Why drunken Las Vegas weddings are rarer than you think

From Elvis-themed vows to Kourtney Kardashian's 'fake' ceremony, Vegas weddings are more controlled than legend claims. Here's why sobriety is non-negotiable.

, and Administrator

2026 February 14 . 1:36 AM

1 min read

The image shows a black and white photo of a wedding party, with the bride and groom in the center,... — The image shows a black and white photo of a wedding party, with the bride and groom in the center, surrounded by their family and friends. The bride is holding a bouquet of flowers, and the background is filled with trees and a fence. At the bottom of the image, there is text.

Why drunken Las Vegas weddings are rarer than you think

The idea of waking up married after a drunken night in Las Vegas is mostly a myth. While stories like Kourtney Kardashian's hazy wedding to Travis Barker grab headlines, the reality is far more controlled. Legal safeguards and chapel policies make accidental drunken marriages unlikely in the city.

Nevada law requires couples to obtain a marriage license before any ceremony. These licenses are only issued at Clark County Marriage License Bureau branches—not at wedding chapels. The closest bureau to most chapels operates daily from 8 a.m. to midnight, ensuring accessibility but also oversight.

Clerks have the authority to refuse a license if an applicant appears too intoxicated to understand the legal contract. Sobriety matters because a marriage license is a binding agreement, not the ceremony itself. While Nevada does allow annulments for lack of sobriety, this reason is rarely used in practice.

Many chapels also refuse to perform ceremonies if either party seems too drunk. Around 50 chapels in Vegas offer spontaneous events, including non-legally binding 'show weddings.' Famous examples include Graceland Chapel, which pioneered Elvis-themed ceremonies in 1977, and Storybook Wedding Chapel, known for intimate commitment ceremonies.

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's first Vegas wedding was a 'pretend' ceremony, not legally binding. Even when real ceremonies happen under the influence, like theirs, the process involves more steps than most realise.

Accidental drunken weddings in Vegas remain rare due to strict policies. Chapels and clerks act as gatekeepers, ensuring couples enter marriage contracts soberly. The city's reputation for impulsive nuptials is more about entertainment than reality.