Theresa + Eric’s Washington, DC Elopement
A January DC Civil Ceremony with a City That Wouldn’t Sit Still
Washington, DC doesn’t pause after a snowstorm, not for long anyway, even when the storm is labeled “historic” and half the country is frozen over. It was January, there were piles of snow along the curbs, and the city was still busy. People moving in every direction. Tourists trying to figure out where to step. Locals walking like they had somewhere important to be, because they probably did.
That was the setting for Theresa and Eric’s DC civil ceremony.
A Civil Ceremony at the Office of the Secretary in DC
Their ceremony took place at the Office of the Secretary in Washington, DC. It’s a straightforward space with beautiful details and a sense of history, without feeling cold or overdone. It works well for couples who want a civil ceremony that feels meaningful but not theatrical.
The staff were warm and welcoming, and after the ceremony they encouraged us to take our time, to wander and make photographs without rushing. It made the whole experience feel unexpectedly warm and cozy.
The ceremony was simple, which only seemed to heighten its beauty. Theresa and Eric’s vows were thoughtful and moving, spoken with a kind of intention that lingers long after the words are said. They’re a Navy couple, and in the way they spoke to one another there was resolve, care, and an unspoken sense of you and I are a team. As a military spouse myself, I recognized it immediately.
From a photography perspective, it’s an easy place to work. Clean lines, good light, and nothing pulling attention away from what’s actually happening. Theresa and Eric were present, comfortable, and clearly focused on each other, which is always what matters most.
Getting Around DC After the Snow
Walking in DC that day was… doable, but not exactly graceful. Slush, uneven sidewalks, people navigating at wildly different speeds. We Ubered for most of the day, which made things a lot simpler.
That flexibility matters when planning a DC civil ceremony or elopement, especially in winter. You don’t get extra points for struggling. You get better photos when everyone’s relaxed.
National Gallery of Art Portraits, Winter Edition
The National Gallery of Art is always a good idea, but in January it’s especially hard to beat. Warm, beautiful, and full of spaces that let you wander without feeling rushed.
The National Gallery of Art gave us somewhere warm and beautiful to wander. Theresa and Eric moved through it without a plan, stopping when they felt like it, lingering when they didn’t want to rush.
The images that came from it feel honest and unforced, shaped more by the space and the moment than by anything else.
A Straight Shot to Street Pizza
From the Gallery, we walked to Street Pizza in DC for cocktails and celebratory photos. Once you hit the corner, it’s a straight shot, and the walk felt like a transition point. Ceremony done. Portraits wrapped. Now we’re just married and headed somewhere good.
Street Pizza was the perfect place to land. Relaxed, a little loud, and ideal for flash photography that feels candid instead of styled. Drinks in hand, leaning into each other, laughing mid-sip. The kind of photos that feel like memories, not moments you were told to recreate.
The bartender (Johnathan) was so sweet, he made them their Valentine’s Day special cocktail (on the house).
Photographer’s note: I enjoyed this day so much, I had to get something up on our site. These images I pulled from the couple’s “sneak peek” gallery. I’ll share more about the day, once I deliver their full gallery. 