How to Open a Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is known for its wedding chapels, which are available around the clock with themes ranging from traditional religious ceremonies to Elvis-inspired weddings. Opening a wedding chapel there provides a service to the many visitors and natives who choose that city to celebrate their union.
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Instructions
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Research other wedding chapels and their services in Las Vegas, keeping in mind you'll have lots of competitors. Look into wedding chains and franchise operations. Carefully note the wedding packages offered and the prices charged.
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Find a location for your chapel. Rent or buy the space for the chapel, a sales office and a waiting room. With a physical address, apply for a business license in Clark County.
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Choose a theme for your chapel. If there are 15 Elvis wedding chapels, don't open another one, unless the need is so great that the other chapels are turning clients away. Instead, look for a niche that other chapels don't fill.
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Decorate your chapel according to your theme, or choose a simple background that can be altered to meet each couple's needs. Post occupancy limits for each room.
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Hire a licensed judge, justice of the peace or chaplain to solemnize the ceremony, or train to become a chaplain yourself. The State of Nevada requires that wedding ceremonies be certified by the State. The official must file an affidavit certifying his training and good legal standing. There are several chaplain training schools in the Las Vegas area.
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Offer add-on services to your basic wedding. You can make money by offering an inexpensive basic ceremony and then selling additional mementos. Sales of wedding photos, a memory album, a DVD of the ceremony, bridal and bridal party accessories add up fast. These all help the bottom line of your business.
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Publicize your chapel. Offer fliers. Advertise in travel brochures as well as local papers. Visit bridal conventions and expos.
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Tips & Warnings
Adding a novelty wedding theme to a traditional chapel may give you publicity.
Nevada state law allows marriage between an unmarried man and woman. Common-law and same-sex weddings or renewing vows are not valid marriage ceremonies. Although a renewal of vows can be performed, a marriage license will not be issued.
References
- Photo Credit wedding image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
