A Last Minute Summer Elopement in Washington, D.C.
Vonya & Jahkeal reached out just two weeks before their elopement. They originally planned to have a simple courthouse wedding, but when they found me on Google, they knew they wanted to do something more. They just needed help to figure out the logistics.
During our first call, they told me how much they loved the DC’s art museums and monuments and how they pictured something intimate but still adventurous. Within a day after they booked me, we had a plan sketched out! We brainstormed the locations, general flow, and a timeline that made everything possible. (That’s all I really need from my couples to book: a date and a loose vision, we’ll handle the rest together.)
And while most of my couples book me 6 months or more in advance, I occasionally take on last-minute celebrations like this one. If you’re curious how that works, you can read my full guide to planning a last-minute elopement in DC!
Getting Ready at Hotel Zena
Vonya & Jahkeal’s elopement day started at Hotel Zena, a great modern and chic hotel in DC. As their elopement photographer, I began photographing a few details and getting ready photos of each of them as they prepared for their elopement. When Vonya & Jahkeal were ready, they did a sweet first look on the hotel rooftop before heading to the National Gallery of Art!
Exploring the National Gallery of Art
For wedding couple photos, Vonya & Jahkeal enjoyed visiting the National Gallery of Art. There are so many incredible backdrops at this art museum for wedding photos! Plus, they had a family member come to help carry bags and fluff Vonya’s dress and veil, which was SUPER helpful! Not a bad idea to have a friend come along and be an extra set of hands. But if it’s just the two of you, don’t worry, I got you!
Reminder: Real flowers are not allowed in the art museums, so be aware of that if you want wedding photos in the museums. Vonya had faux flowers, so we were good!
Elopement Ceremony at the DC War Memorial
After exploring the National Gallery of Art, we headed to the DC War Memorial for their elopement ceremony. They chose to self-officiate while their families witnessed them share vows and their first kiss as a married couple!
If you’re also thinking about having a DC War Memorial elopement ceremony, check out my blog on How to Plan a DC War Memorial Wedding! And if you also want to self-officiate your wedding ceremony, this blog post will show you exactly how to do it!
After the ceremony, we took a handful of family portraits. I always bring a printed list so we can capture them efficiently and ensure that no one gets missed.
Portraits at the Lincoln Memorial & Kennedy Center
After family photos, Vonya & Jahkeal did a few more newlywed photos around the DC War Memorial and the Reflecting Pool with the Lincoln Memorial in the background. It was hot in May, so these photos were quick. Then, we ordered an Uber to take us to the Kennedy Center for rooftop wedding photos!
The Kennedy Center is one of my favorite locations for DC elopements. It’s open to the public, and no permit is required for engagement photos, a small elopement ceremony, or a surprise proposal. The rooftop at the Kennedy Center has wonderful views of DC. You can see the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and over the Potomac to Georgetown!
An Elopement Reception at Lyle’s Restaurant & Bar
A taxi took Vonya & Jahkeal back to their hotel for a half-hour break/freshen up for dinner. Then, everyone got into Ubers to head to dinner at Lyle’s Restaurant & Bar. This is where they rented a private room for dinner!
It was so sweet to see them all at dinner, relaxed and soaking in that just-married feeling. They ordered drinks for a cheers moment, and Vonya & Jahkeal used their specialty-ordered champagne glasses. I then left them to enjoy the rest of their elopement day with their family.
And if you’re looking for more elopement reception ideas, check out my blog here!
A Note About Last-Minute Elopements
If you’re reading this and thinking, Wait… can we really plan all that in just two weeks? Yes, yes, you can! Vonya and Jahkeals’ last-minute summer elopement was proof.
That said, if you’re dreaming of a spring elopement in DC, especially in April, May, or June, now’s the perfect time to start reaching out! Whether you’re planning months in advance or working with a tighter timeline, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
Curious about how to plan a last-minute elopement in DC? This blog breaks it all down for you!
What The Wedding Couple Says
“Working with Juliana was an absolute dream come true. When we initially reached out to Juliana, we weren’t exactly sure about how we wanted the day to be, all we knew was that we wanted to make a whole day out of going around the city taking beautiful photos.
After talking with her, she was able to help us create the perfect day, including narrowing down timelines, finding amazing photo opps in the city, and securing necessary permits. From the first conversation with her, we couldn’t help but to be filled with excitement of what was to come.
On the actual day of our elopement, it didn’t feel like we just had a “photographer” following us around. From the moment she arrived, she jumped right in and was hands-on with helping us every step along the way, like she was literally there helping me get dressed.
Juju (my nickname instantly given to her) was such a vibe, and it felt like she was apart of the family! Not only did she make us feel extremely comfortable in front of the camera, but her creative eye was able to capture angles/moments that made us fall in love all over again! Our entire day was nothing but amazing and that was largely attributed to Juliana.
We were still floating on cloud 9 when we received our “sneak peaks” as there were so many beautiful images that she was able to provide within a short amount of time! We recently received our full album, again in an impressive amount of time, and I love that we’re now able to cherish a TON of absolutely stunning photos that will allow us to relive that day for the rest of our lives.
If you have the opportunity to work with Juliana, my advice is to jump at the chance with no hesitation as she is an absolute gem, and we’re forever thankful that we were able to experience her on one of the most wonderful days of our lives.” – Vonya & Jahkeal
Want to Book Your Last-Minute Elopement in DC?
You deserve to have an extraordinary elopement experience! I would love to help you plan your last-minute elopement and capture your special day.
This is all that I need from you to book with me: a general location and vision of what you want for your elopement or intimate wedding, and a date. After you’re officially booked, we can dive deep into the planning to narrow down exact details, get permits if needed, and create your timeline! I can’t wait to connect with you!
To inquire to work with me, fill out this form and schedule a FREE phone call.
Vonya & Jahkeal’s Washington DC Elopement Vendors
Photography & Planning: Me, Juliana Wall
Hair Stylist: K’LUVAIRE by Kimberley Reynolds // IG: kluvaire
Makeup Artist: Makki Araya // IG: blushbymakki
Ceremony Venue: DC War Memorial
Reception: Lyle’s Restaurant & Bar
