When it comes to wedding planning, many brides-to-be scan the pages of glossy magazines or search online for inspiration, checking out what the bride is wearing, how her hair is dressed, what the venue is like and which color schemes have been chosen. In particular, celebrities like to have weddings that are memorable, and many of them seek out unique ways to wed, celebrating their marital union in true celebrity style. Here are a few ideas to excite your inner adventurer and make your day extra special.

Royal wedding weekend

When His Royal Highness Prince William married Kate Middleton in London, it seemed like the whole world was watching. That same weekend the casino king Steve Wynn married his British bride Andrea Hissom in Las Vegas, and some reporters dubbed it “America’s royal wedding.” Both brides sported beautiful lace sleeves and flattering, plunging necklines on their bridal gowns, and while William and Kate were married in Westminster Abbey, Steve and Andrea opted for the exclusive Encore resort in Las Vegas – which just goes to show that you can choose almost anywhere you like for your wedding venue these days.

wedding planningAmong the locations celebrity couples have selected are Venice, Italy (Amal Alamuddin and George Clooney) Correns, France (Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt) and San Francisco’s City Hall (Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio). There’s something about a Vegas wedding, however, that stands out from the rest. The home of gambling, glitz and glamour creates a fabulous backdrop for Hollywood-style marriages.

Stretch the party

A three-day celebration may sound a little extravagant, but it does allow couples to invite a variety of friends to a number of different events – none of which need cost the earth. How about a picnic in the park if a poolside party doesn’t suit, for example? The actual ceremony is at the core of the celebrations, of course, but why not do something adventurous – tie the knot during a hot air balloon ride and have it filmed and then screened to your guests?

In addition to the plethora of beautiful hotels and chapels up and down the strip, you might like to consider an outdoor wedding ceremony. In the areas immediately surrounding Las Vegas are venues such as Valley of Fire State Park, Lake Mead and Red Rock at Spring Mountain. These locations provide stunning backdrops for your celebrations and will allow you to create memories that will last forever.

Hotelier and casino magnate Steve Wynn, sometimes known as Mr. Las Vegas, has been credited with spearheading the regeneration of the Las Vegas Strip in the 1990s, and by choosing an unusual wedding venue you can be part of the regeneration of underused and quirky properties. He is renowned for bringing the Golden Nugget back to life and for opening The Bellagio and The Mirage; both stunning wedding venues. For something more unusual you might want to select an empty but attractive swimming pool or a local art gallery or museum, for instance.

Wedding hair and flowers

Hair up or down is one of those questions brides ask, but there is no straight answer, except whatever you think suits you best. Some brides opt for long and loose flowing locks – including Amal Alamuddin and Kim Kardashian, while others go for a stately dressed-up look – for example, Angelina Jolie and Jessica Biel.

If you already have a color scheme then this should be carried through to your wedding décor and your flowers. A lovely option is to carry a giant paper flower or a crocheted wedding bouquet if you’re the creative type and want to make your own, as well as stand out from the crowd.

Being inspired is really all about thinking of the features that will make your wedding day as perfect as possible. If you prefer to keep things simple, then do exactly that – if you want to push out the boat, then work towards an awesome celebration. Whatever makes you both happy is likely to work just fine.

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