From a marble-floor suite at the St. Regis to a private yacht wedding celebration tour on the Potomac River, Michelle and Brian’s Washington, DC micro wedding was the perfect blend of meaningful, elevated, and lots of fun. From exchanging vows in a historic art museum to cruising the Potomac with oysters and champagne in hand, it was personal in all the best ways. It was a joy to help them plan and document a day that felt truly like them!

Michelle and Brian reached out to me in January for a March elopement, and even with a quick planning timeline, we made magic happen. With my expert guidance, recommendations, and intentional planning, this day came together so beautifully!

See how their epic day in Washington, D.C., unfolded to envision what your day could look like, too!

Why Michelle and Brian Chose to Elope

From the start, Michelle & Brian knew they wanted a day that felt true to their relationship. Eloping in their home city allowed them to share meaningful places with their families, skip the stress of a big production, and celebrate in a way that actually felt like them. It was important for them to include the people who matter most, and we made it happen! Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you can’t include your loved ones!

And if you’re looking for unique elopement ideas to include your family and friends, check out this blog!

Getting Ready at the St. Regis Hotel

Michelle and Brian’s day started at the iconic St. Regis Hotel in downtown DC. It was a timeless and luxurious spot with all the upscale charm for a meaningful start to the day. Their suites had stunning light, big windows, and a marble floor (it was SUCH a dream for their detail photos!).

They chose to stick with the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony. And guess what? You can totally still do that even with an elopement or micro wedding! It just takes a little extra planning, but that’s where I come in! I helped them coordinate their transportation and timing so Brian and his family could arrive at the ceremony location first, followed by Michelle and her family to ensure they don’t accidentally see each other.

Helping couples figure out logistics like this is one of my favorite parts of what I offer as a DC elopement photographer and a built-in planning partner.

A DC Micro Wedding Ceremony at the Freer Gallery Courtyard

Michelle and Brian chose to get married in DC because it’s where they live, work, and have built their life together. They had their ceremony at the courtyard of the Freer Gallery of Art, because Brian is actually related to Charles Lang Freer, who the museum is named after. How cool is that?!

Michelle’s dad walked her down the “aisle” into the courtyard to see Brian for the first time surrounded by their loved ones. Her sister officiated the ceremony, her niece was the flower girl, and their nephew was the cutest little ring bearer. It was truly a sweet and intimate moment to have their closest family members there! 

Exploring the Art Museum & Spring Blossoms at the Smithsonian Castle Garden 

After their ceremony and family portraits, we explored the art museum together. The Freer Gallery is full of beautiful lighting, elegant architecture, and even a few hidden gems like the Peacock Room, which made for some gorgeous photos.

Next, we took a stroll through the Smithsonian Castle Garden (aka the Enid A. Haupt Garden), which was in full bloom with vibrant Saucer Magnolias. These pink blossoms show up in March, right before the cherry blossoms, and they’re an absolute dream for spring elopements in DC. We also stopped by the Moongate Garden for more portraits before heading off to the next adventure.

Enjoying a Private Yacht Wedding Celebration Cruise on the Potomac

Michelle and Brian LOVE the water, so I suggested a private boat tour as a fun and luxurious way to celebrate, and they were totally in! They booked a private yacht through Nautiste, and it was honestly one of the coolest ways to experience DC, especially if you’d like to show the city to your guests from out of town.

They enjoyed appetizers (including oysters and shrimp!), stocked the boat with drinks, and played their custom Spotify playlist on the speakers. Everyone mingled and soaked in the views while cruising past the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and cherry blossoms blooming along Hains Point.

They did their first dance on the back deck. Michelle shared a sweet dance with her dad. And at one point, they toasted oysters with the Washington Monument in the background. It was as special as it sounds!

A Midday Break & Elegant Dinner at Iron Gate

After the boat tour, we returned to the hotel for a little break. This is one of the reasons I love offering a split-hour add-on for full elopement coverage. Michelle and Brian got time to relax, freshen up, and soak it all in without feeling rushed, while I used this time to grab a few more detail photos back at the hotel.

In the evening, Michelle and Brian changed outfits and headed to Iron Gate, a cozy and romantic restaurant perfect for a micro wedding dinner. They grabbed a drink at the bar before guests arrived, and were welcomed to a beautiful tablescape with candles, florals, and champagne.

Their Rose Vanilla wedding cake was both stunning and delicious (according to the couple!), and the whole dinner was the perfect, intimate way to end their incredible day.

Sample 8-Hour DC Micro Wedding or Elopement Timeline

If you’re dreaming of a similar experience, here’s an example timeline based on Michelle and Brian’s real day! It’s perfect for couples who want a blend of adventure, alone time, and quality time with loved ones.

9:00 AM – Getting ready at hotel + detail photos

10:00 AM – Arriving for the ceremony + ceremony

10:45 AM – Family photos

11:00 AM – Couple portraits in museum + garden

12:30 PM – Travel to the marina

1:00 PM – Private yacht tour on the Potomac (snacks, dancing, portraits!)

3:00 PM – Back to hotel for break + downtime

BREAK

6:00 PM – Arrive at dinner venue for private pre-dinner drinks

6:30 PM – Intimate dinner with loved ones, cake cutting, and celebration

7:00 PM – Photo coverage ends.

Want to split your coverage over the whole day like this? I offer custom timeline planning and split-hour options to ensure every moment is documented while still leaving space to breathe. Learn more about my DC elopement and micro wedding packages here!

Ready to Plan Your DC Micro Wedding or Elopement? 

From private vow exchanges to yacht cruises to candlelit dinners, your elopement can be both intentional and elevated. Do you see yourself having a fun city elopement adventure and a yacht celebration like Michelle and Brian? I would love to photograph your wedding and assist you in planning out the details.

From location scouting to planning logistics, I’m here to make sure your elopement is seamless, stress-free, and unforgettable. You deserve to remember your wedding day exactly as it was! You can learn more about my photography services here. If you want to work together, fill out your inquiry form here, and I will be in touch with you soon!

Juliana Wall Photography | Virginia & Washington DC Elopement Photographer

See more from Michelle and Brian’s Washington, DC micro wedding with a fun yacht celebration and save your favorites to Pinterest as you plan your big day!

The Vendors From this Washington DC Micro Wedding

Dress: Ava Laurenne Bride

Blue Shoes: Christian Louboutin 

Boat: Nautise Private Boat Company (The Independence Boat) 

Hotel: The St Regis 

Reception Venue: Iron Gate

Bakery: Rose Vanilla 

Transportation: Falcon Valet

Hair & Makeup: Reem with Royal Makeup and Hair

Engagement Ring: L. Priori Jewelry

Michelle’s Wedding Band: Cartier

Brian’s Wedding Band: Blue Nile