Washington, DC is the perfect place to elope – our city is full of history, nature, beautiful architecture, and tons of charm. After performing ceremonies for well over 1,000 satisfied customers, we finally decided to put together a list of the best places to elope in DC!
While you can technically get legally married anywhere within the city limits of the District of Columbia, many of our couples ask us for recommendations for their elopement ceremony location. There are so many beautiful, unique elopement locations in DC, it was truly difficult to decide which ones to put on our list. Ultimately, we decided to rate our customers’ most popular ceremony locations based on the following factors:
- Ease of Access – How easy is the location to get to?
- Beauty – How gorgeous is the location?
- Privacy – How private is the location?
- Rain Plan – If it rains, is there cover?
- Permits & Fees – Is there a cost, and how much is it?
LOCATION PERMITS AND FEES
This list of potential elopement locations includes several locations that require reservations or permits, and payment of rental fees. You are responsible for making any necessary reservations and paying any required rental fees for the location you select – it is not included as part of your elopement package unless you’ve booked Elopement Experiences™ Package “B” or “C” which include ceremony location reservation and access to our Premium Ceremony Locations.
Please be sure to reserve your ceremony location, obtain any necessary permits, and pay any rental fees before finalizing your elopement ceremony date with us. Some locations are in high demand (such as the DC War Memorial) and there are often only a handful of available time slots on any given day. If you have any questions, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help!
DC Wedding Ceremony Locations
- DC War Memorial
- West Lawn of the Jefferson Memorial
- Roof Terrace at the Kennedy Center
- Union Station
- Spanish Steps
- Constitution Gardens (NO LONGER RECOMMENDED)
The DC War Memorial is our customers’ favorite elopement ceremony location! A true “hidden gem” that “feels like a true DC landmark,” the war memorial is on the Southwest side of the national mall directly between the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and the new Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial across Independence Avenue. Our couples say it’s reasonably private, and securing a permit from the National Park Service guarantees that you will have the memorial and surrounding area to yourselves. Once your ceremony is over, take a quick walk to the Lincoln Memorial or grab some iconic DC wedding photos at the edge of the Tidal Basin with the Jefferson Memorial in the background.
- Ease of Access — Easy access by cab, and a 17-minute walk from the Smithsonian metro station. Our couples report that street parking is very difficult to come by in this area.
- Beauty — The DC War Memorial received the highest rating in this category. White marble columns, ample trees and open grassy space make it feel “open and private, even in the middle of everything.”
- Privacy — Because it’s on the national mall, it’s a public space but permits are available. Our couples say it feels secluded and private, but there can be a bit of occasional road noise from Independence Avenue about 50 yards away.
- Rain Plan — The biggest benefit of the DC War Memorial (besides the way it looks) is the fact that it has a roof. The elevated platform is 43 feet in diameter, so unless it’s raining sideways you’ll stay dry and happy.
- Permits & Fees — Permits for the DC War Memorial are available through the National Park Service for $90.
GPS-Friendly Address: 1964 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20227
Disclaimer: Location information and feedback has been provided by our customers, DC Elopements is not responsible for the accuracy of this information. Always check with the proper authorities for rental / usage policies. Location reservation service is not included in most DC Elopements packages (only Elopement Experiences™ Package “B” or “C”) and you are responsible for making any necessary reservations, obtaining permits, and paying any rental fees for your ceremony location.
It doesn’t get much more “DC” than a wedding ceremony on the West Lawn of the Jefferson Memorial, a location that our couples say is “absolutely classic” and “totally gorgeous.” While you aren’t allowed to have your ceremony under the dome of the memorial, you can purchase a wedding permit for the West Lawn from the National Park Service for $90. Once you’re finished with the ceremony, photo options abound among the cherry trees along the edges of the Tidal Basin, complete with the Washington Monument directly across the water.
- Ease of Access — The Jefferson Memorial is on an island, so getting there on foot can be a challenge but isn’t impossible. It’s a 20-minute walk from the Smithsonian Metro station, but our customers recommend taking a cab instead.
- Beauty — On a beautiful day, it doesn’t get much better. Tons of trees, lots of open space, and the quiet waters of the Tidal Basin all make the Jefferson Memorial a prime location for weddings.
- Privacy — The grounds of the Jefferson Memorial are a public space, and our couples say that tourists are around practically any time of day or night. If you get a permit for the West Lawn, it only covers a somewhat small area and does not include the adjacent sidewalk, so people will be walking nearby – and probably taking pictures!
