Andrea & Justin Go to Washington for a Union Station Vow Renewal

We love that Andrea & Justin chose to spend their 10th wedding anniversary eloping! What a way to celebrate their forever love. These two met at university, married at their local city hall, and have spent a decade as history teachers. Along the way, they also gathered a family with four children. Union Station, dripping in historical beauty, was the perfect place for Andrea and Justin to renew their vows to each other. Be sure to read about how they took no-stress seriously and welcomed Simply Eloped to take care of their romantic elopement details. (We especially loved how everyone in Washington, DC. became instant guests with lots of random congratulations…such a fun side to urban weddings!) Also, teachers rule!

 

How did you meet? What was your first impression of one another?

Andrea: We met in January 2009 as juniors at Jacksonville State University. Both of us were pursuing a degree in education to be history teachers. I had already taken a seat in class. Justin came in and looked around the room. He came over to where I was sitting, and we started talking immediately. From that night on, we were friends. 

 

How did you propose or accept the proposal? 

Andrea: A year later, we planned to go to the Atlanta Braves game on my birthday. Justin had initially wanted to propose at the game, but he got so nervous he proposed while I was putting my makeup on. The ring he gave me had been his mother’s ring. 

 

Where did you choose to elope, and why did you choose that destination? 

Andrea: We married on July 1, 2011, at our local city hall. Over ten years, we had two children and adopted two more. We knew that we wanted to spend our 10th wedding anniversary with the wedding and photographs we didn’t get the first time. Being history teachers, we knew we wanted to elope/renew our vows in a special place with a historical connection. Justin had never been to DC, and I had been with students three times. We planned this amazing vow renewal, anniversary honeymoon to last 12 days. We started in DC, then took the train to Philadelphia, New Haven, and last Boston. 

 

What attracted you to the venue you chose for your elopement? What were your favorite parts about eloping there?

Andrea: The architecture and detail of Union Station were the perfect backdrops for our vow renewal. The photos took my breath away and captured precisely what we felt that day. 

 

How would you describe your elopement venue to someone who has never been there? 

Andrea: The elegance and decor are breathtaking. Even though you are in a train station, it seems like you are in a ballroom. 

 

What things did you do before the wedding? How did you get ready? How did you feel in the moments leading up to your elopement? 

Andrea: We spent the day walking around DC, visiting historical landmarks. We ate breakfast at Lincoln’s Waffles. We headed back to the room at lunch, and a stylist came to my room to do my hair and makeup. My husband walked down to National Harbor to enjoy craft beer and watch baseball while I got ready. When we arrived at Union Station, everyone was so friendly as they walked by to get on their trains inside. So many people talked to us and said congratulations. It was a fairytale evening.

 

How was your experience with Simply Eloped? 

Andrea: The ability of Simply Eloped to take care of everything I needed and schedule everyone involved made it so easy. The emails and text message communication were to the point and told me everything I needed to know. It was an amazing experience! I’m so glad we went with Simply Eloped. 

How did you choose to celebrate your elopement? 

Andrea: After the vow renewal, we went to a Nationals game and headed on a train up the East Coast. 

 

What words of encouragement do you have for those considering eloping? 

Andrea: Just take the leap and let someone else do the hard planning for you. Every detail was covered in a city that I would not have been able to accomplish that. The price was affordable, and the payment plan made it even more appealing.

 

Photography by: Andrea Salazar
Hair & Makeup by: Emily Van Scoy
Planning by: Simply Eloped
Venue: Union Station, Washington DC