Planning an Elopement in Washington, DC: Why the Best Plans Include a Backup Plan
Most couples assume planning an elopement wedding means choosing a few beautiful locations and building a timeline. And yes, those things matter, but a big part of thoughtful elopement planning is preparing for what happens when things change, especially those you can’t control.
Washington, D.C., is a busy, constantly evolving city. Weather, construction, public events, changing location policies, altered hours, and unexpected closures can all affect the places you originally hoped to visit. That doesn’t mean your wedding day has to feel stressful or thrown together.
As a Washington, DC, elopement photographer, one of my favorite parts of helping couples plan their day is creating thoughtful backup plans in advance, so that if something changes, we already know exactly what to do.
Kari and Sam’s early October elopement is the perfect example of how good planning helps when surprises come up. Their elopement took place shortly after a federal government shutdown began, which created uncertainty about the accessibility and operating hours of several locations across the city. In the weeks leading up to their elopement, we stayed in communication, discussed alternatives, and adjusted the plan as new information became available.
Then, when their wedding day arrived, they got to focus on one another and have an amazing time together.
Their Love Story and Why They Chose to Elope
Kari and Sam met on Hinge, and Sam was Kari’s first-ever online dating app date. He caught her attention because his profile said he was vegan and wanted to live in a Victorian house with a room hidden behind a bookshelf. Which, same.
They also bonded over nostalgic video games, so their first date was at Player’s Club in Logan Circle, then a quick stop at Milk Bar. They’ve been smitten with each other ever since!
For their proposal, they went to see Raiders of the Lost Ark performed with a full orchestra at the Strathmore. While walking home from Union Station afterward, Sam suggested stopping at a familiar park bench where they had sat during an early date. He began talking about their relationship, and Kari had absolutely no idea what was happening at first. Then Sam got down on one knee.
When they started planning their wedding, a big traditional celebration just didn’t feel right to them.
“We are generally shy people and do not want to spend a lot of money to be uncomfortable all day. We’d prefer to spend our money focusing on each other, doing whatever we want, and getting some badass pictures of the day.”
That became the foundation for their entire elopement. Just them, their city, and a day designed completely around what they actually enjoy.
Turning Your Wedding Day Into a Staycation
Even though Kari and Sam lived in Washington, D.C., they booked a beautiful hotel for their elopement, turning it into a mini staycation. Even if you already live in your elopement location, booking a hotel or Airbnb for your wedding day is 100% worth it! You don’t need to travel across the country for your wedding day to feel adventurous! Sometimes you just need to experience your own city differently.
Getting ready in your own apartment, surrounded by the everyday stuff of your life, can feel a lot like a regular day. Meanwhile, getting ready in a beautiful hotel room, with all that space, light, and intention, signals to your brain that today is different. Today is the day.
Also, choosing a hotel with beautiful light, thoughtful design, room to move around, and easy access to your planned locations gives you a comfortable home base for the day.
Elopement Portraits at the Union Station
After getting ready together, we headed to Union Station. Kari and Sam loved the arches outside and the grand architecture surrounding the building. Certain areas feel almost European, creating a very different atmosphere from the monuments and gardens most people immediately associate with Washington, DC.
And it’s one of my favorite DC elopement locations because it offers both indoor and outdoor options, making it incredibly flexible. If the weather turns, the light becomes too harsh, or one area is unusually crowded, we still have options nearby.
Pro tip: Weekday mornings are usually the easiest time to photograph around Union Station because there are usually fewer large crowds of travelers. But it is still an active transportation hub, so patience and flexibility are always part of the experience.
Self-Officiated Elopement Ceremony at the National Gallery of Art
From Union Station, we made our way to the National Gallery of Art. We chose one of the gallery’s indoor atriums for their private vows. With the tall while marble columns, the fountain in the middle of the room, and the greenery surrounding them, it was honestly such an intimate and special experience.
DC marriage laws allow couples to self-solemnize, meaning you can legally marry yourselves without an officiant present, which is what Kari and Sam chose for their day. These laws give couples incredible freedom in choosing where to get married. The city is your ceremony space!
You can learn more about how to self-officate in Washington, DC, here!
I take great care to take a step back and allow couples privacy during their ceremonies. I use both wide-angle lenses and longer lenses to get close-up photos without intruding on your private vows. After they exchanged vows, rings, and their first kiss as a married couple, we explored the rest of the art museum, taking photos in different rooms.
I recommend spending at least an hour, if not two, at the National Gallery of Art. This gives you time to enjoy the museum and get comfortable in front of the camera, even with other visitors around. Elopements in DC often mean taking photos in public spaces, but it’s worth it, especially when you have someone who knows how to work around crowds.
Want to know more about eloping at the NGA? I’ve written a full guide here: How to Elope at the National Gallery of Art!
Planning an Elopement Wedding in DC? Backup Plans Are Everything
Kari and Sam’s elopement happened in early October, about one week after the beginning of a federal government shutdown.
This is where local knowledge and communication become especially important. Many of the museums, monuments, and indoor historic spaces couples love are connected to federal agencies. When operations change, some locations may remain open temporarily, reduce services, alter their hours, or close altogether. The DC marriage bureau even had to pause issuing marriage licenses during one of those periods.
