Sometimes people go a little crazy while traveling and take the opportunity to do wild things they wouldn’t normally do. This might include skydiving, running with bulls, or even eating goat’s testicles. Yuck!
If they’re in Vegas, feeling giddy from the flashing lights and abundance of wedding chapels, they might get married, forgetting momentarily the wrath that will greet them from parents once back home.
So, can you just walk into a chapel and marry? Not quite. But it is remarkably easy. As someone who has walked down a Vegas aisle, I’m going to reveal all.
How do you get a wedding permit?
First you pay a quick visit to Clark County License Bureau, a 15-minute cab ride from The Strip. You wait in a short queue for a license which costs around $50. If you’re a US resident you need your Social Security Number and photo ID. If you’re from outside the US you’ll need your passport. You fill in a form each, pay your bill and head to a chapel.
Which chapel to choose?
If you’re staying in a hotel it most likely has a chapel. However, they can be fully booked due to the popularity of Vegas weddings (over 120,000 a year). Don’t worry – there will be plenty of hawkers outside the License Bureau trying to cajole you into going to their chosen chapel, with limo additional.
There are budget chapels, there are drive-thru chapels, there are chapels with Elvis. How did we choose our chapel? Via the Yellow Pages. How romantic.
What happens at the chapel?
You enter (either having booked, or for some you can just walk in like we did), present your new license, choose how many frills you want with your wedding (flowers, photos, etc) and pay first and sign the marriage certificate.
Then it gets kind of surreal if it’s just the two of you, the minister and the witness (who’s usually the receptionist). They play the wedding march, you walk up the aisle – I was in jeans – and then you hold hands and repeat those classic vows. Next, you’re married! There’s cake and champagne, but you have to hurry it up before the next couple arrives.
Why marry in Vegas?
Well, it’s kind of wacky and fun. It’s cheap, if you’re already in Vegas. It’s certainly a relaxed affair. If you’re an introvert, it means you escape the crowds. But of course many people have a planned Vegas wedding with friends and family.
What are the cons?
If your parents have been dreaming of your special day for years… well, you’re letting them down. But you can always have another ceremony later.
It’s also not particularly romantic. It’s a bit cheesy. You might be cheating yourself of a wonderful day where you dress up and be the center of attention at home. But it’s personal choice.
And if you’ve just met the person that night… you’ll be waking up with more than a hangover. You’ll have a new spouse!
January 19th, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Hello, just doing some research for my Boston 4g website. Amazing the amount of information on the web. Not quite what I was looking for, but nice site. Cya later.
March 25th, 2011 at 6:06 am
This blog is well.I would like to introduce this good website to my friends.please
March 28th, 2011 at 10:14 am
I was wondering where you got your layout? Its great Looking.
March 31st, 2011 at 8:21 am
You got fantastic nice ideas there. I made a research on the topic and got most peoples will agree with your blog.
April 18th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Whats up, wonderful internet page although a tad slow the minute I browse it, it’s most probably my net service, I’m uncertain. Thanks
April 30th, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Hows it going, nice website but occasionally I encounter a problem whereby the top nav bar cannot be seen. It is mainly on the home page Regards
April 30th, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Hi, you have a nice website but sometimes I see a problem whereas the top nav toolbar can’t be seen. it’s mainly on the home page Best wishes
May 1st, 2011 at 12:01 am
How’s things?, I love website just a heads up that I was getting automatically sent straight to your home-page whenever I read this inside web page; It appeared to be a web browser hi-jack as well, I’m not too absolutely sure but believed you might like to be made aware about it. Kind regards
May 1st, 2011 at 12:04 am
Hows it going, nice blog but occasionally I encounter a bug where the right nav toolbar cannot be viewed. It is mainly on the home webpage Cheers
May 1st, 2011 at 12:04 am
How’s things?, Great site basically a notice that I was getting immediately sent straight to your home page when I looked at this inside page; It seemed like a web browser hi-jack as well, I’m not too sure but believed you really should know about it. Take care
May 1st, 2011 at 12:05 am
Hey, you have a nice website but occasionally I encounter a issue where the left navigation toolbar cannot be seen. it’s mainly on the home page Best wishes