PoliSci.

I majored in Political Science in U.P. Diliman for my undergrad.  I remember loving a subject called International Law, which was taught by a female instructor.

What do I remember of  International Law?  Oh, yes, "a marriage valid where performed is valid everywhere."

Do I remember anything else?  Nope, except that I got a 1.25 in this subject.

So with this info in mind, I can say that a marriage done in Vegas, even at those Elvis wedding chapels is a legal and binding contract.  It is considered a civil wedding.

Why is Las Vegas the wedding capital and Niagara Falls, the honeymoon capital of the U.S.A.? Statistics say so.

In Vegas, a couple planning to get married must obtain a wedding license first.  The license can be obtained easily by going to the Marriage License office in person, filling out the forms, and paying the fee.  All these take about fifteen minutes.  The office is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to midnight.  

In other states, couples are required to present blood samples.  Not in Vegas. 

Once a license is available, the couple can be wed at any of the chapels, or in the hotels.

The ease of paperwork, the availability of wedding ministers and venues, and the fun and carefree ambiance of Vegas all add up to why it's become the wedding capital of America. Americans from all over the U.S. and nationals of foreign countries get married in Vegas all the time.

But why is there a misconception that a Vegas wedding is not a real wedding?  This taint of a Vegas wedding has been caused by the concept that it is a "quickie wedding," and anything quickie is somewhat illegal or done haphazardly.

But wait. Those who think that a quickie wedding is not a real wedding are those who must have watched plenty of Hollywood movies, such as "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas," and the like, or read about the Elektra/Dennis Rodman wedding.

But those who have gone through a Vegas wedding could tell you that it is for real - a wedding borne out of love. 

Personally, I think a Vegas wedding is fairy-tale like. 

Getting Married in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is one of the most unusual places to get married. You can organize your dream ceremony, from the most unique to the most sublime.

Each year, over 100,000 couples exchange wedding rings in Las Vegas. February 14th, St-Valentines' Day is chosen the most often 

followed by New Years' Eve.

Mythical couples like Elvis and Priscilla Presley, Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward pronounced their eternal vows in Vegas.