Budget Weddings in Las Vegas: Tying the Knot for $15 and Beyond
While the saying goes that love doesn’t come with a price tag, weddings often do. In 2022, couples in the United States spent an average of nearly $30,000 on their nuptials, according to The Knot. However, it wasn’t always this extravagant. Back in the 1950s, wedding etiquette advised setting aside just £30, equivalent to $38 or $482 today (adjusted for inflation), for a reception with alcohol, as per the BBC.
But there’s hope for budget-conscious couples in the present, with opportunities to get hitched for far less. Let’s explore the world of affordable weddings, starting with a $15 wedding package in Las Vegas.
The $15 Las Vegas Wedding Package
In Las Vegas, the Chapel of the Flowers is offering a wedding package for a mere $15, which includes:
- An on-site ceremony
- A 10-minute photoshoot with five 4×6 photographs
- A wedding bouquet and boutonniere
- A live broadcast of the ceremony
This special package, which typically costs $500, harks back to the prices couples paid to marry in the chapel back in 1953. Cynthia Sharpe, the venue’s director of storytelling, explained that this offer is a way to celebrate and thank the countless couples who have contributed to Las Vegas earning the title of the “Wedding Capital of the World.” However, please note that the minister’s fee of $70 is not included in the package.
This unique $15 wedding package is available to 70 couples on a first-come, first-serve basis. As of now, all packages are still available, according to Cynthia Sharpe.
Nevada boasted the highest marriage rate in the U.S. in 2021, as reported by U.S. News & World Report. The state’s streamlined marriage process allows couples to obtain a license and tie the knot on the same day.
In addition to the Chapel of the Flowers, other Las Vegas venues are also offering discounted wedding packages. These include:
Elvis-Themed Wedding at The Little Neon Chapel: $470 until Sept. 30, featuring an ordained minister dressed as Elvis, photos, and space for 10 guests.
Sky-High Vows at The Strat Hotel, Casino & Tower: For $700, couples can exchange vows 900 feet above the famous Strip, with a Champagne toast for the couple and 15 guests included. This package is available through Dec. 30.
A 2019 report by LendingTree revealed that 45% of newlyweds incurred debt to finance their weddings. Disturbingly, almost half of those with wedding-related debt cited financial issues as a cause for considering divorce. This contrasts with only 9% of couples without wedding debt having similar thoughts. Surprisingly, the most worthwhile expense for many couples wasn’t the wedding itself but the honeymoon.
LendingTree’s survey included 506 Americans aged 18 to 53 who had been married within the previous two years.
For couples seeking affordable wedding options, Las Vegas offers an array of choices that won’t break the bank. As wedding costs continue to rise, budget-friendly alternatives can help couples start their married life on solid financial ground.