Eloping in Washington D.C.
Bordering the eastern states of Maryland and Virginia on the Potomac River, Washington D.C. is brimming with culture and history. The compact capital of the United States is one of the most visited cities in the country for good reason. The District of Columbia is a national center for the arts, teeming with iconic — and free — museums and monuments. The city was planned and designed based on the groundbreaking cities of Paris, Milan, and Amsterdam and from some angles, being in Washington D.C. still feels a little like being in Europe.
While the architecture of Washington D.C. varies greatly, the district’s neoclassical icons make for impressive backdrops for small D.C. weddings. There is a lot of powerful history packed into a small space. At the center of the action, the National Mall is home to the White House, the U.S. Capitol building, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument. It is also bordered by the Smithsonian Institution and National Art Gallery. And if you visit in late spring, the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the gorgeous display of Cherry Blossom trees that bloom around the nearby Tidal Basin.
How to elope in Washington D.C.
Applications for marriage licenses in Washington D.C. need to be submitted in person at the D.C. Superior Court. If you are from out of state, somebody in D.C. can submit your application on your behalf in advance of your special day. Keep in mind that the D.C. Marriage Bureau is only open on weekdays and that applying for your marriage license in person can take a couple of hours as there are typically long lines in the morning. Be sure to plan accordingly.
To apply, you will need one form of identification for both you and your partner and $45. You will get your DC marriage license the same day you apply. The license has no expiration date and there is no witness required for your ceremony.
What does it cost to elope in Washington D.C.?
Our Washington, D.C. elopement packages include everything you need for a monumental and metropolitan elopement. Our offerings range from $500 for our most basic Seed Package to $2500 for the Oasis Package with all the bells and whistles. And if there is something extra you’d like to arrange for your D.C. elopement, drop us a note and we will draw up a custom quote just for you!