They say that what happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas … I clearly am not living by that rule. What happens in Vegas is definitely worth documenting so when we’re old and grey we can read all about how cool we used to be. We were lucky enough to be invited to the gorgeous Mel & wonderful Christian’s wedding in Las Vegas on July 31! For those who don’t know Mel, she is an old friend of mine from our Coles Supermarket check-out chick days … we clearly go way back! So when they told us that they were planning to wed at the Graceland Chapel in Vegas, we were there!
Joep and I had a week of R&R together after I returned from Australia and that weekend we hit the road early Saturday morning for Vegas! The road trip was uneventful, just driving into the desert really. Its about a 4 hour drive from Laguna Beach to Vegas and next time we will get food before we hit the looooooongest stretch of road with no food on it! We were pretty hungry by the time we arrived in Vegas but this is clearly not an issue … there are enough places to eat when you get there! We’d both been to Vegas before but there is so much going on that it warrants a 2nd trip – Plus Joep wasn’t old enough to drink when he was last there so he was hoping to see a different side of Vegas.
After checking into our AMAZING room at the Bellagio (including a view of the Eiffel Tower) we headed straight down to the pool for cocktails, sunshine and lounging around. Heaven! While at the pool we decided to have a delicious meal together that evening. We researched a few places and eventually picked a spot that would allow us to overdose on steeeeeeak.
Vegas is really a crazy place. Joep & I both agree that its not our favourite place on earth but it certainly has to be experienced to be believed. The streets are so crammed with party goers and offers of hookers and strippers. It is both impressive and depressive at the same time. Impressive that this incredible city full of bling and craziness has been built in the middle of the desert, depressive because it is a concentration of everything that seems to be wrong with the world. People over-spending, over-drinking, over-gambling – In fact, while waiting for me to get ready for dinner Joep went down to the bar and struck up a conversation with a lovely gentleman who was there celebrating the year anniversary of his 3rd marriage. When asked where his wife was, he informed Joep that they were going through a divorce right now. Yikes. Still at least he had a drink in his hand and was settled in at one of the pokey machines … double yikes.
I arrived towards the end of this conversation and so, all dolled up, we jumped into a taxi to head out to our restaurant of choice. After about 25 minutes in the taxi we were waaaay out of the city and away from the strip and we were both starting to feel more than a little uncomfortable. We felt significantly worse when the taxi pulled into a chain restaurant in a super dodgy neighbourhood. Needless to say, we didn’t get out. Instead we asked the taxi to take us straight back to the Bellagio. The Lonely Planet really let us down on that one!
A $60 round trip later, we were right back at square one and wondering where to head for dinner. Joep found a great restaurant walking distance from out hotel so off we trekked. Strip Steakhouse has a great reputation and great reviews. We were excited and, by this stage of the evening, starving!
The meal the followed was … well here’s the thing. Since moving to California and buying a gigantic bbq, Joep has mastered the art of buying and cooking the best steaks. I’m not exaggerating. He seriously makes the best steak you will ever taste. So we are positively spoiled. Which means that all other steaks pale in comparison. Therefore I will not say that the meal at Strip wasn’t good. It was good, but Joep’s steaks are better. Fact. The wine and cocktails were delicious though! And we had a really lovely evening in a very great restaurant with a great atmosphere.
The following morning we woke up a bit worse for wear after the following day/nights frivolity. There was little time for feeling sorry for ourselves because we had a wedding to prepare for and attend! First stop was to get brekkie before stocking up on a few refreshments to be consumed between the ceremony and the reception. The bride and groom had expressly told us not to get us gifts but instead, each guest was required to prepare a short speech to present at the wedding. Joep & I had mused for some time over what we would do for our speech. While standing in the line to buy refreshments I had a brainwave … what says ‘congratulations on your marriage’ better than 2 white people rapping for you? Nothing. So our decision was made.
The hours leading up to the wedding saw us madly drafting lyrics to our rap song which would be sung to the tune of the theme song from The Fresh Prince of Bel air. We were excited. We finished the lyrics, got dressed and headed out to the Graceland Chapel with plans to rehearse the rap between the ceremony and reception.
The wedding ceremony was AMAZING! It was so much fun and such a laugh! Elvis Presley walked Mel down the aisle to meet Christian who was looking mighty fine in his own Elvis attire. In total the ceremony lasted about 10 minutes and it was such fun. After the ceremony there were wedding photos to be taken before we were booted out of the Graceland Chapel to wait for our limousines back to the hotel.
A limo ride and a couple of bottles of champagne later and we were all back at the Bellagio. Rather than joining the rest of the gang for cocktails Joep & I headed upstairs to practice our rap song. We were committed to this performance. Feeling suitably practiced, we made it downstairs for 1 pre-dinner cocktail before we headed to the restaurant for the reception.
The evening that followed was SUCH a great time! Mel & Chris hired a private room at the Sensi restaurant and the food was out of this world. If you’re ever in Vegas you must eat there. It was delicious! We completely pigged out and enjoyed a few beverages. Shortly after the main course Joep & I decided that we would kick off the speeches and get our rap done before we were too intoxicated to do it justice.
Joep had found a karaoke version of The Fresh Prince of Bel air theme song on his blackberry which we connected to the sound system adding the finishing touches to our rap. Joep LOVES rapping. He is hilarious at it and we had a good hearty laugh performing for Mel & Chris.
Performance out of the way we settled in for an evening of good chats, lots of laughs, some groove shaking and great memories. We were so honoured to be part of Mel & Chris’s celebrations!!
Oh and for those interested (and because Joep is so proud of them) here are the lyrics to our rap song:
Alas the following day was a work day for Joep so we couldn’t stay out too late as we were up before the sunrise to hit the road on Monday morning. Worth it.
The road trip back was significantly quieter than the drive there but we made it home in 1 piece. A great weekend with great friends!! We won’t forget that one for a while!
And now it’s back to Ottawa for me … 3 more weeks until I am done and we can live together full time again. Yippee!!!
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