Wanting to plan a small wedding or elopement in Washington DC or Alexandria? There’s something so special about intimate small weddings/elopements – all of your closest friends and family together, relaxed timelines, and time to be fully present in the day. 

When it comes to planning your small wedding or elopement in Washington, DC / Alexandria, there is so much you can do to make your day special and uniquely yours. 

Keep reading to discover my pro tips on planning an unforgettable small wedding or elopement in Washington DC / Alexandria.  

Your Guide To Planning A Small Wedding Or Elopement In Washington, DC / Alexandria

Here are my tips for planning your small wedding/elopement in Washington DC / Alexandria: 

Get your marriage license 

The first step to planning your small wedding/elopement is to get your marriage license! 

Here’s how to get your marriage license in Washington DC: 

You’ll first want to visit the Marriage Bureau and complete a paper application. You can also submit the application online, but going to the Marriage Bureau and completing a paper application will be faster. 

When you go to the Marriage Bureau, make sure you bring one of the following documents: a valid US driver’s license, a government-issued non-driver’s ID, or your passport. 

The marriage license application fee is $45.00. All fees must be paid in cash, credit card, or by check or money order (made payable to Clerk, DC Superior Court). For more info, go here! 

Here’s how to get your marriage license in Virginia: 

Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. What you’ll first want to do is fill out the Online Marriage License Pre-Application. Once you have filled out a form online, you can request a video appointment for the marriage license. 

After completion, the license will be mailed to you. If you want, you can also pick up the license in person at the Clerk of the Circuit Court. For your marriage license, you will need to make sure you bring one of the following documents: a valid US driver’s license, a government-issued non-driver’s ID, or your passport. 

You will also be required to give your Social Security number for both applicants, and the fee is $30. For more info, go here! 

Choose your location

The next step for planning your wedding or elopement is to choose your location, and you’re in luck because DC and Alexandria have so many incredible options to choose from. Here are some of my favorites: 

• Old Town Alexandria Courthouse 
• Courtyard Jones Point Park Lighthouse
• Iron Gate DC
• Rose’s Luxury Rooftop DC
• Big Bear Cafe DC
• Mess Hall Kitchen DC
• Crispus Atticus Park in DC
• Carlyle House Alexandria
• Middleburg Community Center
• Tudor Place DC
• Wheatland Spring Farm & Brewery
• Athenaeum in Alexandria

Another unique location idea is to choose a pop-up wedding ceremony in a park or one of the * locations above. It’s a great way to keep things simple – have your small group meet you there and jump into your ceremony! 

To do this, scope out a private spot in the park/location around the time of day/day of the week you plan to have your ceremony.  Then the day you arrive, you’ll have a better idea of where to go.  In Washington, DC, you can self-officiate your ceremony; however, in Virginia, you will need an officiant. 

Also, remember that for small ceremonies, location doesn’t require chairs or aisles; everyone can gather in a more intimate setting. Or, if you decide to have your small ceremony at the place you are having a meal, consider a long, beautifully adorned table so all the guests can see one another and the couple! 

Hire your photographer 

Just because you’re having a small wedding/ elopement doesn’t mean you have to forego wedding photography. Your small wedding/elopement photographer does so much more than “just taking photos.” They can help with timelines, logistics, and provide suggestions for a smooth-running day so you can focus on enjoying and living your wedding day.  

So, how much time do you actually need to hire your photographer for? Photography for small weddings/ elopements can be as little as 2 hours, even if you are going to have a ceremony in a different location from the venue. The amount of time you’ll want to hire your photographer for, honestly, depends on how much of your day you want documented. 

Also, for small weddings/elopements, photography coverage usually continues until you begin eating; no coverage is generally needed after that. Some couples I’ve photographed have chosen to have their day documented from the time they start getting ready to their reception, including their first dance, toast, and cake cutting! 

Also, if you’re having a courthouse wedding, while they can be super quick, sometimes there is a delay inside the courthouse. This means that to be safe, you’ll likely want to extend the amount of photography beyond just the ceremony time.  

Two hours is my recommended window, as it allows time for the ceremony to be photographed and for couples’ and family photos afterwards.  

Decide who you’re going to invite 

Some couples choose not to invite any family to their ceremony. Or you might choose to invite friends and family to your ceremony. The decision is ultimately up to you. 

Remember, even if you’re not inviting friends or family to your ceremony, there are still many other ways for them to be involved in your day. If you and your partner know that you want your ceremony to just be the two of you, know that this choice is completely valid. You can always have your ceremony be just the two of you, but later have friends and family waiting for you to share a dinner with or do something unconventional like everyone going to a brewery together, boarding a boat at sunset, or taking in a little friendly competition at a bowling alley. 

You can always front-load some of your activities, such as cake cutting, first dance, etc., before your photographer leaves, so that you have memories of how you spent your day! 

Ready To Plan Your Small Wedding / Elopement In Washington, DC?

I hope you found all this info about planning a small wedding/elopement in Washington DC/ Alexandria helpful. Whether you choose to have an elopement or a small wedding, you’re going to want your day documented – it’s an investment that is always worth it. 

And… if you’re still looking for a Washington DC wedding photographer, I’d love to connect! My approach to wedding photography starts with understanding what—and who—matters the most to the two of you.

When you hire me to photograph your wedding, we’ll sit down to figure out what photos are must-haves and how you want your day to feel. Your images will capture your day in its entirety: the spontaneous joy, the precious family photos, the experience you created for your guests. 

You can learn more about my wedding photography services here or get in touch with me here!