Wedding planning can be both a joyful and stressful time in your life. Finding the ideal venue, dress, and flowers needs all your time and attention. And if you want to have a Las Vegas wedding, things can get a bit more complicated. However, if you start planning and consider all possible scenarios on time, you can have the perfect wedding. After all, Las Vegas is the only spot on the planet where you can have an unconventional wedding that others can only imagine. As a result, we devised some tips for planning an elopement in Las Vegas that will make your wedding day unique. So, let's look at how you can make the most important day of your life memorable for everyone.

1. Think about your budget

The beauty of Las Vegas is that it has numerous options for every pocket. For instance, there are enough affordable options if you prefer an intimate and modest wedding. However, “modest” is the last word that one might choose to describe Las Vegas. As a result, if you intend to elope in Las Vegas, a glamorous wedding is most likely your goal. Therefore, having a budget in mind is a good idea to start planning your elopement in Las Vegas. Depending on how glamorous you imagine your wedding, you can find out what you can or cannot have included in your special day. So, research how much it would cost to have a wedding underwater or how much it would cost to book the kitschiest chapel in Las Vegas. Also, think of the number of guests you want to have and where you would like to accommodate them. 

In the end, if you know precisely how much you can spend, planning a wedding in another city can be a piece of cake.

2. Choose the location

When it comes to the location for your wedding in Las Vegas, you have a plethora of options. And that is just what we love about Las Vegas. If you want a more eccentric wedding, you can get married in an Elvis-themed chapel or even at the Taco Bell chapel. If your wedding is on a budget, you can have your wedding hosted at your hotel chapel. But if you desire a truly unique wedding, there are some wedding chapels in Las Vegas that people hold for the most romantic spots in the city. The Bellagio, Cupid's wedding chapel, and the Chapel of the Flowers are just a few options to explore.

3. Choose your date

Choosing the date is just as important as knowing your budget and location when planning an elopement in Las Vegas. Why? Because of the factors that can influence your special day. For instance, if you want a wedding in the summer, you should know that temperatures can rise to well over 100 degrees. So, a spring or autumn wedding would be a better idea. Even though these are often busy seasons in Las Vegas, you have a higher chance of having your dream wedding. Just avoid choosing a weekend that coincides with a major celebration or convention. If you find a venue or hotel available on such a weekend, the prices will be significantly higher.

4. Apply for all the licenses needed

For a Las Vegas wedding, you can apply for a license just six days before the ceremony. However, if you like to have everything ready on time, you can make the request sooner. The application is simple to complete online, and once granted, the license is valid for one year. However, both partners must be present when picking up the marriage license at the Marriage License Bureau.

In addition, if you want a friend to officiate the wedding, you need a special license for that too. You must apply at least 30 days before the event but not more than 90 days before. Also, the person who wants to officiate the wedding must take an online course and provide an official character reference.

5. Finding the dress

This step in planning an elopement in Las Vegas couldn't be more simple. You can do things the old-fashioned way and go wedding dress shopping, or be unconventional and rent a dress. Most shops in Las Vegas have both options available, plus anything else your heart might desire. For instance, besides the bridal gown, you can find anything from veils, gloves, tiaras, shawls, and jewelry. In addition, you can find other accessories that may be unavailable in other bridal shops, such as feathers, sparkles, Venetian masks, and so on. Moreover, the sops are open until late, so you will have enough time to find the perfect gown. 

6. Find hair and makeup options.

Nothing is hard to accomplish in Las Vegas, especially since most hotels, casinos, and spa centers provide beauty services. Yet, don’t forget where you are and expect Sin City to have prices as high as its reputation. However, you can find a solution even if you are on a tight budget. The only issue is that to find local salons that are less expensive, you must venture outside of the Strip.

7. Hire a wedding planner

Do you want to avoid all the fuss and stress of planning an elopement in Las Vegas? Nothing is easier! Hire a wedding planner and look relaxed and happy in your wedding pictures. A professional planner can take care of all the details of your wedding even if you aren’t present. A wedding planner can arrange anything from the hotel, chapel bookings, and travel plans to the venue design, flower arrangements, and photo locations. 

Furthermore, an experienced planner can find you the best deals and services. Therefore, hiring a wedding planner can also help you save some money. You will just need to focus on yourself and enjoy the most important day of your life, and your planner will take care of everything else.

Final words

If you want to have a memorable wedding, take your time and look over these tips for planning an elopement in Las Vegas. They can save you a lot of time, stress, and money. And if you want to leave the care of planning your wedding to someone else, don’t hesitate to call in a wedding planner. 

This is a guest post. Risa James Events has no financial relationship with any companies that may be tagged within.