Las Vegas Wedding on a Budget: Tips and Ideas

Las Vegas is the elopement capital of the world. For decades, couples have flocked to the bustling Las Vegas Strip and its beautiful outskirts to tie the knot—a process made easy by lenient state laws and affordable venues. If you’re hoping to plan a unique day of matrimony without breaking the bank, it just might behoove you to follow in their footsteps.

But where do you start?

Read on for our guide to how to plan a Vegas wedding on a budget. We’ll explore everything from unique wedding venue options to our top cost-cutting tips.

Why Choose Las Vegas for a Budget Wedding?

Las Vegas has long been a hub for convenient, low-cost weddings. Its popularity first spiked in 1931, amidst Prohibition, when Clark County eased its marriage license requirements, inspiring a wave of quick, no-frills weddings throughout the area.¹

Ever since, the Vegas wedding industry has only expanded, offering a variety of beautiful, no-fuss spots to get hitched—both in and outside of the city. Plus, figuring out how to elope in Vegas is simple.

Affordability and Variety

Tying the knot in Nevada is relatively cheap compared to the rest of the country. In 2023, the average Nevada wedding cost was $23,570²—not too bad compared to the national average price tag of $35,000.³ And that cost can be scaled down even further with an elopement-style shindig.

Plus, Las Vegas offers a wealth of venues to suit every style. Whether you prefer a classic elopement surrounded by the bright lights of downtown, a quieter affair in the desert or along the Colorado River, or even a scenic celebration on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, there’s something for everyone.

Convenience and Accessibility

There’s a reason Vegas remains so popular with elopers—logistically, it’s one of the easiest places in the country to get hitched. Requirements for obtaining a marriage license vary by state and county, and the relatively lax rules in Clark County, Nevada (where Vegas is located) make eloping particularly convenient.

Unlike other places in the U.S., in Vegas, there’s no waiting period. Once you’re handed your marriage license, you officially have a license to marry.⁴ And to obtain said license, you simply have to fill out an online application. Your application will stay in the system for one year, so plan to visit Vegas with your partner to complete the process within 365 days.

The next step is your visit to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau, conveniently located in downtown Las Vegas. No appointment is necessary, and the process typically takes about an hour—just stop by any day between 8am and midnight.

As long as you and your partner are over 18, all you’ll need are:

• Your government IDs
• $102 (with a small additional credit/debit card fee)

No proof of divorce or death of a previous spouse is required unless your divorce affects the name on your ID (in that case, bring your decree).

Once you have your license, you’ll have one year to get married anywhere in the state of Nevada. All that’s required is an officiant licensed in Nevada and one witness. Bring all of your paperwork to the wedding to be signed, and your officiant will file it back at the bureau. If you want to keep your completed marriage certificate, copies are available for $20 each. See more on what it’s like to get married in Vegas.

Budget-Friendly Wedding Venues in Las Vegas

From the towering landmarks and colorful lights of the Strip to the peaceful beauty of its surrounding desert and forests, Vegas offers a match for every personal aesthetic—and luckily, there’s likely an option to suit your price range, too.

Outdoor Venues

Part of the Vegas area’s charm lies in its geography. The bustling Strip is surrounded by miles of the great outdoors, with wildlife preserves nearby on all sides.

If you prefer a unique twist on the classic Vegas wedding, check out the downtown Neon Museum—its outdoor display glows with the bright lights and colors the city is famous for, but remains tucked away on the edge of the action.

Outskirts of the city are peppered with hundreds of Wild West-style ghost towns,⁵ which make for the ultimate photo op. Soak in the history as you make the town of choice your own for your wedding day.

If you prefer to venture even further into the wild, check out the gorgeous red rock formations of Valley of Fire State Park or the palm-tree-lined meadows of Greengale Farms. Although the desert makes for a romantic, ride-into-the-sunset style wedding, gorgeous deserts are not all Nevada has to offer—you might be surprised at the state’s biodiversity.

There’s even a whole Nevada side to Lake Tahoe, complete with snow-capped mountain peaks and a sprawling national forest.

Indoor Venues

Whether you prefer casinos or cacti as your backdrop, there’s no shortage of indoor Vegas venues to choose from. Check out one of the city’s 100 chapels if you’re hoping to stay true to tradition. Say “I do” while basking in the glow of the bright lights at one of Vegas’s famed hotels or performing arts centers. You can even achieve the best of both worlds at Cactus Joe’s, an indoor-outdoor nursery for desert plants.⁶

Tips for Saving Money on Your Las Vegas Wedding

As you build your list of Las Vegas wedding ideas, budget is likely a factor in narrowing it down. Fortunately, there are endless ways to reduce wedding costs—the method you choose is simply a matter of style and which parts of your day are a top priority.

