Planning an Elopement in Las Vegas

People usually think that Las Vegas is all about gambling. But if you look at a few of the attractions, you’ll find way more than just casinos. If you’re looking for a spot to elope in the US, you’ll be amazed by how many stylish, romantic and unique wedding venues there actually are in Vegas.

With everything from classic chapels, to outdoor garden or desert venues, you can find the perfect setting for an elopement Las Vegas wedding.

Please note: this article contains affiliate links. That means that I may earn a commission if you decide to buy something.

How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Las Vegas?

The cost of a Las Vegas elopement depends on how you’re traveling, how long you’re staying and the type of wedding package you book. If you’re on a super tight budget, you can find a basic package, with a ceremony and a minister for less than $100. If you’ve got a bigger budget, you can choose packages that include flowers, photos and more.

You’ll need to pay for:

Transportation to Las Vegas - Cost of flights or gas, if you’re driving.
Hotel - Cost depends on your budget. Vegas has a huge range of hotels at every price level.
Marriage license - Costs $102 at the Clark County Clerk’s Office.
Elopement package - Packages are available in every price range. Check out the list below and choose the one that fits your style and your budget.
Your wedding rings & outfits - Make sure you include the rings and a wedding dress and/or suit in your budget.

How to Plan Your Elopement in Las Vegas

Planning an elopement is a lot simpler than planning a traditional wedding. You can choose a date, a location and style that suits the two of you. If you want a luxe and glamorous day, you can book a hotel elopement. If you want a non-traditional, fun day, you can get married by Elvis, on a gondola, or even at Taco Bell. When you’re eloping, you’re free to choose exactly the wedding you want.

Even though eloping is a lot easier than organizing a wedding, you’ll still need to do a bit of planning. Start by deciding when you want to get married and how much you want to spend:

Choose Your Wedding Date

You don’t need a lot of lead time to get married in Vegas. You can get a marriage license the day you arrive. Once you pick up your license, there’s no waiting period. You can get married pretty easily in Las Vegas, so choose the date that suits you best.

Decide on Your Elopement Wedding Budget

Remember, you’ll need to pay for your travel, hotel and wedding package. Figure out how much you’re willing to spend on each item. Decide if you’ll add any expensive extras, like a traditional wedding gown or an extra photography session.

Book Your Elopement Wedding Package

You can find nearly any type of wedding package, from a simple chapel to an adventure elopement in the desert. Most packages include ceremony space, a minister, a photographer and flowers for the wedding couple.

Book Your Transportation and Hotel

Once your elopement wedding date is booked and confirmed, decide how you’ll get to Las Vegas. Book your flights, or if you live within driving distance, start to plan your route. Decide where you’ll stay in Vegas and book your hotel.

Buy Your Wedding Rings and Outfits

Your choice of wedding outfits is completely personal. If you’ve always dreamed of a white wedding dress, make sure you get one. Complete with a headpiece and veil if that’s what you want. If your style’s not traditional, you can go with a short dress, a suit, a jumpsuit, or even a romper if that’s what’s comfortable for you.

If you’re planning photos in a special location, you might want to choose an outfit that matches. For example, a vintage style dress with a full skirt would look great under the Las Vegas sign. Or a lace, boho dress would be fabulous in a desert setting. Planning a glam wedding? A ballroom or mermaid gown would look perfect.

Get Your Marriage License in Las Vegas

The most important part of this adventure is your marriage license. Read your elopement package carefully. Some packages include transportation to pick up your license. Other packages need you to pick it up ahead of time. Once you’ve figured out when to go, the process is pretty straight forward:

Visit the Clark County Clerk’s Office Website and apply online before you leave for Vegas. (You can fill out the application anytime within 90 days of your wedding date.)
Once you arrive in Vegas, you’ll both need to go to the Marriage License Bureau in person.

When you go to pick up your license, remember to bring:

Government issued photo ID
Fee of $102 (the office accepts cash, credit and debit cards)
Your Social Insurance Numbers (you need to know your number but you don’t need the actual card)
If you’re widowed or divorced, you don’t need the paperwork, but you do need to know the exact date, plus the city and state where the death certificate was issued or the divorce was finalized.

Get Married!

Once you’ve got your marriage license, there’s no waiting period. You can head straight to your wedding ceremony and get married.

How to Elope in Las Vegas on a Budget

Travel during the week. Weekends are the most expensive dates for hotels and flights. You’ll find prices are a lot lower on weekdays.

