Las Vegas’ Wedding Queen of the West Passes Away at 89

In a heart-wrenching announcement, it was revealed that Charolette Richards, the visionary behind one of Las Vegas's most cherished wedding venues, A Little White Wedding Chapel, breathed her last on December 13. Richards, whose establishment has united over 800,000 couples in wedded bliss, leaves behind a legacy that has forever changed the wedding industry in Las Vegas.

Founded in 1951, A Little White Wedding Chapel was created to provide couples with an affordable yet stunning wedding experience. It quickly gained popularity, becoming a favorite choice for those seeking a beautiful and uncomplicated wedding ceremony. The venue's drive-thru, known as the Tunnel of Love, was a unique creation by Richards, born out of necessity when a client couldn't fit their wheelchair through the front door. This tunnel was later renamed Charolette's Way in her honor.

Notably, A Little White Wedding Chapel witnessed the unions of numerous celebrities, including Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, Britney Spears and Jason Alexander, and many others, who exchanged their vows within its hallowed walls.

Richards arrived in Las Vegas in the 1950s, seeking her husband who had falsely claimed to be working at the Stardust. Fate led her to the chapel, where she was offered a job that ultimately transformed her into the renowned Wedding Queen of the West. Last year, she handed over the reins to Cliff Evarts, another wedding specialist, who continues her legacy through Viva Las Vegas and Vegas Weddings chapels.

Brian Mills, president of the Vegas Wedding Chamber of Commerce, praised Richards for her innovative contributions to the wedding sector, noting that her legacy will inspire future generations. Charlotte Richards may have departed, but her commitment to spreading love and joy in the wedding industry will forever endure.