Taking the Vegas leap: An extra 24 hours to get hitched

By: Lauren Negrete

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Leap day is popular for weddings, and Las Vegas is the wedding capital of the world.

Clark County usually issues 80,000 licenses a year.

One happy couple that tied the knot at Vegas Weddings Thursday: Venetta and Pasquale, high school sweethearts. After 17 years together, they are now Mr. and Mrs. Baldi.

The newlyweds joked they wanted a leap year wedding because their anniversary would be only once every four years. “We have been together for so long,” Venetta said, adding that she enjoyed having the rare date as a part of their story.

Pasquale proposed in 2020.

After waiting through the pandemic, they locked in the date at Vegas Weddings.

They were just one of several couples ringing in their special day on the extra day.

The Clark County Marriage License Bureau reported a busy day. They said 85 couples collected their marriage licenses as of noon Thursday and the county issued 311 on Wednesday.

Clark County saw 1,081 marriages last leap year in 2020.

“It is an uncommon day, something you’ll always remember,” according to the Rev. Nick Connor, who officiated the Baldi wedding on the terrace.

As long as you have your marriage license, you can get married in your car as fast as 10 minutes for Vegas Weddings’ drive thru “Fast Lane” ceremony.

Singer Usher did after his Super Bowl performance.

The Baldis plan to celebrate their anniversary with a small party every year, and a big something the fourth year.

“We were thinking of renewing our vows every four years,” Venetta said.

Their officiant recommended the same.

“Come back here, renew your vows, enjoy Vegas,” Connor said. “And always do something extra special. Because this is your extra 24 hours with the love of your life.”

A marriage license costs $102.