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Advice about eloping

Knottie1427724889Knottie1427724889 member
First Comment
in Nevada-Las Vegas
Hello - newbie alert. Advice and opinions sought please.

We're from the UK and will be in Mesquite for a few days with some family. It's second time round for both of us and we don't want a fuss so are considering giving the family the slip and eloping to Vegas while we're there.

We need a low key secular ceremony and would like a song of our choice played. I don't want flowers, and we'll be dressed casually, but a few photos would be nice. It will probably be pretty much a walk-in because of the elopement.

I also don't like the idea of the ceremony being filmed for the Internet at all - I can't work out whether this is optional or obligatory!

Where would you recommend? What tips do you have? The Chapelle de l'amour looks the kind of thing but the website is a bit glitchy (may be me, not them!). I can see packages, but they aren't quite what we want and it's not clear how flexible they are.

Thanks all.

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Re: Advice about eloping

  • damnthetorpedoesdamnthetorpedoes member
    100 Love Its 100 Comments First Answer Name Dropper
    The great thing about Vegas is that so many people come there to get married, they cater to EVERYTHING. Tons of people go to Vegas every year to do exactly what you're planning to do. :) 

    A secular ceremony won't be a problem. In America these are usually called a "civil ceremony," not sure why. 

    Pretty much all the little wedding chapels (just search "las vegas wedding chapel" and you'll get a couple dozen options) will take walk-ins if they don't have an appointment booked -- but they'll also take appointments on pretty short notice, too. So if you're a day or two out and have an idea when you'll be in town, you can make some phone calls and make sure they'll be available, if you prefer. You can also search "las vegas wedding officiant" or "las vegas wedding on wheels" and for a few hundred bucks, an officiant will come to you anywhere in town and do a ceremony. Lots of people do this and get married in their hotel rooms or at an outdoor landmark.

    Internet broadcasts aren't obligatory anywhere that I've looked at. If it's included you can just ask them not to do it. Same with flowers, a lot of the chapels throw in a bouquet and a boutonniere, but if you don't want it you can just say so. And all the chapels will take a few photos to boot (read reviews carefully, some places have decent photographers and are prompt to get your photos to you, others are awful and will take forever). If you decide you want more pictures to commemorate the day, lots and lots of area tour companies and photographers do photo shoots around town. You'll have to book in advance, but again, just call around when you know you'll be in town and someone will be available.

    Welcome to the board and happy researching!
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  • amelishaamelisha member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer Name Dropper
    Just remember that you also have to go to the Marriage Bureau first to pick up a license. There's no waiting period or anything, you just have to go together, show your ID, fill out the form (you can do an online pre-application to speed this up a bit), and take that to the chapel. It's not a huge deal and they're open quite long hours, but there are sometimes lines, so be aware that you do have to do it before you go do the ceremony thing. It's close to downtown and easy to get to, but it's a necessary part of the process if you want it to be legal.



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  • Knottie1427724889Knottie1427724889 member
    First Comment
    Thank you. Yes I realise we need to get a marriage licence - the Chapelle de l'amour seems to be very close to the courthouse which seems convenient? Do you know how far in advance you can do the online application? I believe it needs an old version of IE to work so we'd need to do it at work.
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  • hmgifforhmgiffor member
    1000 Comments 250 Love Its First Anniversary Name Dropper
    You can do the application I believe 30 days in advance :)
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  • vegasgroomvegasgroom mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its
    You don't even need a chapel if you don't want one.  Rev Roland who married my wife and I will come to you, as will many Vegas-based officiants.  Here are some options:

    http://www.vegasgroom.com/19/

    Marriage license step by step: http://www.vegasgroom.com/Step-by-step-for-a-Las-VegasClark-County-marriage-license_94.html

    Married in Vegas - June 2011


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  • xoedenxoeden member
    Ninth Anniversary 500 Comments 100 Love Its First Answer
    Also, don't forget, if you're from the UK, you'll also need an Apostle! (Is that the right word?)
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  • Knottie1427724889Knottie1427724889 member
    First Comment
    Apostille, I believe, although I'm not sure what that really means. I know you have to apply online for a certified copy after 10 days but is that the same thing? The Gov.uk website is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard.

    Do the ministers not mind doing civil ceremonies for non-religious folk?

    Thanks for great info everyone.
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  • vegasgroomvegasgroom mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its
    Knottie1427724889 said:

    Do the ministers not mind doing civil ceremonies for non-religious folk?

    Thanks for great info everyone.

    Our officiant is religious, but I'm not, so he didn't bring religion into our ceremony.  Most officiants, even if pastors/ministers but outside of the church, will do non-religious ceremonies if that is what you want.  Ours does anything from religious to Elvis.

    Married in Vegas - June 2011


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  • amelishaamelisha member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its First Answer Name Dropper
    I just had to request a civil ceremony. They've told me it's no problem. Also, you can do the pre-application 60 days ahead, not 30 :)

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  • Knottie1427724889Knottie1427724889 member
    First Comment
    Thanks everyone - very helpful.
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