Getting Married in Vegas

Getting married in Las Vegas is a great option for couples looking to get hitched quickly but without the dull ambiance of a hometown justice of the peace. For folks who don’t want a lot of fuss and family, a Vegas wedding is one of the best wedding presents ever! There is no waiting period or blood test required to get a marriage license in Nevada which means that long-time lovebirds or even those who have just recently met can be married quicker than you can say “What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas.”

With more than 315 marriages performed per day, Las Vegas has become known as the Wedding Capital of the World and its booming wedding industry is second only to gambling. Popular places to get married are the Little White Wedding Chapel or the Graceland Wedding Chapel, both with drive-thru options.

Even though it’s super-easy to say “I do,” you and your significant other do need to come armed with a little bit of information (and be at least 18 or have written guardian permission). For example, both parties will need to show up with valid, original, certified copies of personal identification, such as a driver's license, state-issued identification card, a birth certificate, military ID, or a passport. The Clerk's Office may also accept student ID cards, prison-issued ID cards, and foreign birth certificates that have been translated into English. If divorced, you will also need to know the details of the final decree including as the exact date and jurisdiction of the divorce; however, you don’t need to have the actual paperwork. You also will need to know your social security numbers to write down on the Affidavit of Application for Marriage and come with $60 to cover the cost of the license. There will be other expenses for the venue, witnesses, an officiant, tuxedo and gown rental and so on but these costs are still extremely cheap when compared to a traditional wedding.

For many, getting married in Las Vegas is the cool thing to do, it certainly seems like tons of celebrities have tied the knot here. Now, whether these have been long and lasting relationships is another story. One of the shortest lasting marriages was the one between Britney Spears and her childhood friend Jason Alexander. The two got married on a whim in Las Vegas but ultimately annulled the union 55 hours later. Another marriage that didn’t stick much past a week was the one between Carmen Electra and Dennis Rodman, the deal was annulled 9 days later – perhaps because Dennis was the one wearing the dress! Another hookup that lasted less than a season was the marriage of Pamela Anderson and longtime Rick Salomon, they said “I do” at the Mirage Hotel but then decided “We don’t” two months later.

Other Vegas marriages that didn’t last include 2 years for Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, 2 years for Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thorton, 4 years for Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere, 13 years for Demi Moore and Bruce Willis. Melanie Griffith and Don Jonson actually got married in Las Vegas in 1976 and then called it quits 6 months later only to reunite in 1989 and stay married for another six years.

But, believe it or not, some celebrity Vegas weddings have actually had some staying power. Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos eloped to Las Vegas in 1996 and remain happily married with children to this day. During the heyday of his heartthrob status in 1989, Jon Bon Jovi married his high school sweetheart, Dorothea Hurley in Vegas and the pair remains together to this day. But, probably the record goes to Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward who were united in holy matrimony in Sin City and remained together in a loving relationship until his death 50 years later.

If you are planning a Vegas wedding, Groomstand.com has lots of memorabilia that will help you commemorate the event. Vegas bachelor party t-shits make a great souvenir for your buddies as you all make merry through the strip on the night before your wedding. Plus, if you get too drunk, these groomsmen gifts “label” each guy with his respective role in the wedding – this makes sure the “right man,” not the “best man” is getting married! Another fun Vegas groomsmen gift idea is personalized prints and signs that feature the iconic welcome sign for this city.

If you are getting married in Vegas, let us know in the comments below! Will you “drive-thru” or have a more formal event in one of the hotels?