Vegas’s Geekiest and Weirdest Weddings

This past summer, my husband and I celebrated 20 years together, by allowing “The King” himself to renew our vows.

When we first came up with this idea, we weren’t sure if there were even really Elvis chapels around anymore. After finding out there were, in fact, several, we settled on the “Hound Dog” package at the top-rated A Elvis Chapel.

We could have chosen from several other options including an Elvis wedding under the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, a later days older Elvis, and a Blue Hawaii style. We could have even rented costumes, were we so inclined.

We weren’t disappointed with our choices, as everything from the limo ride to the intimate off-the-beaten-path chapel, and our “Elvis” (whom our attentive photographer told us was their “primary Elvis”), was exactly the Vegas-style experience we were seeking.

Elvis escorted me down the aisle, improvising personalized lyrics to “Love Me Tender” in spot-on Elvis Presley mannerisms, with our kids and my brother’s family in attendance.  Other family and friends from across the country were able to tune-in to the festivities on a live web cam. We couldn’t have recommended the experience enough when we got home.

As it turns out, we discovered having a gold-jacketed Elvis tribute artist deliver a ceremony while asking your husband if he will continue to be your “hunka hunka burnin’ love” isn’t even in the ballpark of the geekiest, most oddball weddings ceremonies offered in Las Vegas.

There are weddings for every interest, fandom, time frame, and budget found somewhere in Las Vegas, with some pre-packaged, all inclusive experiences, completely one-of-a-kind custom made ceremonies.

Themed Weddings

One of the chapels with the most themed options is the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel, where themed weddings include Elvis options, but also wedding packages based on Twilight, James Bond, Blues Brothers, Zombies, Gangster, Western, Pirate, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” Intergalactic wedding that can be customized for either Trekkies or Fancouples, and others. Guests can even have “Tom Jones” or “Alice Cooper” officiate the ceremony. They will customize themes as well, so this might be the best option for Whovian or superhero lovebirds.

Pretty much all of the larger hotels in Vegas had a wedding chapel of some sort, ranging from elegant to kitschy. Our hotel, Excalibur, was no exception. Even though the hotel is showing signs of age, the chapel is still a beautiful destination for Renaissance and Medieval-style weddings. Their costume selection for period bride and groom outfits is pretty extensive, and the event pairs well with their theme park-style “Tournament of Kings” dinner show.

Treasure Island Hotel and Casino may have gotten rid of its family-friendly pirate battle some time ago to replace it with the standard song-and-dance show with barely-dressed eye candy, but pirate lovers can still get married on the pirate ship. The famous Treasure Island “Song Ship” in the hotel’s Sirens’ Cove can be reserved for wedding ceremonies. Pirate attire isn’t required, but is certainly not discouraged.

Gothic Weddings in Las Vegas offers ceremonies with a darker edge. Billing their ceremonies as “not for the faint of heart,” couples can be married in an eerie fog-filled environment for a classic Dracula-themed wedding, as well as Goth, Rocky Horror, Graveyard weddings, and their newest option, Elvira. They dare guests to wear white.

Offbeat Locations

While themed weddings may be what some couples look for, it’s all about the locations for others.

A Special Memory Chapel offers one of the most personal locations a couple can choose–their own vehicle–with their self-proclaimed “World Famous Drive Thru Wedding.” Couples can drive right up to the chapel’s “Wedding Window,” and exchange their vows on the go. They can also “Super Size” the experience, by having the chapel’s limo deliver them to the chapel.

This chapel also hosts other adventure weddings at nearby Red Rock, Valley of Fire, or on the floor of the Grand Canyon, where couples fly in via helicopter. They can even say “I Do” in the air during a flyover of the Las Vegas strip.

Those afraid of heights can get hitched beneath the surface with Underwater Weddings at Silverton Casino’s 117,000-gallon aquarium. Vows are taken using waterproof word signs to hold up, and fish, rays, and casino mermaids can serve as unofficial witnesses. Silverton is also known for its slightly faster, and dryer, NASCAR weddings.

Couples with a specific special site in mind, be it a park or parking lot, can call the Las Vegas Wedding Wagon to bring the wedding to them. As long as the location is 20 miles or less from the Las Vegas Strip, guests just need to go online to book a time and date. The wagon will come with an officiant, photographer, legal paperwork or certificate, and witnesses, if needed.

For the couple who is simply out of ideas, there’s always Denny’s. The one-of-a-kind Denny’s at Neonopolis mall off of Freemont Street, does offer wedding packages 24 hours a day, with a full-service bar and wedding cake made of pancakes.

As for the wedding that both tops weirdest theme and location mix: a KISS-themed rock and roll wedding at the chapel of an indoor KISS-themed Monster Mini Golf course, officiated by their “MINI-ster,” a dwarf Gene Simmons impersonator. Guests can even get wedding invitations that look like VIP KISS concert tickets. We have a winner!

One last note to couples, before rushing off to Sin City in a love-filled daze, the clichéd movie and television scenario of an “accidental” Vegas wedding is a bit over-exaggerated. A Clark County wedding license is needed for a legal wedding ceremony to be performed. These are easy to obtain, and the Clark County Regional Justice Center is open daily.

There is no waiting period after a license is obtained, plus many of the wedding venues also cater to vow renewals and commitment ceremonies, in which no license is needed.

Even through ceremonies can be somewhat spontaneous, it’s even more fun to plan ahead, and invite friends and family.

Seriously, an experience like a wedding with a side of pancakes is too good not to share with those you love.

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