Getting Married in Las Vegas | How We Actually Eloped in Vegas, Nevada | Graceland Chapel – Travel guides for couples; romantic escapes, city breaks + worldwide adventures

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This guide forms part of our complete USA Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across the United States.

This article is also part of the Ultimate Guide to Nevada, exploring the Vegas Strip, the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Area 51 and even Getting Married. Read the complete itinerary here.

From spotting a chapel to saying “I do” that same evening; our spontaneous Las Vegas wedding

Never in a million years did we think of ourselves as the run-off-to-Vegas-and-get-married type.

I’m fairly certain everyone else in our lives would have said exactly the same thing. And yet, that’s precisely what we did.

The funny thing is, we hadn’t even gone to Las Vegas to get married.

We were simply enjoying another trip to Vegas when, while driving along the Strip one sunny day, we spotted the beautiful Graceland Wedding Chapel. That was it. A seed had been planted.

Mr. MRT and I had already been together for quite some time. We’d talked about marriage, of course, but organizing a huge wedding had never really appealed to us.

There was also the small matter of having families in two different countries. Every time we thought about bringing everyone together, organizing a venue, arranging food, invitations, flowers and everything else that comes with a traditional wedding, it seemed easier to put it off.

Another day became another week. Another week became another year. Then we saw that little chapel in Las Vegas. For some reason, that day just felt different.

We returned to our hotel and decided we’d phone Graceland Wedding Chapel. At this point, neither of us seriously believed we’d actually be getting married that day.

Surely it couldn’t be that easy? Apparently it could. They had an opening. ** 6:00 p.m. that evening.** Suddenly this wasn’t hypothetical anymore.

They asked whether we’d like Elvis to marry us. No thank you. Nothing against Elvis, but that wasn’t quite what we had in mind. Flowers? Yes please. Boutonnière? Yes please. Marriage licence? Um… No. Yikes?

This was when the wonderfully professional staff at Graceland stepped in and explained exactly what we needed to do.

We headed to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau to get the paperwork sorted. Walking up those steps was when the whole thing began to feel very real. There we were, standing in line in Las Vegas, about to get a marriage licence for a wedding we’d decided to have only hours earlier.

Surreal doesn’t quite cover it. After completing the paperwork, we walked back outside. Almost immediately, we were approached by a Reverend. “Are you getting married?” we replied, “Yes.”

He explained that if we needed someone to officiate the ceremony, he could help. We quickly told him everything had already been arranged. Then he handed us his business card. We looked at it. The Reverend had exactly the same last name as my soon-to-be husband. Seriously. Of course he did. Only in Vegas. With the legal side taken care of, we still had another fairly important problem. We didn’t have wedding rings.

So off we went again, bought ourselves a couple of temporary rings for the ceremony and somehow managed to rustle together something respectable to wear. By this stage, excitement had definitely replaced disbelief. Six o’clock was approaching. We arrived at Graceland Wedding Chapel, one of the best-known wedding chapels in Las Vegas.

The chapel dates back to 1939 and later became famous for pioneering Elvis-themed weddings. Over the years it has attracted its share of celebrity visitors and weddings, including Jon Bon Jovi, along with countless couples from around the world.

The chapel (incidentally they’re officially licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises) also included names like; Selma Hayek, David Guetta, members of Def Leppard & KISS, all married at Graceland. It’s been featured in movies, on The Amazing Race, Say Yes to the Dress & 90 Day Fiance.

But that evening it was our turn. We chose a simple ceremony. Nothing elaborate. Nothing over-planned. And that was exactly what made it perfect for us.

We had some photographs taken and they turned out beautifully. Our photographer even doubled as our witness. The ceremony itself was simple, personal and lovely.

A few hours earlier we’d simply been another couple enjoying Las Vegas. Now we were married. Our ceremony cost approximately US$275 at the time.

Afterwards, instead of an expensive wedding reception with hundreds of guests, seating plans and speeches, we headed to Nine Fine Irishmen at New York-New York for dinner.

That was our wedding reception. And we loved it. In fact every time we return to Vegas it brings back so many happy memories of our special, unconventional, wedding day

When we eventually calculated everything; our flights, hotel, rental car, meals, wedding and other expenses, the entire Las Vegas trip, including getting married, cost us approximately US$3,600.

Would our Vegas wedding suit everyone? Absolutely not. But that’s exactly the point. We realized that a wedding didn’t have to follow anyone else’s rules. For us, getting married wasn’t about organizing a massive event. It was about the two of us deciding that this was the moment.

And Las Vegas made it ridiculously easy.

What began as an ordinary sunny day driving along the Strip became one of the most important days of our lives. We hadn’t planned it. We certainly hadn’t packed for it. We didn’t even own the rings when we woke up that morning.

But by six o’clock that evening, we were married. Would we do it the same way again? Absolutely. Sometimes the best travel memories are the ones you never planned in the first place.

How Easy Is It to Get Married in Las Vegas?

Surprisingly easy and that remains part of Vegas’s appeal. Currently, both people must be unmarried and at least 18, appear together with acceptable photo identification, obtain a Clark County marriage licence and have the ceremony performed in Nevada by a licensed officiant with a separate witness present. Legally you can obtain the licence and marry the same day. The current marriage-licence fee is US$102.

