"Elvis" and "Marilyn" tie the knot at <a target="_blank" target="_blank">A Little White Wedding Chapel</a> in Las Vegas.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
"Elvis" and "Marilyn" tie the knot at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
A Little White Wedding Chapel is home to the famous Tunnel of Love drive-thru window.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
A Little White Wedding Chapel is home to the famous Tunnel of Love drive-thru window.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
Rates for the Tunnel of Love range from $40 in your own car to a $179 package with a limousine, flowers and photos.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
Rates for the Tunnel of Love range from $40 in your own car to a $179 package with a limousine, flowers and photos.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
A view of the side chapel at A Little White Wedding Chapel.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
A view of the side chapel at A Little White Wedding Chapel.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
The Stratosphere Casino provides an only-in-Vegas backdrop to wedding photos.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
The Stratosphere Casino provides an only-in-Vegas backdrop to wedding photos.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
A Little White Wedding Chapel is a <a target="_blank" target="_blank">favorite for celebrities</a> -- many of whom have taken their vows there, or attended friends' weddings.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
A Little White Wedding Chapel is a favorite for celebrities -- many of whom have taken their vows there, or attended friends' weddings.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
If your style is a little bit -- OK, a lot -- rock 'n' roll, consider the <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Hotter Than Hell Wedding Chapel</a>, conveniently located at the KISS-themed Monster Mini Golf course across from the Hard Rock Hotel.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
If your style is a little bit -- OK, a lot -- rock 'n' roll, consider the Hotter Than Hell Wedding Chapel, conveniently located at the KISS-themed Monster Mini Golf course across from the Hard Rock Hotel.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
Theater-quality lights, sound and fog machines bedeck the altar, stage crafted after KISS's "Love Gun" album cover. And yes, you can have your ceremony performed by a Gene Simmons lookalike.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
Theater-quality lights, sound and fog machines bedeck the altar, stage crafted after KISS's "Love Gun" album cover. And yes, you can have your ceremony performed by a Gene Simmons lookalike.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
The <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Little Church of the West</a> is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places -- the only venue on the Las Vegas strip with that designation.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
The Little Church of the West is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places -- the only venue on the Las Vegas strip with that designation.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
If the chapel rings a bell, it might be because you've seen Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret recite their vows there in the movie "Viva Las Vegas."
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
If the chapel rings a bell, it might be because you've seen Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret recite their vows there in the movie "Viva Las Vegas."
Kat Kinsman/CNN
At the other end of the strip, family-owned and operated <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Sweethearts Wedding Chapel</a> has helped happy couples tie the knot since 1992.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
At the other end of the strip, family-owned and operated Sweethearts Wedding Chapel has helped happy couples tie the knot since 1992.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
Not quite ready to legally commit? That's OK -- while the <a target="_blank" target="_blank">Pop-Up Wedding Chapel</a> in the Cosmopolitan hotel and casino can perform official ceremonies, they also specialize in friend-to-friend, owner-to-pet, and in one notable case, groomsman-to-escort ceremonies.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
Not quite ready to legally commit? That's OK -- while the Pop-Up Wedding Chapel in the Cosmopolitan hotel and casino can perform official ceremonies, they also specialize in friend-to-friend, owner-to-pet, and in one notable case, groomsman-to-escort ceremonies.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
Amanda Kraft, an actress, is an attendant at the Pop-Up Wedding Chapel and performs legally binding weddings and interspecies ceremonies. Non-wedding ceremonies at the Pop-Up Wedding Chapel come with amenities like eraser rings and VIP access to the red-hot Marquee nightclub.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
Amanda Kraft, an actress, is an attendant at the Pop-Up Wedding Chapel and performs legally binding weddings and interspecies ceremonies. Non-wedding ceremonies at the Pop-Up Wedding Chapel come with amenities like eraser rings and VIP access to the red-hot Marquee nightclub.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
The Pop-Up Wedding Chapel has windows looking out onto to the Vegas strip -- or in at the happy couple! Participants are encouraged to hashtag their adventures on social media with #PopUpChapel.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
The Pop-Up Wedding Chapel has windows looking out onto to the Vegas strip -- or in at the happy couple! Participants are encouraged to hashtag their adventures on social media with #PopUpChapel.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
<a target="_blank" target="_blank">THEwedding Chapel</a> at THE Hotel Mandalay Bay is consistently voted as one of the best wedding venues in Las Vegas. It's elegant, to be sure, but not without Las Vegas flair; a limo ride and photo session with an Elvis impersonator are available for $675.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
THEwedding Chapel at THE Hotel Mandalay Bay is consistently voted as one of the best wedding venues in Las Vegas. It's elegant, to be sure, but not without Las Vegas flair; a limo ride and photo session with an Elvis impersonator are available for $675.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
This is the bride's eye view in the Gold Chapel. Other venues within THEhotel at Mandalay Bay include the Swan Court, a lounge made of ice and a tunnel surrounded by 1.3 million gallons of seawater and 15 species of sharks.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
This is the bride's eye view in the Gold Chapel. Other venues within THEhotel at Mandalay Bay include the Swan Court, a lounge made of ice and a tunnel surrounded by 1.3 million gallons of seawater and 15 species of sharks.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
The view down the aisle in THEwedding Chapel's Gold Chapel. But really -- you're still thinking about that <a target="_blank" target="_blank">shark tank</a>, aren't you?
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
The view down the aisle in THEwedding Chapel's Gold Chapel. But really -- you're still thinking about that shark tank, aren't you?
Kat Kinsman/CNN
<a target="_blank" target="_blank">Viva Las Vegas</a> offers traditional weddings, Elvis weddings (which is practically traditional) and weddings with themes like Thriller, Alice Cooper, Camelot, Goth, Star Trek and so many more.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
Viva Las Vegas offers traditional weddings, Elvis weddings (which is practically traditional) and weddings with themes like Thriller, Alice Cooper, Camelot, Goth, Star Trek and so many more.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
Even the ashtrays are themed at Viva Las Vegas.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
Even the ashtrays are themed at Viva Las Vegas.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
Shhhh! There's a wedding on at Viva Las Vegas!
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
Shhhh! There's a wedding on at Viva Las Vegas!
Kat Kinsman/CNN
No ring? No problem! Viva Las Vegas has a wide selection, all priced at a bargain $150.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
No ring? No problem! Viva Las Vegas has a wide selection, all priced at a bargain $150.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
Airline lose the groom's tuxedo? Viva Las Vegas' gift shop has it covered.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
Airline lose the groom's tuxedo? Viva Las Vegas' gift shop has it covered.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
Show the world (or at least the cars behind you) that you just got hitched in Sin City.
'I do!' as they do in Vegas —
Show the world (or at least the cars behind you) that you just got hitched in Sin City.
Kat Kinsman/CNN
'I do!' as they do in Vegas

