The History
Graceland Wedding Chapel opened in 1939 on Las Vegas Boulevard South, a full seven years before Bugsy Siegel's Flamingo would launch the Strip era. When the chapel first opened its doors, downtown Las Vegas was a modest railroad town with a handful of gambling halls and saloons. There was no Strip, no neon skyline, no showrooms — just the desert, the highway, and a small white chapel ready to marry anyone who walked in.
The chapel survived every era of Las Vegas reinvention. It watched the mob build the Strip in the 1940s and '50s, saw the Rat Pack light up the Copa Room in the '60s, endured the corporate takeover of the '70s and '80s, and thrived through the mega-resort boom of the '90s. While casinos were imploded and rebuilt around it, Graceland Wedding Chapel stood firm, a reminder that Las Vegas was built on more than just gambling — it was built on the promise that anything was possible, including getting married by Elvis at midnight.
What Made It Famous
Graceland Wedding Chapel was the first chapel in Las Vegas to offer Elvis impersonator-officiated weddings, a concept so perfectly Vegas that it became synonymous with the city itself. The idea was simple but brilliant: have a professional Elvis tribute artist walk the bride down the aisle, serenade the couple with "Love Me Tender" or "Can't Help Falling in Love," and declare them husband and wife — all with the swagger and rhinestone jumpsuits of the King himself.
The celebrity weddings only added to the legend. On April 29, 1989, Jon Bon Jovi quietly slipped away from his concert tour and married his high school sweetheart Dorothea Hurley at the chapel. No publicists, no paparazzi — just a rock star in love who wanted to keep things simple. That marriage has lasted over 35 years, making it one of rock and roll's most enduring love stories. Billy Ray Cyrus chose Graceland for his wedding, as did Aaron Carter. Jay Leno brought his wife back to renew their vows, adding late-night TV royalty to the chapel's guest book.
The name "Graceland" was no accident. It was a deliberate nod to Elvis Presley's Memphis estate, and the chapel leaned into the connection with everything it had. Elvis portraits line the walls, Elvis music fills the air, and the Elvis wedding packages remain the chapel's most popular offering. It's a place where the line between tribute and reality blurs in the most Vegas way imaginable — and couples wouldn't have it any other way.
Key Facts
Bon Jovi's Secret Wedding
Jon Bon Jovi married Dorothea Hurley at Graceland in 1989 during a break from touring. The couple had been together since high school, and their Vegas elopement has lasted over 35 years.
First Elvis Weddings
Graceland Wedding Chapel pioneered the Elvis-themed ceremony, creating a Las Vegas tradition now offered at chapels across the city. Their Elvis tribute artists are considered among the best in Vegas.
85+ Years of Weddings
Operating continuously since 1939, Graceland is one of the oldest wedding chapels in Las Vegas. It predates the Strip, the Rat Pack, and the modern casino era by decades.
Pop Culture Icon
The chapel has appeared in countless films, TV shows, and music videos. It represents the quintessential Vegas wedding experience and draws visitors from around the world year-round.
Visiting Today
Plan Your Visit
Address: 619 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Status: Still open and performing weddings daily, including Elvis-themed ceremonies.
Elvis Packages: Multiple options available featuring professional Elvis tribute artists. Packages include serenading, walking the bride down the aisle, and photo opportunities with Elvis.
Nearby: Located on Las Vegas Boulevard near downtown, within walking distance of Fremont Street and the Golden Gate Hotel. The Little White Wedding Chapel and other historic chapels are nearby on the boulevard.
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