Weddingbee Blog

Living in Arizona has its charms. Among them: $99, one hour flights to Las Vegas.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the time or resources to make it to Sin City for a weekend of debauchery. But how hard could it be to bust out the creative caps and stage your own Vegas-themed party at home? Even better for a joint bachelor/bachelorette party, since debauchery works best in a coed setting.

Invitations:

You can send free game-themed e-vites, cute printed invites, or “deal” attendees a hand of playing cards giving the details of the party (the guests of honor should get a royal flush, natch):

Decor:

Use lots of red and black and keep the lighting low. Stretch some green felt tretched across the table, grab some sharpies, follow this template and voila! You’re official. Or, make up your own version of the table, maybe with drink penalties, etc. Oh, and instructions on how to play can be found here, although again, I’m a fan of making up my own rules.

Food & Drink:

Your guests will be floored if you go for broke and make Clams Casino, but any finger food is great.

Serve the standard naughty cocktails, or make up new ones named in honor of the couple (or that commemorate fun or embarrassing anecdotes about them).

Details:

As guests arrive, bankroll them with Monopoly money, personalized poker chips, or print fun fake bills with the bride’s and groom’s faces on it. Then give prizes to whoever ends up with the biggest cash stash. Chocolate coins–bagged and be-ribboned, of course–are an inexpensive, appropriate favor.

Playing card games is exponentially more hilarious with giant playing cards (not to mention, better for hiding your unconvincing poker face).

Playing games is also exponentially more hilarious with fuzzy dice instead of real ones. Pick up a pair here.

To get that one of a kind Vegas soundtrack, you can download free slot machines noises and other casino effects here (or splurge for the real thing).

Green visor caps are a must-have accessory for the host.

As guests leave (and are in their most disheveled state), snap photos of them holding mugshot plates (made with black cardstock and white pens) assigning them various crimes. Present the collected pictures in an album to the bride and groom.

And remember, secrets are secrets wherever you are!