Tips for Planning a DC War Memorial Elopement
Get a Permit
Once you’ve picked a date for your DC War Memorial Elopement you will need to get a Special Use Permit with the National Park Service, which I can help you with. The cost of the permit starts at $50, depending on how many people you have at your wedding/elopement, plus a $90 processing fee. I’ve gotten permits with the National Park Service before and it’s a really smooth process – they will let you know if your date is available. There is also a two hour limit for weddings/elopements at the DC War Memorial.
Book an Officiant
There are two ways to have your elopement officiated in DC. You can have a religious or non-religious Officiant perform your wedding or you can self-officiate your elopement!
To have an Officiant perform your elopement, they have to be authorized by the court and registered by the Marriage Bureau.
To self-officiate your own wedding, all you have to do is both show up to pick up the marriage license.
Find out more about marriage licenses and officiants here: https://www.dccourts.gov/services/marriage-matters
Book a Hotel Room/Airbnb for Getting Ready Photos
Don’t skip out on getting ready photos if you are having a smaller wedding or eloping! These are such fun photos to have with family and friends! Or if it’s only the two of you for your wedding, you could still have getting ready photos together. Think of how sweet it would be to have photos of your love tying your tie or zipping up your dress!
There are great aesthetic hotels in the area too! My two favorites are:
The Line Hotel in Adams Morgan &
Hotel Hive in Foggy Bottom
Plan Your Newlywed Photos
There are so many beautiful and important landmarks on the National Mall and I’ll help you plan for the best spots! If you wed at the DC War Memorial you could then walk over to the Jefferson and/or Lincoln Memorial for your Newlywed Portraits. After getting the iconic DC wedding photos you could then venture off the beaten path to have photos in front off some of DC’s best murals or to celebrate at a winery or brewery.
Plan the After Party
There are some great place to host a smaller reception or to celebrate with just the two of you!
Here are a few recommendations:
District Winery
City Winery
Big Bear Cafe
Check out this beautiful winter DC War Memorial Elopement!
Check out this post for more elopement and small wedding venues in DC!
