Even if you've never been there before, the idea of having your wedding in Las Vegas has a certain allure to it'a feeling of glamour and excitement! After all ? what isn't there to do in the city of lights? Whether you live in Vegas, in another state, or even out of the country, planning your nuptials for this unique location can be quite a challenge. A happy bride is a bride whose wedding is well planned. To help you make sure your special day is just what you want, we have researched and come up with these ?Top 5 Critical Things You Must Do to Make Your Vegas Wedding a Success?! While every step of planning your wedding is essential, these five items will give you the great jumpstart you need.

Critical Item #1: Book your location well in advance.

Las Vegas is an extremely popular place to say ?I Do?. It is crucial to your wedding day happiness that you efficiently review your location options, decide on one, and get it secured with a contract and deposit to hold your date. Securing your location up to two years early is advised. Be SURE you don't lose your reservation confirmation and proof that you put down a deposit. (Typically, close to the time you book your location, you will also want to reserve room blocks for out of town guests, the close to the wedding venue the better.) There is a wide variety of options from which to choose ? from hotels to chapels. See these resources to learn more about having a Las Vegas Hotel Wedding or finding a Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.

Critical Item #2: Book your photographer well in advance, and, choose wisely.

Typically, the next fastest class of vendor to get booked up is the photographer. In a city like Vegas, there will be MANY to choose from. Review their work online, talk with some of their past clients, and try to meet with your top three choices in person if possible. Look at their albums, learn about their ?philosophy? on weddings. If you like the photojournalistic look best, but most of their shots are traditional poses, best to find a photographer that specializes in the style you prefer. Be sure to find out if they will actually be there on your wedding day ? or if one of the staff photographers will be. If you want the head photographer there, be sure to write that into your contract with them.

Critical Item #3: Sample the food ? then get that caterer under contract!

The next most essential vendor to secure for your special day is the caterer or chef. It is best to actually taste their food first, if at all possible. Knowing what type of food you want served before you go out looking for a caterer, will make selecting one easier and faster. Do you want a buffet or sit-down? Home cookin? or caviar? What style is your wedding, and, what ?style? of food complements that? A good caterer will be able to guide you through these questions, and, should bring up things you hadn't even thought about. As with the photographer ? get them under contract, and be sure to specify in the contract if you want any particular person from the catering company there the day of your wedding.

Critical Item #4: The music, the dancing, the party ? book the right DJ!!

Is your wedding going to be one huge dance party? Do you want a more reserved and quiet affair with elegant background music? Decide on the style you want, then find the DJ that specializes in that style. Popular DJs, especially affordable ones that do fantastic work, book fast. As with all the other vendors, know what you want, interview your top 3 choices, then get them booked. If you want the DJ you met with to be the DJ at your wedding, you must specify that in the contract. This is crucial. (Another essential DJ side note ? if there is a particular version of a particular song you want played, be absolutely POSITIVE that the DJ has that song before the wedding, actually listen to the DJ's version to be sure).

Critical Item #5: The perfect flowers and d'cor ? find your florist and get them under contract!!

Those stunning wedding scenes you see in magazines were designed by someone! Usually, a decorator/florist. Not all florists decorate, and not all decorators are florists. It is best to find one that does both ? makes it easier on you. Good ones, as with all other vendors, will book fast and far in advance. Get referrals, interview your top three, peek your head in at an actual wedding they have done, pick yours, then get them reserved. Again, if you want the head florist there setting up your wedding flowers and d'cor the day of, be sure that gets specified in the contract at the time of booking.

There are many details to be remembered and planned when designing what your wedding day will be like. Those mentioned above are just a few of the most crucial to accomplish first. As with any major life-changing event or undertaking, it is best to rely on professionals who have done this many, many times before. We strongly suggest hiring a wedding coordinator to orchestrate your day and help you plan. They will typically know the best vendors to use, the little nuances of locations, and will remind you of crucial items you may have forgotten about. Visit this resource to learn more about Las Vegas Wedding Planning. Having the right wedding team around you will help ensure your day is a success!

Article by Michelle O'Connor