Let me be honest with you about summer in Las Vegas: it is hot. Really, genuinely, no-sugarcoating-it hot. But that does not mean you cannot have a stunning elopement, it just means you need to be strategic about where and when you say “I do.” After over a decade of planning Las Vegas elopements, I have figured out exactly which locations work in the summer and which ones will have you melting before the ceremony even starts.

Here is the honest breakdown.

Go Outdoors, But Only at the Right Time

If you have your heart set on the desert scenery Las Vegas is known for, you absolutely can make it work in summer. The key is timing: sunrise and, to a lesser extent, sunset are your windows. Once the sun is up and climbing, temperatures at most outdoor locations become genuinely uncomfortable for a wedding ceremony. But catch those first hours of light? That is when the desert is at its most magical.

Red Rock Canyon Overlook & Red Springs Boardwalk

Red Rock Canyon is one of our most popular locations year-round. The red sandstone formations are dramatic, the scenery rivals anything in the Southwest, and the photography speaks for itself.

For summer couples, the two Red Rock locations each serve a different purpose. The Overlook is the go-to for sunrise ceremonies, where early morning light paints those canyon walls in warm gold before the heat has a chance to settle in, the results are stunning. If a sunrise start does not work for your timeline, the Red Springs Boardwalk at Calico Basin is the better afternoon option, offering consistent shade throughout the entire afternoon that makes a later ceremony genuinely comfortable. In summer, we aim for either sunrise or a sunset window, roughly 6 to 8pm, and actively steer couples away from midday. The heat between those windows is no joke, and your photos and your guests will thank you for avoiding it.

ELV handles the park permit entirely on your behalf, and all three of our Red Rock ceremony sites sit outside the Scenic Loop, meaning no park entrance fees for you or your guests.

Dry Lake Bed

The Dry Lake Bed is one of the most visually unique ceremony settings we offer, a vast, flat expanse of cracked earth with mountains rising in every direction, unlike anything else in the Las Vegas area. With no shade on site, sunrise and sunset are the windows we recommend, and the good news is that timing and date availability here are extremely flexible. Last-minute couples, this one is for you.

The aesthetic is completely open and minimalistic, which is honestly one of its biggest strengths, there are no restrictions on how you style the space, so you can bring whatever décor, florals, and personal touches match your vision and make it entirely your own. Pair that flexibility with some of the most otherworldly photography we deliver all year, and the Dry Lake Bed earns its place as one of our most creatively exciting locations.

Valley of Fire

They do not call it Valley of Fire just because of the rocks, in summer, this place lives up to its name in every sense of the word. About an hour and a half from the Las Vegas Strip, it delivers some of the most dramatic desert scenery in the entire region: deep red rock formations, sweeping vistas, and a landscape that photographs like a movie set.

The good news is that both of the ceremony locations we work with here offer shade closer to evening, making sunset the ideal window for couples who are not early risers. Sunrise is always our first recommendation for summer, but if a golden hour ceremony sounds more like you, Valley of Fire absolutely delivers at that time of day. Midday is a hard no, we avoid it whenever possible, full stop.

For couples traveling from the East Coast or Europe, the time difference is worth keeping in mind when considering a sunrise ceremony. Your body is already running hours ahead, which means an early morning departure from Las Vegas will feel far more manageable than it sounds, and you will be back in the city with the rest of your wedding day wide open.

The Best Outdoor Option for Summer: Mount Charleston

For couples who want an outdoor ceremony without the heat equation altogether, Mount Charleston is the answer. About 50 minutes from the Strip, it sits at a much higher elevation, running roughly 20 degrees cooler than Las Vegas. In July, that gap means the difference between 105° and a genuinely pleasant 85°.

The setting is completely different from the desert locations: lush, mountainous, and green. A wooden arch, included chairs, and capacity for up to 45 guests make it one of our most versatile summer options. For couples who want that nature-surrounded ceremony without playing the timing game, this is our top recommendation.

Indoor Locations: Cool, Beautiful, and Fully Stress-Free

There is also a strong case for going indoors in summer, and Las Vegas does indoor weddings exceptionally well. Climate-controlled comfort, stunning settings, and zero weather logistics make indoor ceremonies an easy yes for a lot of summer couples.

Sure Thing Chapel delivers the classic, fun Las Vegas chapel experience. It is iconic, it is efficient, and it captures that quintessential Vegas energy that so many couples are genuinely after when they choose to elope here.

The Little White Chapel is one of the most recognizable wedding venues in the city. Whether you choose the chapel itself or the famous Tunnel of Love, getting married here feels joyful and unmistakably Vegas, in the best possible way.

The Stirling Club brings a more refined energy for couples who want an elegant, upscale indoor setting. Polished, intimate, and beautifully appointed, it is a ceremony space that feels genuinely special without any outdoor logistics to manage.

ELV coordinates all three locations completely, we handle the timing, setup, and all the details so you can walk in and get married.

What to Wear for a Summer Las Vegas Elopement

Attire is worth thinking through carefully for a summer ceremony, because the right choices make a real difference in how comfortable, and how stunning you feel on the day.

For brides, wedding dresses come in every shape and style, and there is no wrong answer, but layers add heat. A more streamlined silhouette in a lightweight fabric like chiffon, crepe, or linen will keep you far more comfortable than a heavily structured or multi-layered gown. Simpler tends to photograph beautifully in the desert anyway, so this is one of those happy situations where practical and gorgeous point in the same direction.

For grooms, fabric is everything. Steer clear of suede, velvet, and any heavier materials, they hold heat in a way that will make the ceremony genuinely miserable. A linen blend is your best friend in summer. You can also scale back the layers: a jacket without a vest, or a vest without a jacket, are both completely polished options that keep things cool without sacrificing the look.

One more thing I want to be direct about: hydrate. Drink far more water than you think you need in the days leading up to your wedding, and keep drinking on the day itself. The dry desert heat is no joke, we have seen people pass out, and it happens faster than you would expect. Water is non-negotiable.

Ready to Plan Your Summer Elopement in Las Vegas?

Summer elopements in Las Vegas are absolutely doable with the right location and the right team behind you. Whether you want dramatic desert scenery at golden hour or an air-conditioned venue with a whole lot of personality, we have options that deliver.

Ready to figure out which location fits your vision? Reach out to ELV, we would love to help you plan it.