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Official Proclamation Presentation at the Marriage License Bureau.
(Photo Courtesy of the Wedding Capital of the World™)

WEDDING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD™ ANNOUNCES PROCLAMATION HONORING RECORDS ADMINISTRATION MANAGER PAULA COOK

Proclamation Recognizes Cook’s Leadership at Marriage License Bureau, National Recognition as Exemplary Public Servant

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LAS VEGAS (January 2026) – The Wedding Capital of the World™ announces its records administration manager, Paula Cook, has been honored with a proclamation recognizing her outstanding service to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau and her recent designation as a winner of the 2024 Exemplary Public Servants of the Year Award by Smart Cities Dive. The proclamation was presented by Clark County Commissioners Michael Naft and William McCurdy, together with the Clark County Clerk’s Office, and officially designated Monday, Jan. 12 as Paula Cook Day in Clark County.

Cook was named as the 2024 winner and was featured in the publication in December 2025 by Smart Cities Dive, a national publication covering the most impactful people, policies and trends shaping cities and municipalities across the nation. The award recognizes public-sector employees for recent accomplishments that demonstrate innovation and measurable community impact. 

Since joining the Marriage License Bureau in 2012, Paula has helped implement and elevate many of the experiences that make getting married in Las Vegas unforgettable—from creative keepsake marriage documents to the annual pop-up marriage license bureau at Harry Reid International Airport. Her efforts ensure that the Wedding Capital of the World provides exceptional service to all couples, 365 days per year. Rising from office specialist to supervisor and ultimately records administration manager, Cook has paired operational excellence with creativity to redefine what a government service experience can feel like for couples choosing to marry in Southern Nevada.

In recognition of her industry impact, Cook was previously awarded the 2023 Wedding Industry President’s Award by the Vegas Wedding Chamber, a Southern Nevada chamber of commerce dedicated exclusively to promoting the local wedding industry. Through her involvement with the chamber, Cook has served as a key liaison between the clerk’s office and wedding professionals, helping strengthen collaboration while ensuring Clark County remains responsive to evolving industry trends and the needs of couples from around the world.

“Serving couples at one of the most meaningful moments of their lives is a responsibility I take to heart,” Cook said. “Every detail matters, and my goal has always been to make the marriage license process feel celebratory, welcoming and worthy of the love stories that begin here in Las Vegas.”

“Paula’s work embodies what it means to serve with purpose,” added Clark County Clerk Lynn Marie Goya. “She has played a large part in elevating the Marriage License Bureau into an experience that reflects the joy, diversity and global appeal of the Wedding Capital of the World.”

In addition to her operational leadership, Cook is known for her dedication to frontline employees and community outreach, regularly representing the clerk’s office at events such as Bridal Spectacular, the Clark County Fair and other community celebrations. Her efforts continue to reinforce Las Vegas’ standing as the world’s premier destination for weddings while setting a high standard for public service excellence.For more information about the Wedding Capital of the World or the Office of the Clark County Clerk, Nevada, visit weddings.vegas.

ABOUT THE OFFICE OF THE CLARK COUNTY CLERK, NEVADA
The Office of the Clark County Clerk, Nevada, overseen by the Honorable Lynn Marie Goya, issues more than 75,000 marriage licenses per year, making it the wedding location with the highest marriage rate in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual Marriage Rate by State report, Nevada has 24.6 marriages per 1,000 population. The U.S. marriage rate is 6.1 per thousand; Hawaii’s rate is 12.5 per thousand with Utah at 11.2 per thousand. Internationally, marriage rates for countries typically range from 5 to 10 per thousand population. Las Vegas was originally recognized with its iconic title as the “Wedding Capital of the World” on Sept. 23, 1953, when the London Daily Herald used it in an article highlighting the city’s popularity for destination weddings. Clark County Clerk Lynn Marie Goya and the Office of the Clark County Clerk have won numerous local, national and international awards in recognition of her commitment to good government, including awards for innovation, saving tax dollars, environmental stewardship, constituent outreach, efficiency and the transformation of the “Vegas wedding” brand from “The Hangover” to one of fun, stress-free excitement. The office is also responsible for numerous other government services, including passport acceptance, lobbyist registration, fictitious firm name certificates and maintaining the permanent records for the Clark County Commissioners. For more information on the Office of the Clark County Clerk, visit clarkcountynv.gov/clerk/about.

ABOUT THE WEDDING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD™
With more than five million weddings and counting and more weddings per 1,000 people than any other place on the globe, Las Vegas remains the undisputed Wedding Capital of the World™.  For over a century, a “Vegas wedding” has captured public imagination as the ultimate stress-free, fun, glamorous and romantic wedding, whether it is a spur-of-the-moment occasion or an elaborately planned extravaganza. Offering weddings for every budget—including elopements at iconic Las Vegas chapels, elaborate nuptial celebrations at the Strip’s most elegant resorts and everything in between—the destination delivers dream weddings of every description for every budget. For more information about the Wedding Capital of the World™ or the Office of the Clark County Clerk, Nevada, visit weddings.vegas.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Desiree Vontur, Erika Pope
The Vox Agency
desiree@thevoxagency.com, erika@thevoxagency.com
(702) 569-0616, (702) 249-2977

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