- Rain Plan — Inclement weather can really put a damper on your plans because there are no options for cover, other than umbrellas. The security guards at the Jefferson Memorial are friendly, but they won’t let you get married under the dome no matter how nicely you ask.
- Permits & Fees — The National Park Service will issue a two-hour permit for the West Lawn for $90, giving you plenty of time to arrive, set up, hold your ceremony, and take photos. Our couples do not recommend this location if you do not pay for a permit.
GPS-Friendly Address: 701 East Basin Drive SW, Washington, DC 20242
Disclaimer: Location information and feedback has been provided by our customers, DC Elopements is not responsible for the accuracy of this information. Always check with the proper authorities for rental / usage policies. Location reservation service is not included in most DC Elopements packages (only Elopement Experiences™ Package “B” or “C”) and you are responsible for making any necessary reservations, obtaining permits, and paying any rental fees for your ceremony location.
If you’re looking for sweeping panoramic views, the Roof Terrace at the Kennedy Center is a sure bet. Our couples say it has “an amazing view of the Potomac River” and “enough open space that it was very private.” There’s a partial overhang that provides a bit of shelter from the sun and light rain, but weather can be an issue here. After your ceremony, our customers generally take photos on the lower terrace and the Potomac Waterfront, or stay on the terrace for great outdoor shots. There’s also an on-site cafe and ample parking, especially on weekdays.
- Ease of Access — Very easy to access! There’s reasonably-priced parking in the garage under the Kennedy Center, which is easily accessible from DC or Virginia. There are plenty of cabs around, and it’s a 12-minute walk from the Foggy Bottom / GWU metro station.
- Beauty — There’s no shortage of views on the roof terrace, with the Lincoln Memorial and Memorial Bridge on one side, and Georgetown and the Potomac River on the other side.
- Privacy — It’s a public space, but our couples report that people generally keep their distance when they see a wedding in progress.
- Rain Plan — This is a bit tricky – our customers say you can still do an outdoor ceremony underneath the overhang on the terrace if there’s light rain, but if the weather is too bad (including heavy winds) then they will close the terrace entirely and not allow anyone outside. Unfortunately if this happens, security will not allow you to have a ceremony anywhere inside and you’ll have to leave and find a completely different location to get married.
- Permits & Fees — There are no permits and “officially” the Kennedy Center doesn’t allow weddings. However, our couples report that the security guards are generally very friendly and have no issue with a few people gathering on the terrace for a quick ceremony as long as it’s not distracting to other visitors.
GPS-Friendly Address: 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20566
Disclaimer: Location information and feedback has been provided by our customers, DC Elopements is not responsible for the accuracy of this information. Always check with the proper authorities for rental / usage policies. Location reservation service is not included in most DC Elopements packages (only Elopement Experiences™ Package “B” or “C”) and you are responsible for making any necessary reservations, obtaining permits, and paying any rental fees for your ceremony location.
Having your wedding ceremony outside Union Station in DC has many benefits – it’s “very easy to get to by car, metro, or train” and has “lots of spots for interesting photos.” Located in the heart of the city, this massive, bustling train station is also a DC Metro stop so getting there from just about anywhere won’t be a problem. There are several outdoor alcoves and archways that provide the perfect frame for your ceremony, and afterwards couples enjoy taking pictures inside and around the station.
- Ease of Access — Amazing! It’s in the middle of the city, with easy access by train, metro, or cab and there’s a huge garage if you’re driving.
- Beauty — Options abound, with loads of interesting architecture in and around the station and plenty of trees and a large fountain in Lower Senate Park directly across the street.
- Privacy — The station itself is very busy, but there are several spots along the outside of the building where couples can duck off for a semi-private ceremony. Couples report a bit of road noise from passing cars, but otherwise say a degree of privacy can be found if you’re flexible.
- Rain Plan — There are several covered alcoves on the outside of the building, so you can still get married outside. A few of our couples said they had no issue doing their ceremony “in a quiet corner inside” the station when the weather was very bad, but there is a chance that security would ask you to take it outside.
- Permits & Fees — Union Station doesn’t issue permits, and the outside of the building is a public space and available for anyone to use.
GPS-Friendly Address: 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002
Disclaimer: Location information and feedback has been provided by our customers, DC Elopements is not responsible for the accuracy of this information. Always check with the proper authorities for rental / usage policies. Location reservation service is not included in most DC Elopements packages (only Elopement Experiences™ Package “B” or “C”) and you are responsible for making any necessary reservations, obtaining permits, and paying any rental fees for your ceremony location.
