Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Valentine’s Day by the numbers: Las Vegas gets in the mood for love

Valentine's Day at the Little White Wedding Chapel

Mona Shield Payne/Special to the Sun

Navy Hospital Corpsman Steven Wood and his bride, Carrie, of Washington, wait for a limousine after their wedding ceremony on Valentine’s Day 2010 at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.

Ahh, Valentine's Day. It's a day to celebrate the one we love -- and break the bank on overpriced gifts to let them know it.

In a city known for overindulgence, Valentine's Day becomes even more indulgent. From expensive prixe fixe menus, to helicopter tours of the Strip or over-the-top marriage proposals, Las Vegas businesses are cashing in on all of it.

The Sun asked local businesses what they're expecting this holiday and learned that love is in the air on Valentine's Day in Las Vegas in a big way. Move over, Paris.

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California residents Hollie McLeod, left, and Lydia Davis kiss after obtaining their marriage license at the Marriage License Bureau in downtown Las Vegas on Friday, Feb. 13, 2009.

Valentine's Day is a popular choice for couples tying the knot. Clark County recorded 1,247 weddings in 2010 and 1,796 in 2009 for love's unofficial holiday, the Clark County Recorder's Office reported.

On an average day during the year? About 250.

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The Little White Wedding Chapel, 1301 S. Las Vegas Blvd., will staff 10 ministers today to meet demand, said Charlotte Richards, its CEO and president. More than 100 weddings, and counting, are scheduled.

An ordinary Monday might have 30 to 40, she said.

Two years ago, when Valentine's Day was on a Saturday, the chapel performed almost 350 weddings in 24 hours, Richards said.

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At Presidential Limousine, today will be one of the busiest days of the year, said Monique Romero, the company's operations manager. Last Valentine's Day, guests took 1,596 rides, she said. An average Sunday in August registered 968.

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Rose Shack Florist, 1105 S. Rainbow Blvd., expected to sell about 3,500 rose stems over the weekend, said owner Angel Chairez.

Most weekends, the shop will sell "maybe a couple hundred," he said. And prices from rose farms have jumped, as they do every year before Valentine's Day, to five times the norm, he added.

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Offering romantic rides surveying the Las Vegas cityscape, D & R Ballons received the usual uptick in reservations for Valentine's Day, said owner Doug Campbell. Most days, he said, they have four to six flights, but over the weekend, Campbell was taking up 10 or so each day.

Two couples also paid an extra $145 per person for a private ride with only themselves and the pilot, he said.

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The Eiffel Tower restaurant at Paris is one of many romantic Las Vegas locations where men will be popping the question on Valentine's Day. The restaurant has 15 proposals scheduled for the holiday.

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Atop the Eiffel Tower restaurant at Paris, the romantic venue has 15 proposals scheduled on Valentine's Day.

If the ring didn't empty the wallet, the Eiffel Tower restaurant offers three proposal packages ranging from $500 to $11,000. The most expensive package includes a helicopter tour of the Strip, a sunrise hot air balloon ride, dinner for two and a three-night stay in one of Paris' luxury suites.

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The upscale Prime steakhouse at the Bellagio received 37 requests for a table with a view of the Bellagio Fountains. The restaurant has more than 350 reservations for Valentine's Day evening.

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Andre's Restaurant & Lounge at the Monte Carlo average two proposals per year, a representative from the restaurant said. But it could be more this year -- the restaurant has 220 parties of two booked for the holiday.

The French restaurant will have between 225 and 250 bottles of champagne on-hand in at least 60 different selections for diners to celebrate the holiday. To pair with the champagne, Andre's has 250 Valentine's Day-themed desserts.

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The Bellagio Fountains.

FIX restaurant and lounge at the Bellagio is anticipating at least two proposals this year and about 100 reservations for parties of two.

All of Light Group's restaurants, which include FIX, Union, Stack and Brand, will be handing out roses to all ladies dining on Valentine's Day night -- even the single ones. The restaurant expect to hand out about 300 of them.

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The Strip House at Planet Hollywood is planning on serving up plenty of its 24-layer chocolate cake. The cake stands 8 inches tall, boasting 12 layers of chocolate cake intertwined with 11 layers of chocolate filling and a 24th layer of semi-sweet ganache.

Strip House has received 60 orders for the cake from chocolate lovers around the country. That's $6,000 worth of chocolate cake.

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The Sugar Factory grand opening in Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile Shops on Feb. 14, 2010.

The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will be abuzz with shoppers looking to pick up last-minute gifts for Valentine's Day. The Swarovski crystal store expects to sell 300 heart necklaces, ranging in price from $75 to $340.

The Sugar Factory expects 800 chocolate roses, 850 heart lollipops, 200 candy gift baskets, 450 gift boxes and more than 1,000 chocolate bars to be sold during the weekend. The store expects to sell between 400 and 500 "couture lollipops," which it is best know for.

But if jewelry and candy aren't enough for your special someone, maybe something a little more permanent is. Club Tattoo at the Miracle Mile Shops is expecting to ink up patrons with about 80 Valentine's Day-related tattoos, including names and portraits, because nothing says love like your significant other's face your arm.

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