Las Vegas, the wedding capital of the world, where you can get married in a 5 star resort or in your car. Endless choices, prices for every budget and it's easier than you think! But before you head on out to Vegas to get married, there are things you need to know. Your insider, (me), will help you avoid any situations that will cause stress, delay or derail your special day. And then, party time!
Let go of all the preconceived notions you have about Las Vegas weddings and let go of the movie fallacies of eloping to Vegas. I've been in the industry my entire life, I've worked in the wedding chapels and I've seen what goes on behind the scenes. Here's insider information to help you make your best, easiest and stress free Las Vegas wedding.
You can go opulent or you can go theme:
Zombie Wedding Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel
Or you can go Victorian:
Victorian Chapel at the Chapel of the Flowers
Or you can go Victorian:
Some quick facts you need to know (based on questions I've answered hundreds of times) :
- LGBT weddings are legal in Las Vegas and are treated exactly like any other wedding with the same requirements.
- Every wedding needs a marriage license BEFORE the ceremony or you'll be turned away.
- You can have a religious ceremony or a civil ceremony in any of the venues.
- You can arrange to have the ceremony with an officiant who speaks your language. This has to be planned in advance as finding that officiant who is available can be difficult. Prepare to pay additional for the service.
- Your marriage is legal regardless of where you live. Some countries will require you to get an Apostile to certify your documents. It is an additional cost as it has to go through legal channels. Your wedding planner will give you all the information you need based on the rules and regulations of your country.
- Temper your expectations to your budget.
- Weddings are less expensive during the week and in the mornings.
- Expect to pay more if you are getting married on a date such as 9/9/19 or 9/19/19, a weekend or busy holiday. Why? Because those dates are in demand and fill up fast. The demand is there, you can change your date or pay a bit more.
- There is such a thing as a sign and go wedding that is legal. In front of a licensed officiant, you say "I do" and sign the marriage license. There is no chapel, no music, no flowers, no photos, just a pen and an officiant.
- If you show up drunk or high, expect the officiant to refuse to marry you. Wedding chapels don't consider marriage a joke, rather as one chapel owner told me " the sanctity of marriage should be preserved and honored as a lifetime commitment of love, honesty and beauty".
- You cannot marry a relative.
What kind of wedding do you BOTH want?
Elvis is leaving the building, Little White Chapel with Jesse Garon as Elvis
- Do you want a romantic wedding?
- Do you want a theme wedding?
- Do you want an Elvis wedding?
- Do you want a traditional wedding?
- Do you want an outdoor wedding?
- Do you want an opulent wedding?
- Do you want a "celebrity" wedding?
- Do you want a goth wedding?
- Do you want a Victorian wedding?
- Do you want an elaborate country club wedding?
- Do you want to get married in a 5 star hotel chapel?
If you can dream it, there is a venue in Las Vegas will host it.
Interview your chapel.
Wedding chapels are all different and unique. Some are breathtaking, some are on the kitchy side, some are just horrible. Ask questions, find out what is included in the package and what else you may need. Costs will vary greatly. If the cost is too good to be true, it is and it's probably in a sketchy part of downtown or very rundown inside.
Look at reviews of the chapel from several review sites. Some chapels have bogus photos on their sites that glorify their chapels. Read the reviews and choose wisely.
Chapel of the Flowers is one of the most gorgeous and elegant group of chapels and is consistently voted #1. There are 5 chapels on the property, all unique, all elegant and classy, and you'll get 10 star service.
Make a reservation at your chapel.
It is a myth that you can just drive or fly into town and get married. It’s done in the movies, but if you don’t make a reservation, you risk not getting married at the chapel of your choice. Some days, like Valentine’s Day, are booked way in advance and your chances of getting in are slim to none. Also, the major hotel chapels and major wedding chapels aren’t open 24 hours.
You’ll have a choice of wedding packages offering a menu of items. Most chapels don’t change the packages, but do have a la carte offerings. All packages have items you can add on like larger bouquets, upgraded flowers, upgrades to your photo package, corsages for the moms, etc.
You can have a religious or civil ceremony.
Questions you need to ask before booking your wedding chapel:
- In which chapel will my ceremony be held? Many venues have different chapels on their property with varying prices depending on the chapel you choose or size of your wedding party and guests
- How many guests will the chapel hold? Occupancy is strictly enforced by the fire department. On person over the occupancy rate and they won't get in. Period. Case closed. Safety in the city is paramount and enforced
- How long do we have the chapel? Since chapels book one wedding after the other, when the ceremony is over, you vacate the chapel.
- Are we allowed to decorate the chapel ourselves or must we use your flowers?