I didn’t want Kari and Sam to spend the days before their wedding constantly checking websites and worrying about their plans falling apart. So we talked about what was still open and which places we could swap in without changing the vibe they wanted.
I was also reaching out to my other October and November couples to give them a heads-up, walk through backup options, and strongly encourage anyone who hadn’t gotten their marriage license yet to do it immediately. It’s part of how I approach planning with every couple. We talk through the “what ifs” well before the wedding day, so nothing catches us off guard.
Some locations on our original list had adjusted their hours or availability, so we pivoted. I knew exactly which locations were still fully accessible and rebuilt the day from there. Kari and Sam didn’t spend a single minute of their wedding day stressed about logistics. They didn’t even need to think about it. That’s exactly the point.
Great planning isn’t about hoping nothing changes. It’s about having a plan if it does. In a city like DC, where many places are federally run, it really helps to work with a photographer who knows the area and thinks through backup options with you. You don’t have to figure it all out by yourself!
How to Plan an Elopement Timeline That Flows Together
When I help couples plan their DC elopement, I spend a lot of time thinking about the timeline and logistics. I consider travel time, opening hours, accessibility, crowds, restrooms, food, weather options, and how each spot adds to the day. A good route should feel almost effortless!
Kari and Sam’s day flowed naturally through parts of DC that are photograph well and all within easy walking or short driving distance:
Union Station kicked off the day with that almost-European architectural feeling Kari and Sam loved. It also provided a natural connection to the Metro and other nearby Capitol Hill locations.
The National Gallery gave them an indoor ceremony option, elegant portraits, art they could explore together, restrooms, and protection from unpredictable weather.
The Library of Congress added another style of grand historic architecture while keeping us close to the Capitol and the Supreme Court.
Important update for anyone planning this now: The Library of Congress changed its photography policy in Spring 2026. Outdoor photos are permitted any day of the week, but indoor photos now require advance scheduling, they’re only available on Mondays (when the building is closed to the public) and require a free permit with a scheduled time slot. You can view the current rules and apply here: Online Application & New Photo Rules. I’m happy to help you coordinate this if it’s part of your day!
And finally, the Capitol Building area gave Kari and Sam iconic DC views and beautiful fall light. It also worked naturally with the rest of the route on the timeline. We weren’t driving across the city just to check one more landmark off a list, rather, we moved through connected spaces at a pace that still allowed them to enjoy each one
The Unplanned Coffee Break
By this point, we had been exploring Washington, D.C. for several hours. Kari and Sam had started their elopement early that morning, and they needed a little pick-me-up, so we found a nearby coffee shop.
We didn’t plan this part, but the best thing about the way that I help couples plan their elopement is that there is always room for spontaneity.
Unlike traditional weddings where the timeline is planned to the minute and there’s always someone waiting on you, an elopement with just the two of you has genuine flexibility. If you want to spend longer somewhere, you can. If you need a break, you take one. If you walk by a coffee shop and you both need a moment, you go in. There’s no one to coordinate with except each other (and me, and I’m very much pro-coffee-break).
Celebrating the Everyday Parts of Your Relationship
The coffee shop was close to a Metro station, so we ended the photography coverage by heading underground. Kari and Sam take the Metro as part of their daily lives, so this time wasn’t really about doing staged photos.
They talked, laughed, held each other, and moved through a place they’d passed through many times before. But this time, they were married!
I love it when couples include supposedly “mundane” parts of their relationship in an elopement. The places and routines that are just yours, like visiting a coffee shop, a neighborhood, or the route you take home, become extraordinary when you document them on your wedding day. It’s the most honest way to tell your story.
You don’t have to fill your wedding day with things you’ve never done before to make it meaningful. It’s okay to celebrate the life you already love!
After eight hours together, Kari and Sam went home to relax before heading out to a concert that night. Your day doesn’t have to end with a traditional dinner or champagne toast unless you want it to. Your day can be whatever you want, and that freedom is one of my favorite things about elopements.
Ready to Start Planning Your Elopement Wedding in DC?
Kari and Sam’s wedding shows that the best elopement days aren’t always the ones where everything goes exactly as planned. The best days are when good planning helps you feel confident, no matter what happens.
Whether you’re adjusting to changes, taking an unexpected coffee break, or just slowing down to enjoy the moment, building flexibility into your day helps you focus on what matters most: celebrating your marriage.
As your Washington, DC elopement photographer, I do more than just suggest beautiful places and take photos. I help you pick locations that fit together, create a timeline with plenty of breathing room, keep up with current rules, and make backup plans before you need them.
Every Elopement and Micro Wedding Package with Juliana Wall Photography Includes:
- 4 hours to two days of Photo Coverage with me, Juliana
- In-depth questionnaires, so I can truly get to know you and help create a day that feels right.
- Sneak peeks within 3 business days, so you have gorgeous photos to share ASAP.
- Personalized planning assistance – helping you with locations, permits, vendors, and timelines.
- A private online gallery – to easily download, share, and order prints of your photos.
- Photographer’s travel costs included
- A new adventure buddy!
If you’re dreaming of planning an intentional elopement or micro wedding in Washington, DC, or Northern Virginia, I’d love to hear about it! Learn more about my packages here!
To inquire about working with me, fill out this form and schedule a FREE consult.
