Josephine and Sasank planned their DC War Memorial wedding hoping that luck would be on their side and that the cherry blossom trees would be in bloom. Their wish was granted as their ceremony took place on the first day that the historic blooms reached their full peak.

A DC War Memorial Wedding to Remember

Their special day began with a first look between Josephine and Sasank at the DC War Memorial. As he waited looking toward the National Mall, Josephine walked through the stone gazebo and down the steps toward him. His reaction was priceless and was worth the wait.

From there we walked to the Tidal Basin to take portraits with the freshly blooming cherry blossoms. Up until the days leading up to their wedding, National Park forecasters were posting daily updates but could not predict the actual day they would reach full bloom. It was so wonderful that they did that very morning!

A tourist saw us and recommended that I take them to a tree that had a heart-shaped hollowed-out trunk and that was nicknamed appropriately, the “tree of love”.

From there we walked back to the DC War Memorial for their ceremony, a small one with just their immediate families. Josephine had her mother’s original wedding veil updated as a surprise. Her mother didn’t recognize that it was her veil until Sasank’s mother showed her.

Josephine was escorted to the memorial steps by her father.

DC allows couples to self-officiate their wedding ceremonies so Josephine and Sasank spoke their own written vows to each other which was full of beautiful heart-warming moments.

After their ceremony, everyone walked back to the Tidal Basin for formal portraits and more pictures with Josephine and Sasank, starting with the signing of their marriage license under the cherry blossom trees.

Reception Highlights

Their wedding reception, held at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland, continued with the cherry blossom theme in table decor, place cards, and guest gifts.

And everything looked just as pretty at night.

Just like their wedding vows, her Dad’s speech was full of emotion and spoken with heartfelt sentiments that drew laughs and also tears.

And not surprising that the dance floor was also full of emotion.

We even found some time to go outdoors for some portraits at dusk.

Things to Consider About the DC War Memorial

The DC War Memorial is a popular wedding venue, so it is important to book your date early. The cost is $90 that includes the use of the space, as well as photography and videography rights. Chairs and tables are not provided.

Since Josephine and Sank’s wedding was small, they were able to fit everyone inside the memorial. However, if you are planning a larger wedding with more than 20 people, I would recommend using the front lawn that accommodates up to 200 guests.

It’s important to remember the memorial is a public space and might have other visitors walking by, although having proof of your permit will ensure that no one else can use it at that time. Also, depending on the season and time of day, there may be some background noise so if you are looking for a more private and secluded wedding, the memorial may not be the best choice.

Ultimately, if you are looking for a beautiful and historic setting for your smaller-sized wedding, the DC War Memorial is a great option.