If you’re thinking of eloping in Las Vegas,

Congrats and welcome to the #1 city for eloping! There’s nothing more “Vegas” than a non-traditional wedding!

If you’ve ever thought:

1. wedding planning is stressful AF
2. I don’t want to go into debt just for one day
3. big weddings aren’t our “thing”
4. we want something that’s “us”
5. who cares about tradition or society’s expectations? It’s OUR day!

You’ve come to the right place.

Here’s your Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Las Vegas

Hi! I’m so glad you’re here. I’m Bree — Las Vegas-based wedding and elopement photographer. I am a little bit different when it comes to photography… you’ll see why below! I’m all about candid, fun, and happy photos. I help people feel confident and natural in front of the camera, and I loooooove adventure. Vegas weddings don’t have to be cheesy, but they can be fun and “you”! I made this guide to help you plan your epic elopement, the way you want it to be.

Step by step, here are the most important things to be thinking about and some handy resources to plan your elopement.

#1 Pick a season and date

Duh! But before you start booking flights, think about when you’d like to come to Vegas. Typically, people come here over summer, not realize that it’s actually 110ºF here during the day. In winter, it’s between 35-50ºF. Vegas is in the middle of the Nevada desert, so we have some pretty extreme weather! Believe it or not, it snows here and we have monsoons in summer! The best time to visit Vegas is October, November, and February-May. December-January is also great, but can be chilly.

I personally think you should pick a season first, then book your flights and hotels for the days you want to visit. From there, pick your favorite vendors and location, just to have some flexibility. It would be so sad if you picked a day that your dream vendors weren’t available!

#2 Vibes

This is huge 😜! There are SO many ways to get married in Vegas. You don’t necessarily have to get married by Elvis if that’s not your thing ;).

Some ideas are: an adventurous desert ceremony just the two of you (and your dog), cocktail club party surrounded by your closest friends/family, a classic chapel wedding, a rustic ghost town wedding, backyard wedding in a mansion, a nature elopement in the mountains, or a modern trendy night elopement under the Vegas lights.

The possibilities are endless, so let your imagination go wild! Vegas has a lot to offer.

#4 Pick a Location

Go with the vibes you’ve decided on! Feel free to ask your photographer or coordinator about what locations they recommend for you. They might know a unique location you haven’t heard of!

I recommend booking a hotel, venue, or chapel that allows for outside photographers and vendors. Why? Because typically, the hotel or chapel vendors aren’t… the best. They typically do dozens of weddings per day and there’s virtually no communication with you, no unique experience, or care for their individual clients. And they certainly won’t go above-and-beyond for your day.

Here are some of my favorite locations to get married in Vegas:

The Neon Museum – book here

Grand Canyon – trust me, it’s worth ittttt. You can even take a helicopter tour out there with your photographer and get photos all around the canyon! They will even arrange your ride from your hotel.

Elope in the desert, like Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire

Rent out a rooftop bar or club

Private party at a restaurant

Cocktail party with friends and family, like the Chandelier at the Cosmopolitan, the Velveteen Rabbit or the Strat

Elope at a classic Vegas chapel, like Little White Wedding chapel or Bliss, or a modern one, like Sure Thing Chapel

… and don’t forget to take photos around the Strip, Vegas sign, Neon museum, or the desert afterwards! I love photographing my clients around the best sights after they tie the knot!

#3 Pick your Vendors

Photographer, officiant (if you’re not doing a chapel elopement), florist, transportation, hair and makeup are some of the things you can book! You can go through your venue, or hire your own! I recommend hiring your own because it ensures you get the experience and results YOU want instead of it being a basic, common vendor experience. Make sure your venue allows outside vendors before booking.

You deserve a wedding photographer who puts you at ease, captures the “real” moments, helps you plan, AND makes it fun. I would LOVE to be that for you! Find out more about me here

Rule of thumb: do what you want to do. If you want your romantic wedding to be private, you don’t have to invite anyone. Or, you can have a big party with your family and friends, or an intimate experience with just your closest people. There’s no right or wrong way, and it’s very normal to do either! Just make sure your venue allows for the number of guests you’re planning on inviting.

If you do invite guests, consider making the trip out to Vegas an experience for them! Go out for brunch, nights out on the Strip, or a cocktail party before you tie the knot!

#5 Get the Legal things in order

To make your marriage government-legit, you gotta get the paperwork in order! It’s super easy to do it in Las Vegas, but make sure you have reservation for the courthouse or apply for your marriage license. Apply for your marriage license here.

#6 – Book hotels and experiences on your trip

Whether you’re traveling near or far to come to Vegas for your wedding ceremony, you might as well make a vacation out of it! Here are my favorite experiences, food spots, and hotels/casinos for your trip.

Each hotel has its own vibe, but my favorite include:

• Bellagio
• Fontainebleau
• Caesar’s Palace
• The Venetian and Palazzo
• The English Hotel
• The Wynn
• Red Rock Casino

Here are some of my favorite experiences:

• Top Golf
• Area 15
• Helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon
• Hiking or driving the scenic route of Red Rock Canyon
• Hiking and camping at Zion national park or Valley of Fire
• We All Scream outdoor club and bar on Fremont
• Stoney’s Rocking country bar for line dancing and country concerts
• Comedy Shows like the one in the Rio
• Concerts
• See the Raiders Football team play
• Hockey – Golden Knights are huge in Vegas! Or see the Silver Knights in Henderson
• Thrift shopping and take photos at the many murals in the Arts district
• Exploring the shops and casinos on the Strip
• Horseback riding through Red Rock Canyon

Some of my favorite restaurants include:

• Spago inside the Bellagio hotel for dinner
• Mon Ami Gabi for brunch or lunch
• Best Friend for a unique Asian fusion dinner
• Black Tap for burgers and epic one-of-a-kind milkshakes
• The Pepper Club in the English Hotel
• Nevada Brew Works if you like to live like a Local
• In N Out, if you’re new to the west coast. It’s a cultural must-have!

What’s next — Need help planning?

See more from the Blog…

• How to Create a Wedding Guest List Without the Guilt: Tips for Keeping It Reasonable and Avoiding Hurt Feelings
• Free Sample Wedding Timeline for an Organized and Relaxed Day
• A Dreamy Nighttime Las Vegas Elopement at Little White Wedding Chapel
• Vibrant Spring Palm Springs Wedding at Alcazar
• The Ultimate Guide to Eloping in Las Vegas