What Do You Need To Elope In Vegas?

·

Las Vegas has become one of the most popular marriage destinations in the country, and it's not hard to see why. Not only does this city make eloping quick and easy. But you also get to elope in some of the most iconic and stunning venues our world has to offer.

You can choose to get married under the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip or have the fiery desert as your backdrop. Whatever wedding location you choose, a Vegas wedding is sure to be memorable.

If you're planning to elope in Sin City—first of all, congratulations. Secondly, keep in mind that although Las Vegas is known for its spontaneity, there are still a few things you need to do before you can finally say "I do".

Don't worry - we've got you covered. Today, we're going to cover everything you need for your Las Vegas wedding. And as you can imagine, start starts with the marriage license.

Marriage License

Although movies will lead you to believe otherwise, you can't actually just walk into a chapel and expect Elvis to marry you right then and there without a Las Vegas marriage license. Any marriage, including the ones being officiated by fake Elvis, needs a legitimate marriage license issued from the Marriage License Bureau in Nevada.

But don't worry, we'll walk you through everything you need to obtain an official marriage license with ease. In fact, getting a marriage license in Las Vegas is so easy, it's almost like you're ordering takeout!

There is only one place in Las Vegas you can get your marriage license from—the Clark County Marriage License Bureau. Their office is located in Downtown Las Vegas on the ground floor of the Regional Justice Center at 201 E. Clark Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89101. They're open from 8 AM to midnight, even on the holidays.

But before you head down to the marriage license office, you need to fill up the Clark County Marriage License Pre-Application form online. After you've filled up the form you and your fiance can take a trip to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau with any of the following government-issued photo identification:

  • Driver’s license
  • Passport
  • Resident alien identification card
  • Military ID
  • U.S. or foreign country issued I.D. card showing your photo and birthdate

You're probably wondering why birth certificates aren't on the list. You can bring a birth certificate as a form of identification but you still need to provide another ID with your face and name to confirm that the birth certificate is yours. So instead of going through the hassle of bringing a birth certificate and a separate ID, just bring one of the IDs listed above.

To get your marriage license, you and your partner both have to bring one valid form of ID. Do not forget this step, or you won't get your Las Vegas marriage license. Once your IDs have been verified, your marriage license will be prepared with the same information printed on your IDs. From there, you just have to pay the $102 Las Vegas marriage license fee with either check or card—easy right?

Note: In case the Marriage License Bureau in Nevada isn't currently accepting cash as a method of payment due to COVID-19 measures, make sure to have other forms of payment with you.

A Budget

The Las Vegas marriage license is the most technical thing you'll need to figure out, but it's just the first of many. Next, you need to figure out finances.

You can't plan a wedding without a budget—or so they say. The great thing about getting married in Las Vegas is that you can get married for as low as $150 and as high as $24,000. So whatever your budget may be, there is definitely going to be a ceremony for you.

A Date

Since Las Vegas weddings have a reputation for spontaneity, people tend to skip planning the date. If you're one of these people, you'll be glad to know that Las Vegas is a perfect choice. After you get your marriage license you can choose to get married on the exact same day. But if you'd like your wedding to be a bit more planned, that's totally fine. The marriage license is valid for up to a year.

Choosing a wedding date is actually an important step, but it tends to be overlooked. Some people pick a random date off the calendar and just go with it, but if you aren't familiar with the weather in Nevada, we highly suggest you think again.

Las Vegas has some of the most brutal summers in the United States. Unless you're planning an indoor wedding or you've got a wedding dress that'll let you survive the heat, a summer wedding in Las Vegas might be out of the question.

If you're planning to have your wedding in the desert and want to avoid looking sweaty and dehydrated in your wedding photos, choose a wedding date during the colder seasons. Sometime between the months of December and February is the perfect time for a Las Vegas wedding ceremony.

A Team or Wedding Planner

Every wedding needs a photographer, makeup artist, hairstylist, and florist. Your budget will likely dictate whether or not you hire a wedding planner or find your vendors on your own.

If your wedding budget is tight, try to stick with the vendors that are most important to you. Here are some of the most common vendors hired for weddings:

  • Photographer
  • Caterer
  • Hairstylist
  • Makeup artist
  • Baker
  • Florist
  • Videographer
  • DJ

Where Should You Look For Your Vendors?

