How to Elope in Nevada
Nevada is SUCH a cool state and one of the countries most popular destinations for eloping (hello Las Vegas). Between it’s lush landscapes on Lake Tahoe to the red desert in The Valley of Fire, Nevada really has it all. On top of that, when you elope in Nevada you can experience some of the most scenic outdoor and man-made places in the country, between the Las Vegas Strip, Cathedral Gorge State Park, Rainbow Vista Trail, and Eldorado Canyon Mines, there are SO many amazing options.
Why Elope in Nevada?
Nevada is one of the most popular spots in the United States to elope in for a number of reasons. In comparison to other states in the US, Nevada is one of the easiest states to get married in. The Vegas bureau you go to to obtain your license is open till midnight each night and there is no waiting period after you obtain your license. Other bureau’s in the state do have varying hours, but there’s still no waiting period. On top of the ease of marriage in Nevada, there are TONS of unique places to have your ceremony. Then of course there are plenty of cool things to do after your ceremony as well.
Where to Start When Planning Your Nevada Elopement
First things first, you’re going to need to do some planning before you start location hunting for your elopement, here are some questions you and your partner will want to ask yourselves.
What kind of experience do you hope to have for your elopement?
Do you envision yourselves on a mountain top overlooking a gorgeous valley. Out in the middle of the desert with not another soul to be seen? Do you want to elope in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip with strangers cheering you on? Would you rather hike to an epic location or park and walk a couple of yards to your gorgeous view? There are no wrong ways to elope, so make sure you know what you want out of your experience as you’re getting into the planning.
Where do you want to elope?
There are SO many amazing places to elope in Nevada, I’ve even listed a few of my favorites later in this article! Once you have an idea of what kind of experience you hope to have, you can start to narrow down your options. Once you have a couple of options in mind, consult with your photographer or do some research on what you’ll need to elope in the spaces you’ve chosen. Some national parks need permits and some venues require fees, but overall, many places in Nevada are fairly easy to elope in.
How many people do you want to join you?
Though many elopements solely involve the couple that is eloping, you can actually bring some people along to your elopement. Most smaller elopement spaces can hold up to 10 people, so talk with each other about any family or friends you may want to include. Once you have an idea of who you would like to join, keep the mobility of your guests in mind as you are choosing your elopement location.
The Legalities
When obtaining your marriage license in Nevada both parties must appear in person before a Clerk at a County Marriage Bureau location. When appearing at the Marriage Bureau you must have a valid photo ID as well as your social security number. You do not need to have the actual card on you, as long as you know your SSN or have it written somewhere you can access it you are good to go.
After you obtain your marriage license in Nevada, there is no waiting period to elope or to get married like most states. You can pick up your license and elope the second you walk out of the Bureau if you want. With a Nevada license, your ceremony does have to happen on Nevada soil. If you have your ceremony over water or in the air (via airplane etc.) you will have to do your paperwork while back on land.
Your license will be valid for one year after you obtain it. After the year is up you will have to reapply to be married.
When to have your Nevada Elopement
The climate in Nevada can get pretty intense over the summer as well as the winter with the desert climate. According to Holidify.com the best time to visit Nevada in terms of temperature is in the spring and fall months, specifically the months of March and April.
You can of course have your elopement in other months, just make sure to do your research and prepare for the extreme temperatures that come with visiting in the summer.
Chelsea and Hector had their elopement in January, and the weather was BEAUTIFUL. It turned out to be perfect for their elopement! Parts of Nevada can get fairly cold over the winter months though so be sure to do your research. Keep an eye on the forecast as your date approaches, and come prepared for any possible weather changes.
Chelsea and Hector’s Elopement
Eloping at Eldorado Canyon Mines in Nevada
There are SO many cool places to elope in Nevada. One of the places I want to highlight though is Nelson’s Ghost Town. Nelson’s Ghost town is an old mining area just about 45 minutes outside the Las Vegas Strip. This is the perfect spot for couples that want the desert landscape but you might not want to go on a long hike to get there.
Eldorado is based at one of the richest gold mines in Nevada’s history. The now family-owned business runs tours throughout the mines and hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Between movies being filmed, photoshoots, music videos and couples using the space for their weddings and elopements, Eldorado has become a very popular Nevada spot.
Eldorado has a BBQ space and some smaller buildings that can be used for meal prep. This is perfect if you choose to have guests at your Nevada elopement. Carry in food, and dine with your closest family and friends in the desert at this unique location.
Their Elopement Details
Chelsea and Hector had a dried floral bouquet for their elopement that complimented the desert vibe. The two got ready at another location then headed over to Nelson’s Ghost Town for their intimate ceremony. Chelsea wore a gorgeous boho dress and jacket made by Abel & Co Designs.
These two were the sweetest humans and were all about having fun at their elopement. You can tell just by looking at the photos how much they love to have fun with one another.
Vendors
Styling + Floral: Newland weddings
Makeup: Bridal Makeup by Krystyl Hernandez
Jacket: Abel & Co Designs
Suit: Satoro New York
Location: Nelson’s Ghost Town
If you’re looking to plan your Nevada elopement and you’re not sure where to start, head to my contact page and fill out my contact form so we can start planning!
