Elopement Vendors in Washington DC

Eloping in Washington DC is simple, and the District offers something few places do — you can legally marry each other, with no officiant at all. Couples apply at the DC Superior Court Marriage Bureau, and with no waiting period you can apply and marry the same day; the license does not expire, and there is no residency requirement, blood test, or witness required. The headline is the self-uniting ceremony: DC lets one of you perform the marriage, so it can be just the two of you, exchanging vows in a garden, on a rooftop over the monuments, or wherever feels right. One caveat — a self-officiated ceremony can't take place on federal property, which covers most of the Mall and the monuments, so pick a non-federal spot for the vows and save the memorials for portraits. Afterward, the signed license is returned to the court, and you can order your marriage record from the Bureau. A small crew is all you need: an officiant if you want one, a photographer, maybe florals and dinner. Post your wedding free on Provow and Washington DC wedding vendors send proposals directly, so an intimate day comes together fast. Confirm current steps with the Marriage Bureau, as details can change.

What to know

Start the license early in the day

Apply at the Marriage Bureau — online or in person — and because there's no waiting period, you can marry the same day. Give yourself time for the courthouse, then head to your ceremony spot; a local planner or officiant can walk you through the current steps.

Decide who performs the ceremony

DC lets you self-unite — marry each other with no officiant — or you can appoint a friend as a temporary officiant, or hire a professional. Choose the path you want, and remember a self-officiated ceremony must be at a non-federal venue, not on the Mall or at a memorial.

Book a photographer and pick your spot

The whole point of eloping here is the setting — a garden, a rooftop over the monuments, an embassy salon, the Potomac. A photographer who knows the light and the permitted spots is the one vendor worth booking first.

Common questions

How do we get a marriage license in Washington DC?

Apply at the DC Superior Court Marriage Bureau, online or in person, with government-issued photo ID; the DC Superior Court Marriage Bureau lists the fee as $45 (as of September 2026). There is no waiting period, so you can apply and marry the same day, and the license does not expire once issued. Confirm the current steps with the Bureau, as details can change.

Can we really marry ourselves in DC?

Yes — DC allows a self-uniting ceremony, where one of you performs the marriage and no third-party officiant is needed. You can also appoint a friend as a temporary officiant or hire a professional. A self-officiated ceremony must be held at a non-federal venue, not on the Mall or at a memorial.

Where can we elope in Washington DC?

Gardens, monument-view rooftops, embassy-district salons, historic houses, and the Potomac waterfront all make beautiful, intimate settings. The monuments themselves are federal parkland, so they work best for portraits — a photographer who knows the permitted spots is invaluable.

What vendors do we need for an elopement?

Often just a photographer and, if you want one, an officiant — plus optional florals, a nice dinner, or hair and makeup. Post what you need and vendors will send proposals for an intimate celebration.

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