How Much Does It Cost To Get Married In Vegas

Las Vegas is famous for a lot of things, not the least of which is its reputation as a place to tie the knot, whether your nuptials are spur of the moment or planned out to the smallest detail. The question of cost is a big one for couples considering a Las Vegas wedding. Like weddings anywhere, the cost of your Las Vegas wedding ceremony depends on many different factors.

From the location to special services and all the bells and whistles, let's break down what goes into the cost of getting married in Las Vegas and what you should plan on budgeting for your nuptials in Sin City.

Getting a Marriage License

No matter what type of Las Vegas wedding ceremony you're planning, there's one thing you absolutely need before you tie the knot – a Clark County marriage license.

In just about any other location in the United States, getting a marriage license is a bit of a task. There's paperwork to fill out and usually a somewhat lengthy waiting period before you get the piece of paper in your hands. This isn't the case in Las Vegas. You can usually get a marriage license in about 15 minutes with very little hassle.

All you need to do is stroll into the Clark County marriage license bureau, fill out a couple of forms, have your government-issued ID handy (your driver's license will work fine for photo identification), and then walk out of the marriage license office with the formal paperwork in hand. It really is that easy. You can even fill out the pre-application online to save time.

Currently, the cost of a marriage license in Clark County is $102, so no matter how much you plan on spending, make sure you factor this fee into your budget before anything else.

Chapel Weddings in Las Vegas

The second thing to consider when planning the cost of your wedding in Las Vegas is the venue. Most resorts offer wedding packages, but the city is famous for its chapels. With about fifty wedding chapels in the city, they offer plenty of options when it comes to the type of ceremony you want, which is great if you're working with a limited budget.

There is a huge range of costs among the chapels of Las Vegas. On the lower budget end, you can get married for about $65. On the higher end, expect to pay upwards of $500.

To give you an idea, the Graceland Wedding Chapel on the Las Vegas Strip is one of the most popular chapels in Sin City. If you are wondering, yes, Elvis Presley can be present as you tie the knot at this chapel and even walk the bride down the aisle. The basic Elvis package (it feels a little odd to associate Elvis with anything "basic") currently costs $199, but this covers just the use of the chapel and few extras.

On the opposite end of the Spectrum, the Famous Dueling Elvis wedding package costs about $800. It includes many extras like limo services, professional photography, and even live streaming of your ceremony on Facebook. Keep in mind that these prices are always subject to change, but give you a solid idea of what to expect to spend on a chapel wedding in Vegas.

'Of course, there are less expensive options. Someone is always running a special. If you just want a fun, quick, and low fuss way to say "I Do," budget ceremonies are a great option.

Remember that the fees advertised don't typically cover the officiant's fee, and some chapels charge extra for witnesses. You're also expected to tip those that work hard to make your day special, like limo drivers and photographers.

Cost of Hosting a Traditional Wedding in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the premier destination for those looking to elope or want a quick and easy ceremony. Even with this reputation, Las Vegas is still a wonderful place to get married, even if your idea of the perfect wedding day leans more traditional.

First, among the many chapels in the city, not all of them are the stereotypical Vegas chapel. The Little Church of the West is one such chapel that does everything from the Elvis ceremony to a beautiful garden wedding package. Chapels like this are ideal for more traditional weddings with a small group of guests.

The basic packages at a more traditional chapel like this run in the range of $200-$700 and include a limited amount of extras. With some basic packages, the bride isn't even allowed to walk down the aisle, so make sure you find out this detail before you settle on a basic package for a traditional-style wedding.

Premium packages for your Vegas wedding at a chapel, like the Little Church of the West include just about everything you can imagine, including unlimited guests, flowers, limousine service, use of a bridal suite, video, a custom wedding planner, and a trip down the aisle for the bride. Expect to pay between $1000 -$2500 for this type of traditional wedding service, plus the minister's fee.

Another option for traditional Vegas weddings is to put the work of planning the details of your big day in the hands of one of the many world-class resorts and hotels that offer a beautiful backdrop for your special day.

Most of the major resorts, including the Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Caesars Palace, and many others on the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas, offer wedding packages that include a beautiful venue, wedding planning, decor, flowers, photography, limo, makeup, and the option for a reception or refreshments.

Like the chapel weddings, you'll typically be offered different package tiers to choose from. Hotel wedding venues tend to cost more than a chapel, and depending on the package you choose, the size of your party, and venue, plan on spending anywhere from around $500 to well over $15,000.

Destination Weddings

Another option for Las Vegas weddings is to take your nuptials on location to one of the destination wedding locations in the city and surrounding areas.

A few examples of destination weddings include a private ceremony in a helicopter over the Las Vegas Strip, the world-famous drive-up wedding where you get married at a fast food-style window, or on location at the Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, the Grand Canyon, or at the Seven Magic Mountains.