Venue Selection and Timing

With the wide range of venues available around every Vegas corner, price tag might be a determining factor in your selection. Is there a dream venue you’d like to allocate a chunk of your wedding budget towards renting? Or do you prefer a simple chapel or outdoor spot in favor of other perks (like a makeup artist or a bigger band)?

When setting a date, consider the time of year as well. Vegas’s peak seasons take place from March to May and September to November, when the weather is at its best and popular events (like the Electric Daisy Carnival) are in town.⁷ To shave a bit off your budget, consider a date during the shoulder season (December to February) or even the low season (June to August, when the heat is intense but air-conditioned venues abound).

Attire and Decorations

Another way to make your dream wedding ceremony or reception fit your budget is to make strategic choices regarding attire and decorations. The best part about an elopement is that it’s tailored to your style—whether that means getting married in a favorite outfit you already own or thrifting a vintage look to match the classic Vegas aesthetic.

Sometimes, a homemade look feels the most special in terms of decorations—consider DIY centerpieces, floral arrangements, or altar adornments. Look to nature for inspiration, whether that means bringing desert flowers and succulents to an indoor venue or letting an outdoor backdrop speak for itself.

Catering and Entertainment

Not every wedding necessitates the traditional sit-down wedding dinner—when you elope, the food you serve is up to you. To cut costs, you might opt to stick with the traditional dinner, but offer fewer courses or narrow down your guest list. Alternatively, you could serve a buffet, a family-style meal, or a spread of finger foods. You can even rent a food truck.

The same is true when it comes to entertainment: the standard band is not your only option. Smaller bands and even solo artists offer their services at weddings, as do typically cheaper DJs. You could even propose the gig to a musical family member or let guests take turns on the aux cord.

Affordable Wedding Packages

What’s the best way to ensure your wedding spending stays within budget? Choose a Las Vegas wedding package and pay a flat fee. These services are usually all-inclusive wedding packages, yet customizable, allowing you to decide what’s most important right off the bat and pay accordingly.

Elopements and Micro weddings

There’s been a recent surge in elopements, with 62% of couples considering eloping as an option as of 2022.⁸ Another trend involves the smallest subsection of these elopement-style ceremonies, referred to as “micro weddings” (typically meaning a wedding with 50 guests or less).⁹ Many of the most affordable wedding packages offer these smaller ceremonies and receptions, with the ability to invite just your officiant, your witness, and about 45 guests.

Eloping or choosing a microwedding gives you the freedom to focus on what really matters. By opting for a simpler, more intimate affair, you’ll save not only money but also time and peace of mind.

Live Your Las Vegas Dream With Simply Eloped

A Las Vegas elopement is both a bold break from tradition and a nod to a long line of pioneer elopers. It’s a chance to celebrate your love in the city that does it best and do it exactly your way. The Vegas area offers venues galore, from the classic city chapel to historic desert ghost towns and Lake Tahoe retreats. There are also endless ways to tailor your day to your budget while maintaining your personal style.

If you’re dreaming up a Las Vegas wedding on a budget, let Simply Eloped bring your vision to life. Our all-inclusive elopement packages in Vegas let you choose exactly what you want and ditch what you don’t. What’s more, we offer eight unique Vegas locations, spanning from the Las Vegas Strip to Lake Tahoe and dotting the desert in between.

Reach out today to start making your dream a reality.

 

Sources:

1. The New York Times. The Undying Appeal of the Las Vegas Wedding. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/12/style/las-vegas-weddings.html
2. The Wedding Report. 7 Facts About the Nevada Wedding Market. https://wedding.report/index.cfm/action/wedding_statistics/view/market/id/32/idtype/s/location/Nevada/
3. USA Today. Average wedding cost 2024: How much do Americans pay for a wedding? https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/personal-loans/average-wedding-cost/
4. Clark County, Nevada. How to Get Married in Las Vegas. https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/elected_officials/county_clerk/how_to_get_married_in_las_vegas.php
5. Nevada Ghost Towns and Beyond. Ghost Towns & Historical Sites of Nevada, California, & Beyond. https://nvtami.com/ghost-towns-nevada-california/
6. Cactus Joe’s. Cactus Joe’s. https://cactusjoeslv.com/
7. Travel + Leisure. The Best Time to Visit Las Vegas for Good Prices and Fewer Crowds. https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/best-time-to-visit-las-vegas
8. PR Newswire. National survey finds most engaged couples are interested in eloping this year. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-survey-finds-most-engaged-couples-are-interested-in-eloping-this-year-301583425.html
9. Brides. What Is a Micro Wedding and Should You Have One? https://www.brides.com/story/how-to-throw-a-microwedding/
10. Clark County, Nevada. Marriage License Requirements. https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/elected_officials/county_clerk/marriage_license_requirements.php