Eloping and Self-Officiating For Your Washington DC Wedding

I photographed this intimate elopement during the spring in Washington DC, in the sweetest tiny neighborhood park. These two each had their parents, closest friends, and their dog (such a cutie!) join them close to their home. I loved how surrounded they were with fresh greenery and warm sunshine as they said their vows. After some portraits around the park, we even made some new friends as their dog was happily greeting neighbors’ dogs.

DC is an amazing place for elopements, since there are so many lovely parks, and you can even self-officiate! Right here on the Washington DC marriage license application, you can select youself, the court (virtual or in-person options), or an officiant to solemnize the marriage. If you’re not into your own neighorhood park for your wedding ceremony, some other amazing DC elopement venue options are:

Meridian Hill Park: lots of curving stone steps and architecture, forested pockets that will make you feel like you’re out in the woods, with the option to get city photos too just steps away.

DC War Memorial is one of the three National Parks within Washington DC where you can get married - an elopement or even a larger ceremony of up to 200 people is included in the $90 permit fee! The DC War Memorial is my personal favorite for a DC National Park wedding ceremony because it can be easily scaled to whatever size wedding you’d like. It even works great for a rainy day, since smaller weddings can take place fully underneath the memorial’s covering

HERE is a past wedding I photographed that took place at the DC War Memorial, with pre-ceremony bride and groom portraits at Meridian Hill Park.

E&K, thank you both for having me document this super special afternoon for you! <3