When you book your hotel room, make sure to click all the way through before you make your decision. Rooms can be incredibly cheap and you’ll find great hotels for less than $50 a night. But many hotels will add a resort fee before you check out. The resort fee is an extra fee you’ll pay for each night you stay. Depending on the fee and your number of nights, it can easily add a hundred dollars or more to your total. The price can still be reasonable, just make sure you know your total cost before you book the room.
Join a hotel rewards program and you’ll get discounted member pricing. For example, you can join Caesars Rewards for free and instantly receive offers for discounted rooms at top hotels like Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood and more.
If you’re booking an all inclusive wedding package, consider choosing one of the luxury packages. The basic packages are the cheapest, but the bigger packages often include a lot of extras. Some packages include 2 nights accommodation, transportation from the airport, limousine service to pick up your marriage license and more. By paying one price for everything, you’ll save time and you won’t need to start spending on extras.

Best Places to Elope in Las Vegas

Please note: I’m not a representative for the following hotels, chapels or planners. This is for informational purposes only and is accurate at the time of writing. Be sure to visit the official sites for the most current prices and packages.

For a Classic Las Vegas Elopement

Elope Under the Las Vegas Sign

The iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign has been on the Strip since 1959 and is a great place to say your vows. If you’re looking for an inexpensive elopement, Las Vegas Strip Weddings offers a complete package. It includes your ceremony, minister, flowers and photographer for only $299: Las Vegas Strip Weddings at the Las Vegas Sign.

Get Married by an Elvis Impersonator at the Graceland Wedding Chapel

The ultimate Las Vegas classic! For only $299, Elvis will escort the Bride down the aisle and sing 2 songs. Or you can choose themed packages, like the Blue Hawaii, that comes with silk leis, sunglasses and a special playlist. See all the packages available: Graceland Wedding Chapel.

For a Glamorous Elopement in Las Vegas

Hotels in Vegas are the most glamorous locations for an elopement wedding. Many are set up as a luxury resort, complete with casinos, shopping and spas. Best of all, they’ve also got gardens, waterfalls, fountains and other fabulous spots for your wedding ceremony. Here’s a few of the most popular:

Caesars Palace Weddings

Caesars Palace offers 5 different locations to choose from. You can get married at an indoor chapel or outdoors in one of their two garden gazebos. Packages start at $1,000. Upgraded packages include lots of extras, like airport transportation, floral and photography credits and wedding night stays in a premium room: Weddings at Caesars Palace

Wynn Las Vegas Weddings

Wynn Las Vegas is a classic, 5 star hotel with a beautiful chapel and garden for wedding ceremonies. They offer an elopement package that includes your ceremony, a minister, photography and videography. Also included is a bouquet, boutonniere and sparkling wine toast: Weddings at Wynn Las Vegas

Paris Las Vegas Weddings

Can’t make it to Paris? You can elope at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel instead. Wedding packages start at $849 and include everything you need, from flowers to photography. Upgrade to the Eiffel in Love With You Package and you can even get married on the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck: Weddings at Paris Las Vegas

Mandalay Bay Resort

Mandalay Bay offers an Elope Package that starts at only $650 and includes your ceremony, bouquet and boutonnière, plus 6 photos. For an extra fee, you can choose from some of their unique locations, like the Shark Reef or Mandalay Beach. If your just looking for a hotel for after you get married, you can still enjoy a stay in this resort for as low as $134 per night.

If you’re planning to bring a few people to your elopement, Mandalay Bay is a great location. Their small wedding packages start at $950 and include everything you need for your ceremony. Plus, they have amazing reception packages for a small number of guests. A cocktail reception starts at $2,525 for 10 to 20 guests: Wedding Packages at Mandalay Bay

MGM Grand Hotel

The MGM grand is one of the most famous hotels in Las Vegas offering some of the highest of class amenities known. The MGM Grand is also pet friendly and one of the most affordable hotels on this list with prices starting at $129 a night. This hotel has everything from three spa’s, four outdoor pools, and a lazy river.

Luxor Pyramid Hotel

The Luxor pyramid hotel offers many amenities from on site restaurants to a full service spa. This hotel is famous for its pyramid shape bringing in millions of visitors a year, while offering family friendly activities like four outdoor pools, a ballroom and banquet hall. With prices starting at $89 a night, the Luxor Hotel is not one to miss.

For a Unique Las Vegas Elopement

If you’re looking for a fun and unique wedding ceremony - you’re in luck. Las Vegas has some of the most incredible themed weddings you can imagine.

