VintageWeddings

Vegas Vintage: Little Church of the West

Little Church of the West

Did you know that the Little Church of the West was the first wedding chapel in Las Vegas that wasn’t part of a church? Well, now you know.

In the past, Nevada had peculiar rules about marriage. The state saw this institution purely as an economic opportunity. By 1931, couples could get married without the medical examination or waiting period required in other states. Divorce was more accessible, too. Couples had to live in the state for just six weeks before they could get a divorce.

The lax situation created a Sin City marriage boom.

Marriage was so entwined with both the gaming and resort industries that wedding chapels became a defining cultural feature of Sin City. It was with this in mind that William J. Moore built the Little Church of the West in 1942.

It was modeled after a church he saw in an unnamed Californian mining town, and it became a part of his Last Frontier resort. It remains one of the only two church chapels explicitly built for weddings in Las Vegas, and that’s why people refer to it as a wedding chapel that’s totally Vegas. Some notable weddings that have taken place here include Zsa Zsa and George Sanders, Micky Rooney and Ava Gardner, and Mark Herron and Judy Garland, among many others.

The Summa Corporation bought the Last Frontier in 1976 and sold the Little Church of the West to Merle Richards, who then moved it to his Hacienda property. Greg Smith later bought it and moved it again to its current standalone spot on the south end of the Strip.

Little Church of the West is a Vegas vintage that continues to serve people to date. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

Facilities and Capacity

The chapel can seat up to 60 guests. The maximum capacity is 75. If couples want a larger venue, they can take up the garden as a picturesque and spacious location for their wedding. There are gorgeous trees that add to the beauty and soul of the place.

Most couples prefer the night ceremony in the garden because the sunset offers stunning lighting for the perfect ceremony photos. Couples can choose any theme that they want, with one of the most popular ones being Elvis.

Little Church of the West

Services Offered

There are several wedding packages offered. Most couples choose the all-inclusive package that accommodates all wedding needs. This includes photos, flowers, transportation, and a witness if needed.

Little Church of the West has been a source of happiness and strong memories for countless couples over the past 80 years, and it could also be yours.

Author

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