When Mayra Ramirez and Luis Pantoja chose to get married, they wanted the ease of a simple Las Vegas ceremony. But when you get married in the Wedding Capital of the World, things can change quickly.
The California couple found themselves at the center of attention this week when their Las Vegas ceremony was the 5 millionth marriage license issued in Clark County.
Yes, 5 million weddings.
“It means good things are coming,” Pantoja said of the honor. “We wanted to keep things stress free and just us, not the big wedding. Guess this is a little bigger now.”
As the 5 millionth couple to tie the knot, Clark County had a package of surprises for Pantoja and Ramirez. They received a key to the Las Vegas Strip, a return trip to Las Vegas, a two-night stay at Paris Las Vegas, roundtrip airfare on Allegiant Airlines, show tickets, and dining and shopping certificates.
“This is huge, and it’s a great way to start off our life together,” Ramirez said.
Their winnings also included a free wedding ceremony package at Chapel of the Flowers, but since they already had theirs planned, they passed it on to another California couple, whose winnings included limousine service, fresh floral, photos, and a live online broadcast for their friends and family back home.
“We’re so excited to be able to share this momentous occasion with Mayra and Luis, but it isn’t just this one couple, but the 5 million love stories of all the couples that came before and made the decision to marry in Las Vegas,” said Clark County clerk Lynn Marie Goya. “It is their legacy that turned us into the Wedding Capital of the World.”
A Year Of Celebration
With the milestone reached, Clark County and its Marriage License Bureau — yes, that’s a department that actually exists — are planning a summer of events.
“Five Million Love Stories: A Year of Celebration” is starting with a photo sweepstakes. Couples who were married in Las Vegas can upload a photo of their ceremony and share their love story on a special website. Each month, one couple will be chosen for a second honeymoon and vow renewal in the city.
“Couples who married in Las Vegas are part of our history,” Goya said. “If you were married in Las Vegas, you are part of our history. We are reaching out to out couples all over the world and inviting them to send their stories.”
Clark County will also host a history of Las Vegas weddings exhibit, a bus tour, Wedding Row, an Instagram contest, and more throughout 2022.
It will conclude with a massive event at Caesars Forum in what officials are billing as the world’s largest vow renewal.
Popular Location
Las Vegas has always been a popular destination for weddings. Even during the pandemic, Clark County issued 77,000 marriage licenses in 2021.
This week, lines wrapped around the block as couples picked up licenses to get married on 2-22-22. Days like that, or Valentines Day, bring thousands of weddings to the area.
“They love the crowd scene,” Goya told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Couples like to share the day with others.”
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