Getting Married in Las Vegas

Would you like a quick and easy marriage without the major expense, hassle, excessive planning, meddling relatives, and other problems associated with a traditional wedding? Or perhaps you would simply like to renew your wedding vows? If so, Las Vegas is the perfect place for you. Nothing beats it for a fun, inexpensive, adventuresome wedding.

So where does one get married in Las Vegas? At a wedding chapel, of course. There are a number of excellent ones: The Cupid Wedding Chapel, Little White Wedding Chapel, Graceland Wedding Chapel, Star Trek the Experience Wedding Chapel, A Special Memory Wedding Chapel, and the list goes on. (But if none of these sound appealing, or if you want something less ostentatious, as a general rule many of the big hotel-casinos have at least one wedding chapel.)

For a modest amount of money and minimal effort you can attend a Las Vegas wedding chapel where you will find a number of marriage packages waiting to fulfill all your needs. Most packages include a dinner, number of photos, a hotel-stay, a minister, bouquet, limousine, cake, flowers, and beverages (it's also expected that you tip the minister and limo driver). But for more money you can get a larger package with web-cam display, nice frames for pictures, candles, a video of the ceremony, boutonniere, a guest book, a witness, additional seating for guests, a DVD of the ceremony, larger amounts of time, a hot air balloon ride, etc.

Concerning wedding cakes, most chapels have access to a wide variety of flavors and shapes. Also tuxedos and wedding gown rentals are sometimes available in the chapels. There are also different choices as far as entertainment value goes with a Las Vegas wedding. For example, you could have a themed wedding, which is always tremendous fun. A disco theme, Elvis theme, gothic theme, Star Trek theme, classic movie theme, even a theme of your own invention, they are all available. You can dress up like Spock, Dracula, an Angel with large white wings, or even Gilligan from Gilligan's Island. Almost anything is possible in glittery Las Vegas.

Elvis got married in Las Vegas in 1967 to Priscilla Beaulieu. And now there are many Elvis impersonators (young or old versions) ready to participate in your wedding. They can walk the bride down the aisle, conduct the ceremony, or simply croon some of Elvis' old hits.

The cost of a Las Vegas wedding with most of the amenities will be around $600, but there are cheaper packages available for around $100. Make sure to thoroughly research the prices of the various packages before embarking on your trip. Also, your marriage license will cost around $60, so be sure to factor that in; and also remember to leave a day early so you can get the necessities for your marriage certificate out of the way before the big wedding day. When making hotel and plane reservations, mention to the person on the telephone that you are getting married in Las Vegas as they may give you additional bonuses or upgrades. Don't forget to tip the limo driver and minister as well. But save a little money so that after exchanging your vows you can do a little gambling, if you like.

Approximately 120,000 people get married in Las Vegas every year, which is more than any other city in the US. My own mother got married in Las Vegas several times over the years, and she loved it each and every time. Viva Las Vegas!