Top 5 Las Vegas Wedding Chapels

Graceland Wedding Chapel: The obvious one for your article because it’s where we were married. Established in 1939, it says it pioneered the world’s first Elvis-themed wedding in 1977 and has now conducted more than 300,000 ceremonies.
A Little White Wedding Chapel: One of the most famous Vegas chapels and home to its iconic drive-through wedding tunnel.
Little Church of the West: A historic chapel dating to the 1940s and a classic alternative to the more theatrical Vegas ceremonies.
The Little Vegas Chapel: Popular for traditional, Elvis and themed ceremonies.
Chapel of the Flowers: A more upscale option for couples wanting the convenience of a Vegas wedding with a more traditional atmosphere.

Five Huge Celebrity Vegas Weddings

Elvis Presley & Priscilla Beaulieu (1967) belong at the top of any list. They married at the Aladdin Hotel, helping cement Las Vegas’s association with celebrity weddings.

Jon Bon Jovi & Dorothea Hurley (1989) are especially relevant to your story: they eloped at the very same Graceland Wedding Chapel where you married.

Bruce Willis & Demi Moore (1987) married at the Golden Nugget after a spontaneous Vegas trip.

Britney Spears & Jason Alexander (2004) produced perhaps Vegas’s most infamous celebrity wedding—the marriage was annulled approximately 55 hours later.

Jennifer Lopez & Ben Affleck (2022) finally married in Las Vegas at A Little White Wedding Chapel before later holding a larger celebration in Georgia.

What About Drive-Through Weddings?

Yes, they’re real. A Las Vegas drive-through wedding can be almost exactly what it sounds like: arrive in your car, say your vows and leave married. A Little White Wedding Chapel made the concept famous with its drive-through tunnel, and Vegas venues now offer everything from traditional ceremonies to Elvis-themed experiences.

For more info or to book your own wedding: gracelandchapel.com

Quick Facts About Getting Married In Las Vegas

How to get married in Las Vegas? To get legally married in Las Vegas, fill out a marriage license pre-application online, go together to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau with valid photo IDs and $102 cash (or $105.29 by card), and then take your issued license to a nearby wedding chapel.

How much a Vegas wedding costs?A Las Vegas wedding costs anywhere from $250 to well over $15,000, with the average couple spending about $500 to $2,500 for a complete chapel experience.

Whether foreigners/Canadians can marry there? Yes, foreigners and Canadians can legally marry in Las Vegas. The legal requirements for a marriage license are exactly the same for international couples as they are for United States citizens.

What documents you need? To get married in Las Vegas, you need a valid government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) and a Clark County Marriage License which costs $102. Both people must go in person to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau together. (Address: bureau office at 201 E Clark Ave, Las Vegas) The exact month, day, year, and city/state of your divorce or a spouse’s death if you were previously married.

How quickly you can get married? You can get legally married in Las Vegas in under an hour if you time it right, because there is zero waiting period once you hold your license. The paperwork at the Clark County Marriage License Bureau may take upwards of 30 minutes. The ceremony is typically 15-20 minutes.

Traditional vs. Elvis weddings? Traditional: Led by a licensed minister or civil celebrant using standard, solemn religious or secular vows.
Elvis: Led by an Elvis impersonator (often in a gold jacket or white jumpsuit) who blends humor, warmth, and romantic vows.

Drive-through weddings? A drive-thru wedding in Las Vegas is a fast, symbolic or legal marriage ceremony where you stay inside your car, truck, or motorcycle, drive your vehicle (rental cars, convertibles, or even limos) right into the chapel’s covered lane or “Tunnel of Love” and say your vows in under 10 minutes, and drive away.

How to obtain the certified marriage certificate afterwards? To get your certified marriage certificate after a Las Vegas wedding, wait for your officiant to file the paperwork with Clark County (they have up to 10 days). Once recorded, order a certified copy online through the Clark County Clerk’s Office, in person, or by mail for $20 USD per copy.

What Our Vegas Wedding Cost? Our all in cost for the wedding, associated costs, hotel, rental car, etc was $3,600 USD.

Continue Exploring The Grand Canyon and Las Vegas

Kayaking the Colorado River with Desert Adventures USA: Glide through calm stretches of water framed by towering canyon walls. Ideal for first-timers or experienced paddlers.
Antelope Canyon: A spectacular slot canyon famous for its colourful sandstone walls and incredible light beams. Guided tours are required.
Hoover Dam: An engineering marvel spanning the Colorado River, offering guided tours and panoramic views over Lake Mead.
Sedona: Renowned for its striking red rock formations, scenic drives, hiking trails, art galleries and vibrant downtown.
Visit Fremont Street Experience: Enjoy the spectacular LED canopy light show, live entertainment, zipline and classic vintage Vegas atmosphere.
Explore Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: Just 30 minutes from the Strip, this spectacular desert landscape offers scenic drives, hiking, rock climbing and incredible photography opportunities.

Nearby Attractions And Things To Do In Las Vegas

Walk the Las Vegas Strip: Experience the world-famous resorts, themed hotels, dazzling fountains, nightlife and free attractions that make Las Vegas unlike anywhere else.
Visit Fremont Street Experience: Enjoy the spectacular LED canopy light show, live entertainment, zipline and classic vintage Vegas atmosphere.
Stay at the Venetian Hotel: One of the city’s top hotels. It is a little pricier, but the environment, rooms, and the feeling of Venice is steps away. Quite a magical stay!
Try out Nine Fine Irishmen and Gordon Ramsay’s Pub & Grill: There are so many restaurants to choose from. We enjoyed both, great food and fantastic hospitality.
Get Married!: On the Strip you will find numerous opportunities to tie the knot. It all can be arranged in a day. Even get the marriage licence on the day! We did it!

Planning Your Trip?

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