Nestled between the trees and embassies in Northwest DC’s swanky Kalorama neighborhood, the Spanish Steps are a little-known gem for elopement ceremonies. The steps were built in 1911 and renovated in 1999, and are included in the National Register of Historic Places. Our customers say it has “natural beauty” and is the “perfect setting for an elopement.” The steps are a quick walk from the restaurants and culture of DuPont Circle, with plenty of options in the neighborhood for additional photos.
- Ease of Access — Our couples say it can be “a little tough” to get to the Spanish Steps by car, and “parking is very limited.” Cabs are easy to come by in the neighborhood, and it’s an 8-minute walk from the Dupont Circle metro station.
- Beauty — Lost of trees and a small fountain (which is turned on Spring-Fall) provide a picture-perfect backdrop for a small ceremony. There are also plenty of interesting places in the neighborhood to take photos, including an open grassy plaza in Mitchell Park directly across S Street NW.
- Privacy — The steps get quite a bit of foot traffic, so privacy can be a bit of an issue – especially without a permit. Most couples reported no problems, but several reported that some of the “locals can be downright rude” and may walk a dog right through your wedding ceremony.
- Rain Plan — If it rains on your wedding day, your only option at the Spanish Steps is to bring umbrellas. The trees will provide a bit of a buffer from the elements, but there is nothing in the neighborhood to use as a back-up for rain.
- Permits & Fees — The DC Department of Parks and Recreation will issue a permit for $37.50 for non-residents. You can apply for the permit online, and couples report it takes a few days to get approval from the city. Several couples mentioned they had no problems without a permit, but one couple said they showed up and the steps had been rented by someone else and they had to go elsewhere.
GPS-Friendly Address: 1723 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Disclaimer: Location information and feedback has been provided by our customers, DC Elopements is not responsible for the accuracy of this information. Always check with the proper authorities for rental / usage policies. Location reservation service is not included in most DC Elopements packages (only Elopement Experiences™ Package “B” or “C”) and you are responsible for making any necessary reservations, obtaining permits, and paying any rental fees for your ceremony location.
THIS LOCATION IS NO LONGER RECOMMENDED
Although we are leaving the information below available online for informational purposes, we received a request from the NPS Office to stop recommending Constitution Gardens because they have been receiving requests from couples for permits and this is not a permitted event location.
Our customers say they love Constitution Gardens because it’s a “nature sanctuary right on the national mall” and “an easy walk to take photos at the monuments.” Nestled between Constitution Avenue and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Constitution Gardens features a large pond, open space, and plenty of trees. If you’re lucky to be there on a day that isn’t busy (hello weekdays!) you may be able to get Signer’s Island in the center of the pond all to yourselves. After your ceremony, walk a few hundred yards to the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and more.
- Ease of Access — It’s on the national mall, very easy to get to especially by cab. It’s a 16-minute walk to the Foggy Bottom-GWU metro station, and a 20-minute walk to the Smithsonian station.
- Beauty — Lots of nature – the pond, the trees, the open grassy areas make for a very natural setting even in the middle of the city. And, since it’s on the mall, you’re right there for great photos with the monuments.
- Privacy — It’s a public park, and it’s on the mall with fairly regular foot traffic. Our couples note that it can get quite busy on weekends, which can make finding a private spot more difficult.
- Rain Plan — If it rains, there are basically no options for cover at Constitution Gardens. Couples typically walk across to the DC War Memorial when it rains, or just use umbrellas.
- Permits & Fees — Permits for space use on the national mall are issued by the National Park Service. The NPS Permit Office has confirmed that no permits are available for events at Constitution Gardens.
GPS-Friendly Address: 1900 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20245
Disclaimer: Location information and feedback has been provided by our customers, DC Elopements is not responsible for the accuracy of this information. Always check with the proper authorities for rental / usage policies. Location reservation service is not included in most DC Elopements packages (only Elopement Experiences™ Package “B” or “C”) and you are responsible for making any necessary reservations, obtaining permits, and paying any rental fees for your ceremony location.
Premium Ceremony Locations
DC Elopements also has access to additional Premium Ceremony Locations, available to customers who book our Elopement Experiences™ Package “B” or “C”. These are venues that don’t typically host elopements because of more stringent booking requirements like corporate billing, security deposits, and liability insurance, but are available to DC Elopements customers because of our special relationship with the venue.
If you are interested in exploring options for Premium Ceremony Locations as part of your lopement Experiences™ Package, contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our elopement planners and we will be happy to assist you!