But here’s what catches people off guard. Just because Vegas makes getting married easy doesn’t mean you should wing it completely. You’ll want a plan that covers the essentials without sucking all the spontaneity out of your big moment.
Whether you’re eloping with just the two of you or bringing your closest fifty friends for a weekend bash, getting your ducks in a row beforehand means you’ll actually enjoy the experience instead of scrambling for answers while you’re supposed to be celebrating.
Vegas Wedding Planning Checklist and Guide
Let’s get practical about what you need to handle before you book that flight and pack your wedding outfit. These steps will keep you organized without turning your elopement into a second job.
1. Set Your Budget First
Money talk isn’t romantic, but it sure beats the panic that hits when you realize you’ve spent your honeymoon fund on upgrades you didn’t really need. Vegas weddings can range from $200 at a no-frills chapel to $20,000+ for a luxury hotel package with every bell and whistle. Most couples spend between $1,500 and $5,000 for a solid middle-ground experience that includes a ceremony, some photos, flowers, and maybe a small reception.
Start by figuring out your absolute maximum. Then subtract about 20% because there will be extras you didn’t plan for. That airport champagne toast? The upgrade to better flowers? The Elvis impersonator your sister insisted would be hilarious? They add up faster than slot machine losses.
Break your budget into categories: venue/ceremony (usually 30-40% of total), photography (15-25%), reception/dinner (20-30%), attire and beauty (10-15%), and miscellaneous (10-20%). This gives you a framework that keeps spending in check. You can always adjust these percentages based on what matters most to you. If photos are your priority, shift more money there and save on the reception by doing something casual.
2. Choose Your Wedding Package Type
Vegas offers wedding styles you won’t find anywhere else, which is both exciting and potentially overwhelming. You’ve got classic chapels dripping with nostalgia, sleek hotel packages with contemporary vibes, outdoor desert ceremonies with red rock backdrops, and themed options that range from classy to completely bonkers.
Chapel weddings are what most people picture when they think Vegas. Places like Graceland Wedding Chapel or The Little White Wedding Chapel have been around for decades. They typically offer packages from $200 to $2,000, including basics like an officiant, music, and a bouquet. Some throw in cheesy extras like having Elvis walk you down the aisle or getting married in a pink Cadillac. These work great if you want that authentic Vegas kitsch or you’re on a tight budget.
Hotel packages give you more polish and convenience, especially if you’re staying on the Strip anyway. Venues like Bellagio, The Venetian, or Paris Las Vegas offer wedding packages from $1,500 to $10,000+. You get professional coordination, nicer photo backdrops, and often better food options for any reception you’re planning. The trade-off? Less personality, more corporate elegance.
Outdoor ceremonies are having a moment. Valley of Fire State Park sits about an hour outside Vegas and offers stunning red rock formations as your backdrop. Red Rock Canyon is another favorite. You’ll need to handle more logistics yourself (permits, transportation, chairs), but the photos are absolutely worth it. Packages here run $1,000 to $5,000, depending on what vendors you need to hire separately.
Then there’s the truly unique stuff. You can get married on the High Roller observation wheel, in a helicopter over the Grand Canyon, or at a drive-through chapel without leaving your car. These range from $500 to $5,000+ and make for stories you’ll tell forever.
3. Pick the Right Time of Year
Vegas weddings happen year-round, but when you go matters more than you might think. March through May and September through November are peak times. The weather’s perfect (70s to 80s), and everything from flights to hotels costs more. Chapel availability gets tight, especially on Saturdays.
Summer turns Vegas into an actual oven. We’re talking 105-115°F from June through August. If you’re planning anything outdoors, book the earliest morning slot you can get or wait until after sunset. The upside? Hotels slash prices by 30-50%, and you’ll have your pick of ceremony times. Just chug water like your life depends on it, because it kind of does.
Winter brings cool temps (50s to 60s during the day) and the cheapest rates of the year. December through February sees fewer tourists, except for the weeks around holidays when everyone has the same idea. You might need a jacket for outdoor photos, but you won’t be sweating through your dress shirt.
Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve are absolute madness. Chapels book solid six months out, prices triple, and the whole city feels like one big wedding factory. If you love the symbolism, go for it, but expect to pay premium rates for everything.
One thing that surprises people: weekdays cost significantly less than weekends. A Thursday wedding might save you 30-40% on venue costs, and you’ll have better availability for everything from photographers to dinner reservations.
4. Research and Book Your Venue Early
Here’s where people mess up. They think “Vegas has a million chapels, I’ll just walk in somewhere when we get there.” Sure, you can do that. You can also show up to Thanksgiving dinner and hope there’s enough turkey for everyone.
Popular venues book 3-6 months ahead for prime time slots (think Saturday evenings). Even mid-tier chapels fill up 4-6 weeks out for Saturdays. If you’re flexible on date and time, you can sometimes book just days in advance. But “flexible” means you might get married at 9 AM on a Tuesday or 8 PM on a Wednesday.
Start your research by reading recent reviews. Check Google, Yelp, and WeddingWire to see what actual couples say about their experience. Look for patterns. If five different reviews mention “hidden fees” or “rushed ceremony,” take that seriously. You want to see comments about friendly staff, clean facilities, and good photo quality.
Call or email your top three choices to ask about their availability and what’s actually included. Some venues advertise packages that sound complete but nickel-and-dime you for basics like processional music or extra time for photos. Get everything in writing before you book.
Most places require a deposit (typically $100-500) to hold your date. Read the cancellation policy carefully. Some venues offer full refunds up to 30 days out, others keep your deposit no matter what. If there’s any chance your plans might change, this matters.
5. Handle the Legal Requirements
Good news: Nevada makes getting married legally easier than in most states. You don’t need blood tests, waiting periods, or witnesses (though having witnesses makes for better photos). You just need to show up together at the Clark County Marriage License Bureau, fill out some paperwork, pay $102 in cash, and walk out with your license same day.
The bureau’s main office sits at 201 Clark Avenue, open Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to midnight, and 24 hours on weekends and holidays. Yes, you read that right. You can get your marriage license at 3 AM on a Sunday if that’s your thing. Lines move pretty fast, usually 15-30 minutes, unless you hit a busy time.
Bring your driver’s license or passport, know your social security number, and have $102 in exact cash. Credit cards work too, but cash speeds things up. You don’t need to bring birth certificates or divorce decrees. Nevada genuinely wants to make this easy.
Your license is good for one year from the date of issue, so you can get it months before your ceremony if that’s more convenient. Once you’re married, the officiant files your paperwork electronically. Your official marriage certificate gets mailed to you within a few weeks, or you can pick up certified copies at the Recorder’s Office if you need them faster for name changes or other legal stuff.
6. Decide on Guest List and Travel Logistics
This decision shapes everything else about your wedding. Elopements (just the two of you) are simple. Small groups (5-15 people) still feel intimate but need coordination. Anything over 20 guests starts requiring serious planning that maybe defeats the purpose of a Vegas wedding.
If you’re inviting people, give them at least 6-8 weeks notice, preferably more. Vegas sounds fun until people check flight prices and hotel rates. Your wedding weekend becomes their vacation, which means they need time to request days off work, arrange pet care, and budget for the trip.
Create a simple wedding website (free sites like The Knot or Minted work great) with key details: ceremony date and time, venue address, hotel recommendations, and what to wear. Vegas weddings can range from casual sundresses and khakis to formal evening wear. Tell people what you’re expecting so nobody shows up in a Hawaiian shirt when everyone else is in suits.
Block hotel rooms if you’re bringing a group. Most Vegas hotels offer discounts for 10+ rooms, and your guests appreciate having a home base. The Strip is huge. If your ceremony’s at The Bellagio but half your guests are staying at Circus Circus, factor in 20-30 minutes for them to Uber over.
Consider timing your wedding around your guests’ schedules. A Saturday afternoon ceremony lets people fly in Friday night and leave Sunday morning without burning too much PTO. Friday evening ceremonies work too, but some guests might struggle to arrive on time.
