Wynn talks about wedding; Eastwood will be best man

Steve Wynn is throwing down the royal gauntlet. He suggests his wedding party on Saturday, with Andrea Hissom, will be more fun than Friday's royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

"This is not to be taken too seriously. That probably is one major difference between us and the wedding in London. This is instituted frivolity," Wynn said Wednesday.

Wynn is planning a nontraditional event with celebrities, entertainers and "self-effacing" comedy, he told a handful of Las Vegas journalists gathered in a Wynn suite.

"Humor is the gizmo here this weekend," he said. "The tradition of Las Vegas is fun, and that's exactly what this weekend's about."

The reception will include a two-minute video, which he and his bride-to-be acted in this past weekend at a wedding chapel. He dressed as Elvis. She wore a saucy midriff-baring outfit.

TMZ ran a video of the Elvis shenanigans. On Wednesday, Wynn verbally attacked the chapel, saying it secretly taped and sold its own video.

"It's clear these days that anybody will take any opportunity to make a buck ... to sell something to the Internet," the billionaire said.

He couldn't remember the name of the chapel, but called it the "seediest, tackiest" they could find.

Hissom, who has been living with Wynn for two years, was expected to appear at Wednesday's press gathering, but didn't. Wynn said she decided she's not ready to become a public figure, although he knows the media is trying to make her one.

He asked the media knowingly: "You think she'll have a chance" to elude them?

Members of the media responded, "No."

The couple met through mutual friends while lunching in a restaurant on the French Riviera. He saw her the next night at another lunch among friends. They didn't see each other again till a chance encounter months later, then fell in love.

It's unclear even to Wynn if Hissom will follow in ex-wife Elaine Wynn's footsteps in terms of planning parties or overseeing any operations. But Elaine Wynn remains a major force on property.

The Review-Journal asked Wynn, 69, why he loves Hissom, who is 47 with children ages 18 and 16.

"She is a naturally joyful girl," he said. "Andrea wakes up every morning full of happiness and looking to have fun."

He appreciates she has lifelong friends in "girl friends and boy friends." He loves when they travel.

And he likes her specific European sensibilities. She's an American native, but raised by her businessman father in Paris (her mom died when she was 6), and she lived in London during her previous marriage.

"I've been a little more introverted in my circle, because of business," Wynn said. "One thing about this Las Vegas hotel business: You get immersed. These buildings are like a world in themselves.

"Your world is your colleagues. And maybe you become very friendly with some of the guests," especially wealthy or successful high rollers who are "interesting and dynamic."

"But Andrea has broader exposure" and has introduced him to varied living, he said. "I've had (happy travels) before, but I'm enjoying it very much more now, when I have a little more free time."

As for why she loves him, he said he couldn't answer for her.

"I know I've tried very hard to make her look at me in heroic terms -- as every guy does," he said. "I did something right, because she's still here."

Contact reporter Doug Elfman at delfman@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0391.

Steve Wynn wedding facts

• Hissom is taking the Wynn name.

• Wynn wouldn't say if they have a prenuptial agreement.

• Clint Eastwood is his best man. Wynn was the actor's best man in 1996 at Steve and Elaine Wynn's Shadow Creek home, where Wynn dropped the rings in grass. So when Wynn asked Eastwood to be his best man, the action hero said, "I'll drop the rings for you."

• There will be no honeymoon. He's scheduled to be at a conference in Los Angeles on Sunday. Elaine Wynn also will be at the conference, reportedly.

• He isn't doing a bachelor party: "I don't think I could do that safely. Besides, I'm 69 years old," he said with a chuckle. "Been there, done that."

• He wouldn't name most celebrity attendants, other than Donald Trump's RSVP to Friday's party.

• The guest list is 250 couples from around the world. Henderson Justice of the Peace Stephen George will officiate.

• Hissom's dress is by premiere bridal gown designer Monique Lhuillier, based in Los Angeles.

• Wynn's daughters and Hissom's kids and family are going. Hissom's ex-husband is even bringing a girlfriend. Elaine Wynn, it has been reported, will be out of town, though Wynn didn't address this.

• The Friday night "white party" (white jeans, white shirts, white sweaters), as well as Saturday's black-tie party, are being handled all internally with Wynn caterers, chefs and special event departments.

• Wynn said they didn't pick Saturday's date to coincide with the royal wedding of William and Kate in London. It was simply the only available weekend in May for the Encore Ballroom.

Doug Elfman/Las Vegas Review-Journal

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Comments

Note: Comments made by reporters and editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal are presented with a yellow background.

1. stom Apr. 28, 2011 | 1:22 p.m. Report Abuse

   How sad that he traded class (Elaine Wynn) for trash (Hissom).

2. 40 oz Apr. 28, 2011 | 12:55 p.m. Report Abuse

   Good luck. If you combine your incomes and don't blow your tips on the tables you can make it.

3. albert.courtney Apr. 28, 2011 | 12:09 p.m. Report Abuse

   Albert Courtney / Golden Eagle Gaming sending "Mr & Mrs Wynn bonus wishes for long term happiness.
   Best Wishes from Albert

4. vegaslady Apr. 28, 2011 | 10:45 a.m. Report Abuse

   Who Cares!! This man has ruined Las Vegas! Been unfaithful to his wife and continues to sell his employees down the river and we are all suppose to be "so happy for the lucky couple"? again who cares??

5. vegaslady Apr. 28, 2011 | 10:33 a.m. Report Abuse

   By the way.... she can't touch Elaine Wynn in Class, Style or Grace!! The only thing she has going for her is her age but that is bad for him cause she will tire real soon of this OLD MAN~

6. vegaslady Apr. 28, 2011 | 10:27 a.m. Report Abuse

   WHO CARES!!!! This jerk has ruined Las Vegas over and over again! He cheats on his wife makes a public ass of himself and has once again sold his working staff down the river...what a loser

7. VegasDude2010 Apr. 28, 2011 | 10:21 a.m. Report Abuse

   NO ONE CARES about this b.s. wedding, just like the b.s. wedding in London on Friday. They will both end in divorce, as always. (well, maybe Wynn's will end in his kicking the bucket since he's already 70). He says, "I don't know why she's with me, but she's still here." Really? Maybe the private jets, unlimited bank account, etc. have something to do with it? Wow. They are both losers in the love world, big whoop. And of course Trump is coming, he'll do anything for publicity - maybe he can stay in one of the many available rooms at his 80% vacant disaster of a project down the street?

8. Ken.Holly Apr. 28, 2011 | 9:56 a.m. Report Abuse

   Lighten-up folks, it's just show-biz, Vegas style...

9. LiveAndLetLive Apr. 28, 2011 | 9:13 a.m. Report Abuse

   A simple, private wedding would have been more appropriate??????

10. harleyguy Apr. 28, 2011 | 9:07 a.m. Report Abuse

    RIGHT WINGER ,GREEDY WYNN
    
    I HOPE YOU GET,WHAT YOU PAID FOR,A REAL LAS VEGAS LOSER OF A GAL.WORSE YET,A REAL LOSER OF A CITY,FULL OF GREEDY A HOLES LIKE YOU.
    
    PLEASE MOVE TO MACAU,WHERE THEY DONT REALLY KNOW WHAT A SCUM BAG YOU ARE.
    
    WHEN IS THE DIVORSE?

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