Get married without a hitch in Las Vegas

Dream about a classic white wedding, a no-fuss ten minute service or a themed extravaganza? Las Vegas can accommodate nearly any option, from an Elvis themed drive-thru chapel, a breathtaking outdoor ceremony at Mt. Charleston or a lavish soirée at one of the world’s premier resorts. With an average of more than 120,000 marriage licenses issued annually (that’s around 238 each day), Las Vegas deserves its reputation as the wedding capital of the world.

Over the years, some of Tinseltown’s biggest names have come to Las Vegas to say, ‘I do!’ including Elvis and Priscilla Presley, Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere and Britney Spears and Jason Alexander. Others who have tied the knot in Las Vegas include Brigitte Bardot, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney (several times), Joan Crawford and Dennis Rodman.

Undoubtedly a contributing factor to its wedding capital status is Las Vegas' minimal requirements and no waiting period. To obtain a marriage licence couples must have proof of age, parental consent and court order (if under the age of 16). There is no blood test and no waiting period. The only cost involved apart from the service itself is a marriage licence fee of US$55.

Believe it or not, Elvis isn’t a fixture at all Las Vegas weddings. Part of the allure of getting married in Las Vegas, and the reason so many Australian couples choose to travel to the city to tie the knot, is the level of choice. Many chapels even have live online streaming so family and friends back home can watch the ceremony. Here are some of the options:

Chapel in the Clouds
The highest wedding chapel in the United States, couples can say their vows on the indoor or outdoor observation deck on the 109th floor of Stratosphere Tower Hotel and Casino. chapelintheclouds.com

A Special Memory Wedding Chapel
Drive-thru weddings remain the ultimate Las Vegas wedding experience. Special Wedding Chapel features a Drive-Thru Wedding Window where you can either drive yourself, or book the Pink Caddy Elvis Wedding Package and have Elvis pick you up in his neon-lit pink Cadillac and drive you down the Strip. aspecialmemory.com

Grand Canyon Weddings
Many couples choose to leave the neon lights behind them and get married at the Grand Canyon. Papillon Helicopters offer a wedding package starting with a private limousine transfer before embarking on a narrated helicopter flight from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon floor to exchange vows. papillon.com

Traditional Weddings
While people typically associate Las Vegas weddings with the quirky options such as those outlined above, just as many people elect to have a traditional white wedding in one of the city’s many elegant wedding chapels. Lake Las Vegas is a 30 minute drive from Las Vegas. This 320-acre lake is surrounded by palm-tree lined, five-star resorts and championship golf courses creating an ideal venue for intimate or grand-scale weddings. lakelasvegas.com.