The Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Eloping in Las Vegas Without the Stress

Mackenna Dugan
Jul 25
4 min read

So you’re thinking about eloping in Las Vegas? First of all, congratulations, you ICON ! Second of all, I got you! Whether you’re here for the quick-and-cute vows or you’re pulling out all the stops in the desert glam department, Vegas is full of potential...and a few chaotic curveballs if you don’t plan ahead. But don’t worry, I’m handing over my seven biggest insider tips to help you elope in Vegas like a total pro. Think of this as your no-fluff, no-stress survival guide. Let’s go!

1. Choose a Venue That Allows Outside Photographers Without a Hefty Fee!

Here’s the tea: not every Vegas chapel is photographer-friendly. Some charge wild fees for bringing your own photographer (hi, it’s me) and force you into using their in-house team, which, spoiler alert, might not align with your vision!

Want full creative freedom and dreamy, personal photos? Stick with spots that welcome outside photographers. My faves:

THAT Chapel Downtown: modern, cool, and super flexible
Sure Thing Chapel: retro heaven with major personality
Sure Thing Too: same vibe, just more!
A Little White Chapel: SO iconic, #1 chapel in the world

These venues let you bring your dream team without drama or surprise fees. And trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

2. Choose a Time of Year That Suits You

Listen. Vegas gets hot. Like, burn-your-a**-on-a-metal-bench hot. Summer elopements can totally work, but only if you plan smart. That means timing your vows around sunrise or sunset when the light is gorgeous and the pavement isn’t literally melting your shoes. If you want those glowy golden hour photos without heatstroke? Spring and fall are your BFFs. Winter’s also super underrated (plus, you’ll have fewer tourists in your shots). Need help choosing your date? I broke it all down in this blog post about timing your Vegas elopement, go bookmark that next!

3. Do Your Research (Or Just Buy My Las Vegas Elopement Guide)

Vegas has range, baby. While the heart-shaped sunglasses and elevator photos are cute and classic, don’t sleep on the lesser-known gems. You want a desert ceremony followed by cocktails in a velvet-curtained lounge? Done. A romantic vow exchange near a body of water in the middle of the desert? Yup, we’ve got that too. Whether you’re into vintage neon, city grunge, or quiet desert magic, there’s a look and vibe out here for everyone. That’s why I made my Las Vegas Elopement Guide, so you can skip the scroll spiral and feel super confident planning your day!

4. Invest in the Details That Make Your Day Yours

The smallest touches go a long way. A custom bouquet, a handmade sign, a vintage getaway car, or 200 twinkling candles lighting up your ceremony, this is the kind of stuff that takes your elopement from cute to unforgettable. And you don’t have to DIY the whole thing either. Vegas has a killer vendor scene, from floral artists to vintage rental queens, who specialize in small weddings that still bring the wow. So go ahead, splurge on the personalized matchbooks or the mini cake. You’re worth it.

5. Don’t Forget Your Marriage License (Seriously)

Okay, this sounds obvious, but I’ve seen it happen! You need to bring your marriage license with you to the ceremony, not leave it in the hotel drawer next to your empty champagne bottle.

Pro tip: make a checklist of day-of essentials. Things like:

License
Rings
Comfortable shoes
Water bottle

I include a checklist like this for free in my elopement guide, because I love you and don’t want you to cry in heels!

6. Hit Fremont Street for That Iconic Vegas Flair

If you’re chasing that look, you know, neon lights, vintage signs, funky murals, gritty glam, skip the Strip and head straight to Fremont Street.

The middle of the Strip is kinda overrated for photos (everything’s so spread out!), but Fremont? It’s where old-school Vegas magic lives. You’ll find:

Two amazing “Welcome to Las Vegas” signs
The most iconic murals and lights
Bars, motels, and corners full of photo potential

This is where Pinterest and Instagram are pulling all those moody, badass Vegas elopement vibes from. So trust me, this should be a non-negotiable on your photo list!

7. Hire Your Dream Photographer (Hi, That’s Me) And Book the Longer Package!

I cannot stress this enough: you cannot redo your wedding day. If there’s one thing you’re going to invest in, make it your photographer! Don’t settle for the venue’s in-house shooter who cranks out photos that feel like stock images. You deserve to see yourself, your real connection, real joy, real story in those photos. Plus, we’ll be spending a big chunk of your day together, so make sure it’s someone whose energy you vibe with. Someone who hypes you up, calms your nerves, and captures the hell out of your love story. Oh, and book the longer photo package. I know it sounds like a lot at first, but time flies on elopement days, and you’ll be glad you didn’t have to rush the magic!

Ready To Elope In Vegas? Let’s Chat!

Whether you’re going full glam, keeping it cozy, or somewhere in between, eloping in Las Vegas can be an absolute dream when you plan it right! From finding the right venues to picking the perfect photo ops, these tips are your golden ticket to a wedding day that’s fun, beautiful, and totally you. Want help bringing it all together? Let’s chat. I’m here to help you plan the Vegas elopement of your dreams, wild, heartfelt, and stress-free!

Ready for me to capture your amazing elopement next? Let’s chat about all the ideas you have! Head over to my website by clicking here and deep dive to see if we are the best fit for each other.

If you want to learn more about me and what I do, click here. Can't wait to hear from you!