We encourage you to stay wherever you are most comfortable. However, please remember that staying anywhere other than Bellagio will likely increase the amount of walking and/or taxis required during your trip. Vegas is one of those cities, due to the scale of the hotels, where something can appear next door, but end up being a 20+ minute walk.
The hotels "next door" to Bellagio are Caesars, Bally's, Paris, Cosmo, and Vdara. Aria and Park MGM are connected to Bellagio via tram. The closest walk from room to wedding venue would be from Caesars (in Augustus Tower) or Vdara. Staying anywhere other than Bellagio is likely going to be a 20+ minute walk from room to wedding venue.
There is plenty to explore on the Strip and just look at the architecture of the hotels. The scale of this city is unlike most others. As is the shopping. Some of our favorite hotels to visit are the Venetian, Palazzo, Wynn, Aria, and Caesars. The pools at Bellagio are among the best on the Strip, and the spa is world class.
Nick and Amanda will be in town by Thursday. We anticipate that most people will arrive in Vegas Wednesday or Thursday, and some early Friday.