The Ultimate Guide to Getting Married in Las Vegas (2025)

Las Vegas is known as the wedding capital of the world for a very good reason, with over 100,000 weddings taking place in the city annually. Whether you’re looking for a luxury wedding for 150+ guests or an intimate elopement with you and your sweetheart, this guide will give you all the information you need to tie the knot. 

Why Get Married in Las Vegas?

After the proposal, many couples start looking at venues and destinations immediately, and there’s a couple of reasons Vegas stands out above the rest.

One of the biggest draws towards getting married in Las Vegas is the affordability. Many wedding chapels in the city have elopement packages that start at as little as $80 and offer some incredibly unique elopement experiences. 

Another big draw to Las Vegas for couples is the convenience of getting married quickly and easily. With so many unique chapels and venues available, as well as no waiting period required at the marriage bureau, couples can often book a ceremony with little advance notice. 

Legal Requirements

Before getting married in Las Vegas, there are a few legal requirements you have to meet. Below we have outlined these requirements and the step-by-step guide to getting them. 

Marriage License

One of the most vital things to have before you get married is a valid marriage license. You can apply for your marriage license up to a year before your wedding, both in-person and online. After you apply, you can pick your license up at the Las Vegas Marriage Bureau within the one-year validity period. 

What Do You Need to Apply for a Marriage License in Las Vegas

The application process for a marriage license in Las Vegas is very simple as there’s no waiting periods or blood tests required. Below is everything required on the Clark County marriage license application.

• Full Names

Both you and your soon-to-be spouse will be required to submit your full names. Middle names are optional but are recommended. If you choose to add your middle name, it must be the full name and not an initial. 

• Social Security Numbers

If you or your significant other are citizens of the United States, you will be required to submit your social security number with your application. If you are a citizen of any other country, this is not a requirement. 

• Current Residence 

Both parties will be asked to provide their current city of residence. If you are living in the United States, you will be asked the state of residence, otherwise you can submit the country of residence in place. 

• Marital Status/Number of Marriages

You and your significant other will be asked the number of marriages each of you have had. If you have been married, you will be asked to provide the end date, city, and state or country of your previous marriage(s).  

• Parental Information 

You will also need to provide parental information of both parties. This information includes your mother and fathers full names at their birth, their birth dates, and state or country of their birth. If you’re unsure of these details, you may put down “unknown”

• Mailing Address

The last information required when applying for a marriage license is your mailing address. This is so you can be mailed your marriage certificate after the wedding. 

Once your application is submitted, you will need to arrive at the Las Vegas Marriage Bureau with proper photo identification (the list of acceptable forms of identification are below) and a payment method to pay the applicable fees (As of 2025, the fee is $102 when paying with cash, and $105.29 when paying with a credit or debit card.) 

Acceptable Forms of Identification: 

All of the items below are acceptable forms of identification to bring when picking up your marriage license. However, please note that the marriage bureau requires these to be the original documents and not photocopies. 

• Driver License
• Driver Instruction Permit
• Official ID card issued by a United States state or territory
• Official foreign government issued ID card, including Driver License (must include date of birth)
• Passport
• Matricula Consular Card
• Military ID card issued by a branch of the United States Armed Forces
• Military Dependent ID card issued by a branch of the United States Armed Forces
• Certificate of Citizenship issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
• Certificate of Naturalization issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
• Permanent Resident Card issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

Do You Need Witnesses?

Yes, you are required to have at least one witness that is not your officiant for your marriage, the fantastic news is that many officiants, and even photographers will offer witnesses as an add-on to your package! This is convenient for the couples reading who are planning to elope with just the two of you. 

• Officiant Requirements

To be legally married in Clark County, you will need someone who either has a 5-year license in Clark County, or someone who has registered to perform a single marriage. (The latter is most common when having a friend or family member officiate.)

If you’re going with the second option, there’s a few things your officiant will have to do to become registered with Clark County. 

The first thing your officiant will need to do is take an online course and take a short quiz. Once your officiant passes the quiz (which is very simple), they will receive the application packet that will walk you through all of the information required to apply. You will also need to pay the application fee with a money order or cashier’s check. 

Cost of a Las Vegas Wedding

While Las Vegas can often be more affordable than other destination weddings, the cost of a wedding can vary greatly based on a number of factors. For the sake of this breakdown, we are not including wedding attire in our cost details. 

