DC Elopement Guide: How to Elope in Washington, DC

If you’re searching for a DC elopement guide, chances are you’re drawn to the idea of getting married in a way that feels intentional, meaningful, and refreshingly uncomplicated.

Washington, DC is one of the best places in the country to elope — especially if you want something that feels elevated and intimate without the pressure of a traditional wedding.

This guide is designed to walk you through what a DC elopement can actually look like, why the city is uniquely well-suited for elopements, and how couples I work with turn a simple decision into an unforgettable wedding experience.

👉 Thinking about eloping in DC? View my elopement packages & pricing or reach out here to start planning.

Why Washington, DC Is an Incredible Place to Elope

A DC elopement offers something few other cities can:

• Iconic architecture and monuments
• Quiet green spaces tucked into the city
• Walkable locations that allow variety without long travel
• A timeless, editorial feel in photos

And perhaps most importantly:

You Can Self-Solemnize in DC

Washington, DC allows self-solemnization, meaning you do not need an officiant to get married.

You can legally marry yourselves.

This gives couples incredible freedom to:

• Craft a ceremony that actually reflects them
• Exchange vows privately
• Skip performative traditions entirely
• Focus on the meaning, not the logistics

For couples who value autonomy, intimacy, and flexibility, this alone makes a DC elopement incredibly appealing.

How Elopement Photography Works in DC

I currently offer four DC elopement photography packages, starting at four hours of coverage and going up to two days.

My most popular package is eight hours — which often prompts the question:

“What do you even do for eight hours during an elopement?”

The answer is simple:

Whatever you want.

For most of my couples, their elopement is their wedding day.

And your wedding day deserves more than just a ceremony and a few photos.

You deserve:

• Space to get ready without rushing
• Time to be together before and after the ceremony
• Room to celebrate in a way that feels natural
• Photos that reflect the entire experience, not just a single moment

When I photograph DC elopements, coverage often includes:

• Getting ready
• The ceremony
• Portraits in multiple DC locations
• Celebrating with food, drinks, or loved ones

👉 You can see full details here: Packages & Pricing

Why I Start at Four Hours of Coverage

Four hours is the minimum amount of time that allows your elopement to feel unrushed.

Anything less typically reduces the day to a transactional experience — show up, say vows, take photos, leave.

With four or more hours, you can:

• Slow down
• Move between locations
• Build in breathing room
• Actually enjoy your wedding day

Elopements aren’t about filling time.

They’re about protecting it.

What a Real DC Elopement Can Look Like

To show you how this works in real life, let me tell you about Kelly and Jim.

Their story is a perfect example of how a DC elopement can feel deeply personal, flexible, and unforgettable.

Kelly & Jim’s DC Elopement Story

Kelly originally reached out to me in 2019 about photographing a traditional wedding at a new venue in Charlottesville. We were trying to find a fall date that worked — and then COVID changed everything.

Rather than postponing indefinitely, Kelly and Jim decided to elope in Washington, DC.

Getting Ready at Home

I met them at their DC home on the morning of their elopement. A local videography team, The Paperboys, had already begun filming.

While they interviewed Kelly, I photographed thoughtfully curated details around their home — which felt especially meaningful given that Kelly owns The Interior Edit, a design company focused on intentional, personal spaces.

Kelly did her own hair and makeup, choosing to look like herself on her wedding day — something I always encourage. Jim got ready nearby, and the two of them chose to help each other finish getting ready, sharing a quiet, intimate moment before heading out.

The Ceremony at Theodore Roosevelt Island

They packed a picnic and headed to Theodore Roosevelt Island, where they had scouted a small beach along the Potomac River for their ceremony.

Because DC allows self-solemnization, Kelly and Jim exchanged vows without an officiant.

They read a passage from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, shared personal vows, and exchanged rings as rain gently fell around them.

Protected by trees and a clear umbrella, the rain added intimacy rather than stress — a reminder that weather doesn’t ruin elopements. It enhances them.

A Rainy Picnic & Private Time

Their original plan included a picnic by the river, but heavier rain sent us under a nearby bridge instead.

They spread out a blanket, shared a mini pie from a local baker, enjoyed champagne, and read letters from their parents — even sneaking in a FaceTime call.

After a few minutes, the vendors stepped away, giving them space to simply be together — one of the most meaningful gifts an elopement allows.

Celebrating with Friends & Family

Later, we met friends and family at a nearby park where a live band waited to celebrate.

Soaked from the rain, Kelly and Jim ditched the umbrellas and danced in the street while loved ones gathered under colorful umbrellas. Strangers cheered. Someone passed around champagne. It was joyful, spontaneous, and unmistakably them.

They ended the night back at home, changed into dry clothes, and ordered Mexican food from their favorite local spot.

And that?

That’s a DC elopement.

Why Work With Me for Your DC Elopement

I’m Kara, an elopement photographer with nearly a decade of experience documenting intentional weddings across Washington, DC and Virginia.

I don’t believe elopements should feel rushed, stripped-down, or incomplete.

I help couples:

• Design elopement days that feel relaxed and meaningful
• Navigate DC logistics and locations
• Feel comfortable, grounded, and present
• Walk away with photos that tell the whole story

👉 If you’re planning a DC elopement and want it to feel like more than a formality, reach out here or view my packages & pricing.

Your wedding day deserves to be remembered — not just scheduled.