Our Love Story: Mayor Berkley and Dr. Larry

For Mayor Shelley Berley and Dr. Larry Lehrner, their decades-long romance between two well-known Las Vegas residents remains the perfect example for the possibilities in the Wedding Capital of the World.

“If you’re in love, Las Vegas is the place to be and it’s the place to get married,” says Mayor Shelley Berkley.

That Very First Date

Before she was mayor of fabulous Las Vegas, Shelley Berkley met Larry Lehrner in 1997 at a house party, where a mutual friend set them up. 

While Dr. Lehrner says he was “interested immediately,” it took Mayor Berkley longer to return the feelings. At the time she was running for Congress and held a position on the Board of Regents. She was also raising her two sons at the time, and was working full-time as vice president of the Sands Hotel. As a career-focused woman, she wasn’t looking for a relationship, but she eventually agreed to go on a date with Dr. Lehrner.

Their first date at Sammy’s Pizza Kitchen was a success, where a rose was even on the table when Mayor Berkley arrived. uBt she wasn’t prepared for the story to go beyond that. However, the next day, a dozen roses showed up at her door. 

While Mayor Berkley describes Dr. Lehrner as a quiet man, his words shine in other ways.

“I learned that even though he doesn’t speak, he writes,” she says, “and he wrote just a very charming letter, and then he called me up and asked me out. How am I going to say no after a dozen roses and a letter? So I said yes.”

The Marriage of Mayor Shelley Berkley and Dr. Larry Lehrner

As it turns out, their relationship was meant to be. Mayor Berkley’s children liked him, and her mother loved the fact that he was “a Jewish doctor with money,” she says with a laugh.

During their courtship, her lifestyle was hectic. As a political figure, the pressure was ever-present, and she describes it as “taking a toll” on her family and relationships. However, Dr. Lehrner didn’t give up in his efforts, even showig her different diamonds for a potential ring. Mayor Berkley knew she was making the right choice by marrying him.

“I just thought I liked him too much to marry him. I’m so happy he was persistent,” she says.

“I love her and respect her,” Dr. Lehrner says. “She’s a great wife, mother, friend.”

“He still sends cards,” Mayor Berkley adds.

A Very Las Vegas Wedding

Mayor Berkley won her 1998 election. After, she and Dr. Lehrner got married at the MGM Grand hotel, with a large 600-person affair. This location remains popular in the Berkley family, as all of the couple’s children had their weddings in MGM properties.

“in my mind’s eye, this is the wedding capital of the world,” says Mayor Shelley. “You could have a big extravaganza, like we did. You can have a more moderate wedding, or you can go to any of the chapels. There’s a ton of them that all are unique and interesting and fun and get married there. So you have lots of options.”