Finding a team of vendors for your wedding is probably the most stressful part of planning a wedding. This is especially true if you don't know where to start looking. Word of mouth is often the best way to find vendors. Ask friends and family who they got for their weddings. This is particularly helpful if they were just married recently.

Social media is another great way to find wedding vendors. Vendors usually have all of their information displayed on their websites, making it easier for you to decide which vendors you like and which you don't. Obviously, you should choose vendors with good reviews and high ratings.

Vetting Your Vendors Before Hiring

Before you settle on a vendor, you should vet them first. Give them a call and ask them about their previous events. If possible, ask them if you can have the names of their previous clients and ask them what they thought the pros and cons of the vendor were. This way you get an authentic review and you can get a better idea of whether or not you want this vendor on your team.

Once you've decided to hire a certain vendor, they usually give you a contract to sign. Read through the contract thoroughly and ask questions if you have any - you don't want to get burned or have a mishap on the wedding day. Make sure that you're both on the same page.

And if this all just sounds too much for you, why not hire a wedding planner to do all the work for you? Hiring a wedding planner will help you save tons of time and money—as long as you hire the right wedding planner. Or, check out our guide on how to plan a Las Vegas wedding.

A Guest List

Some couples prefer to keep their elopement private and just have the wedding ceremony by themselves. But if you'd like to have guests with you, here are a couple of things you need to think about:

  • Your Las Vegas wedding location needs to fit the number of guests you're inviting.
  • Create an itinerary for guests that are flying in from different states with a list of activities and restaurants to try.
  • Prepare a small welcome bag or gift for your guests that shows your appreciation for them coming to your wedding.

Follow these tips and your guests will remember your wedding as one of their favorite events of the year!

A Location

Las Vegas has some of the best sites you'll ever see, and they make for some of the best wedding venues too. This is why so many couples get married in Las Vegas!

Of course, there is the famous Las Vegas strip skyline - but this is just one of many options you have. This city is home to the most iconic wedding chapels, dazzling neon lights, and beautiful landscapes. You can't help but want to get married in every location. Sadly, you have to choose just one.

If you're having trouble choosing a location for your wedding day, start by assessing your budget. Some wedding venues will be more expensive than others. Another thing you should consider is whether the venue will fit your guests and how accessible it is for everyone to get to. If you have some elderly guests coming out, you might not want to get married in a canyon where it would be difficult for them to walk or travel.

You should also think about the theme you want to go for. The wedding chapels are great if you're going for a more classic wedding theme. If you've always dreamt of a boho-chic wedding, choose the desert. And if you want a fun vintage vibe, you can get married right in the middle of Fremont street. In the end, it's all really up to what your heart desires.

If the location of your wedding is the most important part for you, then we suggest allotting a higher percentage of your budget to the venue of your wedding.

Las Vegas Elopement Made Easier With The #1 Las Vegas Wedding Planner

Planning to elope in Vegas? You just made the best decision of your life. The only thing that could make your big day better is by getting the best Las Vegas wedding planner by your side.

Elope In Vegas is the #1 Las Vegas wedding planner—and for a good reason. If you thought eloping in Las Vegas was easy, we just made it a lot easier. How? We do all the planning for you! All you have to do is pick a date and location and you're set. Once that's done, you just have to sit back relax and wait to say your "I do's". We even help you get your marriage license!

You don't even have to worry about getting a photographer or a makeup artist. Our team already has the best onboard. We provide a service like no other and we are the best in the wedding planning industry. Just ask the hundreds of couples that have come to us to plan their weddings.

Pick from one of our fabulous wedding packages and skip the stressful wedding planning. Our elopement packages feature some of the most iconic sights and venues in Las Vegas.

Want to get married under the neon lights of Downtown Las Vegas? Or maybe in the middle of the Valley of Fire, one of the most breathtaking deserts in America? You can even choose to get married in the iconic Las Vegas Wedding Chapel (where celebrities such as Britney Spears tied the knot) with Elvis as your officiant!

We have six other elopement packages to choose from, one of which is sure to be your dream wedding venue. With our help, the wedding you've always dreamed of is just a few clicks away. Marrying your true love has never been easier.

No items found.