Our Love Story: Mark and Cara Steele

A grand wine tasting, a trip abroad and old-fashioned Las Vegas hospitality all contributed to the love story of Mark and Cara Steele.

Mark and Cara met at UNLVino, a wine and food festival benefiting UNLV’s Hospitality College. Mark, who founded the Restaurant Hospitality Institute, was there with recent graduates. It had been about a decade since he last attended. Cara, who worked for a company hosting the event, had free tickets and came with friends. While her friends explored the event, she ran into another friend who introduced her to Mark. They talked for a while, then mingled with other guests. 

“As [my group and I] were departing, out of the blue, Miss Cara came up through the crowd and handed me her phone number,” says Mark. “I called her the next day.” 

Steele Sparks Fly in Spain

Love makes people do crazy things, even inspiring someone like Mark, who usually plans everything in advance, to orchestrate an elaborate proposal on the fly. 

While Mark was on a business trip to France, Cara planned to join him for a vacation through Spain, Portugal, and France. He hoped to propose with his grandmother’s ring but didn’t have time to prepare it before leaving. So he asked his mom for help. She told Cara the cufflinks — originally a gift from Mark’s grandmother to his grandfather — were a surprise birthday present for him and asked her to bring them. Secretly, his mother tucked the ring inside. Cara happily agreed.

In Spain, near the end of their trip, Cara presented his grandfather’s cufflinks. When Mark opened the box, beneath them was the ring. An impromptu fireworks show surprised them the next evening while they celebrated their engagement. The couple received champagne and toasts at every bar. 

Old Vegas, New Vows

The night before the wedding, Mark and Cara hosted a Vegas-style evening for their rehearsal. The celebration kicked off with stunning views from the High Roller, a giant ferris wheel on the Strip. Next, the group visited the Pinball Hall of Fame, home to over 150 playable pinball machines. The night wrapped up at Champagnes Cafe, one of Vegas’ oldest bars, rich with Rat Pack-era charm.

“We wanted an Old Vegas wedding because Mark grew up here, so he wanted to pay homage to that,” says Cara. 

Mark and Cara exchanged vows at the Guardian Angel, a Catholic cathedral north of the Wynn and Encore properties. Following the marriage ceremony, the newlyweds’ celebrations unfolded in their estate’s spacious backyard. However, Vegas doesn’t run on magic alone—it is powered by genuine connections.

“Ninety percent of the things that we were able to do in Las Vegas was because we did it the old school Las Vegas way of knowing someone,” says Mark.

All that Glitters is Vegas

It’s common knowledge that most Las Vegas weddings include dazzling entertainment, but the Steele matrimonial festivities raise the bar. 

The Las Vegas Symphony Orchestra ushered in the wedding party. A DJ kept the energy high all night, lighting up the acrylic dance floor as family and friends danced. From Big Dog Brewery’s pours to Elvis’ iconic pink Cadillac, Mark and Cara’s wedding embraced the charm of vintage Vegas. The celebration welcomed 150 guests — including none other than Las Vegas legend Wayne Newton.

“I think Vegas is a great place to get married because there’s so many choices and opportunities for any style of wedding you want,” says Cara.