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The Best Engagement Photo Spots Around Washington, D.C.

By Adele Chapin
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Meridian Hill Park, image via Yelp
By Adele Chapin
1 comment / new

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Besides showing off what an adorable couple you are, engagement photos can be a chance to spotlight your town. And happily for us, the nation's capital is one good-looking city, with so many photo opportunities from the monuments to charming urban parks.

Word to the wise: for those snapping photos on National Mall and Memorial Parks land, make sure that to talk to your photographer about getting a permit through the National Park Service. It's probably a good idea to call ahead if possible at any parks as well before you schedule your session. PSA over, now it's time to pose!


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Brookside Botanical Gardens

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If you want to stay in Maryland for your session, Brookside Botanical is a lush garden spot for photos. [Image]
1800 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902
(301) 962-1400
(301) 962-1400

Glen Echo Park

Copy Link
Pose with the prettiest carousel in the D.C. area, installed at Glen Echo park in 1921. [Image]
7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812
(301) 634-2222
(301) 634-2222

Also featured in:

Washington National Cathedral

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The National Cathedral's grounds are a fairy tale, with herb gardens, a rose garden, and winding stone paths. Photo shoots require prior written agreement and permitting fees. [Image]
3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20016
(202) 537-6200
(202) 537-6200

Also featured in:

Meridian Hill Park

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Almost hidden in the middle of the city, Meridian Hill Park is the beautiful home of the largest cascading fountain in North America. If it feels European, there's a good reason: the park is designed after an Italian aristocrat's private residence. But watch out, you could have a yoga class or drum circle in the background of your photos. [Image]
2500 16th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20009
(202) 895-6000
(202) 895-6000

Also featured in:

Book Hill Park

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Climb the hill in adorable Book Hill park for a sweeping view of Georgetown and Rosslyn. [Image]
1693 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007

Georgetown Canal

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The canal in Georgetown is so unique, and it feels a bit secluded even though it's just a few blocks from the crowds on M Street. Snap some sweet photos in front of the locks, and then a Baked & Wired cupcake in celebration. [Image]
1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007
(202) 333-2500
(202) 333-2500

Francis Scott Key Bridge

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From any angle, the Key Bridge in Georgetown will be an amazing photo backdrop. [Image]
Key Bridge, Washington DC, D.C. 20016

Also featured in:

The National Mall

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Nothing says "Come to our D.C. wedding" better than photo from the National Mall, America's backyard. [Image]
National Mall, Washington DC, D.C. 20024
(202) 426-6841
(202) 426-6841

Also featured in:

United States Capitol Building

Copy Link
Inside the Capitol, important people are busy with shaping America's future. But outside, you're frolicking on the beautifully manicured Capitol grounds with your honey bunch. [Image]
US Capitol, Washington DC, D.C. 20515
(202) 226-8000
(202) 226-8000

Also featured in:

The United States National Arboretum

Copy Link
Looking for green spaces and flowers in bloom? The National Harbor's plant collection includes day lilies, tulips, daffodils, and azaleas. [Image]
3501 New York Avenue Northeast, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 245-2726
(202) 245-2726

Tidal Basin

Copy Link
If you can somehow time your photo session with a cherry blossom backdrop without a huge parade of tourists in the frame, you've pulled off the most D.C. engagement photos of them all. But any time of year, the view of the monuments is spectacular. [Image]
W Basin Dr SW, Washington DC, D.C.

Also featured in:

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Copy Link
Walking trails, lakes, gazebos, and ornamental gardens make Meadowlark a favorite for engagement photos inspired by nature. [Image]
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 255-3631
(703) 255-3631

Lincoln Memorial

Copy Link
Snap a photo that says Abraham Lincoln approves of this union. [Image]
900 Ohio Dr SW, Washington DC, D.C. 20024
(202) 426-6841
(202) 426-6841

Also featured in:

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Copy Link
The Jefferson memorial is one of the most beautiful spots in Washington. [Image]
900 Ohio Dr SW, Washington DC, D.C. 20024
(202) 426-6841
(202) 426-6841

Also featured in:

Nationals Park

Copy Link
Diehard Nats fans should look no further than the grounds of Nationals Park, with its sleek steel, glass, and concrete facade. You'll be in excellent company, since Bryce Harper just shot an engagement session with photos of Harper and Varner kissing in front of the Nationals’s dugout. [Image]
1500 S Capitol St SE, Washington DC, D.C. 20003
(202) 640-7000
(202) 640-7000

Also featured in:

The Yards Park

Copy Link
The Yards Park's totally modern, futuristic-looking bridge would make for some awesome photos. [Image]
10 Water St SE, Washington DC, D.C. 20003
(202) 465-7080
(202) 465-7080

Also featured in:

Crystal City Water Park

Copy Link
Fountains, everywhere! This urban plaza in Crystal City is an out of the way spot for a lovely engagement photo session. [Image]
1750 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202

Old Town Alexandria

Copy Link
Old Town's charming cobblestone streets are totally romantic, and the water views are just as transporting. [Image]
Alexandria, VA 22314

Wilkes Street Tunnel

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This historic railroad tunnel in Alexandria is a unique photo backdrop. [Image]
Wilkes St, Alexandria, VA 22314

National Harbor Boardwalk

Copy Link
As if the dramatic The Awakening sculpture isn't scenic enough, National Harbor just added a London Eye-esque ferris wheel. Besides these attractions, the river views are picture-perfect. [Image]
137 National Plz, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
(301) 203-4170
(301) 203-4170

Annapolis

Copy Link
Charming and historic Annapolis has an abundance of picturesque spots, from the Maryland State House to the waterfront. Bayside Bride has an excellent rundown of all the top photo spots. [Image]
100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401

