How to Have a Las Vegas Wedding

All you have to do is read the headlines and you'll see the news of celebrity Las Vegas weddings. Even with a world of options from which to choose, many stars give Las Vegas the nuptial nod.

However you want to tie the knot, Las Vegas offers you the ultimate freedom of choice, ranging from Elvis presiding over a 24-hour drive-through chapel to a lavish soirée at one of the world's premier resorts, from a breathtaking outdoor ceremony at Mt. Charleston to a traditional ceremony in a church packed with guests.

With more than 120,000 marriage licenses issued annually, Las Vegas is recognized as the world's wedding capital.

Did You Know?

• The most popular wedding days in Las Vegas: Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve
  
• The most popular wedding dates in Las Vegas: Dates with consistent numbers, i.e. 1/01/01, 2/02/02, 3/03/03, 4/04/04.

Marriage Requirements in Las Vegas:

• Proof of age (driver's license, passport or birth certificate)
  
• Must have a social security number; foreigners who exchange wedding vows in the U.S. may need additional or special documentation to guarantee the marriage is recognized in their country
  
• Parental consent and court order (if under the age of 16)
  
• No blood test
  
• No waiting period

How Much Does It Cost to Get Married in Las Vegas?

Like weddings anywhere, there's a full range of wedding options in Las Vegas, from inexpensive to extravagant. Wedding chapels and hotels offer many different packages with a variety of add-ons ranging from photos to impersonators.

No matter what type of wedding you opt for, the cost for your marriage license remains the same. The Clark County License Bureau charges $55 for a marriage license.

How Do We Get Married?

Step one is to get your marriage license. You'll then take this license to a wedding chapel and get hitched! Some chapels are super-relaxed (even offering drive-through weddings). For other chapels, you'll want to book your wedding in advance.

What Paperwork is Required?

Regulations are very relaxed, accounting for part of the popularity of this city for weddings. Whether you are a resident or not, you'll need to show proof of identity (this can be a drivers license, a state-issued ID Card, an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a passport, a military identification card or a resident alien card.) You'll also need to provide your Social Security numbers.

If you've been married previously, you need to know the month, date, and year of your divorce (as well as the state where the divorce was granted.) You don't have to bring the divorce decree with you.

No blood tests are required, and there is no waiting period.

Vow Renewals

Strangely enough, for a city so relaxed with its wedding laws, the Clark County office will not issue marriage licenses to couples already married to each other. (It is legal to marry a person you are already married to and is sometimes done by couples as a more meaningful vow renewal.) However, you can arrange a vow renewal at many chapels in town. Just talk with the chapel; expect to have to bring your marriage license to prove you're already married.

Where Can We Get The Marriage License?

• Clark County Marriage License Bureau:
  Address: 200 South Third Street, 1st floor
  Main number: (702) 455-4416
  For recorded information: (702) 455-4415
  Web site: www.co.clark.nv.us/clerk/marriage_information.htm
  Hours:
  
  • Weekdays: and weekends 8 a.m. - Midnight
    
  • Holidays: 24-hours-a-day
    
  To save time, you can download a marriage license here. Fill it out and bring the copy into the office with you (you can't file it online.)

• Mesquite, Nev. Marriage License Bureau:
  Address: 500 Hillside Drive
  Main number: (702) 346-1867
  Hours:
  * Wednesday: 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  * Friday: 3 p.m. - 9 p.m.
  * Saturday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  * Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and holidays
  
• Laughlin, Nev. Marriage License Bureau:
  101 Civic Way, #2
  Main number: (702) 298-4622
  Hours:
  * Tuesday-Thursday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  * Friday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  * Weekends: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  * Closed on Mondays and holidays

continued on page 2 Articles on Las Vegas Weddings

Photo courtesy Las Vegas CVB