Story highlights

Market research says there are more than 2 million weddings in the United States every year

The average wedding cost is $28,427, according to a survey by TheKnot.com

Manhattan is the most expensive spot for a wedding -- an average of $76,687

CNN  — 

All you need is love, right? Sure, but a little cash can’t hurt, especially when it’s time to get hitched.

Weddings are big business across the United States. Here are some quick stats on how money meets matrimony, and the most popular places and ages at which to pledge your eternal devotion.

2,079,900: Weddings in the United States in 2012, according to market research by the Wedding Report.

$53.4 billion: Value of the wedding industry in the United States, according to market research by the Wedding Report.

26.9:Average age in 2011 for an American woman to marry for the first time.

28.9:Average age in 2011 for an American man to marry for the first time.

$28,427: Average cost of a wedding in the United States in 2012, according to data from the 2013 Real Weddings Survey by TheKnot.com of 75,000 brides.

$1,211:National average cost of a wedding dress.

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    $76,687:The average cost in 2012 of a wedding in Manhattan, the most expensive city, according to the “Real Weddings Survey.”

    133-143: Average number of guests at each wedding.

    11: Percent of couples who travel more than 200 miles to get married.

    15: Average length in months of an engagement in the United States, as of 2011-2012.

    63: Percent of gay couples in the United States getting married who plan to go on a honeymoon, versus 84% of straight couples, according to a same-sex marriage survey by The Knot.com and The Advocate magazine.

    17: Percent of couples who get married in June in the United States, the most popular month.

    17: Percent of American brides in 2012 who opted for a “casual” wedding, more than in past years.

    35:Percent of American weddings taking place in a house of worship, such as a church or synagogue.

    $19 billion:Gifts purchased in 2010 from wedding registries, according to a marketing study from the University of Notre Dame.

    24: Percent of U.S. weddings that are destination weddings, according to BigCityBride.com.

    $65,000:Starting price of the Couture Wedding Collection, the fanciest Disney “Fairytale Wedding” package at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

    1: Rank of Las Vegas for destination weddings.

    86,203 The number of marriage licenses issued in 2012 in Las Vegas.

    7 Number of days a week marriages are performed at the Clark County Office of Civil Marriages, where Las Vegas is located.

    $275 Cost of the “Hound Dog” wedding package at “A Elvis Chapel” in Las Vegas. Elvis sings three songs and will walk the bride down the aisle.

    2,061: Couples in Florida who were married on December 12, 2012, the most common wedding date there last year. (Get it? 12/12/12!)

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    Did your wedding costs and guest list hit the average or did you swing well above or below? Chime in below.