Venue Costs

One of the biggest factors that can impact your price is the venue. We’re going to highlight popular venues a little later, but prices can range from small permit fees at a national park like Red Rock to a $5 million dollar package at the Waldorf Astoria. With so many venues to choose from, it’s hard to put out an exact average, but for a traditional wedding with 75-150 guests, you can expect to spend $5k-10k on your venue. For smaller micro-weddings, that price is lowered to $750-2000.

Catering Costs

The next largest cost is going to be food. You can expect to spend around $65-85 per person. It is important to note that most restaurants require set menus if you are booking a private room which helps to ensure that they have everything they need to prepare the meal for your party. Some popular restaurants on the strip that offer catering and group dining include Carmine’s in Caesars Palace, Maggiano’s at Fashion, and Carlos N Charlie’s at The Flamingo.

Photography

Photography is the third big cost that you will encounter. Average prices for a full wedding day coverage range from $1500-5000. Elopement photographers are often priced a bit cheaper at $400-750 for 3-5 hours. Most Las Vegas resorts and chapels will offer packages from Cashman Photo Enterprises, but many reviewers on The Knot adore Karissa Russ & Co, and Ivan & Diana Photography.

Day-of-Coordinator/Wedding Planner

For many couples traveling to Las Vegas, they might opt for a day-of-coordinator over a wedding planner, which can be a cost-effective option. Wedding planners in Las Vegas typically cost $5000 minimum, while day-of-coordinators typically charge around $1500. Cactus Collective Weddings stands out as one of the most popular options in this category.

Officiant

If you’re planning on hiring an outside officiant, you can expect to pay around $200-700 based on the exact services you’re looking for. Officiants can offer a variety of different services, like a completely customized ceremony, help with your wedding vows, expedited certificate filing, and any wedding rituals you would like to include. The two most popular options are The Mobile Minister and Timeless Connections.

Hidden Fees

Depending on the venue you choose, you might have to pay additional fees. These costs are most common with wedding chapels that are in hotels on the Strip when you’re bringing in outside vendors. The fee typically runs from $200-$600 per vendor. 

Total Costs

While there are many other costs that we could list, these are the biggest costs that you will encounter when planning your Las Vegas wedding. According to The Knot, the average overall cost of a Las Vegas wedding is $22,140. While The Knot does not have a cost a breakdown for elopements, the estimated price ranges from $900-$1200. 

The Best Wedding Venues in Las Vegas

While we have an article on all the best wedding chapels in Las Vegas, we want to highlight the types of venues you can choose for your wedding. 

Unique Venues

One of the most amazing parts of having a Las Vegas wedding is that almost every place in the city can be a wedding venue. From the Taco Bell Cantina, to Halloween and Christmas themed rooms at Westgate, these venues can make for an unforgettable ceremony. 

Iconic Chapels

Las Vegas is full of some iconic chapels that are known for their rich history in the city and memorable wedding experiences. Some of the most popular options include the Little White Wedding Chapel, the Graceland Wedding Chapel, and the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel. Each of these chapels offers a variety of packages to suit different preferences and budgets. 

Luxury Resort Weddings

The majority of hotels on the Strip have wedding chapels, which make them perfect for larger destination weddings. These resorts often provide stunning backdrops, such as beautifully landscaped gardens, elegant ballrooms, and breathtaking views of the city.

Additionally, many luxury resorts offer comprehensive wedding packages that include catering, floral arrangements, and even spa services for the couple, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience. Our favorites include the Bellagio, Wynn Las Vegas, and The Venetian.

Outdoor & Scenic Venues

Some of the most romantic elopements in Las Vegas happen at one of the many outdoor and scenic venues that Vegas have like Nelson’s Ghost Town, Red Rock, and Valley of Fire. These venues are the most affordable, and you typically only have to pay a small fee to the national park service or bureau of land management (BLM).

Wedding Extras

Elvis impersonators

Elvis impersonators are one of the most popular wedding extras in Las Vegas. Many couples choose to include an Elvis impersonator to add a touch of Vegas flair to their special day, making it a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Drive-thru & Helicopter Weddings

If you really want a unique ceremony to bring home to friends and family, drive-thru and helicopter weddings are excellent options. These unconventional ceremonies allow couples to tie the knot in a truly unique way. Drive-thru weddings offer a quick and convenient way to get married, often with the couple staying in their car while an officiant conducts the ceremony. In contrast, helicopter weddings provide an adventurous experience, allowing couples to exchange vows mid-flight with breathtaking aerial views as their backdrop.

Live-Streaming Services

If you have friends and family who will be unable to join you on the day of your ceremony, live-streaming can be a fantastic way to make them feel included. Many venues or videographers will offer this service for a small fee. 