Get Married on the Song Ship at Treasure Island

Love pirates? Treasure Island Hotel and Casino has a pirate ship that you can get married on. After you say your vows, a pirate will swing down with the rings for you to exchange. You can book a daytime or evening package: Ever After on the TI Song Ship

Gondola Wedding Package at the Venetian

If you love the romance of Italy, you might enjoy the Renaissance vibe at the Venetian Resort. The resort features a Grand Canal, complete with gondola rides. You can float under bridges, balconies and past romantic cafes. If you’re getting married, you can book the signature, white wedding gondola for your ceremony: Wedding Packages at the Venetian

Elope in the Taco Bell Wedding Chapel

In Vegas, even Taco Bell has a private wedding chapel. And you can get married there for only $600. The package includes a wedding ceremony with an ordained officiant. Plus you get to borrow the sauce packet bouquet for your walk down the aisle. After the ceremony, you and your honey get to split a party pack of tacos and Cinnabon Delights. Plus some wedding swag that’s yours to keep: a sauce packet garter and bow tie, “Just Married” t-shirts and champagne flutes. Check out the real weddings on the official webpage: Taco Bell Wedding

For a Desert Elopement Near Las Vegas

If you’re looking for an elopement wedding that’s unique and romantic, remember, Las Vegas is in the middle of the desert. And there’s lots of beautiful settings for a wedding ceremony.

Plan Your Elopement at Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon offers a unique desert background for an elopement wedding. It’s only 20 minutes from the Vegas strip, but the difference is night and day. Once you get to the canyon, you’ll find private, natural areas for your ceremony and photos. The park has three locations to choose from for your ceremony: the Overlook, Red Springs Boardwalk or Ash Springs.

Since Red Rock Canyon is a national conservation area, you’ll need permits to have your wedding there. Many planners and chapels offer Red Rock Canyon packages that include the permits, your ceremony, flowers, photos and limousine transportation for a reasonable price:

Get a complete package for only $899 from the Chapel of Crystals

For more options, check out the packages from Cactus Collective Weddings.

Valley of Fire in the Mojave Desert Elopement Packages

The Valley of Fire is named for it’s gorgeous red sandstone formations. The warm colors make a spectacular backdrop for your ceremony and photos. For the best photos, try to book a sunset elopement.

Weddings are allowed by permit only. In order to meet insurance requirements, a planning company has to apply for the permit. Luckily, there’s lots of planners and chapels who can make the arrangements for you.

Book a complete package, with everything from the flowers to a round trip limousine service from the Chapel of the Flowers

For a more personalized elopement in the Valley of Fire, check out the planning services from Peachy Keen Unions

Elope in Eldorado Canyon at Nelson’s Ghost Town

Want some amazing wedding photos? Nelson’s Ghost Town in Eldorado Canyon offers a rustic backdrop that you won’t find anywhere else. The site includes an old garage, a plane crash from a movie set and tons of other historic cars and props. You can book a package that includes your officiant, permits, limousine transportation and photography for less than two thousand dollars: Eldorado Canyon Ghost Town Package from Scenic Las Vegas Weddings

What Should You Do After You’re Married

You’ve put so much effort into planning your elopement, don’t forget to celebrate afterwards. Even though you’re not having a traditional reception, you should still plan something special for the two of you.

If you’ve got the budget, consider hiring a photographer to spend some time with you, after your ceremony. You can hit the strip for some fabulous photos. Or book a trip to the Neon Museum. The museum is packed with classic, neon signs and you’ll get some amazing wedding photos: Portrait Hour at the Neon Museum

After your photo session, you might want to share a romantic dinner for two. If there was ever a day to splurge, this is it. If there’s a restaurant or experience you’ve always wanted, book it for your wedding night.

Enjoy Your Las Vegas Honeymoon

One of the best things about a destination elopement is that your honeymoon starts right away. If you’re tired out from the wedding, book a relaxing spa day or a private cabana at the hotel pool. Or plan to see some of the shows and attractions in Las Vegas. With everything from mini golf to world class concerts, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic honeymoon.

Announce Your Marriage

After you’ve returned home, you can send announcement cards to your family and friends to let them know you’re married. A party is never a requirement, so if you’re happy with your elopement, don’t feel like you owe anyone a wedding. It’s perfectly fine to not have a party. If you do want to carry on celebrating, read this next for some ideas and tips - Post Elopement Party: How to Plan a Reception After Eloping

Once you’ve shared the news with your family and friends, all you need to do is print out your photos - and start your happily ever after!