7. Plan Your Accommodations Strategically
Where you stay shapes your whole weekend. The Strip puts you in the middle of everything with endless restaurants, shows, and entertainment. Downtown Vegas (Fremont Street area) offers a grittier, more authentic Vegas vibe with lower hotel prices and older-school casinos. Off-Strip hotels save you money but mean you’re Ubering everywhere.
Book your room early, especially if you’re visiting during peak season or a major convention. Vegas hotel prices fluctuate wildly based on demand. That $89 midweek rate can jump to $300+ on a busy Saturday. Use hotel comparison sites, but also check the hotel’s website directly because sometimes they offer better deals or perks like resort credit.
Here’s a pro tip most people miss: book a room for the night before your wedding too. You don’t want to arrive day-of, deal with check-in delays, and rush straight to your ceremony feeling gross from the flight. Having that buffer day lets you pick up your marriage license, do a final venue walk-through, and actually relax a bit.
If you’re doing hair and makeup, having a suite or larger room gives your crew space to work. Standard Vegas rooms are tiny. Consider upgrading or booking a separate getting-ready space if you’re having multiple people prepping together.
Ask about resort fees when you book (they run $25-45 per night at most properties). These mandatory charges cover WiFi, gym access, and other amenities you might not use. They’re annoying but unavoidable at most Strip hotels.
8. Consider Photography and Videography Options
This is where couples either nail it or have regrets later. Your venue probably includes a basic photo package, but “basic” usually means 15-20 shots in the chapel with harsh flash lighting and maybe five minutes of the photographer’s time. That works if you’re truly going for maximum budget-friendly, but most people want more.
Independent photographers in Vegas charge $500-2,500 for packages ranging from one hour to full-day coverage. An hour gets you ceremony photos plus 20-30 minutes of portraits afterward. Two hours adds getting-ready shots and more location variety. Full-day coverage ($1,500+) is overkill unless you’re doing a big reception.
Look at photographers’ actual wedding galleries, not just their highlight reels. Check if their style matches what you want. Some Vegas wedding photographers specialize in that classic, posed look. Others do more documentary-style candids. Neither’s wrong, but you should love their work before booking.
Downtown Container Park, The Neon Museum, and Seven Magic Mountains (those colorful stacked rocks about 20 minutes south) are popular photo locations. Some require permits ($50-200), others you can shoot for free if you’re quick. Your photographer will know the rules and best times to avoid crowds.
Video adds another $800-2,000 to your budget, but having your ceremony on film hits different than photos. You hear your vows, see your expressions, catch moments you didn’t notice in real-time. If you can swing it, even a simple ceremony-only video package is worth considering.
9. Think About Your Reception or After-Party
Not every Vegas wedding needs a traditional reception, but you’ll probably want to eat dinner and celebrate somehow. The beauty here? You’ve got options that don’t involve booking a banquet hall for 150 people.
Restaurant dinners work perfectly for smaller groups (under 20 people). Places like Andiron Steak & Sea at Downtown Summerlin, Estiatorio Milos at The Cosmopolitan, or Bazaar Meat at Sahara take reservations for private or semi-private dining. Expect to spend $75-150 per person for a nice meal with drinks. Call ahead and mention it’s a wedding dinner—some restaurants throw in champagne or a dessert.
For larger groups (20-50), many hotels offer small reception packages in private dining rooms. You get a set menu, dedicated service, and a space that feels special without the massive venue costs. These run $100-200 per person depending on the hotel and menu.
Pool parties are uniquely Vegas. If your hotel has a good pool scene (MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, The Cromwell), consider doing a daytime ceremony followed by a pool party reception. Rent a cabana, order bottle service, and let people swim, drink, and celebrate. This works best for spring or fall when temps are 75-85°F.
Late-night activities also count as reception alternatives. Book a VIP table at a nightclub, get tickets to a Cirque show, or organize a group dinner at a celebrity chef restaurant. Vegas offers so many ways to celebrate that a traditional sit-down reception often feels unnecessarily formal.
If you’re truly keeping it simple, even grabbing pizza at Secret Pizza inside The Cosmopolitan or hitting up a great burger spot creates memories. Your wedding, your rules.
