All Shook Up: A Quick Guide to Getting Married in Las Vegas in a Jiffy
Well, for starters, Elvis Presley did tie the knot in Las Vegas. While millions of girls were swooning over him, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll married Priscilla Ann Beaulieu, his long-time girlfriend, discreetly in a small and secret ceremony in Las Vegas.
Now, that could be reason enough for you to get your ceremony done in the city of Nevada. If you’re a certified Elvis fan, here’s a bonus. You will definitely catch an Elvis-themed wedding with an Elvis doppelganger entertaining your guests at Graceland Wedding Chapel.
Truth be told, while the virus continued to pummel America, the gambling capital of America has become a mecca for any couple who wants to get hitched in a jiffy. And you may have made the best choice if you do.
To boot, you really can’t beat the beauty of Las Vegas. It’s as picturesque as you want it to be on the day you walk the aisle. But here’s more. Not only does Nevada have a host of venues that’s ready to take your crowd at a moment’s notice, but the state also has one of the fastest ways to process a marriage license.
But it would be best if you did it right. Indeed, you don’t want to end up with a half-baked wedding.
Weddings in Las Vegas may seem surreal with all the hustle and bustle of the casinos and entertainment as your backdrop. Nevertheless, not minding the essentials can be disastrous on your part—reason enough why we’re showing you an essential guide to give your Las Vegas wedding justice.
Legal Requirements
Without a doubt, Las Vegas is a great destination for weddings — especially if you’re in a hurry to tie the knot. Many couples wanting to have a rush wedding made the most of the county’s rather lax legal requirements. With its much-ballyhooed no-waiting-period marriage license, you can surely get hitched on the day that you arrive in America’s gambling capital.
Your journey, however, will start with the procurement of a marriage license from the Clark County Marriage License Bureau. It’s a legal requirement that you can’t do without.
For everyone’s safety, you need to preregister before you even arrive at the state of Nevada. Visit their government website to do that. Once you’re booked, proceed to the courthouse (at 201 E Clark Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101) to get your license. Clark County is open from 8 a.m. up to midnight all year round. However, you can’t book an appointment. So feel free to walk in.
Things You Need
It’s not as simple as walking into the courthouse, though. To apply, you and your partner will be required to present identifications. So bring a valid ID. In this regard, you can present the following:
- Passport
- Driver’s license
- Birth certificate
If you choose to bring a birth certificate, you will be asked for a supporting document containing a photo and the person’s name on the birth certificate. Your marriage license shall be prepared using the legal name exactly as it appears on your ID. With everything in order, you can have your license in less than an hour.
With your marriage license in hand, you should be good to go. You can proceed to tie the knot in a slew of Las Vegas venues ready to get you hitched. For one, there are walk-in chapels to do just that. Or you can just book the officiant ahead and meet him at the wedding venue.
Before you say your “I Do’s,” make sure you have your wedding bands ready. Though some American courthouses don’t require one, a beautiful wedding ring can surely mark your big day for you. It’s a symbol of your undying love for one another you can’t afford to miss.
Plus, you need one witness to stand in person while the vows are exchanged. So have one ready as it’s a requirement.
Prepping Amidst the Pandemic
You can’t invite an army to your wedding. As the virus is still at large, the most people you can do is 50. That includes your officiant and the vendors during the event. So count the people you invite inside the venue.
Moreover, face masks are a must. As per CDC guidelines, everyone, excluding babies up to two years of age, will be required to don a face covering.
Make sure you bring credit cards or other means to pay aside from cash. Many establishments, the marriage license courthouse including, won’t accept cold cash as payments.
For the latest updates on COVID-19 protocols, make sure you follow the state page: Nevada Health Response.
You can wed within 24 hours. But for your venues, it’s all about availability. So you need to book ahead as other couples are also itching to book one. If you want to save tons of money, planning weeks ahead is a must.
For sure, if you want to get married as quickly as possible, there may not be a better place than Las Vegas. To make the most bang for your buck, however, planning is key. It’s a requirement. And with luck, you may see Elvis Presley dance right in front of you.