Dinosaur Land

Copy Link
Historic streets, monuments, or gardens not your style? What about giant fiberglass dinos as a backdrop for photos of you and your beloved? [Image]
3848 Stonewall Jackson Highway, White Post, VA 22663
(540) 869-2222
(540) 869-2222

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Brookside Botanical Gardens

1800 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902
If you want to stay in Maryland for your session, Brookside Botanical is a lush garden spot for photos. [Image]
1800 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902
(301) 962-1400
(301) 962-1400

Glen Echo Park

7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812
Pose with the prettiest carousel in the D.C. area, installed at Glen Echo park in 1921. [Image]
7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD 20812
(301) 634-2222
(301) 634-2222

Washington National Cathedral

3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20016
The National Cathedral's grounds are a fairy tale, with herb gardens, a rose garden, and winding stone paths. Photo shoots require prior written agreement and permitting fees. [Image]
3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20016
(202) 537-6200
(202) 537-6200

Meridian Hill Park

2500 16th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20009
Almost hidden in the middle of the city, Meridian Hill Park is the beautiful home of the largest cascading fountain in North America. If it feels European, there's a good reason: the park is designed after an Italian aristocrat's private residence. But watch out, you could have a yoga class or drum circle in the background of your photos. [Image]
2500 16th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20009
(202) 895-6000
(202) 895-6000

Book Hill Park

1693 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007
Climb the hill in adorable Book Hill park for a sweeping view of Georgetown and Rosslyn. [Image]
1693 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007

Georgetown Canal

1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007
The canal in Georgetown is so unique, and it feels a bit secluded even though it's just a few blocks from the crowds on M Street. Snap some sweet photos in front of the locks, and then a Baked & Wired cupcake in celebration. [Image]
1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007
(202) 333-2500
(202) 333-2500

Francis Scott Key Bridge

Key Bridge, Washington DC, D.C. 20016
From any angle, the Key Bridge in Georgetown will be an amazing photo backdrop. [Image]
Key Bridge, Washington DC, D.C. 20016

The National Mall

National Mall, Washington DC, D.C. 20024
Nothing says "Come to our D.C. wedding" better than photo from the National Mall, America's backyard. [Image]
National Mall, Washington DC, D.C. 20024
(202) 426-6841
(202) 426-6841

United States Capitol Building

US Capitol, Washington DC, D.C. 20515
Inside the Capitol, important people are busy with shaping America's future. But outside, you're frolicking on the beautifully manicured Capitol grounds with your honey bunch. [Image]
US Capitol, Washington DC, D.C. 20515
(202) 226-8000
(202) 226-8000

The United States National Arboretum

3501 New York Avenue Northeast, Washington, DC 20002
Looking for green spaces and flowers in bloom? The National Harbor's plant collection includes day lilies, tulips, daffodils, and azaleas. [Image]
3501 New York Avenue Northeast, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 245-2726
(202) 245-2726

Tidal Basin

W Basin Dr SW, Washington DC, D.C.
If you can somehow time your photo session with a cherry blossom backdrop without a huge parade of tourists in the frame, you've pulled off the most D.C. engagement photos of them all. But any time of year, the view of the monuments is spectacular. [Image]
W Basin Dr SW, Washington DC, D.C.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA 22182
Walking trails, lakes, gazebos, and ornamental gardens make Meadowlark a favorite for engagement photos inspired by nature. [Image]
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 255-3631
(703) 255-3631

Lincoln Memorial

900 Ohio Dr SW, Washington DC, D.C. 20024
Snap a photo that says Abraham Lincoln approves of this union. [Image]
900 Ohio Dr SW, Washington DC, D.C. 20024
(202) 426-6841
(202) 426-6841

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

900 Ohio Dr SW, Washington DC, D.C. 20024
The Jefferson memorial is one of the most beautiful spots in Washington. [Image]
900 Ohio Dr SW, Washington DC, D.C. 20024
(202) 426-6841
(202) 426-6841

Nationals Park

1500 S Capitol St SE, Washington DC, D.C. 20003
Diehard Nats fans should look no further than the grounds of Nationals Park, with its sleek steel, glass, and concrete facade. You'll be in excellent company, since Bryce Harper just shot an engagement session with photos of Harper and Varner kissing in front of the Nationals’s dugout. [Image]
1500 S Capitol St SE, Washington DC, D.C. 20003
(202) 640-7000
(202) 640-7000

The Yards Park

10 Water St SE, Washington DC, D.C. 20003
The Yards Park's totally modern, futuristic-looking bridge would make for some awesome photos. [Image]
10 Water St SE, Washington DC, D.C. 20003
(202) 465-7080
(202) 465-7080

Crystal City Water Park

1750 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202
Fountains, everywhere! This urban plaza in Crystal City is an out of the way spot for a lovely engagement photo session. [Image]
1750 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202

Old Town Alexandria

Alexandria, VA 22314
Old Town's charming cobblestone streets are totally romantic, and the water views are just as transporting. [Image]
Alexandria, VA 22314

Wilkes Street Tunnel

Wilkes St, Alexandria, VA 22314
This historic railroad tunnel in Alexandria is a unique photo backdrop. [Image]
Wilkes St, Alexandria, VA 22314

National Harbor Boardwalk

137 National Plz, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
As if the dramatic The Awakening sculpture isn't scenic enough, National Harbor just added a London Eye-esque ferris wheel. Besides these attractions, the river views are picture-perfect. [Image]
137 National Plz, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
(301) 203-4170
(301) 203-4170

Annapolis

100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401
Charming and historic Annapolis has an abundance of picturesque spots, from the Maryland State House to the waterfront. Bayside Bride has an excellent rundown of all the top photo spots. [Image]
100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401