There is certainly nothing wrong with tradition, but sometimes, a couple chooses a different path, and that’s what planning your destination wedding is all about.
Maybe you don’t want the classic black-tie affair in which every formal detail is rehearsed and set in stone.
Some happy couples seek adventure away from their community to create a personal and memorable, stress free ceremony. Many choose Las Vegas because it’s the wedding capital of the world, and the options here are almost infinite. From the glitz and neon-bright glamour of the strip to the quiet and romantic desert landscape of enchanting sunsets, if you can dream it, we can make it happen for you in this amazing city.
Our Elopement Expert, McKenzi Taylor, speaks from experience. She said no to the traditional wedding, and this bride and her groom have never regretted designing the intimate nuptials their way:
“As someone who eloped, I can honestly say it was a great decision. Personally, it was the perfect decision for us. We got married on our own terms and have great memories from our ceremony, plus we held a great party (about 6 months later). It was the perfect combination of events.”
Modern Marriage Vegas-Style
There are plenty of advantages to planning your destination dream wedding in the most exciting city around the globe. For one, our location is perfect. You can fly in from near and far and land at McCarran International Airport. Best of all, this accommodating airport is merely 5 miles from downtown Las Vegas.
What’s not to love?
Everything here is affordable, and the food and drink are the ultimate in deliciousness and variety.
Making It Legal–Simple, Fast
Another good reason for saying “I do” here in Vegas are the easy-peasy rules. For example, there isn’t a waiting period or any need for blood testing as you obtain a wedding license.
It’s a cost effective adventure because the license is only $77 and good for an entire year. You head to the nearby Marriage License Bureau in person and fill out the application form. You can even have it ready ahead of time by filling out the form online.
Hotel-Heaven For Accommodations
Let’s be honest; no one does beautiful hotels and packages like this city. There are tons of elegant places, and many resorts offer excellent deals for the happy couple and those on the guest list for a site wedding.
The choice of inclusive resorts in Vegas is impressive with top-notch entertainment and fabulous upscale restaurants. When you’re designing your own getaway nuptials, you can tie the knot at one of these prime locations and only pay a flat fee for everything from the cake to the boutonnière for the groom (if he so chooses).
An on-site expert wedding planner can take care of all the details that you won’t have to fuss with.
Cheaper Than Traditional Ceremony
Making a journey to Las Vegas for wedded bliss also means you can save major dollars by thinking out of the box when you tie the knot. As the bride and groom, you have many wonderful options for creating a fun, memorable and incredible ceremony that will blow the socks off your friends and family (if you decide to include them).
Here are the pricey numbers: The average cost of a wedding (traditional) in the United States for 2017 was $25,764. Remember, this doesn’t include the honeymoon.
When your wedding is all about the destination rather than the stuffy tradition, you’re also saving big bucks when it comes to guests like family members.
Wedding coordinators would tell you that the average wedding features 140 guests, whereas a wedding with a destination theme rounds out to roughly 50 guests. Consider how you would save money in that respect.
Wedded Destination Etiquette
There are some general rules when it comes to choosing a wedding with a destination.
According to modern day experts, if your guests are featured in the party, the bride and her family traditionally pay for the lodging for the bridesmaids. The groomsmen will have their lodging paid for by the groom and his family.
The wedding party should expect to foot the bill for their portion of outside activities and meals as well as travel, clothing and styling.
Say “I Do” At These Romantic Spots
Here in Las Vegas, many couples opt for the sensuous surroundings of our beautiful desertscape for their intimate wedding locations. Mother Nature has created some of the most colorful sunsets and mountainous backgrounds on the planet, and an outdoor elopement ceremony in an ideal spot makes all the difference.
You can discover the finest outdoor locations to say “I do” here at our wedding website.
Here are a few of our favorites that will capture stunning photographs of your most important wedded moments.
Our Favorite Vegas Wedding Venues:
Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is considered one of the most impressive places around and easy to get to from downtown Las Vegas 20 miles away. If you’re dreaming of raw natural beauty, the stunning rock formations will surround you in awe. Some cliffs reach a remarkable 3,000 feet high.
There are wonderful, intimate spots at Red Rock Canyon for having a wedding ceremony in the famous Mojave Desert.
Dry Lake Bed
If you’re dreaming of a surreal spot in the middle of the universe, Dry Lake Bed is the ideal location for saying “I do.” The stunning cracked earth and gorgeous mountain horizon are a most memorable place on this huge stretch of land.
Dry Lake Bed is a romantic, personal outdoor space for uniting couples in wedded bliss.
Eldorado Canyon 
Eldorado Canyon is a rustic and secluded place to tie the knot when you’re seeking a vintage area Ghost Town. The picturesque spot features old vehicles that have been rusted-out, antique gas pumps, dilapidated barns, an old saloon and also the wreckage from a plane crash that was once used on a movie set. It’s the ideal runaway elopement location.
A bride and her groom can look like Hollywood cinema stars from long ago as they pose for photos along the antique scenery and structures and the stunning desert landscape. Really, who needs an Elvis wedding when you can envision dreamy wedded moments like this?
Cactus Joe’s
Cactus Joe’s Blue Diamond Nursery has created a unique setting that is all about Las Vegas’ botanical beauty. The site is another favorite for couples looking to say “I do.” The desert garden and cactus nursery also boast the largest selection of famous Joshua trees. In addition, there are pottery, rocks and statues that line the large location.
Cactus Joe’s features another hidden gem, and that is a charming, little wedding chapel on-site. The must-see wooden structure can hold 14 guests and has pretty wooden pews furnishing the chapel. The southwestern vibe is endearing.
Springs Preserve
Set in the heart of Las Vegas, Springs Preserve promises all the elegance for an outdoor wedding. The spot’s Botanical Garden, lovely pathways and colorful scenery are tucked away as an idyllic area for tying the knot. Couples have enjoyed having their ceremony performed in the Garden’s Arboretum where lush greenery and vibrant flowers envelop a stone and wood stage.
A wedding reception held indoors at the Origen Rotunda is another way to celebrate the event surrounded by a contemporary wood-and-glass interior and sophisticated marble sculptures.
Springs Preserve has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978.
Floyd Lamb Park
Floyd Lamb Park at Tules Spring is another unique wedding location for the bride and groom seeking tranquility and a park setting where ducks, geese and peacocks roam free. Gorgeous lakeside views surround the park, and shady trees with lush greenery look enticing to all. There is also a gazebo at the location for an outdoor ceremony and amazing views of the Sheep and Spring Mountain Ranges.
The park features ranch houses on the premises, and these buildings can conveniently serve as dressing rooms or hold catering for a reception. Charming Floyd Lamb Park offers many stunning backgrounds for memorable wedding photos.
Valley of Fire State Park
Valley of Fire State Park displays a majestic force of nature formed long ago during the dinosaur’s Jurassic age. Its stark beauty with huge and unusually shaped sandstone rock formations comes alive in awesome rainbow colors. The dazzling desertscape and mountains in the distance take a couple’s breath away, and the vast region gives way to a peaceful, romantic energy for modern-day nuptials. Many permits have been obtained for Valley of Fire State Park weddings, and it’s not difficult to understand the area’s popularity.
Valley of Fire State Park happens to be named Nevada’s oldest state park. Its spectacular sunsets and panoramic views make for a romantic gallery of wedding photos. It’s an extraordinary place with a rich history and natural awe.
The Destination Wedding Checklist Every Engaged Couple Needs
