Getting Married in Las Vegas

'Yes, I do' - those words sometimes come easier in Vegas than you might want to admit later. Getting married in Las Vegas is just as trendy as gambling through the casinos. What you need to consider when saying 'I do' can be found here.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? Not always! Memories may fade for some, but eventually the smallest evidence may surface. Say 'I do' at the wrong time in the wrong place, and suddenly you find yourself married. Well, it's not quite that easy, but getting married in Vegas is somewhat of a breeze and almost part of a legendary visit to the Strip. Everything you should know about (spontaneous) weddings in Vegas can be found here. You never know what might drive you in the city that never sleeps...

Requirements | Recognition in the United States | Wedding Venues | Are You Ready to Get Married?

Just pop into one of the small chapels and say 'I do' - what sounds like a quick wedding in Las Vegas is not so simple even on the Strip. As spontaneous as some weddings look there, they are not as easy to pull off. Because even in the Sin City, laws must be followed and certain conditions for a marriage must be fulfilled. While these are significantly looser than in the United States, certain steps still need to be taken before you can tie the knot.

Requirements:

Minimum age: 18

Marital status: single, widowed, divorced

Documents: Passport, Marriage License ($77)

Witnesses: required

Sexuality: any

Costs: $75 plus Marriage License

If you decide to get married in Las Vegas, you first need to apply for a Marriage License at the Marriage Bureau. Whether you appear in person or apply for the license online is up to you. Important: You must apply while sober. If you are at least 18 years old, it will be issued directly to you; minors require the consent of a parent or legal guardian, and only people under 16 need permission from a Nevada district court. With a validity of one year and about $77 less in your pocket, you already have the most important document in hand with the marriage license. Just bring your passport; birth certificates can be left at home. In the case of a divorce or death, no document needs to be presented; it is sufficient to state the respective date and location truthfully. Please note that witnesses must be present at your wedding - that's the law. Whether that's a photographer or a stranger sent by a wedding agency doesn't matter. Just in case: a window of 24 hours after the ceremony allows you the option to annul the marriage.

There are ongoing myths about the question of whether a marriage in Las Vegas is recognized in the United States. Anyone thinking they can just marry for fun on the Strip is sorely mistaken - let me assure you. While you have to go through some bureaucratic steps to get your marriage legally recognized in the U.S., you will ultimately be recognized as a married couple at home.

Recognition in the United States:

Request a certified copy of the marriage license

Request an apostille

Explanation: An apostille confirms the authenticity of your marriage certificate

Apply for re-registration in the United States

Have your marriage registered in the United States

Now, let's start from the beginning. After you get married in Vegas, you will of course receive a marriage certificate, known as the Marriage Certificate. Although it clearly states that you said 'I do', this document is not sufficient to have your marriage recognized in the U.S. Instead, you need to obtain a certified copy of the marriage license and an apostille; a translation of the marriage certificate may also be required, but this varies from office to office. This bureaucratic process can take several weeks. First, your wedding must be registered within 10 days at the Clark County Government Center, but you don't need to worry about that. Only then can you request the certified copy of the marriage license, which you will subsequently send to the Nevada Secretary of State to obtain an apostille. Don't worry, these steps can also all be done online from home if you are no longer in Las Vegas after your wedding. In that case, you will receive the necessary documents by mail, with which you can then apply for re-registration. In the final step, you will register your marriage with the appropriate authorities and will be officially married in the United States. A little tip: If you care about the wedding date, make sure to pay attention to that in Vegas as well - because recognition in the United States is retroactive to the wedding date in Vegas.

Only a few couples travel to Las Vegas to get married in the traditional sense. Many are attracted by the adventure, originality, and crazy way of marrying. After just a few steps on the Strip, you will notice that there really are quite a few chapels here. The great thing about it: Even if you are already divorced or have left the church, you can still get married in one of those quirky chapels in Vegas - whether traditionally or non-denominational is up to you. You can also choose whether you want music, flowers, a photographer, or an Elvis impersonator as the officiant at the ceremony. Good to know: Photography is prohibited in the chapels, so if you want a memento of the ceremony, you will need a professional photographer.

What sounds somewhat unremarkable can be topped. How about a wedding in the clouds? A helicopter wedding is nothing out of the ordinary for Las Vegas, but it's an incredible memory. Fly over the Strip and let an officiant marry you as you hover above. Most helicopters can accommodate up to 5 people to join in the ceremony. Exchange your vows hundreds of feet up, toast with a glass of champagne, and enjoy your wedding cake - most providers include these arrangements in their offers. After the ceremony, it's back to the hotel for more celebration.

Also high up, but with plenty of space for your wedding guests, is the High Roller. Just imagining getting married in a Ferris wheel is somewhat romantic, isn't it? As the wheel slowly turns and you exchange vows, it feels like the world stands still for a moment. Pure goosebumps! At 170 meters high, it is the largest Ferris wheel in the world and can accommodate up to 40 guests in the cabins - so nothing stands in the way of the ensuing celebration!

If you prefer solid ground under your feet but still don't want to get married in a chapel, consider the Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon. In the midst of a breathtaking backdrop, you will usually be driven there in a limousine, where you can exchange vows outdoors. Depending on which organizer you choose for this extraordinary wedding venue, wedding cake and floral decorations are often included in the price.

Is something a little quirky and without much fuss your thing? In Las Vegas, you can easily get married at a drive-thru! What sounds completely absurd is actually possible. With a luxury car and a 'YES' sign on the hood, you can casually marry while cruising by. The so-called Lovers Lane leads you to the 'Drive Up Window' - unremarkable, but quite crazy.

Honestly, I don't even know where to start or end with the wide range of wedding venues - in Vegas, nothing is impossible. Everything you can pay for is available - that's one way to summarize the wedding offerings. You can even get married in a wax museum with guests like the Hangover gang, or you can say 'I do' at the Mob Museum, pledge your eternal love in the style of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, or hold a ceremony in an old gold mine. But beware - 'what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas' does not apply in this case! Married is married...

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