How to Get Married in Nevada from Start to Finish

How to get married in Nevada is practically cultural lore: Las Vegas has become the capital of weddings (both of the same-day and traditional variety), and countless TV shows and movies have poked fun at quickie Vegas weddings. But there is so much more to it than that. Nevada also features iconic locales like the Red Rock Canyon, stunning elopement options and venues with traditional hotel-ballroom amenities. No matter what you're looking for in a Nevada wedding, you can find it. To help sift through the options, we spoke with Ashley Thompson, owner and creative director of Las Vegas-based Ashley Creative Events, and photographer Katelyn Kyles of Katelyn Faye Photography. Read on to see their top tips, favorite locations throughout the state and a step-by-step guide to getting married in Nevada.

In this article:

• How to Get a Marriage License in Nevada
• Notable Wedding Locations in Nevada
• How to Plan a Wedding in Nevada Step-by-Step

How to Get a Marriage License in Nevada

"Nevada is often considered one of the easiest states to get married in due to the minimal requirements needed to receive your marriage license, along with the no waiting period from receiving your license," Thompson says. "You can apply for a marriage license up to one year prior to your official wedding date. Alternatively, you can apply and receive a marriage license and get married on the same day."

A Nevada marriage license is issued by the state rather than by each county. Applicants must be 18 years old and have a valid ID, and the wedding must be performed in Nevada by a licensed officiant with one other witness present. Getting married in Nevada is especially easy in Las Vegas, Thompson adds. "Our Marriage License Bureau is within walking distance from some of the world's most renowned wedding chapels. So long as you prove that you are 18 and unmarried, a marriage license is yours, and you are ready to walk down the aisle!"

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Notable Wedding Locations in Nevada

Sure, Nevada marriage laws make things easy, but that doesn't mean there is any less decision-making when it comes to planning the wedding. Nevada marriages can come to fruition along the sparkling Las Vegas strip, among snowy mountains or in rocky canyons; there are all types of Nevada wedding venues to choose from. Here are three of our experts' favorite locales.

Las Vegas

"Las Vegas is the wedding capital of the world!" Kyles says. "There are so many options for getting married, from a small elopement to a full-blown wedding day. If you want it to be just the two of you at the chapel or in the desert, easy. If you have guests, they will have plenty to entertain themselves with around your wedding events." It's not just the variety of Las Vegas wedding venues that draws couples in. "There is something to be said about Las Vegas hospitality," Thompson says. "We are known for our culinary experiences and over-the-top entertainment, and that is so fun to incorporate into our couples' weddings. Rather than having a cookie-cutter, seen-it-a-million-times wedding, the Las Vegas industry is drawn to providing an experience that feels unique to the couple themselves. We have so many great resources at our fingertips to create something truly unique and special, so don't be afraid to ask what is feasible by your vendor team and fully trust them to make the magic happen!"

Red Rock Canyon

"When couples think of Nevada, they often immediately think of the Las Vegas Strip; however, Vegas has so much more to offer than just the glittering lights of Las Vegas Boulevard," Thompson says. "A short drive west will bring you to Red Rock Canyon, where we have 13 miles of gorgeous mountainscape and picturesque desert." She notes that the area is particularly popular for elopements and intimate weddings. "Elopements are common within the conservation area, but something to keep in mind is that it does require a particular permit." Work with a planner, even if you're eloping, to make sure all the Ts are crossed.

Lake Tahoe

On the opposite end of the state—north versus the canyon to the south—is another popular wedding location: Lake Tahoe. "With its breathtakingly blue water and lush forest, it is a popular destination wedding location for good reason," Thompson says. "Should you decide this is the wedding location for you, be sure to check the exact address of your venue because Lake Tahoe is shared by both Nevada and California; the state border runs nearly right down the middle of the lake. With just a short five-minute drive from some hotels, you could be in a different state!" (Getting a marriage license in your marrying state is what legally validates a marriage, so this is a misstep you don't want to make!)

How to Plan a Wedding in Nevada Step-by-Step

Planning a wedding looks different in Nevada than it does in other parts of the country—and not just because you might have Elvis marrying you. To-be-weds need to consider factors like heat (and potential for fires), sunset times, budget and backdrop. Here, we outline six starter steps to marry someone in Nevada.

1. Set a Budget

Wedding costs have extremes in Nevada, since going to a Las Vegas chapel will cost little more than the marriage license, all told; and yet, there's no shortage of extravagance there and in other parts of the state. "Weddings in Las Vegas are unique in the fact that you could have a drive-through wedding ceremony paired with a lavish dinner party with your closest family and friends, or you could have a full-blown production in a gorgeous ballroom for over 500 guests," Thompson says. "With that said, those budgets range drastically." So, where to start? Check out The Knot Budget Advisor, which uses data from real couples to provide insight into costs for a Nevada wedding.

2. Choose Your Backdrop

"Nevada offers such breathtakingly beautiful views, whether you are going for lake views in Northern Nevada or an eye-catching view of the Strip in Las Vegas," Thompson says. "Consider your ideal backdrop to your ceremony or reception and build your design aesthetic upon that." Once you've decided on a locale, you can move forward with booking vendors local to that area.

3. Determine Your Guest Count

Another thing to consider? "Your guest count is of the utmost importance," Thompson says, due to the variety of venue types across the state. "Venue sizes vary drastically, so you will want to know how many guests you want to invite to your wedding and decide on a venue location from there. The guest count also controls so much of the budget. For example, to allocate financials for a 500-person ballroom wedding will look very different than a wedding for 12 people at a lovely restaurant."

4. Set a Date and Book Vendors

Midnight Las Vegas weddings notwithstanding, the venue is usually the first thing to book because its availability will allow you to set a wedding date. There are pros and cons to booking early. "The main thing to consider when booking your venue is if you are booking during their peak season; if so, you may want to start the planning process earlier as the ideal dates will be limited," Thompson says. However, she's finding that couples are working on a shorter timeline in general these days. "For those that need more time to think on things, we would recommend a longer planning period. But if you are quick to make decisions, this actually can ease the feeling of decision fatigue, as you are forced to make decisions quicker." Whether you're a long- or short-term planner, you can start your vendor search at The Knot Vendor Marketplace.

5. Work Around the Heat

"The desert offers little shade, and the sun gets especially hot in the summer, so definitely keep that in mind if any of your wedding will be outside," Kyles says. (Consider tenting your outdoor venue to provide respite from the sun.) "Mid-fall through mid-spring is the best time of year for a Nevada wedding due to the desert heat during the summer," Kyles adds. Thompson agrees, adding that there's a risk of mountain fires at certain times of the year as well. "Southern Nevada's most popular wedding months are spring (April, May) and fall (September, October and early November)," she says. "Northern Nevada, in the Lake Tahoe area, will typically depend on the couple's preference of season, but summer tends to be the most popular. Fall is the second most popular. Mountain fires are common in the summer months, while you could have a snow-covered wedding in the early parts of fall." She notes that Tahoe weddings typically require booking at least a year in advance to secure your desired date.

6. Set a Day-of Timeline That Works Around Sunset

"One of the fun things about Las Vegas is the nightlife," Kyles says. "In other locations where portraits may have to be scheduled before the sun is set, in Vegas, a lot of couples want that fun, neon-lights-in-the-background vibe. So, in addition to the time of year, consider what time the sun sets when it comes to the vision of your photo gallery."