Las Vegas Weddings: A Guide To Getting Married in Vegas (Part I)

Drive-thru chapels, luxurious hotels, lavish ceremonies but above everything else, Las Vegas weddings spell fun! Let’s discover what getting married in Vegas could look like!

Poker chips, gold and fun on this wedding cake by Las Vegas custom cakes in Las Vegas, Nevada.

From elopements to the full blown wedding affair, getting married in Vegas can turn any dream into a reality (yes, including getting married in Paris Vegas!). From the beauty of the Bellagio, the uniqueness of the Little White Chapel drive thru windows (includes tux rental on site), the opulence of the Cosmopolitan and the Wynn Hotels, the unsurmountable romantic environment of the Red Rocky Country Club, Sin City truly has it all.

Are Vegas Weddings Legal?

Yes! They are totally legit. Clark County, where Vegas is situated, issues thousands and thousands of marriage licenses each year.

Las Vegas weddings are easy, thus partially lending to the myth that the weddings are not real. Also, Las Vegas weddings have been portrayed as off the cuff decisions that occur when heavy drinking or gambling highs are involved. Plus the likelihood of equally fast wedding annulments. Getting married in Vegas is 100% legal and binding. This is a case where “what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas.”

Planning a Las Vegas Wedding: Marriage License and Other Requisites

There are several things to consider when planning how to get married in Las Vegas. Yes, planning and Las Vegas weddings do belong in the same sentence!

The first thing you will need to do is to apply for a marriage license. In order to get a marriage license in the state of Nevada you must be over the age of 18, and either be unmarried or legally divorced in the state of your marriage. You will be required to show proof of your age and eligibility for a new license. Bring a government issued photo ID, birth certificate or social security card, and paperwork showing your divorce decree if applicable.

For those young lovers, you can marry in Vegas if you are under the age of 18. In this instance, you must have a guardian give consent in person at the time of application.

So much rockabilly on Las Vegas weddings. Red crinoline for her and matching chucks and tie for him, doesn’t it blow your mind?

You can get started on the marriage license application online. Marriage licenses in Clark County do not require a blood test or a waiting period. This makes it easier to elope. The licenses are good for one year. And here is an interesting tip, the county office where licenses are issued is open 8 am to midnight 365 days a year!

A dip at the Las Vegas sign. A must for your Las Vegas wedding photography. Do it at night when the lights are quite Vegas lit up. Photo credit: sceniclasvegasweddings.

Address stamp for Las Vegas weddings sign, great for Save the Dates & wedding invitations.

Las Vegas Weddings: Time To Pick A Chapel & A Hotel!

Now it is time to think about where to get married (or eloped) and where to stay. The only thing challenging about both decisions is which place to choose. There are hundreds of wedding venues that include getting hitched by Elvis, locations with scenic views, the clerk’s office, glamorous hotels, and traditional churches.

When in Vegas, you may get married in a helicopter, have a true western wedding on the edge of the Grand Canyon and so much more. This is a personal decision that you will need to base on your style, amenities, and price.

A winery-inspired wedding at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas. Pick the theme of your dreams and head out to Vegas baby!

Get married in Las Vegas vintage-style. Photo credit: TSL Photography wedding photographer.

To help you narrow down the choice of where to get married, here is a partial list of the best chapels to get married in Vegas.

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