10. Coordinate Hair, Makeup, and Attire
Looking good matters, obviously. Vegas heat and dry air do weird things to your skin and hair if you’re not prepared. Start hydrating heavily three days before your ceremony and bring good moisturizer. The desert climate is no joke.
For hair and makeup, you’ve got choices. Your hotel probably has a salon that offers bridal services ($150-400 for both hair and makeup). Mobile services come to your room (add $50-100 for travel fees). Or skip the pros entirely and do it yourself—totally valid if you’re comfortable with that.
Book beauty services at least 3-4 weeks out for busy weekends. Give yourself enough time to shower, get ready, and get to your venue without panic. Most ceremonies take 20-30 minutes, so if you’re getting married at 2 PM, you need to start hair and makeup by 11 AM at the latest.
Dress shopping for a Vegas wedding is different. You probably don’t need a $3,000 ball gown. Many couples choose cocktail dresses ($100-500), jumpsuits, or even nice sundresses for the bride. Grooms often go with suits rather than tuxes. The key is picking something that photographs well and won’t leave you overheated if you’re doing outdoor photos.
Rent, don’t buy if you’re only wearing it once. Sites like Rent the Runway or The Black Tux let you get high-end formalwear for a fraction of retail cost. Have it shipped to your hotel or bring it carry-on to avoid luggage mishaps.
Shoes deserve thought too. If you’re taking photos at multiple locations, you’ll be walking more than you think. Comfortable options that still look good will save your feet and your mood.
11. Plan Your Pre and Post-Wedding Activities
Your wedding might take two hours total, which leaves you with an entire long weekend in Vegas. Making loose plans helps you and your guests get the most out of the trip.
Pre-wedding activities keep everyone entertained without wearing you out before the big moment. A group dinner the night before, pool time, or exploring downtown gives people something to do and helps out-of-town guests connect if they don’t all know each other.
Skip the bachelor/bachelorette party madness the night before your wedding. You’ll regret showing up hungover and exhausted to your own ceremony. If you want to party hard, do it two nights before or save it for after.
Day-after activities are when you can really celebrate without ceremony stress. Brunch with your guests, a pool party, spa day, or tickets to a show all work great. Some couples plan a group excursion like Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, or even a quick trip to Hoover Dam.
If you’re extending your trip into a honeymoon, Vegas offers easy access to amazing nearby destinations. Drive to Zion National Park (2.5 hours), Grand Canyon (4.5 hours), or Death Valley (2 hours). These turn your wedding trip into a proper adventure.
12. Create a Day-Of Timeline
You need a schedule that keeps things moving without feeling rushed. Most chapel ceremonies take 15-30 minutes. Add 30-60 minutes for photos afterward. That’s your baseline.
Here’s what a realistic Saturday timeline might look like:
10:00 AM – Wake up, eat something substantial
11:00 AM – Start hair and makeup
1:00 PM – Get dressed, final checks
1:45 PM – Leave for venue
2:00 PM – Arrive at venue, meet with coordinator
2:30 PM – Ceremony starts
3:00 PM – Photos at venue and nearby locations
4:00 PM – Head to reception/dinner
5:00 PM – Dinner celebration
7:00 PM – Evening activities (show, club, casino, etc.)
Build in buffer time. Vegas traffic can be brutal, especially on the Strip during peak hours. What should take 10 minutes might take 30.
Share this timeline with anyone who needs to be somewhere at a specific time—your photographer, guests, hair stylist. Text or email it the day before as a reminder.
Keep your ceremony time realistic. If you book a 2 PM slot but don’t start getting ready until 1 PM, you’re going to be that couple who shows up late to their own wedding. It happens more often than you’d think.
Wrapping Up
Vegas weddings work because they strip away the pressure while keeping all the fun. You’re getting married in a city built on spectacle and celebration, where the whole point is enjoying yourself. Following this checklist means you handle the practical stuff early so you can actually be present for the experience.
Your Vegas wedding doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. Make it yours. Pick the venue that excites you, invite the people who matter, and don’t stress about impressing anyone. That’s the whole point of choosing Vegas in the first place.