For couples who don’t want all of the pomp and circumstance of a big ceremony, a Vegas wedding can be a quick and fun way to tie the knot. Hotel Congress is bringing Sin City to Tucson with a Vegas-style group wedding officiated by an Elvis impersonator.
It will be held in the Hotel Congress Plaza Stage area on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Chris Monzon, Hotel Congress’ director of entertainment and operations, said the group wedding is a revival of an event the hotel has done in the past.
“We would open the Copper Hall, which is now the Century Room, up to couples to get married. It was a quick, fun, free ceremony…We decided to rework it and make it more of an actual event where there’s a live music component. There’s a theme…. It’s a big, happy, really quirky celebration of love on Valentine’s Day,” Monzon said.
During the event, the Plaza Stage space will be decorated to fit with the Vegas theme.
Couples are also able to host weddings and receptions in different spaces in Hotel Congress throughout the year.
“Anything is possible here. If someone has the idea, we can make things happen here,” Monzon said.
One of the musicians who regularly plays in the Century Room recently got married and had a reception in the space.
Seven couples were chosen to take part in the group ceremony.
Hotel Congress put out an open calling to couples interested in getting married for the first time or renewing their vows.
“We were really just looking for people who have a deep, beautiful love connection. We weren’t factoring in age. We weren’t factoring in gender. We weren’t factoring really anything other than their love story, how they met and maybe their connection with the hotel. A lot of people who applied, they had stories about how they were connected here, maybe how they met here or how they danced here together,” Monzon said.
Along with the chance to get married at Hotel Congress, couples will receive a champagne toast, a reception with a live band, a hotel room for the night of the ceremony and professional wedding photos.
Beyond Bread is providing mini fruit tarts for couples to use for their cake cutting.
They will also receive boutonnieres and bouquets from Inglis Florists.
The professional photos will be taken on the rooftop, where there will be a retro car with a “Just Married” sign.
The event will also have other photo ops, including a cutout heart in the “I Love Lucy” style.
Monzon said that the hotel is trying to take away some of the stress from couples and just let them enjoy their special day.
“A lot of the couples, they’re excited as to what we’re providing. Everything is already included. You don’t have to worry about all the difficult stuff that comes with a wedding, which is the planning and the heavy lifting,” Monzon said.
Couples were given the chance to pick their first dance songs. Monzon said they have been choosing a range of songs, including Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” and “Kiss the Girl” from “The Little Mermaid.”
Monzon said the band will also be playing other Elvis tunes, such as “Blue Moon” and “Burning Love.”
The Cup will have a special menu of citrus mussels; New York strip steak with duchess potatoes and asparagus; crispy skin duck served with bacon, white bean cassoulet and green beans and strawberry shortcake with chocolate ganache sauce.
The wedding ceremony and reception will be open to the public to attend. Couples are also encouraged to invite their friends and family members.
“This is their place to make memories and be a part of Tucson history. Hotel Congress has always been a significant landmark, both culturally and historically. When people participate in events like this, they become a part of that history. We really want to reaffirm that connection that we have to them as a community,” Monzon said.
During the ceremony, Monzon will be acting as the Elvis impersonator. He has a background as a singer and guitarist and will also be playing with the house band later that night.
He has recently performed with the house band at other events at Hotel Congress.
“On Halloween, we do Nightmare on Congress every year. A couple years ago, I had the idea of being a band for Halloween. We were Weezer for Halloween, and we did the entire ‘Blue Album’ because it was the 30th anniversary. This year, we were Black Sabbath because Ozzy had just passed. We had a few different bands. We did the White Stripes, No Doubt and Black Sabbath. I was Ozzy Osbourne. Then for New Year’s Eve, we had our Hotel Congress Time Machine event. We had a bunch of time machine decor. I put together a band, and we did hits through the ages. We picked all the biggest hits from all the different eras. Our band was comprised of different time travelers. I was a knight, and then we had an ‘80s guy,” Monzon said.
Along with the group wedding ceremony, Hotel Congress will be hosting an a Galentine’s themed cocktail party on Friday, Feb. 13, in the Plaza Stage space.
The event will feature a cocktail demonstration in which attendees can learn to make an espresso martini or cosmopolitan.
Attendees will receive a cocktail of their choice and a sweet treat.
Throughout the night, a DJ will be playing music.
Charcuterie boards and snacks will be available for purchase.
The Cup’s special menu will include Sonoran Shrimp Cocktail; pistachio nachos and a vegetarian option called the Barrio Heartbreaker, a baguette with brie, orange marmalade, roasted garlic, pickled red beets, marinated artichokes, sliced apple, pesto, oil and vinegar and herb butter.
Marry Me Congress Presents: A Viva Las Vegas Valentine’s Day!
WHEN: Doors at 5 p.m., ceremony at 6 p.m., reception at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14
WHERE: Hotel Congress Plaza Stage, 311 E. Congress Street, Tucson
COST: $14 plus fees general admission. All ages
INFO: hotelcongress.com
Galentine’s Cocktail Party
WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13
WHERE: Hotel Congress Plaza Stage, 311 E. Congress Street, Tucson
COST: $25 plus fees. 21 and older
INFO: hotelcongress.com