As an elopement photographer, I’m sharing my Vegas Elopement Guide with you! Las Vegas is known as the wedding capital of the world and it’s insanely easy to get married here.
To some people, eloping means going off just the two of you and getting married. To other people, it means having a small wedding with a handful of people like your closest family and friends. Regardless if you’re planning to elope by yourselves or to invite people along, Las Vegas is an incredible place to do it!
The first thing I would do is decide how much of the Vegas kitsch that you want to embrace! I love the entire scale of Vegas cheesiness, from eloping in a ball gown and making Vegas look modern and classy, to fully embracing all of the cheese with all of the props, Elvis, neon lights, a printed tux, the whole 9 yards. You can do the most or a little or somewhere in between!
Keep reading for a guide on:
VEGAS ELOPEMENT GUIDE
1. PICK A DATE AND LOCATION FOR YOUR ELOPEMENT.
First, pick the time of year and date that you’d like to elope! Summer in Las Vegas can be really hot with temperatures in the high 90s to 100s, so it is slower during that time of year. As a Las Vegas local, I think fall and spring are the PERFECT seasons to plan for. These are also the busiest times of year for people to visit Vegas, but the weather is amazing!
LOCATIONS IN LAS VEGAS
The great thing about Las Vegas is that there are SO many location options for where you can get married! Whether you want to say “I do “at a chapel “Elvis Style” or venture out to a gorgeous spot in the desert, Las Vegas has options for you! Whatever fits your vibe best! You can easily stay close to the hustle of the strip, head downtown, or make a trip outside the city.
Extra planning might be needed depending on where you want to get married. Most chapels can accommodate you day of. However, for locations like Red Rock or Valley of Fire, you’ll need a permit for your elopement ceremony. If possible, book your chapel date and time in advance, so you can plan around it and know you have it secured.
A few favorite elopement spots:
You can find more details about these locations at this blog post: 3 Fun Places to Elope in Las Vegas!
Looking for adventurous options beyond the city? Check out this post on 5 Adventurous Places to Elope in Las Vegas!
2. HIRE YOUR ELOPEMENT VENDORS
Next, hire your elopement vendors. It’s time to think about what’s important to you on your elopement day and what your priorities are. As a wedding photographer, I’m slightly biased, but hiring a photographer to document your day should be a priority! Want video? Then a videographer is great to bring along on your day as well.
Other vendors to consider:
- Officiant
- Hair & Makeup
- Florists (ALWAYS recommend having a bouquet of real flowers on your day!)
- Decor/ Reception Rentals
- Elopement Planner Company
- Dining
- Cakes (I love Wee Little Cakes or Mary’s Cakes LV!)
Keep in mind that most wedding vendors book out months in advance, so the sooner you can get in contact with your vendors the better! Need some guidance on deciding on your elopement priorities? Check out these 5 Elopement Mistakes to Avoid. Looking at those, alongside this Vegas Elopement Guide, will help you as you figure out how to elope!
LAS VEGAS ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
Looking for a Las Vegas elopement photographer? I’m Katelyn and I’m a local to Las Vegas! I would love to chat with you about your Vegas elopement vision. Get in touch with me here! I always help my couples by providing recommendations and giving any guidance on elopement logistics.
3. COORDINATION FOR GUESTS
Las Vegas is one of the best places to plan your destination wedding because the options for what to do here are limitless. Sin City is often a location people have visited before or are always up to visit. It’s easy to get around here and there are plenty of activities and things to do that will appeal to everyone.
If you’re inviting friends and family, you’ll need to consider how you want to handle arrangements for the following:
- Hotels: No shortage of hotel options here! Consider if you want to stay on The Strip or off? What direction of The Strip? Everyone at the same hotel or free to choose?
- Transportation: How will guests get to and from the wedding ceremony? Reception? Timeliness is key, especially with chapels with a tight schedule. There are plenty of transportation companies you can schedule with instead of depending on an Uber or taxi to be available.
- Activities/Entertainment: Any extra events for you and your partner or that you want to do with family/friends?
- Dining: Want to have a reception dinner after your ceremony? Brunch the morning of the wedding or the day after?
A little planning goes a long way to make sure everything goes as smooth as possible!
4. MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Las Vegas makes it insanely simple to apply and get a marriage license. You can apply for your marriage license online and then make a quick trip together to the Marriage License Bureau to pick it up. There’s no waiting period for your license either, so once you have it you are free to get married! Woo hoo! Visit the Clark County website for all the details.
A LEGAL OFFICIANT
Though applying for a marriage license is easy, not just anyone can perform your wedding ceremony. Authorization by Clark County is required! If you have a friend or family member interested in officiating, they can apply for a one-time wedding ceremony authorization. The applicant needs to apply at least 30 days before the ceremony, but no sooner than 90 days (3 months) before the date. There are a few steps like taking an online course and providing a notarized character reference as well. You can find more information on officiating a wedding ceremony in Nevada here.
If you’re getting married at a local chapel or find a local officiant, they’ll have all of that handled!
WANT HELP WITH THIS VEGAS ELOPEMENT GUIDE?
You can truly plan an epic elopement in Las Vegas that aligns with your vision for your day! Whether you’re planning an adventurous desert ceremony or want to stay near the dazzling neon lights on the strip, there’s no right or wrong way to elope here. I’m a Las Vegas Elopement Photographer and I would love to be a part of your dream day! Get in touch with me here about your elopement!
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