WEDDING CHAPEL WARS IN LAS VEGAS

I tied the knot in Vegas on 777. While the day was a frenzy because of the date, fierce competition for chapel wedding services has escalated into minor warfare between vendors, who are hiring packs of handbillers to stalk couples paparazzi-style and hurl frantic, Glengarry Glen Ross-like pitches at budding brides.

And even though weddings are still huge business in Vegas, a recent drop in marriage licenses has seen competition stiffen, and handbillers -- usually earning $10 an hour -- have been involved in scuffles ranging from fist-fights to stabbings. I DO remember seeing a segment on "Cops" about this and thought it was a wild notion - wedding chapel wars in Sin City. And although the Vegas industry of love is frequently commented upon, the sheer desperation is little-reported, making this an entertaining (if somewhat depressing) read.

Click HERE to read a recent probe at the LA TIMES.