While in the city that never sleeps, it’s easy to get carried away on wild whims. Getting married is no exception. With over 300 weddings per day, it’s easy to see why many couples pick the bustling city to get married in. Here’s the shortlist of steps to take if you are looking to host your wedding in Vegas. You’ll need to know #3!  

Step 1: Make sure you are able to get married in the state of Nevada.

To get married in Las Vegas, Nevada, you needn’t much, but there are some requirements before you can officially tie the knot

  • Age requirements. Yes, you still need to be 18 years old to get married in Las Vegas, just like across most of the country. If you are under 18, you may get married, but it takes the consent of a legal guardian and a court ruling
  • Consanguinity. Without proper kinship distance, there is a risk of incest charges.
  • You must be single. That means that you do not have a living husband or wife already.

In Nevada, you do not need to have divorce papers for remarriage. 

Make a Plan

With over 50 different wedding chappels alone, it can be a daunting task. Making reservations for your wedding before you arrive can make it much easier. It also helps if you plan around holidays or other special events as the number of weddings per day increases. Having a solid plan can help with price, venues, how many people you’ll have, and so much more. 

Related: Top 10 Wedding Venues in Las Vegas

Looking for some help? Current Event Rentals has you covered with their one-stop rental experience. 

Step 2: Apply for your marriage license in Clark County.

Despite how T.V. shows depict the eloping habits that happen in Las Vegas, you still need to do some things before you can get married

If you meet the above requirements, you then must apply for a marriage license in Clark County. The following requirements are for both U.S. and Non-U.S. citizens; however, Non-U.S. citizens should check with their own officials if they are required to have any extra documentation

You will need to prove your age, and those without acceptable identification can be refused a marriage license, and copies are unacceptable. So make sure you bring your original documents with you and know your Social Security Number. Non-U.S. citizens will not have an SSN, and other arrangements will be made for them.

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Step 3: Arrive at the Las Vegas Marriage License Bureau in Person.

This part should be part of your planning day. You have 60 days after you preregister for a marriage license to retrieve it from the Las Vegas Marriage License Bureau in person. If you did not preregister, you still need to go to the Bureau in person and fill out and submit the application all the same. The downside of that is there is normally a line that can take an hour or more. Just save yourself the hassle and preregister.

A marriage license costs $77 in Clark County. You must pay with a credit/debit card or cash. They don’t accept checks. An individual party member can retrieve the marriage license in cases where the other party is incarcerated or hospitalized and cannot arrive in person.

Step 4: Get married!

This is the fun part, all the basic paperwork is done, and you are ready to pledge yourself to the person you love. It can be that simple. Get your papers and show up with a witness, but you can also have a more extravagant wedding in Las Vegas.

Wedding cake for a las Vegas wedding

Photos: @figwillowstudios

Tables: @eventslv

Set a budget

When starting a new relationship of such magnitude, it’s important to be on the same page with your partner. Be sure to discuss your budget and agree on what you both are willing to spend. Also, remember not to rely on others. While your Uncle might promise you 5k for it, he might not, so make sure it’s a comfortable number.

This will also help you narrow things down when you are booking over things like the catering service, finding inspiration for your event, or just helping you pick the perfect planner. 

Hire your team

There is always a benefit to having a good strong team behind you, and just like in sports, no one person can do everything, and you shouldn’t have to. 

Hiring an event planner who can cover everything is a blessing in disguise. 

Well, maybe not in disguise because it’s so easy to be swept up with everything. From the dress to the food, to your still unsure if that rich uncle is still coming, it can all pile up before you know it. Having someone to delegate things to can be a breath of fresh air. 

Related: Questions to Ask Before Using an Event Rental Company

Consider a guest list

Wedding set up Las Vegas

Photographer: @chloedarlingphoto

Florals: @_acsfloralevents

Table/chair rental: @eventslv

Now that your rich uncle decided to go down to Florida instead, you have an open spot. It’s also a good thing that you set your budget. Make yourself a few lists. One of your “must” invites. (like parents, bridesmaids, and whatnot) then your “want” invites like that high school friend that had you at their wedding 3 years ago. 

When getting married in Vegas, many people make it seem like a quick decision, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t plan. Or better yet, have your event planner handle it for you so you can get back to judging wedding cakes.

Related: Why Hiring an Event Rental Company is Important. 

Some things to remember.

You will have one year from when you receive your marriage license to get married. When you do go to get married, you must bring your marriage license as well as IDs.

You will also need a witness. At the very least, you need one, some chapels have some that you may use, but it never hurts to call beforehand and add that to your plan. Your event planner might also know what chapels offer their own witness services. After the ceremony, you have ten days to file your paperwork with the County clerk.

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