Eloping in Las Vegas is refreshingly simple: get a license, pick a backdrop, say "I do." Here is the whole process, plus the chapel and desert spots couples love most.
Step 1 — Get your marriage license
Both of you visit the Clark County Marriage License Bureau downtown with photo ID. It is about $102, there is no waiting period, and you do not need to be a resident. Full details in our marriage license guide.
Step 2 — Choose your spot
The classic options: a Strip or downtown chapel (fast, fun, all-inclusive), Red Rock Canyon for desert cliffs at golden hour, Valley of Fire for red sandstone, or the Neon Museum for retro Vegas. Parks require a permit — we help you plan it. See our best places to elope guide.
Step 3 — Line up an officiant and photographer
Chapels include an officiant; for an outdoor elopement you book a licensed officiant separately. A photographer is the one vendor worth prioritizing — it is how you will remember the day. Elopement coverage is right-sized and affordable.
Step 4 — Keep the timeline simple
A typical elopement runs 1–3 hours: license pickup (if same day), ceremony, then portraits at one or two backdrops. Sunrise and the hour before sunset give the best light and the smallest crowds.