Scottish towns where most couples fly to Vegas to get married as full list revealed
From Elvis to Halloween or Star Trek themes, here's a look at the numbers behind Scots saying "I do" on the Vegas Strip.
Las Vegas remains a top choice for Scottish couples eager to say "I do," whether they prefer the charm of Elvis officiants or the spectacle of the Bellagio Fountains. New research from Casino.org reveals that residents of smaller and medium-sized Scottish towns are more likely to jet off to the 'Marriage Capital of the World' to tie the knot and create lasting memories.
Bathgate in West Lothian leads the way, boasting the highest rate of Vegas weddings with 93.22 marriages per 100,000 people over the past decade.
It is followed closely by Motherwell with 90.82 marriages per 100,000 and Wishaw at 66.2 per 100,000, Scottish Daily Express reports.
A spokesman for Casino.org explained, 'This figure puts Bathgate ahead of larger cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness.
"While larger cities like London and Manchester account for higher total numbers of Las Vegas weddings (1,923 and 642, respectively), the per capita data reveals which smaller towns are proportionally more inclined to elope in America's marriage capital.'
The study, conducted by Casino.org, the world's leading guide for online casinos, analysed ten years of marriage licence records from Clark County to uncover which British towns and cities have been heading to Las Vegas for their big day and celebration.
Between 2015 and 2024, 2,660 Scottish couples married in Vegas, though numbers dropped sharply during the Covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Still, a few determined couples managed to make the trip despite the significant challenges and restrictions.
Top Ten
Bathgate – 93.22 marriages per 100,000
Motherwell - 90.82
Wishaw - 66.2
Kilmarnock - 61.22
Perth - 59.13
Dumfries - 57.4
Irvine - 56.38
Dunfermline - 53.71
Aberdeen - 53.12
Dundee - 52.81
Millennials and Generation X make up the majority of these wedding parties, while around one in four couples tying the knot in Vegas were not first-time newlyweds. September stands out as the most popular month for Scots to marry in the gambling mecca.
Las Vegas earned its nickname as the 'Marriage Capital of the World' back in the 1950s, thanks to its simple marriage licence process and relatively low costs involved, making it an accessible and popular choice.
Most wedding chapels cluster on or near the famous Las Vegas Strip, often featuring Elvis Presley impersonators as officiants.
Couples can also opt for unique and fun themes like Hawaiian, Fairy Tale, Star Trek, Star Wars, Gothic, Halloween, or even ceremonies officiated by a Michael Jackson impersonator.
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