That time I got married in Vegas....

Remember that time I got married in Vegas? Oh, oops! That cat didn’t make it out of the bag for many people because I wanted to save up all the zeal for the “real” wedding in April.

Well anyway, I did.

Luba arrived in October (2013). He came here on what is called a fiancé visa. One of the stipulations was that we would be married within 90 days of his arrival. No stress right? No biggie? I’ve loved being in a 3-some all this time—me, Luba, and US government. We knew we wanted to share the moment publicly in a warm personal ceremony surrounded by our closest people. We knew we’d have to have a legal ceremony within the timeline in order to proceed with the process, and it would occur before we had the chance to plan the “real” wedding. The idea of going to the courthouse didn’t appeal to me. I like “off the beaten path.” I like quirky. I like fun. So, the idea hit to do something I SWORE I would never do (remember me and my nevers? Yeah, I always end up doing them) --- VEGAS BABY! DRIVE THRU! I mean, pop-out-through-the-sunroof-limo-ride-straight-up-to-the-window Vegas. I asked Luba and he preferred that idea over the courthouse. To him, having people with us being witness and having fun was the deciding factor.

So we did it! My friend April and I booked it. We booked it right there at the District in Tustin, sitting right outside Pinkberry. We laughed until we nearly cried booking this excursion. Yes, there is a dropdown menu where you can choose Elvis to be present or not.

On the morning of November 9, we headed out to Vegas! I look back on it now and chuckle. We were so new to one another and he was barely recovered from jetlag. We knew we were serious and had made this commitment to each other long before. There was no question that we would marry within a short time frame. It was just so weird for it to be “here” already. We had waited so long. We had spent hours talking about it.

We headed out and of course realized “too far into the trip” that Luba forgot his passport at home. We called to make sure that we could use an alternate ID since he had his driver license from South Africa. We first headed out to get our marriage license once we reached Vegas. It was quite the fiasco with no passport because his driver license listed his first 2 initials and last name. On November 9, I was set to marry “Li Mntanga.” Birds weren’t chirping at this moment as I realized this would not fare well with our paperwork. This process requires one to be meticulous and each detail must be perfect and triple checked and matched to other documents. It requires one to be OCD to the –nth degree. I recited like a crazy person: Oh God help me. Just move on. Just enjoy and do damage control after the fact. “Li” is probably wonderful too.

We had friends meeting us in Vegas at the hotel. We had a fabulous suite waiting for us at the Hard Rock Hotel (thanks again, AB!). We lunched, walked, and wasted time as we waited for the room to be ready. What was taking it so long?!?!?  I swear we spent half a day hanging at the reception area.

We didn’t have time to check in at this point before we’d have to be ready to leave so we got ready at a friend’s room. Can you feel my stress level rising?! I’m having heart palpitations as I recall all this. We met the gang downstairs at the lobby where the limo was waiting. It was on!

We all piled in and headed to the little white chapel. We pulled in behind another limo finishing up. I could see the “menu” on my left. I only had nervous giggles. I applied more MAC red lipgloss. What else could a girl do?

Finally, it was our turn. I was given my bouquet. I was surprised at how lovely the flowers were. We had a pastor come to the window and greet us—this meant a lot to me, not just any officiant. The photographer climbed in the car with us to capture the moments before and during the ceremony. It was short. She gave a little blurb, which I recall being nice but couldn’t tell you one thing she said. We said the standard vows. We didn’t exchange rings. I wanted to save this for our ceremony with friends and family.

Afterward, we got out and took some pictures at the chapel before heading back to the hotel for our drop-off. We were dropped off at the Palazzo for a dinner reservation at Table 10. This Emeril Lagasse restaurant is Cajun themed so it was a perfect place to celebrate as our “real” wedding would be in New Orleans. After dinner, we walked around to show Luba Vegas and then headed back to our suite, where the action ensued. No, not that action….BUT there was some mean dancing skills being showcased there that night!

BUT, walking in to the room was a fun surprise! While the room had been delayed, Candice & Kerrie Ann were able to sneak in first for some decorating. Turns out, I barely missed them at the Hard Rock when we were walking around. Apparently, April had redirected us walking when she spotted them around the lobby. We walked in to balloons, chilled champagne (ordered to be waiting from my friend Jody), bundtinis (my fave dessert), and gifts. It was a perfect night. We revived classic booty music hip hop songs. I laughed until I cried. We’ll all remember my new husband trying owning “the worm” on the floor.

The rest is history – and well, because – what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Here are some pictures from the night. Oh and remember that lip gloss I liberally applied in nervousness? My all-time favorite pictures are the ones where Luba’s actually wearing it after the kiss that sealed the deal. And, look how it's all over my lips! Enjoy!

Love,

Danielle, the Mrs.

P.S. When we got back, we were able to show the passport and get the name corrected. Phew! But, I did enjoy that rendezvous with Li.