There's certainly no shortage of places to get married in Las Vegas, especially if you like the idea of flying by helicopter to your destination. These weddings make for memorable occasions but don't work so well if you have a large party that wants to tag along.

These types of destination weddings will typically cost in the range of $1500 to $3000, with some packages costing a little less or a little more. These packages tend to be more all-inclusive and include a professional photographer, a good number of photos, flowers, cake, champagne, and official fees. Gratuities are not included, so make sure to plan extra for those.

Costs to Consider for a Las Vegas Wedding Ceremony

It's difficult to flat out answer the question of "how much does it cost to get married in Vegas?" because there are so many different things that factor into the cost of a Vegas wedding. No matter what type of venue you choose, make sure you know exactly what's included and what's extra before you sign on the dotted line.

If you're looking for anything more than the simplest, quickest Vegas wedding, these are all the extras that influence the cost of getting married in Las Vegas.

Venue

The venue is a huge factor in how much your Las Vegas wedding will cost. The least expensive options are roadside chapels that offer the venue and package for one low price, allowing you to save a little money.

If you want a more traditional ceremony, expect to pay more for the venue. Resorts that offer packages typical have a few choices of venues, each affecting the price point. The cost of destination weddings almost always include any fees for the venue, but it never hurts to ask just to make sure.

Minister/Celebrant

The minister or celebrant will charge a fee to cover their services. In some cases, this fee is included in the package but is often an extra. The fee averages between $100 to $250 for the entire service.

Wedding Planner

This option doesn't really apply if you quickly grabbed your marriage license and headed to the nearest chapel for your wedding. If you'd like any of the details planned out, a wedding planner is a must. They can help make all the connections and take care of all the details so that you have a beautiful, stress free wedding day.

Fees for wedding planning varies. Some smaller venues include these services or make them available for a fee. Many resorts also include wedding planning in their premier package options. If you're paying extra for a professional planner, expect to pay up to $2500 for their services.

Photography

Most wedding venues in Las Vegas offer some level of complimentary photography services. The question is whether these services are on par with what you're looking for. Depending on the package or plan, you might be talking about a handful of photos with limited options for prints and copies, or a full photography session with hundreds of photos, and even video.

Ask your wedding venue about whether a photographer is includes and what type of photography plans are available to capture the magic moments of your special day.

Flowers

Large casino resorts usually offer floral packages for the wedding party, and possibly some for decor. Even small chapels often offer a bridal bouquet, rose service, and a boutonniere for the groom. If premium floral options are important to you, find out who supplies the floral arrangements or work with a wedding planner to connect you the best florists in the city.

Cake, Refreshments, or Reception

One of the best parts about getting married, besides the excitement of spending your lives together, is the cake and refreshments! In a place like Las Vegas, you know there are some serious good wedding cakes to be had.

Some venues include a small cake and refreshments. Other larger venues typically offer your choice of reception packages, with the cost varying depending on the type of reception and the number of guests attending.

Hair and Makeup

Of course you want to be absolutely stunningly beautiful for your wedding. Hair and makeup services are great for relaxing while someone else pampers you in preparation for the big day.

You can book an appointment at one of the many resort spas in Las Vegas. Sometimes these appointments can book up quickly, so it's best to reserve a spot as soon as possible. There are also chapels that offer hair and makeup services. Plan on spending $100-$200 for a little beautification before the ceremony.

Gown or Tuxedo Rental

If you've been planning your wedding for months or even years, you've probably got the details of the gown and tux figured out. But, if you're eloping or getting married in a spur of the moment ceremony, you don't have to forgo the gown and tux just because you're short on time. Gown and tux rental will typically cost $100-$200 each.

FAQs

Can you just walk into a chapel in Vegas and get married?

Yes! This is one of the reasons that Las Vegas is so famous as a spot to run off and tie the knot! You can quickly get a marriage license and have a legal wedding without any planning at all.

Can you get married for free in Vegas?

Generally, no, although you'll find a wedding chapel or hotel that offers a promotion for free weddings from time to time. Keep in mind that even if you're lucky enough to find free nuptials, you still have to pay for the marriage license and any extras for your ceremony.

How much does it cost to get married at a chapel in Las Vegas?

Prices range depending on the chapel, type of ceremony, and any extras you may want like flowers, a photographer, custom vows, or wedding cake. The cost can range from under a hundred dollars to more than a thousand dollars for a complete ceremony.

Get Married in Las Vegas on Any Budget

Congratulations on your decision to get married in Las Vegas. The city is a brilliant, fun, and memorable place to begin the best journey of your life. Vegas offers many styles of weddings to fit in just about every budget. Grab your love and say "I Do" in fabulous Las Vegas.