Hitched on hols, Las Vegas style

IT'S all wedding systems a go-go in Las Vegas as bride-to-be Torny Miller takes the plunge. Here are her tips for a perfect day.

Torny Miller

IT'S all wedding systems a go-go in Las Vegas as bride-to-be Torny Miller takes the plunge.

We're the first applicants for the day, but from the look on the clerk's face we definitely won't be the last.

I go through the Clark County, Nevada, checklist:

"Are you over 18?" Check.

"Are you biologically female?" Check.

"Do you have a husband already?" Nope.

"Is your intended no nearer of kin than second cousins or cousins of half-blood?" No.

"Please sign here. Congratulations. Here is your marriage licence," she says, a faint smile on her lips.

Welcome to a wedding day, Las Vegas style.

It's taken us just under five minutes to get our marriage licence and so this is it - we are ready to go. Back out on the street we're immediately confronted by a strange-looking man.

"Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. I guess you guys need a chapel?"

He tells us "his" chapel is the best in Vegas and not cheap and tacky like the rest.

The offer is tempting. Unfortunately, he's out of luck with us.

Our wedding plans have been locked in for months and are already in the hands of the Trump Hotel, the venue we are staying at while in Vegas.

"They do a pretty good job," he says with a slight air of annoyance.

"But think of me next time you're in town."

DRESS REHEARSAL
My partner, Steve, and I arrived in Vegas a few days ago for the big event - our friends and family know that Vegas is one of the highlights of our US vacation, but no one knows why we're really here.

For the past few months we've been emailing our wedding planner Cynthia, who comes courtesy of our wedding package, about the finer details of the day.

Everything has been prearranged before our arrival. And the only other thing we have to do besides getting the licence is to get some wedding duds.

Renting a dress and a tux is no problem in the wedding capital of the world. I've done my research beforehand and so I know exactly what type of dress I want and where I'll get it.

Of course the ladies at the bridal shop have other ideas. Within seconds I'm loaded up with dresses ... and veils ... and shoes ... and jewellery.

"I'm really just after something quite simple," I say, as I'm handed another pile of taffeta and lace.

I stick with my plan and opt for the style I'd pre-imagined, and luckily the dress fits perfectly.

Done and done.

For our wedding breakfast we treat ourselves to the ritziest of all Vegas buffets - at the Wynn Hotel - and after that it's off to the beauty salon for hair and make-up.

Then it's showtime.

WEDDED BLISS
Our ceremony is being held in the hotel's Empire Room- a suite overlooking the famous Las Vegas Strip.

Besides myself and Steve, our wedding party totals five: Cynthia and her offsider - who are acting as our witnesses - our photographer and videographer and the minister, but despite the small gathering I'm a bundle of nerves and can feel myself shaking as I walk up the aisle.

That is until I see Steve standing there, waiting for me.

And I realise it's true - this is the happiest moment of my life.

We've done the "I dos" and now it's time to document the occasion so all the people back in Oz have some proof we've really done it.

We're given free run of the hotel and allowed to use whatever location we want for our pics.

An hour later, it's time for a romantic dinner back on the top floor, followed by champagne and a limo drive down The Strip.

No Vegas wedding would be complete without a photo at the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign, so that's where we head.

As we walk up to the landmark we're stopped by a couple wearing jeans and cowboy shirts.

"Did you just get hitched?" they ask. "So did we!"

I give the other bride a hug.

And then we climb back into our limo and get ready for the start of married life.

LAS VEGAS WEDDING CHECKLIST
The marriage licence: You need one of these if it's going to be legal. Get it at the Clark County Marriage Bureau on Grand Central Parkway.

The venue: A Vegas wedding is what you make it and you can get married anywhere from one of the glitzy casinos on the strip to the famous Little White Wedding Chapel.

The celebrant: Bring on the Elvis-impersonator minister.

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