Six dramatic ways to get married in Las Vegas

Reporting from Las Vegas —  Las Vegas still reigns as the Wedding Capital of the World. Last year, Clark County estimated that 80,738 marriage licenses were issued.

It’s not hard to tie the knot here. Couples, whether same sex or opposite, just need to show up at the Clark County Marriage Bureau at the Regional Justice Center, 201 E. Clark Ave., and pay $60 for a license. Both parties must be 18 or older; there’s no need for a blood test.

The next step is picking the right location. Here, a look at some of the more dramatic ways to say, “I do,” in Las Vegas.

1. For a dramatic background, the Fountains at Bellagio make a great backdrop. Head to Terrazza de Sogno, the Tuscan-inspired terrace in front of the Bellagio, to tie the knot. Afterward, dine at Lago by Julian Serrano to keep the celebration fountain-side with a family-style meal of Italian small plates.

Info: Terrazza de Sogno, (888) 987-3344
Info: Lago by Julian Serrano, (702) 693-7111
2. If you’d like to dress up like royalty, try the Chapel at Excalibur to celebrate in a castle setting as king and queen (or queen and queen, or king and king). LGBT couples might choose to head next door to the pool at the Luxor for Temptation Sundays, where deejays such as The Perry Twins or DJ Diesel spin all afternoon.

Info: The Chapel at Excalibur, (800) 811-4320
Info: Temptation Sundays3. For a modern approach, try the 60-seat Wedding Chapel at Aria, which offers two stylish spaces, complete with a pool table, wet bar and beauty station. To primp before their big day, couples or wedding parties can lounge in The Spa at Aria’s Spa Suites, a private spa-within-a spa with VIP access to customized services, a personal hot tub and exclusive dining and cocktail menus.

Info: Wedding Chapel at Aria, (877) 371-2742
Info: The Spa at Aria, (702) 590-9600

4. For a sensational setting, try the one-of-a-kind Seascape Ballroom at Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium, where lovebirds can say “I do” with sharks, sea turtles and fish as their witnesses. Or go beachy at sunset at Mandalay Bay Beach, where couples can get married on a sandy shore.

Info: Shark Reef Aquarium, (702) 632-4555
Info: Mandalay Bay Beach, (877) 632-7701

5. Let the decadent French setting at Joël Robuchon Restaurant at the MGM Grand serve as the backdrop for a ceremony with personalized elegance. The wedding package includes a five-course meal in a private dining room. The night before exchanging vows, throw the bachelor or bachelorette party at Hakkasan Nightclub or make it a daytime celebration at Wet Republic’s adult pool party.

Info: Joël Robuchon, (866) 381-3844
Info: Hakkasan, (702) 891-3838
Info: Wet Republic, (702) 891-3563

6. Adding drama to an already exciting occasion, the Mirage lets couples share their first married kiss as fire and lava burst from the resort’s Strip-side volcano, followed by a photo shoot in front of the waterfall and tropical lagoon. To commemorate the occasion, couples and their guests can spread the love at The Beatle’s Revolution Lounge, a nightclub created by Cirque du Soleil, for an interactive and sensory-filled experience.

Info: Mirage, (702) 669-6171
Info: The Beatle’s Revolution Lounge, (702) 247-3985