Thanks to movies and TV shows, Vegas has become a popular wedding destination for weddings of all shapes and sizes. Thanks to movies and TV shows, urban myths have as well abound to what you can and can't do in a Vegas wedding chapel.
I shall try to go through what to expect when getting married in Las Vegas. If you have questions or suggestions, I shall try to answer them for you or find the answer for a later blog.
1. It's cheap.
You can get married in a chapel, a drive thru or in front of the Bellagio Fountains for less than $300.00
That's actually a high estimate. But consider the tips, flowers and maybe even a cheap 1 hour photographer.
2. It's fast.
A typical non-denominational wedding ceremony from start to finish is 5010 minutes.
3. It's easy.
There are many wedding chapels in Las Vegas, some are open late ( The marriage license bureau stopped issuing wedding licenses past 12 midnight a few years back and since the the wedding chapels had followed suit). Although if you were to schedule a wedding past midnight, there are a few chapels that would book you, especially if you pay for a premium package. (see The Little White Wedding Chapel)
In some chapels, you can easily walk in and in 30 minutes, walk out as a married couple.
Drive up weddings were originally designed for the disabled, but had since then caught on and had become a Vegas attraction. Weddings through drive thrus are inexpensive and quick, especially during the slow season (October to January).
- - - - - -
There are certain things that one must remember when getting married in Las Vegas.
You can't get married drunk in Las Vegas. It's illegal. Ministers and Chapel operate with business licenses. This is their livelihood - and the risk of marrying someone who is drunk or intoxicated is too high for them to take. Please do not go into a chapel sauced. You will be humiliated and, heaven forbid you've already paid for it - you have a big chance you won't get your money back.
I decided to put that up first because The Hangover wedding was, well, a Hollywood thing. Now, you're probably going to bring up the Brittney Spears argument. Sorry, mute point. She booked her early morning wedding at the Little White Chapel the day before while getting her marriage license. Nope, she wasn't drunk when she walked into the Federal Building that issues these state licenses.
Chapels take these weddings seriously. Please don't expect to come in like rock stars with your entourage and have people give in to your whims and tolerate your belligerence. Although vow renewals are different (where you will not need to get a license), Chapels typically will be more strict when it is a wedding that involves legal paperwork that will be processed through the state and county.
Most wedding chapels will not allow outside photography. The reasoning is quite simple. Almost everyone has a camera with them nowadays. If it was your wedding and all your guests were trying to be the official photographer - how peaceful and intimate could your wedding be? And besides, you invited family and friends to share your wedding with them, not to have them stand up and interrupt your wedding by snapping away. Obviously, the other reason is that these chapels have other weddings to start and finish, and by allowing photography in the chapel, even after the ceremony will hold everyone up.
These are rules that one should know and share with their party before tying the knot in a Vegas wedding chapel. Consult with your chapel ahead of time as well, as each chapel may have different policies.
Tips to consider.
Buy your own flowers. Flowers with the wedding packages cost an arm and a leg. Bring your own and this way, you can choose the biggest and brightest for the smallest price.
Sometimes, it's cheaper to rent the dress and tux from the wedding chapel. The rent them out between 50-100$ a piece and you've got a wide range to chose from. Save the luggage space in your check in luggage for other things.
Buy the photo package with the weddings. Since the chapels are pretty serious with their outside photography policy, you're better off being nice to your assigned wedding photographer so he can tolerate your mother in law's photography instructions and throw in a few more than the package should give you.
Limos are complimentary. Most of the time. Most wedding chapels will have limo's with the package. All you need to do it tip the driver. If you were to tip him $20 - split it into two $10's.
Tip. Tip. Tip. It's in your best interest. It's cheap enough as it is, getting married there, just be sure to save a large tip for your minister, photographer and of course, your limo driver. Vegas is a tipping town. Don't come to Vegas unless you're ready to do this.
I shall try to go through what to expect when getting married in Las Vegas. If you have questions or suggestions, I shall try to answer them for you or find the answer for a later blog.
1. It's cheap.
You can get married in a chapel, a drive thru or in front of the Bellagio Fountains for less than $300.00
That's actually a high estimate. But consider the tips, flowers and maybe even a cheap 1 hour photographer.
2. It's fast.
A typical non-denominational wedding ceremony from start to finish is 5010 minutes.
3. It's easy.
There are many wedding chapels in Las Vegas, some are open late ( The marriage license bureau stopped issuing wedding licenses past 12 midnight a few years back and since the the wedding chapels had followed suit). Although if you were to schedule a wedding past midnight, there are a few chapels that would book you, especially if you pay for a premium package. (see The Little White Wedding Chapel)
In some chapels, you can easily walk in and in 30 minutes, walk out as a married couple.
Drive up weddings were originally designed for the disabled, but had since then caught on and had become a Vegas attraction. Weddings through drive thrus are inexpensive and quick, especially during the slow season (October to January).
- - - - - -
There are certain things that one must remember when getting married in Las Vegas.
You can't get married drunk in Las Vegas. It's illegal. Ministers and Chapel operate with business licenses. This is their livelihood - and the risk of marrying someone who is drunk or intoxicated is too high for them to take. Please do not go into a chapel sauced. You will be humiliated and, heaven forbid you've already paid for it - you have a big chance you won't get your money back.
I decided to put that up first because The Hangover wedding was, well, a Hollywood thing. Now, you're probably going to bring up the Brittney Spears argument. Sorry, mute point. She booked her early morning wedding at the Little White Chapel the day before while getting her marriage license. Nope, she wasn't drunk when she walked into the Federal Building that issues these state licenses.
Chapels take these weddings seriously. Please don't expect to come in like rock stars with your entourage and have people give in to your whims and tolerate your belligerence. Although vow renewals are different (where you will not need to get a license), Chapels typically will be more strict when it is a wedding that involves legal paperwork that will be processed through the state and county.
Most wedding chapels will not allow outside photography. The reasoning is quite simple. Almost everyone has a camera with them nowadays. If it was your wedding and all your guests were trying to be the official photographer - how peaceful and intimate could your wedding be? And besides, you invited family and friends to share your wedding with them, not to have them stand up and interrupt your wedding by snapping away. Obviously, the other reason is that these chapels have other weddings to start and finish, and by allowing photography in the chapel, even after the ceremony will hold everyone up.
These are rules that one should know and share with their party before tying the knot in a Vegas wedding chapel. Consult with your chapel ahead of time as well, as each chapel may have different policies.
Tips to consider.
Buy your own flowers. Flowers with the wedding packages cost an arm and a leg. Bring your own and this way, you can choose the biggest and brightest for the smallest price.
Sometimes, it's cheaper to rent the dress and tux from the wedding chapel. The rent them out between 50-100$ a piece and you've got a wide range to chose from. Save the luggage space in your check in luggage for other things.
Buy the photo package with the weddings. Since the chapels are pretty serious with their outside photography policy, you're better off being nice to your assigned wedding photographer so he can tolerate your mother in law's photography instructions and throw in a few more than the package should give you.
Limos are complimentary. Most of the time. Most wedding chapels will have limo's with the package. All you need to do it tip the driver. If you were to tip him $20 - split it into two $10's.
Tip. Tip. Tip. It's in your best interest. It's cheap enough as it is, getting married there, just be sure to save a large tip for your minister, photographer and of course, your limo driver. Vegas is a tipping town. Don't come to Vegas unless you're ready to do this.
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