This blog post is here to bust the myth that you can’t truly have an all-day elopement. While some may want a short ceremony at the courthouse, you are able to have a full sunrise to sunset adventure if you want to! So, let’s start elopement planning! After this blog post, you will be able to walk away knowing how to plan a 12-Hour Elopement in Washington DC that is unique to you and your love story. 

What is Included in My 12-Hour Elopement Package

When you book with me for the 12-hour elopement package, you don’t have to use all 12 hours straight through if you don’t want to! If you don’t want to have your elopement from sunrise to sunset, you can break up the hours between different days. This is perfect if you’d like to have an engagement session the night before your elopement, or if you’d like to have an adventure couples session after your elopement!

To start crafting your 12-hour wedding elopement package, you can connect with me here! I would love to support you with your elopement planning and capture your beautiful day. 

How to Plan Your 12-Hour Elopement in Washington DC

With the resources within this post, I hope you’ll feel confident starting your DC elopement planning! Walking through this Washington DC elopement, discover what locations you’d like to consider for your ceremony, how (or if) you would like to include your loved ones, and what activities you would enjoy doing together for your elopement day. And if you need extra support or encouragement, please reach out! I know it can be daunting to start planning an untraditional wedding, but you deserve to have an extraordinary elopement experience.

David and Ingrid’s Washington DC Elopement

David and Ingrid chose my 12-hour wedding package because they wanted to do a 2-hour engagement session the evening before and 10 hours on their elopement day. This not only allowed us to meet in person the day before their elopement, so everyone was much more comfortable around each other, but it also provided them a way to get engagement photos too! 

Below you’ll find the details that went into the elopement planning of their wedding day.

Why Washington DC for Your Elopement

David and Ingrid were already going on a 10 day vacation to New York City and Washington DC to see DC’s famous Cherry Blossoms. They were going back and forth between whether they wanted to do a big wedding or a small wedding. When they were doing their research, they discovered my blog post on how to self-officiate your wedding in Washington DC and were intrigued! 

Then, we hopped on a Zoom call after they inquired, so we could talk all about their elopement vision and they booked immediately so we could get to work planning their big day (only 2 weeks away!). 

The Best Locations to see the Cherry Blossoms

The main reason they were coming to DC was to see the famous Cherry Blossoms, so of course, both their engagement session and their elopement involved the spring blooms! March is the month for Cherry Blossoms in DC, so they planned their elopement for March 26. To see the Cherry Blossoms, the Tidal Basin and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (MLK Memorial) are some of the most popular locations!

A good rule of thumb is if you’re wanting to plan your elopement or engagement session during Cherry Blossoms or simply want to come and see them yourselves as tourists, plan your trip for sometime in the middle of March through the first 2 weeks of April. The last 2 weeks of March are usually the closest to peak bloom, but the weather has a huge impact on how fast or slow the flowers bloom. 

David and Ingrid’s Engagement Session The Night Before

We met up at the Tidal Basin first to see the Cherry Blossoms, and David and Ingrid couldn’t stop smiling the entire time! They were so happy to be there together!

We navigated around other people which sometimes takes patience, but it’s absolutely worth it because the photos make it look like they had the place all to themselves! Doesn’t it look great?

Then, we walked over to the DC War Memorial, so they could see their elopement ceremony location in person for the next day. (Want a DC War Memorial wedding too? Check out this blog post: How to Plan a Wedding at the DC War Memorial)

Before we said our goodbyes for the evening, we took some photos at the DC War Memorial before heading over to the Reflecting Pool with the Lincoln Memorial in the background. Golden hour was beautiful!

Getting Ready at the Waldorf Astoria

The next morning, I met David and Ingrid at their hotel, the Waldorf Astoria, at 7am for getting ready photos. As I took detail photos of their vow books, rings, and florals, they got dressed and helped each other with final details. 

Exploring the Tidal Basin and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Our first location of their elopement day was going back to the Tidal Basin and the MLK Memorial, and it truly was like night and day because there wasn’t a single soul there. Which was actually crazy because sunrise/early morning is usually when people go there for photos! There might have been a few people who walked by while we were there, but they really did have it all to themselves. It was perfect! 

The Cherry Blossoms were stunning against the marble and the water, and I was SO happy they got to enjoy the flowers! If you’re interested in taking photos with the Cherry Blossoms for engagement photos or your DC elopement, get all of my tips in this post to keep in mind when planning for springtime photos.

