Not Another Guide

so i haven't been back online to write anything recently...  but i realized it's because i've been so dang busy with these summer weddings (and of course, constantly running after my 2 children).  it's two weddings in particular that i've been dealing with the most - my cousin's and my brother-in-law's.  i've done calligraphy (wedding invitation, bridal invitation, & placecards) for both, bridal shower planning, dealt with flowergirl dresses, bridal party attire...  a list of wedding details a mile long.  not to mention both these weddings are in southern california, so money spent on gas used driving back and forth is something i don't like to talk about...

but what's been the most time consuming is planning the bachelorette party for my cousin vanessa and the bachelor party for her fiance lee.  they want the traditional drunken debacles expected from las vegas bachelor parties, and debauchery is what i will give them!  since i live in vegas, it seemed only natural that i be the liason between them and this fun-filled (usually deemed sinful) city. 
i thought it would be fairly simple to plan both, since partying in vegas is usually cut and dry:  nightclubs, alcohol, limos, stripclubs, adult pools, more alcohol...  but i'm a big believer in getting the most bang for your buck.  i've already mentioned before that it's a lot easier to get around the las vegas strip when you have connections, and i fully intend on utilizing those connections!  it's actually amazing to me how much tourists are willing to spend on things that i can get comped or half-price.  lee's best man found a package at sapphire gentlemen's club for $1300+...  i set up a comparable package for $450.  insane.

weeks into planning these bachelor/ette parties, though, have proved a little more difficult than expected.

many of these deals i can get (always through a nameless contact in my phone labeled "so-and-so comped dinner/bottle/show/limo" given to me by a friend who has already gotten a deal from unnamed contact) are contingent upon how many guests will be attending.  and i know now that it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to get an exact number of attendees in advance.  people are texting me saying, "i won't know if i work that day until early that week" or "i think i'm coming, but i'll get back to you soon"...  etc.  so that's problem number one.

problem number two is some people attending these parties are las vegas locals while a majority of them are from california.  las vegas locals get special discounts on certain things (i.e. tickets to chippendales - yes, i'm taking vanessa to chippendales.  if it's commonplace for the guys to go to a stripclub, i can let vanessa indulge in some almost-entirely-undressed man dancing on a stage, even if it's funny & unappealing to even imagine.)  so now i have to find a way to get a local's price for the californians.  not impossible, but i'll have to enlist the help of some friends with nevada driver's licenses.

my last problem, and most disconcerting issue, is that i'll get a deal from one person...  then a couple days later, i'll hear of a better deal that someone else got on the same thing.  for example, my girlfriend said she could get a buy one bottle-get one free deal at vanity nightclub.  sounded great!  but then another girlfriend talked to another hookup at that same club and got me one comped bottle on top of the buy-one-get-one-free deal.  this obviously worked to my advantage.  BUT.  that same friend set us up a cabana at daydream (the adult pool at the m resort) with a $450 food & beverage minimum.  sounds fine.  last weekend i went to daydream for a birthday bash, and the birthday girl got her cabana with a $315 food & beverage minimum.  um, hello?  please introduce me to the person who set up that deal.  for a savings of over $100, i'll shmooze with anyone you want.

the point is, you can find a lot of loopholes to get the best prices for anything you do in vegas.  you might have to know people to get the very best prices, but even if you don't...  take some time!  search on ebay for show tickets.  ask hotels about military or aarp discounts.  ask about summer specials.  whatever.  ask and you shall receive...  it never hurts to ask...  i can go on with cliche sayings, but i'll spare you.  for now i have to get back with my party planning...  good luck with yours.  :)