners will tell you: your invitation should match the occasion. An elegant location calls for an elegant invitation. And if you’re planning to run off to a drive-thru to get married, perhaps a quick email or instant message would do the trick.

Whether you’re getting married at the Chapel ‘o Luv or the Four Seasons, there are local options to find custom paper choices to fit the special occasion. There’s also the Internet, but if you go that route, you can’t hold and see the paper selection first-hand.

Vegas is home to a few fine stationery shops. You could shop at Las Vegas Paperdoll, housed in the historical Holsum Bread building on West Charleston Boulevard, or Alligator Soup with two locations in the valley.

Both offer unique stationery and the ability to personalize any invitation. In fact, they’ll even take care of addressing and mailing the invites with complete anonymity. Talk about service!

Wedding invitations could range anywhere from $1.50 to $25 per invite, depending on how fancy you are.

Posted January 31, 2006 9:20 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

For many, the idea of a marriage might be a frightening proposition. The costs for a formal wedding might scare a person into skipping the ceremony. Those couples might choose to cohabitate and form bonds of a Common Law Marriage.

However, many states do not recognize the legal rights of those couples in common law relationships. As a matter of fact, only eleven states and the District of Columbia permit Common Law Marriages. These states include Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.

Four other states have restrictions regarding those marriages — Georgia, Idaho, Hew Hampshire, and Ohio. Marriage is starting to sound less frightening and certainly less confusing and worth the cost.

Continue reading "Common Law Marriage: Not So Common" »

Posted January 29, 2006 4:26 PM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Valentine's Day in Las Vegas will be filled with couples flocking to the alters of the more than thirty chapels to exchange vows on the special day of lovers. Throughout the city, the "I do's," will fly faster than the wheels on the quarter slots.

But, it will take some planning to be sure that your license has February 14, 2006 as your anniversary date. The lines will form early and long around the Clark County Court House, open from 8 a.m. to midnight.

But you can bypass the lines and download your marriage license forms from the Clark County Clerk’s website. The internet’s open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, so you can pick up the paperwork and bypass the line. But then what fun would that be? The TV crew will be there. The chapel -hawkers will be out in force. It will be a show.

The chapels will be booked in advance, so make your plans if you have a preference. There is no need for a blood test, there is no waiting period, age is 18+, and younger persons must have parents or guardians with them.

If you have been divorced, your divorce must be final in the state where it was granted. Have proving documents with you along with your other identification.

Posted January 26, 2006 1:23 PM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Visitors to Las Vegas always expect to find the wildest, strangest grown-up playground in the world. Maybe for some it can be; however, there are some laws in other states that make Vegas seem not weird at all. For instance, in a small town in Wisconsin, it is illegal for a man to shoot off a gun when his female partner has an orgasm. Now I have never visited Connorsville, Wisconsin, but I am sure there was a good reason those good folks felt a need to write that law.

Continue reading "Vegas not so weird" »

Posted January 23, 2006 1:19 PM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Buoyed by the pound’s strength in America, more and more of our British friends are heading to Vegas for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Guess they figure Las Vegas is the perfect place to get lucky.

And just how lucky are the Brits? The amount of U.S. dollars to the pound has increased 18 percent since 2002.

No wonder Las Vegas is proving to be one of the most popular getaways for those prenuptial visits.

Posted January 23, 2006 11:21 AM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

It was 4 a.m. this morning when my weimaraner woke me up by scratching repeatedly on the closed bedroom door (turned out he had to go outside to take care of business) that my mind began racing.

Along with being annoyed with lost sleep, I started thinking about wedlok.com — one of my new toys. I wondered how many people had been married in Las Vegas over the years.

I thought the best way to figure out how many Vegas marriages there have been would be to look up the number of marriage license applications. My research yielded some interesting statistics (source: Clark County, Nevada’s website).

In 1985, there were a little more than 59,400 licenses issued. 10 years later, in 1995, there were nearly 102,000. And last year tops out at just about 130,000.

Now I’m no statistician, but in 20 years, Vegas went from marrying about 5,000 couples a month to about 10,830 couples a month. Now multiply that by the current $55 marriage license application fee. Viva Las Vegas!

Posted January 12, 2006 3:36 PM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Let’s say you’ve made up your mind and are ready to take the marriage plunge. And let’s say you and your future spouse are feeling lucky and have decided that a Las Vegas wedding is in your future. What next?

Thankfully, Las Vegas has been in the business of weddings for just a little while and they’ve made it pretty simple. The directions and an online application are on the Clark County, Nev. website.

If you can, print the online application and bring it with you, along with the other required materials, to the Marriage License Bureau.

In case you’re wondering where the Marriage License Bureau is located, it’s at 201 Clark Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89155 (map). It’s just a couple blocks west of The Strip in downtown Las Vegas.

Your license will set you back $55 and we recommend you secure it at least one day prior to the wedding.

Although any wedding chapel in Vegas would love to wed you to eternal bliss, they can’t do it unless you have your marriage license. So, although you may not like it, you’ll just have to conform to the rules and get your license first.

Posted January 12, 2006 3:10 PM by | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This