Visiting the Smithsonian Castle

Next, we took an Uber to the Smithsonian Castle which also had some spring flowers blooming! The Enid A. Haupt Garden really comes to life early March when the Saucer Magnolias bloom, usually right before the famous Cherry Blossoms. 

In late March and April, tulips bloom in the garden and honestly, the garden is beautiful year-round with the unique architecture of the Smithsonian Castle. It’s simply breathtaking! To see if the Smithsonian Castle is a location you’d like to visit on your elopement day, visit this blog post!

Walking Across the National Mall to the National Gallery of Art

After visiting the Smithsonian Castle, we walked across the National Mall to the National Gallery of Art. It’s always a good idea to bring an extra pair of walking shoes in DC!

The East Building of the National Gallery of Art

Ingrid and David LOVED the glass pyramids outside the East Building of the National Gallery of Art so, of course, we had to take photos there! They even brought custom matching sunglasses for their big day which allowed them to show off their personalities. 

At this point, we were all getting a little hungry. When the art museum opened at 10am, we stopped at the cafe to grab coffees and something to eat. After taking a short break, we continued doing photos in the East Building of the museum which houses modern art and the underground star-lit tunnel that connects both buildings of the art museum. 

The West Building of the National Gallery of Art

The West Building is where the historical art is housed along with atriums. We explored the museum, taking our time so we were able to get creative and have fun!

Side Note: The Museum Doesn’t Allow Real Flowers! 

Since Ingrid’s bouquet was made of silk flowers, we were able to bring it into the museum. Real flowers aren’t allowed, so make sure to plan accordingly if you have real flowers for your elopement and want wedding photos in the art museums in DC. 

Ingrid even bought a toss bouquet to find someone to give it to at some point during the day. Before we left the museum, we passed a group of high schoolers and Ingrid gave the small toss bouquet to one of the girls. It was such a sweet moment! They were all talking to one another about how beautiful Ingrid and David were in their wedding attire. 

Fun Wedding Photos and Lunch at Union Station

Next, we took an Uber to Union Station, one of my favorite local spots. David and Ingrid had so much fun under the arches, and it truly is a unique location that looks like somewhere out of Paris or Europe. 

After taking a few photos inside the lobby, we had lunch at a pizzeria upstairs in Union Station. There are lots of shops and restaurants in the train station, so it makes for the perfect place to stop for food! It was nice to take a break and eat. I always make sure we schedule in time for breaks and snacks/food. In the city, it’s easy to stop somewhere for food, but if you want to incorporate hiking in the mountains somewhere remote, it’s important to bring snacks with you.

Writing Vows and Taking a Break at the Waldorf Astoria

We made our way back to their hotel to freshen up and take a few moments to write their vows before their elopement ceremony. Ingrid used some loose blooms to decorate the cake, and it turned out so cute! The hotel had even surprised them with chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne. While they decompressed for the next 30 minutes, I took a walk around the hotel. The Waldorf Astoria lobby is a great place for a break! 

The DC War Memorial Elopement Ceremony 

We met back up to drive to the DC War Memorial for the ceremony. They brought a tripod to set up a phone livestream, so their families could watch the ceremony with them. I thought that was a lovely way to include loved ones in your ceremony while still having a private elopement experience. 

David wore a mic to help with the audio livestream. They had so much fun performing their own ceremony as they chose to self-officiate!

They exchanged personal vows and rings before sharing their first kiss as a married couple!! Then, they popped a bottle of champagne and then had a first dance which was so freaking cute. Then, we ended our time together taking some more elopement photos around the DC Memorial before wrapping up and heading back to their hotel. Can you see yourself getting married here?

Are You Looking for a DC Elopement Photographer Who Will Support Your Elopement Planning?

This is supposed to be the best day of your entire lives, why not spend it doing what you want while I document it so you can remember every second? Working together, I will document every moment, we will celebrate your perfect day, and you will receive guidance throughout the entire process. 

I’m here for the couples who crave personal connection, intentional experiences, and finding adventure wherever they can. If this sounds like you, whether you’re eloping in Washington DC or anywhere else on the East Coast, I’ll be there to support you on your adventure and cheer you on! You can inquire with me here to get started planning your elopement together. I look forward to connecting with you!

The Washington DC Elopement’s Wedding Vendors

Elopement Ceremony Venue: DC War Memorial

Hotel: Waldorf Astoria

Elopement Dress: Revolve

Washington DC Wedding Flowers: Something Borrowed Blooms