Washington DC is one of the coolest places to elope here on the East Coast! Our nation’s capital has SO much to offer with unique locations and incredible history and culture.
My approach to elopements to allow couples the space to dream bigger and do more with their elopement days. I believe couples deserve much more than just 1-hours at the courthouse.
It’s standard to have 8+ hours of photography for a traditional wedding – why should your elopement be any different? You can plan an entire day of fun celebrations where you and your partner can connect, have fun, and make the most out of a bespoke wedding day that’s completely unique to your love!
Dailian and Luis flew in from Florida to come to Washington DC and take advantage of the self-officating marriage laws here in the district.
They knew they wanted to spend time adventuring around the city, exploring art museums and seeing some of the iconic DC monuments.
Incorporate Meaningful Activities and Locations
Think about the activities you two like to do together in general or on date nights. Where do you go? What do you eat? What kinds of activities do you love to do?
Is there a special location at home or in DC that holds meaning to your relationship? I’ve had a number of couples who met in DC and wanted to commemorate their first date locations and remember the city where they fell in love. Other couples have flown in to self-officiate and be tourists in the city, checking off bucket list items off their list!
This isn’t a 8-hour photoshoot as there will be time where you’re not posing for photos. Elopement timelines are about inspiring you to do more with your wedding day, spending quality time together, and truly enjoying activities you love in awesome locations so that you can savor every moment. I just happen to be there to document it all.
Here’s an 8-Hour Elopement Timeline in DC
1:00pm – Photographer arrives at the hotel for details & getting ready photos
2:00pm – Call an Uber & head to the Smithsonian Castle Gardens
2:15 pm – Ceremony, vows, marriage license signing, video call family & friends
3:00 pm – Photos around Enid A. Haupt Garden & make our way over to the National Gallery of Art (taking photos along the way with the Washington Monument & the Capitol building in the background)
3:15 pm- Photos in the National Gallery of Art (both the West Building & the East Building)
5:00 pm – Get ice cream & snacks at a food truck. Sit and relax.
5:30 pm – Call Uber to go to Union Station
5:45 pm – Photos At Union Station under the Archways, inside the lobby and on the Metro
6:30 pm – Call an Uber to travel to the Tidal Basin for photos and the tying of the Wedding Unity Rope
6:45 pm – Walk over to the Lincoln Memorial for photos
7:25 pm – Sunset & Night Photos
8:00 pm – Call Uber to travel back to hotel
8:30pm – Flash Photos in the elevator & grabbing a celebratory drink at the hotel bar)
9:00 pm – Photography coverage ends
And that’s it! That’s how easy it is to spend a full day in DC for your elopement.
Of course, every couple’s elopement will look different so this is just one of the many possible timelines for an elopement in DC.
If you have any questions about these unique elopement locations or any others in DC for where to elope in the city, I’m here to help. I can’t wait to help you craft beautiful memories – let’s do this!
Fill out my contact form to get started today!
If you want to plan your own epic DC elopement, fill out my contact form to get started today!
