As a local Las Vegas elopement photographer, here is my list of all the things you should know before eloping in Las Vegas! This is such a fun city to get married in, and it’s kind of known for being the quick and easy spot to elope. But, there are still so many things to factor in, in order to have your dream Las Vegas elopement. I have worked with hundreds of couples now who chose to elope in this wonderful city, so I’ve definitely seen and dealt with just about any situation you could imagine. This is all of my best advice for preparing for anything and making the most of your elopement day in Las Vegas!
When Eloping in Las Vegas…
The City is NOT Your Only Option
Most people just think of the Strip when they think of Las Vegas. All of the flashy neon lights, casinos, and bars. Don’t get me wrong, the city is SO GOOD for photos, but so are the many beautiful desert and mountain options as well. I highly recommend getting the best of both worlds during your elopement and doing part of your photos in the city, and some out in nature as well. Many gorgeous desert locations are about a 30-40 minute drive from the city, and they’re well worth the drive time! If you’re a bit shy or just don’t want to have to take all of your photos in front of a bunch of people, the desert can be a great option as it will be MUCH less crowded than anywhere in the city.
Time of Year Matters
Time of year in Las Vegas will make a huge difference in the weather for your elopement! Summertime (June to August) will be unbearably hot. I’ve had way too many clients almost pass out from the extreme heat, which is why I take limited bookings during the summer months. If you want to beat the heat, however, start during sunrise or drive out to Mount Charleston for photos! It’s always about 30º cooler out there than in the city, and there are so many gorgeous spots for photos.
Luckily, we don’t get a lot of rain in Las Vegas so we don’t really have to worry about many rainy days. But, if there is a time of year that tends to be the most rainy.. it would probably be summertime! Rainy days do actually look so cool if you’re taking photos in the city with neon lights, though. Don’t let a little rain on your wedding day discourage you, just prepare to make the best of it! The most severe weather that we have to deal with here is typically just a lot of wind. Always be sure to check for wind advisories on your wedding day, because you may want a little extra hairspray lol!
One of the busiest times of year for weddings in Las Vegas is in the fall, between September and October. If you plan to get married during this time, one important thing to keep in mind is the construction work for F1 races. During the construction period (typically September through early December), most locations on the Strip are filled with road work and many areas are blocked off to pedestrians. Most photographers won’t do photoshoots on the Strip at this time because of this, so be sure to have a backup location in mind!
Sunrise is best to avoid Crowds
If you’re wanting super Vegas-y photos in a popular location like Fremont Street or the Las Vegas Strip, starting at sunrise is the best way to avoid crowds of other tourists. Especially if you’ll be taking photos on a weekend or during any popular events. I promise it’s always very much worth the early wake-up!
Check for Events and Conventions
Las Vegas is a very popular city for so many different conventions and big events. Always search for different events that will be happening here before planning your trip. Big sporting events and festivals will cause prices to go up for hotels and flights, and the city will also be much more crowded at these times. Not exactly ideal for an elopement ceremony or photos!
You can still have guests!
Eloping in Las Vegas doesn’t mean that you have to show up alone! You can still invite your close family and friends if you want them to be included in your big day. Even most chapels can accommodate pretty large groups.
be Aware of Chapel Fees
Most chapels in Las Vegas require an extra fee if you plan to bring your own photographer. There are only a select few chapels that don’t have this fee. Many chapels have an external photographer fee of about $200-$300, but I’ve seen as much as $700. Just be sure to always check the policies of your chapel before booking!
Be Ready for Anything
Las Vegas also has a ton of pop-up events that can happen at any time. Don’t be surprised if you show up at a location for photos, only for some kind of event to be going on, no matter how big or small. There have been times I’ve shown up for photo shoots only for a random farmer’s market, car show, or impromptu concert to have taken over the streets for that day. Even out in the desert! We’ve also been at bars that had random small events like beer holding contests, which ended up being so much fun for the couple. Just be prepared for anything and always have a back-up plan!