- Am I limited to a number of guests? It will depend on the chapel you've booked. Some chapels will charge extra per person after a certain number. I've never understood this and never will.
- What is included in my package? Flowers? Photography? How many photos will we receive? Will they be digital or prints. Do we get the copyright with our photos?
- Will the flowers in the package be real or silk?
- Do I get to keep the flowers after the ceremony? Can we bring our own flowers?
- Can we write our own vows? Are we limited to the amount of words we can say?
- How long is the ceremony? Average ceremony is less than 15 minutes, most around 10 minutes. The ceremonies I've witnessed have all been very meaningful and touching. (and I've witnessed hundreds of weddings).
- If we don’t have witnesses, will you provide them for us? Can you provide them for free?
- Can we take pictures during the ceremony? Expect the answer to be no. Many venues are changing to unplugged ceremonies meaning no photos, no phones, put them away and pay attention to the solemnity of the wedding. Besides, your guests with their cell phones get in the way of your professional photographer. Do you really want photos with cell phones up in the air and guests in the aisle. Can I hear a big NO!
- Can we take pictures on the property before or after the ceremony?
- Do we have to use your photographer?
- Will the ceremony be live streamed?
- Can we get a DVD of the ceremony? What is the cost?
- How are the pictures priced?
- What is not included in my price? Any surprises?
How to Get Your Marriage License: You need a Nevada marriage license.
You both to appear in person at the Clark County Courthouse located at 201 E. Clark Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89101. You can also pre register online, but you both still have to appear in person with your photo ID, like a drivers license, state ID, passport, military ID or foreign issued ID with birthday and photo. You need $77 cash or major credit card. They don’t accept any form of checks, including travelers checks.
- To pre register online : http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/clerk/Pages/PreApp.aspx
- If you are divorced, all you need is the date and location of your divorce. You don’t need any additional paperwork.
- The marriage license bureau is open from 8am to midnight every day.
- Nevada recognizes same sex marriage, same rules apply.
- You must be 18 years of age unless you have parental consent. Parents must come in person or have a written notarized statement giving permission.
You can't get a marriage license in your home state and use it in Nevada. You need a Nevada marriage license.
Get me to the church on time....
Make arrangements for transportation to the chapel if you aren’t getting married in your hotel chapel. Some chapels offer limousine service. Make sure to confirm your arrangements and pick up times and whether they will drop you off at your hotel or restaurant. If you choose to Uber or Lyft, make sure you leave in enough time to get through the traffic. If Google maps says 10 minutes, add another 20 minutes for traffic. You don’t want to be late, chapels run on a set schedule and if you are late, you miss your time.
Plan to dress in your hotel room.
If you are getting married at a free standing wedding chapel, you will have to dress in your hotel. Some say they have a dressing room, but it could be a supply closet. If you are getting married in a hotel chapel, they will have a glamorous room for you to dress. Check with your chapel before the wedding so that there are no misunderstandings.
Tips, tips and more tips!
And I'm talking about gratuities.
Your officiants fee is not included in any wedding packages as they are not employees of the wedding chapel. The fee varies from chapel to chapel and is given in CASH after the ceremony to the officiant. Some chapels suggest from $40 and up and others have a flat fee of $75 to $85 or more.Most places suggest you tip your photographer. $30 or more is usually suggested.
You also need to tip your limousine driver. $40 and up is usually suggested. Why? Because some chapels make the drivers pay for their own gasoline. Your limo ride is usually included in some of the chapels better wedding packages, if you don’t tip, it comes out of your drivers pocket.
Check with your chapel for the suggested gratuities.
Las Vegas runs on tips and customer service. It helps to keep some small bills like $1 and $5 for miscellaneous tips for great service.
Make a reception or dinner plan for your guests.
If you have friends and relatives joining you in Las Vegas for the wedding, have a plan for a dinner or dinner reception. There are a lot of great restaurants that have small private rooms for receptions. Make reservations to avoid disappointment or standing in line for hours. If people make the effort to get to your destination wedding from out of town, the least you can do is feed them.
Some chapels have a business agreement with some great restaurants to host receptions with as little as 2 people. And these are some of the top restaurants in town! They are not going to send you to some greasy spoon.
The key to an amazing stress free Las Vegas wedding is to be prepared and PLAN AHEAD. The more you are organized, with your marriage license in hand, dressed and ready to go on time, you'll be the happiest couple in town. The bonus, you are ready to get out and celebrate in the greatest celebration city in the world. Honeymoon time!
If you have questions, ask me in the comment section.
Happy wedding! I want you to have the most amazing wedding!
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