Best Places in DC to Elope
Washington, DC has some of the best places to elope! Whether you’re looking for historical charm or natural beauty, the city has it all. Elopements and intimate wedding ceremonies are growing in popularity, and DC has a ton of options for locations.
You might be looking for a traditional elopement with just the two of you, or having a small ceremony with a few of your closest friends and family joining in on the fun! Either way, this list of elopement venues is a great starting place for your wedding plans.
In DC you can self-officiate your own wedding, so an officiant isn’t even required! They’re always nice to have of course (and takes the pressure of you having to write your whole ceremony yourself), but if you want to keep things even simpler, you’ve got the option of officiating yourself. Just make sure you have this designated on your marriage license when you get it from the DC Courts Marriage Bureau.
While I’ve tried to compile the most up-to-date information, make sure you check with venues beforehand as policies and fees can change. And of course with all of these locations, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to plan! While you won’t need as much lead time as a big wedding day, there are still logistics to be worked out, and the wedding permits can sometimes take weeks to process. And remember that some locations might still be closed or with limited staff due to the pandemic, so processing times could be longer.
So if you’re wondering where to elope in DC, keep reading to see my list of the best places, and be sure to check out the additional photos at the end!
(And if you need even more location ideas, check out the Best Places to Elope in Northern Virginia.)
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
There are only a few places on the National Mall where elopements and weddings are allowed, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is one of them! This iconic DC memorial on the Tidal Basin is a great spot for an elopement in our nation’s capital. Your wedding ceremony can take place on the west lawn of the Jefferson Memorial. (Sorry, can’t happen on the front steps or inside the columns!) You won’t have to worry about guest count as the space can accommodate up to 200 people. And you’re allowed to set up chairs, a small table, and a wedding arch or chuppah.
The Jefferson Memorial is still under major construction as of March 2021, so just keep that in mind. If you’re envisioning photos with the beautiful white columns, they’re currently covered up with scaffolding. The Instagram location tag for the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is my favorite way to look for up-to-date photos of the project without physically going there myself!
You can reserve your elopement or intimate wedding ceremony on the National Park Service website and it is a $90 fee for a 2-hour reservation.
2. DC War Memorial
The DC War Memorial is possibly the most popular location for elopements in DC. The white marble pillars of the memorial are perfect for that classic DC look! It’s also covered, so you don’t have to stress about any rain in your wedding day forecast. Located right on the National Mall, it’s a convenient location if you want to visit other monuments and memorials for photos. Parking is limited in the area, so I usually recommend having everyone arrive by Uber. Reservations for elopements and intimate ceremonies can be made on the National Park Service website and it is a $90 fee for a 2-hour reservation.
I’ve got a whole post dedicated to weddings at the DC War Memorial if you want to read more details!
3. Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are a hidden gem in Washington, DC and the perfect spot for an elopement! This grand staircase in the Kalorama neighborhood features a fountain and gorgeous landscaping all around. Since the steps connect S St NW and Decatur Pl NW, you’ll find quite a few residents taking the stairs as a part of their walks and jogs through the neighborhood - just something to keep in mind as you might have people walking through your ceremony.
A permit for a wedding at the Spanish Steps can be obtained through the DC Parks and Recreation website. The fee for up to 50 people is $25/hour for DC residents, or $37.50 for non-residents. Larger events can also be booked at the Spanish Steps, and you can see their full fee schedule here. The Department of Parks and Recreation can also be reached at (202) 673-7647 or dpr@dc.gov.
4. Meridian Hill Park
If you and your partner want to elope in one of DC’s parks, you can’t go wrong with Meridian Hill! Much like the Spanish Steps, Meridian Hill Park has giant, beautiful staircases that are perfect for photos. There is also a cascading waterfall with a fountain at the bottom that is the most popular spot to hold an elopement ceremony. It’s hit or miss whether the water will be on though! The waterfall is only on seasonally, and there has been a history of broken pipes or motors that have kept it turned off for repairs at times, even during the summer months.
Small weddings at Meridian Hill Park can be reserved through the National Park Service. The fee is $200 for a 2-hour reservation, and weddings are limited to 50 guests. Chairs are not allowed, and ceremonies must happen between the hours of 9:00am and 5:00pm.
The lower half of Meridian Hill Park is undergoing major construction beginning in December 2020, and expected to last through summer 2022. The area with the large staircases and fountain is not accessible during this time.
5. National Zoo
If you two are animal lovers, the National Zoo would be an amazing place to get married! Who doesn’t want wedding pictures in front of otters or sea lions?? There are tons of great locations for a wedding ceremony at the zoo, and even more options for photos after the ceremony. Fees will vary depending on the exact ceremony location you choose for your elopement, as well as the timing and the number of people. Reach out to the National Zoo events team for specific details about the wedding you’d like to have.
6. Supreme Court
The beautiful, white columns of the Supreme Court building are a perfect backdrop for an elopement ceremony in DC. Bonus is that it is usually less crowded that most of the monuments and memorials on the National Mall!
It’s a gray area whether you can have your elopement in front of the Supreme Court building. It basically depends on the officer on duty and whether they think you are being disruptive or not. The smaller the group you have the better, and make sure not to get in the way of other visitors to the building.
7. Local Restaurants
If you’ve got a favorite date-night spot in the District or maybe the location of your first date, a local restaurant could be a great location choice for your elopement! You’ll want to coordinate with the restaurant manager to figure out the best timing and see if you have to reserve a room or patio for the event. And then you’re already in the right place for a celebratory dinner after the ceremony!
8. National Portrait Gallery
Although you can’t make a specific reservation for an elopement or intimate wedding at the National Portrait Gallery (or the American Art Museum right next door), they do encourage photography in both of their buildings! You are welcome to pose for photos as long as you aren’t disrupting other museum visitors, so a short, self-officiated elopement could easily be conducted in a similar manner to a portrait shoot.
The wide open Kogod Courtyard and the neon map of the United States are two of my favorite spots here. And this is a great weather-proof location!
9. District Wharf
If you want an elopement on the water, the DC Wharf could be a good choice! With waterfront views and multiple piers to choose from, The Wharf’s vibrant neighborhood is a great place for a wedding. The District Wharf is usually busy with shoppers and restaurant-goers (especially during nice weather), so be prepared for an audience, and you won’t be able to set up chairs.
Check the calendar to make sure there aren’t any events going on that would interfere with your planned ceremony time. And while there aren’t fees involved for having your intimate wedding there, you’ll still want to schedule your elopement with District Wharf ahead of time so security is aware that you’ve gotten permission.
10. Union Market
One of the best spots in DC for colorful murals, Union Market has some fun backdrops for an elopement! You can’t make an official reservation/booking for your ceremony, but these public spaces are great if you’re planning something short and sweet, and don’t mind other DC residents hanging around to take their Instagram selfies in front of the cool walls.
And check out these blog posts for more photos of the best elopement locations in DC!
