Maybe it’s because we’re all saving up for a big blowout summer vacation in 2026 to celebrate the Semiquincentennial? Wahooo America250! Perhaps it’s because we’re all still so confused about these REAL IDs? Or maybe it’s because of the rampant uncertainty happening in the financial markets that has people holding off on purchasing extended vacations in 2025?
Whatever the reasoning, we’re pretty much all onboard with the Short Trip Summer in America.
Americans say they are planning to hit the roads and skies this summer for shorter but more frequent trips. Shorter in distances traveled and number of days. These cost cutting decisions appear to have been made quickly between March, when Americans were planning to spend 13% more than last year on average, and April, when the average planned spend dropped to just 1% more than last year.
I wonder what happened that would lead to such a fast and drastic pull back. Oh, that. Right, I remember.
Since we’re in the destination wedding business here at Electric Sugar Elopements, I want to assure engaged couples that getting married in Las Vegas has always been a great idea, and has never made more sense than it does now, during the Short Trip Summer.
Eloping in Las Vegas is Easy on the Wallet
Eloping in Las Vegas has been a thing for almost 100 years now, and the practice is still super popular thanks in large part to its affordable price tag versus a big traditional wedding. If you’re looking for an intimate ceremony for you and your ride our die, you can score an all-inclusive package for a few thousand bucks which provides a stunning venue, magazine worthy photography, florals and a modern minister. The biggest factor that makes the cost of a traditional wedding skyrocket is the number of guests. At an average of $284 per head a wedding budget can blow up faster than a Space X test flight if you start adding everyone in your address book to the guest list.
Elopement packages give you everything you need for a kickass ceremony that celebrates your love your way.
A Few Days in Vegas is Plenty
While Las Vegas is constantly reinventing itself (we’re adding new professional sports teams almost as fast as we’re adding tourist attractions) you don’t have to feel like you need to see all the new hits and your favorite oldies in one trip. Vegas is the perfect place for a short summer trip.
Flights
Harry Reid International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country with more than 500 flights a day bringing more than 58 million visitors to Las Vegas a year. Many of those are repeat customers of course, but that just proves my point. It’s easy to come back and see more next time. Getting a flight to Vegas is fairly easy given the volume of traffic coming and going. There’s always a flight leaving from an airport near you that matches your schedule and budget.
Hotels
There’s also a plethora of options and price points when it comes to hotels. If you’re looking for a decadent stay at a luxury mega-resort, (you only get married once! [hopefully]) expect to pay more for your room than if you were to stay at a down-market option. But that’s ok, on a shorter trip you won’t have as much time to rack up too many room charges. This isn’t a 4 year long Howard Hughs-style stay, it’s a quick getaway. Stay just long enough to relax, say “I do” and maybe tack on a couple days of honeymooning, Vegas-stye. To keep costs down be sure to stay away from the in-room mini bar and pay-per-view movies.
Road Trip
Las Vegas, especially outside of the resort corridor, is a car town. Public transportation is lacking. You could spend a week on the Strip and not need a car, but if you want to get out and see more of what the valley has to offer, you’ll need a ride. Activities you may not want to miss, that might require a car, include hiking, visiting museums, exploring Lake Mead National Recreation Area, marveling at Hoover Damn, golfing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and much more. Luckily many of our visitors opt to bring their car with them.
Las Vegas can be reached in a day by 64 million people living in the American West. Included in that number are Rocky Mountain residents in Denver, Boise and Cheyenne who have a long 12 – 13-hour drive in front of them, but it’s totally doable. If you live in Southern California, you’re just a half-day drive from the Wedding Capital of the World. With a fuel-efficient vehicle, you can easily make it on one tank! And drivers in cities such as Santa Fe, Salt Lake City, Sacramento and San Francisco fall somewhere in between. Pack up the Prius, stock up the Subi, or top up the batteries on the Tesla and point your nav system to Sin City.
Wedding Dreams Become Reality
Electric Sugar Elopements will make your special day something you’ll never forget, for all the right reasons. Couples who book with us say they love the fact that we do all the hard coordination work and all they have to do is show up.
If you’re ready to get married and are looking for the perfect way to do so as part of America’s Short Trip Summer, there’s never been a better time to book a mold-breaking all-inclusive micro wedding or elopement with Electric Sugar Elopements in Las Vegas.
