If you were to ask ten people to name three things to do in Vegas, first they will say gambling, second they will say partying and thirdly they will say getting married. It’s not just a thing that only happens in the films, it’s a huge, huge business in Vegas. Tens of thousands of couples tie the knot in Vegas each year, sometimes it is more than 100,000 couples a year. And it’s not just the destination that people love. For many couples, the ease of getting married in Las Vegas is a huge selling point. If the mood strikes in the morning, you can get married in the evening.
If you’re planning on getting married in Las Vegas, or just think the mood might strike, you’re going to want to read up on exactly how you can do it. Luckily for you, we have the answer. Here’s everything you need to know about getting married in Las Vegas.
How to Get a Marriage License in Las Vegas
Funnily enough, given that there are over 100 wedding chapels in Las Vegas, the government makes it as easy as possible to get married there. That means getting a marriage license is as easy as pie. In order to get your marriage license you’ll need to go to The Clark County Marriage License Bureau. The Bureau is open from 8am until midnight every single day of the year—including Christmas. The Bureau is relatively easy to get to and some chapels will even arrange transport on your behalf.
You will need to complete an online application before you can get your marriage license, although you can complete it at the bureau in person. It will ask you for a fair bit of personal information such as your names, birthplaces, social security numbers, your parent’s names and any previous marriage details. Both of you will need to be present together at the bureau if you want to get the license and be prepared for a little wait. With so many people getting married the wait can be over an hour. Also make sure to have your cash handy—it will cost around $80 to get the license.
Finding a Venue
You’ll have no shortage of options to choose from in Las Vegas when it comes to your wedding venue. Whatever your style, there’s a plethora of options to choose from. There’s dozens of chapels that line the length of the strip and you’ll see many on your drive into the city, including some of the most famous venues in the world such as Graceland Wedding Chapel and A Little White Wedding Chapel. Some will even offer a drive-thru service if you really don’t want to walk down the aisle.
Once you’ve got the venue sorted, you’ll then need to decide on the type of wedding package you want. Do you want a basic, no-frills service, or do you want to go all out and have the full package that includes hair makeup and souvenirs.
You don’t have to do all of the planning yourself, however. Many of the major hotels and resorts will offer a wedding service either at their own chapel or at a partnering chapel in the city. Just like chapel weddings, the packages available can range massively from budget packages to all out ceremonies.
To Plan Ahead or Turn up on The Day?
If you know you want to get married in Vegas, make sure to book ahead of time. There’s nothing worse than turning up to the chapel of your choice to find that they can’t fit you in or that they can’t provide the package that you want. If you want to get married on a whim, however, don’t be afraid to walk into a chapel on the off chance that they have space. Many chapels will happily accommodate walk-ins and do everything they can to make sure your day is as memorable as possible.
If you haven’t planned ahead, most chapels will provide everything you could possible need—for a fee, of course. Most will have dresses and tuxedos available to rent, as well as music and photography services and even flowers. Some will even allow you to live stream the event to family members across the world.
How much do Las Vegas weddings cost?
How much you pay for your chapel and ceremony will depend on the venue and the package that you purchase. Prices start from as little as $50 for a very basic ceremony at one of the cheapest chapels and can quickly rise to almost $50,000 if you go all out at one of the more famous venues. On top of this, you will also be expected to donate, or “tip”, the minister who marries you $50.
Once you have sealed the marriage with a kiss, the officiant will file your marriage within 10 days of the ceremony. You can pick up a copy of your certificate from the Clark County Clerk’s office from as little as $15.
Hiring a Las Vegas Wedding Planner
If you want to make your Las Vegas wedding as memorable as possible, you may wish to hire one of the city’s many wedding planners. Like a normal wedding planner, a Vegas wedding planner will take the weight off your shoulders and complete all of the necessary admin on your behalf. What’s more, they may also be able to secure you the best deals around and make sure that your day goes exactly to plan. If you want to make your wedding a certain success, a planner is a serious must.
The day you get married will be one of the happiest days of your lives. And it will be made all the better by getting married in one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the world. Make sure that you take the time to take it all in and remember as much as you can. And if not, make sure you hire a photographer who can capture memories for you.