Booking Your Wedding: Step-by-Step Guide

Now that we’ve laid out the cost and venue options, let’s go over the process of planning your wedding from beginning to end.

Set a Guest Count and Budget

One of the first steps in planning your Las Vegas is deciding on your guest count, as this can impact what venues are available to you. A number of the iconic chapels on and off the strip tend to have a maximum of  20-30 guests, while hotel chapels can host up to almost 200.

The next thing to prioritize is your budget. The good news is that nearly all venues offer a range of ceremony packages to suit different budgets. This also gives you a reference point for any additional events, such rehearsal dinners or receptions. 

Pick a Date and Time

Once you have your guest count, venue, and budget decided, locking in your date and time is crucial. Many events and conventions take place throughout the year, this can cause higher prices at hotels and even a shortage of available rooms. Planning away from holiday or convention weekends is typically your best option. 

With most venues, you will likely have to choose between a couple of time slots provided. We recommend early morning or evening weddings, as the average Vegas temperatures during the wedding season (May-Oct) can reach up to 90ºF, with temperatures even above 100ºF.

Choose Your Venue

Choosing your venue is the next step, the good news is that if you choose an off the Strip venue, they’re all within a short drive of the hotels. Venue deposits depend on how soon your wedding is, with 30 days or less typically requiring the payment in full when you book. If you are more than 30 days out, the deposit ranges from 20%-50%. 

Plan Your Travel & Stay

This is when you can book your hotel for the wedding. If you’re getting married at one of the hotels on the strip, we recommend looking at your contract and seeing if your accommodations are included (certain packages, like some offered at The Venetian, can include one or two night stays with their more expensive packages).  If you plan to include your honeymoon as part of the trip, we recommend splurging on one of the luxury suites.

Choose Your Vendors (If Needed)

Once you have your venue and hotel secure, you can begin to book your additional vendors, such entertainment. As mentioned previously, many of the packages on the strip include a plethora of vendors to help make your wedding day perfect, so we recommend seeing what is included in your venue package and going from there. 

Confirm The Final Details

When your wedding day approaches, make sure all legal details and vendor payments are squared away. We recommend confirming everything at least two weeks in advance so you will have time if any adjustments need to be made. 

Show Up and Say “I Do!” 

Perhaps the most fun thing to check off the list – once you arrive in Las Vegas, you’ll be ready to tie the knot! After the wedding, many venues will handle getting your marriage license filed and your marriage certificate will be ready for pick-up or mailing within 10 days. 

Wedding and Honeymoon Hotels

Whether you want to make the nights before your wedding extra special, or you’re planning to continue the celebrations into a honeymoon, there are plenty of suites that can fit the bill. To see more highlights of why Las Vegas is a great honeymoon destination, you can look at our article here. 

Bellagio 

The Bellagio is one of the best honeymoon hotels on the Strip. With upscale rooms, including some stunning suites, world-class restaurants, and a luxurious spa that offers custom couples massages, the Bellagio is a top choice for couples seeking both relaxation and indulgence. 

Caesar’s Palace

Caesar’s palace is another fantastic choice for newlyweds wanting to indulge in luxury. Whether you’re looking to go on a shopping spree at the Forum Shops, or relaxing at one of the seven pools at the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis, this will be an unforgettable honeymoon.  

The Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan offers a sleek and modern atmosphere with stunning views of the Las Vegas Strip. Its luxurious rooms and suites, along with its vibrant nightlife and dining options, make it an ideal choice for couples looking to celebrate their honeymoon in style and sophistication.

Wynn Las Vegas

Another amazing hotel for honeymooners is Wynn Las Vegas. With its elegant rooms, exceptional dining options, and a serene spa, it provides the perfect setting for couples to relax and enjoy their special time together.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can you get married the same day you get your marriage license?

Yes you can! Las Vegas has no blood tests or waiting period, so you are able to have your ceremony the same day as you receive your marriage license. 

Do you need a divorce decree if previously married?

Typically, you do not need to provide a divorce decree when applying for your marriage license. The only case where you will be required to provide one is if you changed your name, such as going back to your original maiden name after a divorce.

Are Las Vegas marriages legally recognized worldwide?

Yes, Las Vegas marriages with a valid marriage license are considered legal worldwide. Some countries may require an apostille in addition to the marriage certificate. 

When Can We Get Our Marriage License? 

You can get your marriage license 365 days a year from 8 A.M. to midnight.