In a testament to their boundless creativity and expertise, event planning virtuosos Steve Rader, owner of Willie Fun Events, and his wife, Madison Rader, flawlessly orchestrated their own wedding, crafting an unforgettable celebration that showcased their extraordinary talents. With their combined experience in the industry, the couple embarked on a journey to create a truly unforgettable experience for themselves and their loved ones. The result was a wedding that seamlessly blended fun, surprise, and a touch of Las Vegas magic.
“Events are our love language,” Steve says. “Madison has the creative vision, and I have realistic event logistics experience. It was an easy choice to skip hiring an outside planner.”
Their shared passion for events and a desire to allocate their budget wisely led them to take charge of every aspect of their wedding. They aimed to put the money towards something they knew their guests would notice.
“We have a strong sense of what will shock and awe guests, so we planned several surprise elements for the wedding,” he says. “For example, Madison’s grandfather pretended to officiate the wedding, and after a minute or two, we had Elvis come out singing ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ and take over officiating duties.”
The couple’s wedding also featured various unique and creative elements that embodied their passion for creating unforgettable experiences. These included a champagne skirt girl, cupcake girls distributing LED items to guests, mirror ball dancers, and a renowned DJ Scene at the turntables. They also hired a nightlife photographer and videographer to truly capture the energy and vibrancy of the event.
Another big hit was an audio guest book where guests could leave heartfelt messages. Confetti launched throughout the night, adding bursts of joy and celebration. Favors were a true delight, with custom chocolates flown in from the renowned MarieBelle in NYC. The presence of a talented caricature artist added a touch of whimsy and offered guests personalized mementos.
Of course, planning their wedding came with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest hurdles they faced was discovering that their chosen venue, Intrigue Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas, would close before their wedding date.
“We had to move the wedding up five months to ensure we could get the venue with the best wow factor in Las Vegas,” Steve says.
Another issue the couple had was after the wedding when they realized the officiant never filed the paperwork; therefore, they weren’t actually married. A month later, Steve and Madison had to get married again, but they’re looking at the mishap in a positive light.
“We had both the dream wedding and the elopement experiences,” Steve says. “Now, we have the opportunity to celebrate two wedding dates.”
Despite these challenges, Steve and Madison’s experience as event planners played a crucial role in their decision-making process, and they ensured that their wedding stood out from the rest.
When reflecting on their planning journey, Steve highlighted the importance of selecting the right vendors. Their industry expertise allowed them to curate a team of professionals who could execute their vision flawlessly. Looking back, Steve acknowledges an important lesson learned.
“Our main advice would be when things go wrong on your wedding day (and they will), work together as a team and have some fun finding a solution,” he says.
Ultimately, Steve Rader and Madison Rader’s self-planned wedding was a testament to their incredible talents as event planners. Their shared vision, attention to detail, and commitment to creating an unforgettable experience for their guests ensured that their wedding was nothing short of spectacular.
Presented by: Nick Kasmik
