Elope/Get Married at Lake Mead 

He wants to get married in Las Vegas, while you want something a bit more romantic. Split the difference and get married in a romantic area near Las Vegas, saving the honeymoon for the wild city. Where might that romantic place be? Lake Mead, about an hour east Las Vegas - close enough for the glitz, far enough away for a romantic, awesome wedding.

Lake Mead is the largest man-made lake and reservoir in the United States, as well as one of the most popular lakes for houseboating in the country. And, if you and your future spouse are into scuba diving, you'll be happy to know that Lake Mead is one of the finest scuba diving lakes in the world.

There are a couple options we suggest to those of you wanting to get married on or overlooking Lake Mead:

Lake Mead Cruise Wedding

The first option, of course, is to get married on the lake in a boat. Lake Mead Cruises offers wedding packages that take place aboard their two Mississippi-style paddlewheel boat, The Desert Princess. You can opt to have a small, Top Deck ceremony on one of their regular cruises, or charter the entire boat for a wedding with up to 200 guests.

Packages include a wedding cake, champagne toast, and up to three hours of cruise time on the lake. Hors d’oeuvres or sit down dinner receptions can be arranged and several bar packages are offered.

Lake Mead Cruises can help you arrange entertainment for your wedding. They also provide a list of vendors for the services that do not come with their packages such as the minister, florist, and photographer. Package prices are more expensive on Fridays and Saturdays.

Lake Mead Cruises also offers use of the Landing for weddings and receptions for larger events up to 500 people. The Landing is a 2,400 square foot facility with an adjoining 3,200 square foot outdoor patio facing Lake Mead, with awesome views of the surrounding mountains. The Landing can be rented alone or in conjunction with a cruise.

For more information go to their website at LakeMeadCruises.com

Wedding Overlooking Lake Mead

In addition to the Landing offered by Lake Mead Cruises, you can also have a wedding at the Lake Mead Overlook in Boulder City, which offers great views overlooking Lake Mead. One very inexpensive package offered by The Las Vegas Wedding Company can be had for $500 (2009 prices) and includes transportation for the bride and groom and up to 8 guests from the Vegas Strip or downtown area (Up to 100 guests are allowed at the wedding). This package also includes:

• Professional wedding photographer
• Up to 100 posed and candid photos
• DVD of the ceremony
• Witness, if needed