Ballpark estimate: $50 to $3,500+ (Plus $55 for a marriage license application)
Dreaming of marrying your intended in an intimate, Elvis-inspired wedding in a little white chapel? In Las Vegas, Nevada, this idea can easily become a reality and in many cases, such an event can be achieved for a small or modest cost.
The Allure of a Las Vegas Wedding
Elvis Presley started the trend of a Las Vegas Wedding when he married Priscilla Anne Beaulieu back in 1967 at the Aladdin Hotel. Since then, it’s become a popular option to exchange vows in this picturesque location where fantasy takes center stage.
Therefore, if the thought of spending a year or two planning an elaborate wedding that costs as much as a luxury car just isn’t appealing, you can follow the tradition and escape with your fiancé to Las Vegas and make it official in a roadside church or in a casino along the strip.
Something for Every Budget
Some people head to Las Vegas to gamble, hoping to strike it rich with one lucky bet at the black jack tables or one lucky pull on the slot machines. But others may be determined to find their “happily ever after” ending and they have the hope that within the bright lights, loud noise, and excitement that they can lose themselves in a wedding chapel with their intended and start the next chapter of their story.
The good news is that there’s no shortage of nuptial offerings you can find at any time of the day or night in this bustling city. Better yet, Las Vegas has an array of wedding packages and some of the simplest ones can fit even the tightest budget. That’s not to say that a Las Vegas wedding is only for the price-conscious, though. If you’ve got plenty of money to spare, there are also very extravagant options to be found in the high-end hotels and casinos for those who can afford them.
How to Find
To find a Las Vegas wedding, you can start by doing a search online to explore the range of choices that exist. There are many guides and resources with sites for Las Vegas weddings and tips to help you navigate the experience successfully. You can also check with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Authority or the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce to get a list of locations that provide wedding services and to get the details of what you need to do to prepare.
Las Vegas Wedding License
When selecting a wedding location in Las Vegas, one of the huge selling points is that it’s possible to get a license immediately without the need to wait for any extra approvals or paperwork, and there’s no blood test requirement. This makes it especially alluring for many couples. You can visit one of the Las Vegas Marriage License Bureaus seven days a week to get your license on the spot, then you can head to a chapel to get the job done immediately.
In order to get a marriage license in Las Vegas, you need to bring your driver’s license or passport (or a military identification card), along with your social security number and proof of your age. Note that if you are under 18, you’ll need approval from your parents in order to get married in Las Vegas. If you’ve ever been married before, you’ll also need to bring the paperwork documenting your divorce. You and your fiancé will also need to fill out the marriage application form. The cost for a license is $55 and must be paid in cash.
Other Factors Affecting Cost
In addition to getting your license, there are many other factors to consider to help you get the most from your experience. For instance, if you plan your wedding early in the week, you may get a cost-savings because Friday and Saturdays are the most commonly in demand for nuptials. In addition, you can also save money by getting married in the summer, when the weather heats up.
On the other hand, if you decide to up the romance by getting married on Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve, you can expect to pay a premium. In fact, some chapels even double their prices on these and other popular holidays, since there is such high demand.
You’ll also need a witness to make your marriage official. This means you should plan to bring a close friend or family member (or multiple ones, if you desire). But there’s no need to worry if you prefer a private ceremony. Most wedding chapels will also provide a witness if needed.
Cost for a Las Vegas Wedding
Do you want to get married in a tiny chapel at the edge of the strip or do you prefer something further in the heart of the excitement? Or maybe you would rather exchange your vows in an elegant hotel with all of the amenities you can desire. Your vision—and your budget—will affect the cost of your Las Vegas wedding. Other details to consider include when you want to get married, how elaborate you want your ceremony to be, whether you plan to have any guests, and what types of extras you want to add, such as renting a bride and groom’s wardrobe, investing in music and videography, and a reception.
The price for the most basic wedding ceremony starts at $50 without any bells and whistles. But if you want a little more personality in your event, a package deal can be in the $200 to $500 range for the ceremony, photos, a bridal bouquet, and even a limo to get you to chapel. You can also arrange a wedding complete with an Elvis impersonator in this same price range.
For utmost convenience, Las Vegas even offers drive-through wedding chapels so you can have the ceremony done right at the drive-through window. This will start at $150 and can go on up to $350.
When you have more money to spend on your wedding, you can opt for a wedding right in one of the casinos, complete with a unique theme. These more extravagant weddings can cost anywhere from $500 on up to $3,500 or more (although in fact, some people spend as much as $20,000+ so it really depends on what you can afford), depending on what you desire and whether you have guests.
Timing Matters
While it’s easy to get swept off your feet and lose track of time in Las Vegas, in large part because the casinos are bustling all night and it’s easy to get swept into the
excitement, it’s important to know that timeliness still matters, even in Las Vegas, when it comes to getting married. Since so many wedding take place each day, many locations charge a fee if you arrive late for your ceremony. You can expect this to cost an extra $50 to $150 more for this late-fee/penalty if you aren’t ready to go by your assigned ceremony time.
