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Contributing Expert Ken Van Vechten writes:
Wow, wedding dresses. That isn’t something I pondered when writing Neon Nuptials, and not just because I’m a guy.
The fact is, at any given time, wedding dresses are sold in scores of Las Vegas shops and stores, which come and go with a frequency that’s not surprising, considering that matters of value, quality, price, and fashion are so personal and sensitive to trends. In addition, most of the tens of thousands of brides who drive or wing in annually to tie the knot do so with trousseau in tow. Most importantly, I had no intention of recommending -- or trashing -- an establishment without first-hand knowledge and a thorough grasp of the breadth of the offerings.
But you asked.
So I contacted several Las Vegas wedding-chapel managers and came up with a short list of purveyors of formal and/or wedding dresses and gowns. The list is not exhaustive (plenty of worthy dress providers aren’t on it), nor does it derive from personal experience (I haven’t tried on a single gown at any of the places included), but I trust the managers I spoke to, and these selections were consensus choices.
Brides by Demetrios 3002 S. Ranch Dr. Las Vegas 702/871-1616 www.demetriosbride.com
David’s Bridal 2600 W. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas 702/367-4779
631 Marks St. Henderson 702/433-1139 www.davidsbridal.com
Dillard’s Meadows Mall 4200 Meadows Lane Las Vegas 702/870-2039
Fashion Show 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. S. Las Vegas 702/733-2008
Boulevard Mall 3700 S. Maryland Pkwy. Las Vegas 702/734-2111
Galleria at Sunset 1320 W. Sunset Rd. Henderson 702/435-6300 www.dillards.com
Nordstrom Fashion Show 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 702/862-2525 www.nordstrom.com
Las Vegas is now home to three outlet centers: Las Vegas Premium Outlets downtown; Las Vegas Outlet Center, 2.5 miles south of the Strip; and Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas, located at Primm. However, these generally feature fashion and designer stores like Nike, Levis, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Kenneth Cole, Versace etc., so you're unlikely to find a traditional wedding gown at the outlets.
Wherever you get married in Vegas, your coordinator can provide a list of wedding-dress vendors. There’s a chance -- how can I put this delicately? -- that the chapel and the vendor have a "relationship." But that’s not necessarily a bad thing; it’s just something of which you need to be aware.
Have a great neon nuptial!
Ken is a freelance travel and lifestyle writer, and author of Neon Nuptials.