If you’ve heard of elopements before you’ve probably heard of them as couples sneaking away to have their marriage in private, often in Vegas. And while that can still be the case, these days a lot of couples are much more open with their elopement planning and getting a ton more creative and I am 100% here for it! This added creativity to eloping only makes the idea of a Las Vegas elopement that much more appealing though, as there is SO much to do and love about this city it allows couples to get super creative with their elopement plans. That’s why I decided to put this guide together to get you on track to planning and creating your own Las Vegas elopement!

How to Elope in Las Vegas

Marriage Logistics

The first step of planning your dream elopement in Vegas is going through the logistics. One of the reasons Las Vegas is such a popular location for elopements is because of how easy it truly is to have your wedding there.  Unlike many other states throughout the US, there is no waiting period, so you can decide to get married at 9am, get your marriage license and be married by sundown. 

To have your wedding in Las Vegas, you will have to start the process by heading to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau in Las Vegas.  There you will need a clear form of legal identification such as a driver’s license or state ID and that’s it!   Clark County does also suggest starting your application process online here so the process is as easy as possible.  Once you obtain your marriage license, you can get married by any license officiant in Las Vegas, and your license is valid for one year.

When to Get Your Marriage License

Though you can get your marriage license the same day you plan on having your wedding, I do recommend heading into town at least a day early to get your license.  There are so many cool experiences to have when you elope in Las Vegas, so if you can get the legalities taken care of the day prior, I highly recommend it.  That way you can focus your elopement day solely around you, your love, and the experience you’re both looking to have! Know that your license will cost around $100 cash with an additional fee if you plan on using a credit or debit card. 

When to Elope in Las Vegas?

When planning your elopement in Las Vegas, you and bae will want to think through what you want your experience to look like throughout your elopement.  What time you elope and what part of the year you elope will have a big impact on the experience of your elopement.  Traditionally, the “best time” in terms of weather to visit Las Vegas is March to May and September to November.  The weather is moderate and fairly steady, so you’re bound to have some nice weather if you head to Vegas during these two times.  The downside to visiting Vegas during these times is that they are the most popular times to visit Las Vegas so plenty of people will be around depending on your location. The flip side is having your elopement during those off months with less people but less than ideal weather.

Who Will Attend?

Deciding who you want to join you for your elopement day is a very personal decision, and the great thing about Las Vegas, is there are venues of all sizes that curate experiences for different sized weddings.  Traditionally an elopement has under ten people present, and can be as intimate as just the two of you plus your photographer and officiant. Talk things through with bae so that whatever experience you’re hoping to have for your Vegas elopement you’re both on the same page on who you want to be present. 

Where Will it Take Place?

There are SO many beautiful locations within Las Vegas and in the surrounding areas that make for incredible venues for you to elope.  When talking logistics over with your partner, you will want to decide what kind of experience you hope to have on your wedding day.  Do you want to be at one of the more kitsch venues on the Vegas strip for that authentic feel, or do you want your elopement to take place out in nature just outside the city limits? Whatever you’re hoping for there are a ton of options, so the choice is up to you! Each venue and location has their requirements when it comes to booking your elopement ceremony time so be sure to do your research beforehand. 

Venues

A Little White Wedding Chapel 

A Little White Wedding Chapel is located on Las Vegas Blvd and is only a 10 minute drive from some of the most popular stays of Vegas such as the Bellagio and Caesars Palace. The chapel has a few different options and packages for those looking to elope there, one of my favorites being their Pink Cadillac and Elvis package where, as the name suggests, you have your ceremony in a Pink Cadillac while Elvis officiates your ceremony! When it comes to planning a fun elopement ceremony with that true Las Vegas feel to it A Little White Wedding Chapel is about as spot on as you can get.

Nelson’s Ghost Town

Located about 45 minutes from the heart of downtown Las Vegas, Nelson’s Ghost Town is a blast from the past wedding venue perfect for your elopement. Styled to feel like you traveled back in time to the wild wild west, the rustic and vintage decorations of the venue are such a fun blast from the past and make for an incredible elopement space. The venue has options for 1, 2 and 3 hour wedding services so we can spend part of your elopement day there for your ceremony and some awesome photos on location before heading back into the city to celebrate!

Neon Museum

The Neon Museum is one of the coolest spots in Vegas for an elopement! The venue located only a 6 minute drive from the Vegas strip has an incredible amount of charm to it and some of the coolest décor of any wedding venue I’ve ever seen. The venue’s package offers a 60 minute slot for you and bae to have your ceremony surrounded by vintage neon signs and their “rustic sign boneyard”. An additional 30 minutes for both setup and tear down can be purchased as well if you’re looking to set up some of your own décor to add to the venue’s already incredible environment!

Taco Bell Wedding

The Taco Bell Cantina is located in the heart of the Las Vegas strip and is one of the most unique and fun elopement experiences I can think of! If you and bae are both obsessed with Taco Bell this is an incredibly fun option for your elopement ceremony. Complete with Taco Bell branded wedding day gear, their unique Taco Bell chapel, a reception area and even a sauce packet bouquet upon request this really is a one of a kind elopement experience!

Out in Nature

Valley of Fire State Park

One of the most beautiful state parks you’ll find near Las Vegas, Valley of Fire is THE perfect location for an elopement surrounded by Nevada’s natural beauty. The park is located only 5o minutes or so from the Vegas strip making it an incredibly easy spot to travel to for your elopement ceremony. The park has certain locations designated for ceremonies and they change year to year, so be sure to reach out prior to your trip and talk with your photographer as you plan out your elopement ceremony. After your ceremony the park also has designated areas for portrait photos to take place that we’ll be able to hike to as well, although you’ll need to obtain a permit prior to doing so.

Red Rock Canyon

Last but not least is Red Rock Canyon which is just a short 30 or so minute drive out from the Vegas strip. Much like Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon has some of the most incredible views of gorgeous natural Nevada you can find just outside of Las Vegas, making it an ideal spot for an elopement. Also very similar to Valley of Fire are the designated locations and permits required to have your ceremony at Red Rocks. The fact that Red Rock is such a short drive from the Vegas strip makes it ideal for a morning ceremony and portrait session followed by an evening of celebrations in the city.

What It’s Like to Elope in Vegas

Typically I will arrive in Vegas around 48 hours before your wedding day.  I make my schedule this way for a number of reasons, one, with all the flight cancellations and the mess that is the airline industry, it’s important for me to have buffer time so that I can ensure that I will be there for your elopement.  Two, I like to spend the day prior to your elopement running through your timeline and location scouting for your elopement so that we know exactly what to expect the day of your Las Vegas Elopement.

Prior to arriving in Vegas we will schedule a call where we can go over the details on what you envision your wedding day to look like.  We will put together a rough timeline for your wedding day and I will help you to decide on things like locations activities you might want to take place on your wedding day, and help you with any other decisions you still have to make for your elopement.  That way the day of and the weeks leading up to your Las Vegas elopement are smooth sailing.

Las Vegas has a lot going for it in terms of planning your elopements, both with how simple the process is and the locations and experiences you can create in this incredible city! To book me for your own Vegas elopement head to my contact page and we can start planning out your day together.