Weddings Vegas-Style

What has half a million feet, 250,000 hearts, carousing Klingons, rigging-swinger pirates and a serenade by Elvis?

During any given year in Las Vegas, giddy couples pledge their troth in hotel ballrooms, kitschy chapels, helicopters, and even the drive-through lane of fast-track kiosks. The spontaneity and surrealism Las Vegas is known for are very much in evidence with the colorful palette of matrimonial options from which to paint a lasting memory. Adding to its allure as a wedding destination is the fact that blood tests and waiting periods are non-existent in Nevada and the Marriage License Bureau is open until midnight 7 days a week.

The hot competition among hotels and chapels has brought virtually any type of themed ceremony within reach of those for whom money, fantasy and imagination have no limits. For the cost of costume rentals and props, you can transform yourselves into gangsters and gun-molls, sheriffs and dancehall girls, Marc Antony and Cleopatra, knights and damsels, rock stars and groupies, Harley-riding honeys, Beach Blanket bunnies, campy vampires, Edwardians and Victorians, secret agents or the Blues Brothers.

Need someone to sing a song or walk you down the aisle? Well, you can always sign up for the ever-popular Elvis or enlist the services of Tom Jones, Elvira, Garth Brooks, Marilyn Monroe, Cher and Grandpa Munster.

Here are some more scenarios to whet your romantic appetite in 2007:

Avast, Mateys!

At Treasure Island, there’s a galleon of adventure aboard a replica pirate ship docked at Sirens’ Cove. Swashbucklers aplenty are not only on hand to serve as witnesses to wannabee Will Turners and Elizabeth Swanns but can also be bribed to swing down the rigging on cue and present the rings. Arghghgh!

Infinite and Beyond

For out-of-this-world celebrations, the bridge of the USS Enterprise is available at the Las Vegas Hilton and comes with such space-age specialties as photographs in the Molecular Imaging Chamber, commemorative brass plaques at Quark’s Bar, tickets for the Klingon Encounter and Borg Invasion 4D, a Star Fleet officer to officiate, and up to four Star Trek characters to mingle with guests.

Exotic Ports of Call

You won’t need a passport to exchange vows atop the Eiffel Tower or on the canals of Venice. The Paris Las Vegas package includes a ceremony on the 50-story observation deck and videography that starts the moment you enter the glass elevator. Over at The Venetian, a gondolier will serenade you during your “Cerimonia Sul’Aqua” aboard an Italian gondola.

Up, Up & Away

When you’re in love, you’re on top of the world. Why not start out your marriage from the same lofty vantage-point? Maverick, Papillon, Sundance and Heli-USA helicopter services are available for wedding charter and can carry you and your well-wishers across the Grand Canyon and Colorado River, over Red Rock Canyon, or hover above the glittering Las Vegas Strip.