Unique Micro Wedding Venues in Washington DC

Washington DC Unique

Micro Wedding Venues


One of the huge perks of having a smaller more intimate wedding is the flexibility and uniqueness you can incorporate into your wedding day! Micro weddings, elopements and intimate weddings are more popular than ever and for good reason! Each couples can have their wedding day completely customizable to their personalities from location to how they celebrate their wedding day. Whether that means they dance and eat with 20 of their closest friends or they go axe throwing just the two of them. Each couple is unique and their wedding day deserves to be best suited to them.


Washington DC is a wonderful place to have an elopement or micro wedding! Not only is the city gorgeous but there is so much to do to celebrate your wedding day in the city! A rooftop bar, a bike ride, picnic, photo ops, fine dining, causal eating, and so much more.


Plus a huge benefit of a Washington DC wedding is how simple the process is!


Obtaining a marriage license in DC simply involves submitting an application online, then visiting the Marriage Bureau at the Moultrie Courthouse to show ID and pay the $45 fee ($35 for the application and $10 for a certified copy of the license). The District’s three-day waiting period was eliminated in 2014, meaning the license will typically be issued the same day that you apply and you can marry immediately afterward.

To make things even easier, DC also allows marriage-by-proxy. In this case, you’d pay a third party to provide your documentation to the Court and pick up your marriage license—which saves you the trouble of waiting in line. 


And believe it or not, you can marry yourselves in Washington DC!


Self-officiating marriages are legal in DC (and recognized everywhere else). The two of you would simply complete the above application process and submit your fee in person, then leave the courthouse premises to marry yourselves, and finally, return for the clerk’s signature to make it official.

For more information, including links to the marriage license and officiant applications,

visit the DC Courts website




Now that you know what to expect from the process of getting married in Washington DC, let me share some of the most unique micro wedding venues in the city!


Unique Washington DC Elopement + Micro Wedding Venues

Union Market Rooftop Garden


Who wouldn't want to get married surrounded by plants and a stunning view?! This options is great for couples who want to keep their guest lists small (max occupancy is 8 people). A huge perk of this location is the view but also the price tag! Starting at $80 an hour with just a one hour minimum!


Historic Garden

Perfect venue for a couples who is inspired by Marie Antoinette or Bridgerton! A garden party micro wedding sounds like the absolute dream. This venue can accommodate up to 16 people. They require a booking of at least 4 hours and each hour begins at $450.

Luminous Contemporary Fine Art Gallery


What could be classier then an intimate wedding at an art gallery in the city! I can already picture the champagne and ambiance! This venue can accommodate up to 120 individuals. They require 4 hour booking minimum with a starting price of $250 an hour.

Rooftop Lounge


Much more casual than the museum option above, I think this venue would be perfect for a couple who wants to feel relaxed and celebrate casually on their wedding day. Equipped with prep and grilling stations, indoor kitchen area, and flexible seating, your guests will enjoy a modern space ideal for any meeting, party or event of up to 25 people. This venue requires a 3 hour minimum and each hour starts at $350. 

Union Station

Much more of a public venue compared to the others on this list. Union Station would make for the perfect venue with 6 or fewer guest. Since the station is actively busy with commuters and tourist, expect a few eyes on you while exchanging your vows. That being said, Union Station is gorgeous with a ton of photo opportunities for your couples portraits! Union Station does not issue permits for elopements (as long as your photographer doesn't set up a tripod or any external lighting, speakers, etc). From experience the security guards are incredibly kind to those who choose to marry here, as long as the couple is not disrupting the general flow of traffic and other visitors.

The National Mall


What's more DC than getting married at the National Mall?! You have three options for ceremony locations: The DC War Memorial + Thomas Jefferson Memorial +George Mason Memorial. Receptions are not permitted at any of these locations. To hold your ceremony in these spaces you will need to apply for a special use permit that carries a $90 application fee.


You can apply to have your ceremony at The National Mall here



The National Zoo


If you two are animal lovers, the National Zoo would be the perfect place to get married! Who doesn’t want wedding pictures in front of a bunch of cute animals? Fees will depend on the exact ceremony location you choose for your elopement. There are 12 different exhibit options for your ceremony!

Find pricing and application information here



I will happily offer a photography discount to any couples who choose to have a wedding at this location

Spanish Steps


Another great outdoor location in Washington DC where you could have your ceremony + outdoor reception. A permit is required to use this space for a ceremony or reception. The park can accommodate up to 100 guests and the Park Site rates are $25 per 50 people per hour. The permit can be purchased online here.

Affordable Washington DC micro wedding venues

Congratulations on your engagement and wedding planning! I hope this list inspired you in some way for your very own Washington DC Micro Wedding Day!


I specialize in capturing micro weddings, intimate weddings and elopements in the Washington DC area. If you are still looking for a wedding photographer, please feel free to reach out using the contact form found here