Wedding Venues

Best Kept Secret: Washington National Cathedral Engagement Photos

Best Kept Secret: Washington National Cathedral Engagement Photos

Are you overwhelmed with Washington D.C. engagement photo location ideas? I mean, surely there’s no single place can compare to a picturesque beach or a rustic scenery…or is there? Let me give you the inside scoop about one of my favorite Washington D.C. engagement photo locations, the Washington National Cathedral, and why it’s the best-kept secret in Washington, DC!

Breathtaking Architecture

The Washington National Cathedral is an architectural masterpiece with a breathtaking interior that can’t be matched by any other church in the city. The ceiling is covered in colorful mosaics, and the stained glass windows are breathtakingly gorgeous. It’s also a place where you can feel like royalty – the space has hosted so many luxury weddings over the years!

Not sure it’s the wedding venue for you? No worries! You can definitely just have Washington National Cathedral engagement photos taken in this magnificent place instead! With this amazing venue as your backdrop, you’ll be sure to capture some truly unforgettable photos that will give you something to treasure forever.

There Are Charming Nooks And Crannies Everywhere You Turn

The Washington National Cathedral is located at the corner of Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues in Washington, D.C., which is in the northwest part of the city. It’s surrounded by tons of greenery, making it an amazing backdrop for any photo shoot.

In addition to being gorgeous, the Cathedral also has plenty of character for your photos. Inside are beautiful stained glass windows that add an extra dimension to your shots. There are also tons of little corners and nooks that make great spots for posing in front of or with them.

Beautiful Stained Glass Windows

Washington National Cathedral is home to a stunning rose window, which makes for an amazing focal point for any photo shoot because it’s so large and bright! It was designed by Rowan LeCompte and fabricated by Dieter Goldkuhle, who created the 26-foot window with every color of the rainbow shown. It also includes key parts representing the four Greek elements: red for fire, gray for air, green for water, and brown for the earth.

The Washington National Cathedral is one of the most beautiful churches in the world, and it’s filled with all kinds of incredible surprises. For example, did you know that there is a 7.18-gram basalt lunar rock from the Sea of Tranquility on display in their space window? It was acquired from Apollo 11 as a gift to symbolize the macrocosm and microcosm of space.

An Epic View Of The City

The best part about this Cathedral is that it is in central Washington D.C. and it has a pretty fantastic view of the city too! This iconic structure sits on top of a hill, with some picturesque views from up there.

You really can’t go wrong with Washington National Cathedral engagement photos – the space is breathtaking, and there are so many different options for backdrops all in one centralized location that you can’t help but have an amazing shoot regardless of the weather!

Insider Information Below

If you’re thinking you want to use the Washington National Cathedral for your engagement photos, make sure to get in touch and get an appointment for your session! There is a photography permit required to use the church grounds and the spots typically fill up fast, so I recommend booking your appointment at least two months in advance. 

Searching for a Washington D.C. Engagement Photographer?

If you love the elegance of an old cathedral, consider taking your Washington National Cathedral Engagement photos at this gorgeous spot! And, if you’re looking for a Washington D.C. engagement photographer who knows the venue like the back of their hand, get in touch! I would love to capture gorgeous engagement photos (as well as wedding photos!) for the special occasion, so let’s chat! 

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Looking for more Washington D.C. wedding photo inspiration? You won’t want to miss out on these blog posts:

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I'm a Virginia-based wedding & portrait photographer capturing photos that look like actual ART. 

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hi, i'm danielle—

In the past 10+ years as a Wedding & Portrait Photographer, I’ve found that, aside from arming myself with my cameras to catch swoon-worthy moments of my couples on their day, I’m also bringing a few other unexpected things. 

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