Spring in Washington, DC is known for its cherry blossoms, and with that beauty often comes crowds trying to catch peak bloom. However, Holly and Derek planned their elopement for mid-April, skipping the intensity of the peak festival season, while still getting the full beauty of the blossoms.

Instead of the famous Yoshino cherry trees that bloom in late March to early April, they waited for the Kwanzan cherry blossoms, which bloom about two weeks later. And by starting before sunrise, they got to experience the city in a way most people never do–peacefully and during golden light.

Holly and Derek’s Cherry Blossom Wedding During Sunrise

Their elopement day began before dawn. At 5:00 a.m., they got ready at home, taking it slow while I photographed their details. 

By 6:00, they were dressed and ready for their first look, followed by sunrise portraits and private vows at the Tidal Basin. Golden light filtered through the cherry blossoms, and the Jefferson Memorial reflected perfectly in the still water. 

This was one of my favorite parts of the day. They were affectionate and present, and we had time to walk slowly, take in the views, and really enjoy it.

Coffee and a Stroll in Georgetown with Their Pup

After their sunrise portraits, we headed to Georgetown for coffee and breakfast. It was a sweet little nod to their favorite weekend tradition. Wherever they travel, they make a point to discover new coffee shops and try something local, so it felt fitting to incorporate that into their wedding day as well.

They had their friend bring over their pup, Ein (a very good boy, Australian shepherd-corgi mix), to join them for a walk and capture some family photos.

Ceremony at the DC War Memorial

Later that morning, we met up with their families for a ceremony at the DC War Memorial. It’s one of my favorite ceremony locations in DC because it’s both iconic and quiet. The marble columns glow in the morning light, and you can almost always find a peaceful corner away from tourists.

After the ceremony, they spent some time taking family portraits before heading off to lunch.

A Midday Celebration at Dacha Beer Garden

To celebrate their elopement, they met their families at Dacha Beer Garden for a casual lunch celebration. They enjoyed some good food, relaxed conversation, and a chance to savor the moment together. It was the perfect ending to a spring elopement morning in DC.

Their 8 Hour DC Cherry Blossom Wedding Elopement Timeline:

Holly and Derek chose to book a full 8-hour elopement day, which gave them space to celebrate slowly with no need to rush. It let them have private time for just the two of them, a ceremony with their families, and a relaxed meal to end the celebration. 

5:00am – Getting ready and detail photos at home
6:00am – First look
6:30am – Sunrise portraits + private vows at the Tidal Basin
8:00am – Coffee + breakfast in Georgetown with their dog Ein
10:00am – Ceremony at the DC War Memorial
10:30am – Family portraits
12:00pm – Lunch celebration with family at Dacha Beer Garden
1:00pm – Photo end time

They were done by 1 PM and went home to take a nap. Now that’s what you could call a successful elopement day!

Are You Planning a DC Cherry Blossom Wedding?

Whether you’re drawn to the soft pink blooms, the sunrise portraits, or the idea of building a relaxed full-day timeline like Holly and Derek did, I’d love to help you create a DC Cherry Blossom wedding that’s centered on what matters to you.

Reach out here to start planning your day, and check out my DC Elopement Guide for more tips and location ideas.