The Spanish Steps in DC is the perfect Washington DC elopement location for a private, intimate ceremony. Not only is it near all of the iconic Washington DC locations, but it’s beautiful with its stone steps, calming fountain, and polished landscaping. Walk through Anna & Amru’s elegant elopement to discover what your elopement at the Spanish Steps could look like.
Anna & Amru’s Elopement at the Spanish Steps
Anna & Amru knew they wanted an elegant and chic elopement in Washington DC. They wanted their elopement to represent them while feeling easy and fun! As a Washington DC photographer, they booked with me due to my specialization in elopements, assistance with elopement planning, and being able to provide them with a mix of editorial photos too. Like many of the fun nights they had in Washington DC while they dated, they wanted their elopement day to be full of good food, fun drinks, and exploring the city.
Getting Ready Elopement Photos
The day started with getting ready at the Riggs Hotel which is a beautiful historic hotel in the city. Before capturing getting ready photos, I met up with Amru in the Riggs Cafe. He was finishing up his morning coffee before heading to the rooftop to finish getting ready. As they got ready in their wedding attire, I photographed their wedding details before going to the rooftop for their first look.
An Intimate Rooftop First Look
Within a busy city, this rooftop was a perfect private location for their first look. It was beautiful with the blue skies surrounding them for this special moment. When looking at the hotels in DC, pay attention to those that have rooftops or terraces to use for first looks or portraits!
And if you need a list of hotel ideas, I got you! During the elopement planning process, you’ll receive all of my vendor recommendations.
Riggs Cafe for Drinks
Anna & Amru really wanted to take the day slow and truly enjoy their time together. Before their wedding ceremony, we went down to the Riggs Cafe in the hotel to have a drink. I snapped a few photos of them at the bar which was so cute!
Elopement Ceremony at the Spanish Steps in DC
They really loved the idea of something unique, so they had a private, self-officiated ceremony in DC at the Spanish Steps. It truly is a hidden gem in Washington DC! Their ceremony was filled with laughter and happy tears as they exchanged private vows and rings and shared their first kiss as a married couple.
I always help my couples narrow down specific ceremony and photo locations as part of my planning process. I also can help with the permit process should any of your chosen locations need permits or rental fees (if doing a venue/garden). Whether you want to elope at the Spanish Steps or not, Washington DC has many impressive elopement locations I can help you choose between!
Self-Officiating Your Elopement in Washington DC
Like Anna & Amru, you can also self-officiate your wedding ceremony! Washington DC is one of the few places you can marry yourselves in the United States. Check out this blog post for step-by-step instructions to know how to self-officiate your ceremony in DC: Self-Officiating in Washington DC: What Is It & How Do You Do It?
Wedding Couple Photos Around Georgetown
After their elopement ceremony at the Spanish Steps, we took a few wedding photos around Georgetown with the iconic row houses and crosswalks. Then, we took an Uber to the National Gallery of Art for more wedding couple photos!
Pro Tip: Uber and Lyft are my go-to forms of transportation for my elopement couples. You can either call them as needed or even rent a UBER XL for a few hours to have a private driver on call. There are private chauffeur companies in DC but doing a UBER XL can be more cost effective.
National Gallery of Art Elopement Photos
At the National Gallery of Art, Anna and Amru looked like they were artwork, too! The marble staircase and columns, as well as the historic art and atriums, always make for great photo spots. We spent some time exploring the museum, and it honestly wasn’t too crowded on a Friday.
I always recommend doing photos in the art museum on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds! The museum opens at 10am, so going as early as possible also helps. The earlier, the better! For more specifics on how to plan a photo session at the National Gallery of Art either for your elopement or engagement photos, check out this blog post.
Taking a Break at the Hotel
At this point, it was time for a little break! We called another Uber to take us back to the hotel. Before they ordered coffee and changed into their robes to relax for a little while, I captured a few more photos of them in the lobby and of Anna in her wedding dress in the Hotel’s pink room.
I always encourage breaks in elopement day timelines, so that you can rest and enjoy your time together!
Celebrating With a Wedding Reception at L’Ardente
Once they were ready again, we went downstairs to the bar to get post ceremony drinks! This time, Anna had on her reception dress! I left them to enjoy their time together and headed to L’Ardente to prepare for their planned dinner with a small group of family and friends.
L’Ardente is a glam Italian restaurant in DC, and Anna & Amru rented out a private room for dinner and guests. I arrived just as other guests were arriving, so I captured candids of people interacting with one another. Then, I photographed the details of the table, the menus, and place cards for Anna & Amru to be able to treasure all of these little moments of their special day.
When Anna & Amru arrived, it was nothing but smiles, laughs, and hugs. After mingling for a bit, we did a few family group photos before a few family members spoke a few words. It’s always so nice to see family come together to celebrate the wedding couple! It was a beautiful wedding, and I feel honored to have witnessed and captured such a great couple during their elopement.
Do You See Yourself Eloping at the Spanish Steps in DC?
YASS! I am so excited for you! If you are looking for a Washington DC elopement photographer, I would be honored to photograph your DC elopement or intimate wedding.
You deserve to remember your elopement day exactly as it was. The feelings, emotions, what you did – everything. That’s why we spend the full day together making sure you get photos of your full wedding day story. Fill out this form to contact me and get started planning your elopement day!
Juliana Wall Photography | Virginia & Washington DC Elopement Photographer
View more Washington DC wedding photos from Anna & Amru’s elegant elopement at the Spanish Steps to inspire your own elopement below.
Let’s blend luxury and adventure to create your unique elopement day. If you like my photography style and want to elope in DC or the Washington metropolitan area, you can book my photography services here. I look forward to connecting with you!
The Vendors From this Washington DC Elopement
Wedding Gown: Tadashi Shoji
Reception Dress with Bow: Alexia Maria
Heels for Ceremony: Jimmy Choo
Wedding Veil: Jennifer Behr
Wedding Earrings: Anthropologie
Suit: Suitsupply
Anna’s Wedding Rings: Jean Dousset
Amru’s Wedding Rings: Brilliant Earth
Dinner Reception & Dessert: L’Ardente
Place Cards: Zazzle
