How to Propose in Washington DC: Romantic Marriage Proposal Ideas

Explore all proposal ideas

Paul & Nathalie's Proposal Story in Washington DC

How did you meet?

Dating App

Proposed in Washington DC in September

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Elisenda in Washington DC for Flytographer

Eddie & Francia's Proposal Story in Washington DC

How did you meet?

Friends/Family

What is your love story?

A weekend getaway with family and friends and a moonlight kiss on the beaches of west coast Florida…since that moment I knew she was the one!

What made you choose this proposal destination?

My fiancé loves cherry blossoms and never seen them before so Washington DC right at the start of cherry blossom bloom season was the perfect moment!

Proposed in Washington DC in March

Photo Shoot Location: Tidal Basin

Justin in Washington DC for Flytographer

Andrew & Kelsey's Proposal Story in Washington DC

How did you meet?

We met 9/1/2018 at one of my favorite local taverns, Mt Look Out Tavern. After a day of watching the opening week of college football with 10 of my closest friends a beautiful blonde sitting behind me caught my eye. That night we ended up talking for 4 hours without a drink, long enough to sober up so I could focus on our conversation. We ended up hitting it off and I dropped her at home that night.

What is your love story?

I knew she was the one since the moment we met that night. The following morning after meeting I was talking to my roommate, catching up as normal. My phone buzzed with a notification, it was a dating app Hinge notifying me. I picked up my phone to look at the notification and I was SHOCKED. The Hinge team had notified me as they normally do from time to time stating "we think you two should meet" and provides a picture of the person. The woman pictured in the notification was my future fiancee, Kelsey. The beautiful blonde I had met just the night before. I took it as a sign and the rest has been history as we've grown and made memories exploring, traveling and learning together.

What made you choose this proposal destination?

The beautiful setting of Washington D.C. monuments, cherry blossoms, magnolias and parks.

What is your proposal story?

I had been communicating with Flytographer for nearly two months in advance of the big day. I had completed hours of research of where I was going to pop the big question because I had never traveled to Washington D.C. previously. I used google my maps to mark and plan all sorts of pins all over the city. My original plan was to propose at the Tidal Basin during the cherry blossom festival on the steps near the JFK memorial. Unfortunately the Tidal Basin was extremely busy and was closed for parking, only allowing a select number of people by foot to experience them. Luckily enough, we were still able to experience the blossoms ourselves. I used an e-bike tour on Friday to help get my bearings of the city and how far things were apart and came across this beautiful park; Enid A Haupt garden. The pink and white magnolias were in peak bloom there as well and the back drop of the castle was stunning. We arrived there Saturday evening 3/27/2021 at 5:30 pm where Carol was sneakily waiting set up for us. We walked to the center of the fountain and I used the code sign, which was taking a selfie with my phone. I put the phone in my pocked and dropped to one knee and asked the love of my life to marry me, in which she said yes!

Best tip for proposing in Washington DC

Use an bike/e-bike tour if you've never been to DC to get a feeling of how far things are apart for timing purposes, rides, walking etc. Use google my maps to plan it out. Use google maps to utilize street views if need. use Instagram/Facebook to see other photos you might like etc. All in all, you get what you put in and if you put effort into planning the occasion you will be rewarded.

Proposed in Washington DC in March

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Carol in Washington DC for Flytographer

Ravi's Proposal Story in Washington DC

What is your love story?

We have had a long distance relationship and every time we see each other, we connect so easily. We share the same values, sense of humor, and goals in life.

What made you choose this proposal destination?

Washington DC is her favorite city and I always loved the idea of proposing in front of the Lincoln memorial.

What is your proposal story?

I surprised her with a Reel Viewer with selected pictures of us that had meaning, each with a caption. The last picture had the caption "Will you be my wife?" And when she looked up I was on one knee.

Proposed in Washington DC in August

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Elisenda in Washington DC for Flytographer

Sue Long's Proposal Story in Washington DC

What is your love story?

Nancy and I both met in 2014 in California. I'm originally from Wisconsin and in 2013 I've moved out to LA to do my Masters degree at USC. At the time Nancy was finishing her Bachelor at UCLA (Rival Schools). We however did not meet when she was still in LA. I've added her on facebook and after about half a year, Nancy finally messaged me back and accepted me as a facebook friend. At this time she was already back in her hometown Merced, CA working. After a long time of talking and really getting to know each other, she finally agreed to meet up. Soon after some dates and moments together, I've come to realize how amazing and loving a person she is inside and out. She's always been so driven and a person with strong goals. Fall of 2017 she moved out East for graduate school. Though distance is tough, I've known for a while that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. Distance didn't change my feelings and thought, only made them stronger. So I decided to take this vacation that we planned and ask her to be mine. Love has no distance.

What made you choose this proposal destination?

I'm an Architectural Designer and Washington DC is filled with wonderful architectural pieces not only in built but planning, creating beautiful scenic views. Also the great thing about the monuments is that the colors are natural which will not over take the photos. Seeing the other photos taken at the Jefferson Memorial, I knew this was a place I wanted to capture our special moment due to the picturesque scenery.

What is your proposal story?

The original plan was to have the shoot at the National Library of Congress from recommendation from Elisenda, but due to weather I requested it to be moved to the Jefferson Memorial because it has a covered shelter. As nervous as I was with the moment and now the changes, Elisenda and Sandra worked wonderfully and accommodated my request. The plan and execution was flawless. It was an early shoot to get the best lighting and least people traffic. The hard part was coming up with my excuse for our plan change and to head out there that early. I told Nancy I booked us a private boat tour our the monuments, little did I know, there were boats out there when we arrived. As we were walking up to the spot, Nancy kept asking questions so I was running out of answers. We saw Elisenda there and I knew who she was but Nancy didn't. Nancy made a comment that it was a perfect time to take photos! I was smiling inside because what Nancy didn't know was that the lady taking random photos was actually OUR photographer! So when Elisenda saw we've arrived she moved to her spot and thats when I made my move to take her to the spot. As the moment approached closer, everything slowed down and I was getting more nervous by the moment. Then the moment happened and I got down on one knee and that's when I forgot everything I wanted to say. But I said the most important thing and She said YES! Nancy (my now Fiancee) noticed Elisenda taking a lot of photos of us and asked if she's with us. Thats when we met up with her and Elisenda walked us through the shoot and the best part was she gave us a nice moment to ourselves to enjoy and soak in the moment. The shoot was smooth and nothing felt uncomfortable. Being early in the morning, we were able to get all the shots in without people in our shoot. The pictures were wonderful and the moment was everlasting. Thank you Elisenda and Flytographer.

Proposed in Washington DC in May

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Elisenda in Washington DC for Flytographer