Know That the Sidewalks Are Gross
If you plan on wearing a long dress or veil for your elopement, just know that it will get SO DIRTY. I’ve seen so many beautiful white dresses turn black almost instantly after walking down the Las Vegas sidewalks. Please don’t let this deter you from wearing your dream dress, veil, or outfit. If you want a long, flowy gown you should totally do it! Just take extra precautions to keep it off of the ground until after the ceremony. Or, just accept that it will not be clean for long. Keep in mind that when you look back at your photos, you’re not going to care about the dirty dress. You’ll just be remembering what a fun day you had!
Don’t Rely on Uber for Transportation
If you don’t plan on having your own vehicle or rental for your time in Las Vegas, that’s totally fine. There are plenty of other options for transportation. But, I wouldn’t rely on taking an Uber everywhere! So many couples have been late for their ceremony because Uber took too long, or canceled at the last second. Desert locations can be especially tricky without your own transportation due to a lack of phone service.
I would highly recommend hiring a driver, even if just for a few hours. They can pick you up and drop you off at any location you need throughout your photoshoot. And, you never have to worry about parking or finding another ride, which makes everything so much more convenient. If you will have a small group of family and/or friends with you, you could also hire a party bus to drive your entire group for the night. This way, the party never stops!
Permits may be required
Plenty of locations in Las Vegas will require a permit for photography. Some hotels and casinos (especially on the Strip) will also require written permission for photography to be allowed on their property. Your photographer should always be able to acquire these permits and permissions for you. Keep in mind that for some locations, like Valley of Fire, permits can only be obtained through specific vendors.
You still have to do the legal stuff
You’ll need to apply for your marriage license ahead of time. You can do so online by clicking here. Your officiant will need to see all of your paperwork before the ceremony in order for everything to be legitimate. So, be sure to bring this with you. You’ll need at least one witness to sign your paperwork as well. As your photographer, I’m more than happy to sign as your witness if needed!
You don’t have to give up traditions
Unless you want to, of course! You can still cut a cake and have a champagne toast, or choose not to see each other until you walk down the aisle. Any special traditions that you still want to incorporate on your big day, you absolutely can! That’s the fun thing about getting married in Las Vegas. You can truly do it in any way that is uniquely you.
Consider Tipping Your Vendors
So many couples travel from all over the world to get married in Las Vegas. But, many are surprised by the tipping culture in America. As a photographer, I never expect a tip, though it is always so much appreciated. However, certain vendors (like chapel officiants) may require a minimum amount as a tip after the ceremony.
Know That Everyone Here LOVES Weddings
I’ve worked with so many couples who have had strangers buy them drinks on Fremont Street. Sometimes they even hand them cash (or poker chips!) as a congratulations. Many people will honk their horns and wave because they’re just so excited to see a wedding in Las Vegas. They just want to be a part of all the excitement! Eloping in Las Vegas is so fun, so be prepared to have the best time and just enjoy all of the attention on your special day.
Be Sure to Hire Me as Your Photographer!
I genuinely love what I do – SO MUCH. My job allows me to hang out with couples from all over the world on their most special days. I will never take that for granted! I will always do everything I can to make sure that your day is as fun and stress free as possible. Plus, (I may be a bit biased, but..) I kind of take really great photos.
Are you thinking about eloping in Las Vegas? I would love to help bring your unique vision to life! Let’s chat now and start planning your dream day in Las Vegas.
Don’t forget to check out these other Las Vegas photography blog posts:
- Retro Las Vegas Elopement at the Little White Chapel and Fremont Street
- Sure Thing Chapel Elopement in Las Vegas
- Red Rock Canyon Engagement Session With a Motorcycle
- Venus Gardens Wedding at Caesar’s Palace on the Las Vegas Strip
- Mount Charleston Couples Session With a Dog
- LGBTQ+ Desert Engagement Session at Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas
- Styled Studio Elopement at The Landing Space in Las Vegas