Union Station and Other Monuments after Dark

A friend of mine is planning on getting married in Union Station sometime over the holiday season.

Union Station at Night

It's really an interesting story because until a few months ago, he was referring to his betrothed as "his friend." Shortly thereafter she became his "special friend," and now I suppose they're engaged.  I would not presume to call her his fiance because I've never heard the word cross his lips.

In Washington, DC, it is possible to become a wedding officiant for a fee of $35.  This grants the fee payer a one time license to preside over a wedding within the confines of the District of Columbia.  For a fee of $70, a person can become a permanent wedding officiant.  All marriages have to be performed within the district, but with a valid DC marriage license, the officiant can preside over the wedding.  My friend has chosen his officiant, and I did not make the cut.  I was asked if I would be the back-up officiant in the event that his first choice wasn't able to make it.  Frankly, it was a little flattering.

They've chosen Union Station as a location for the wedding because travel has become a hallmark of their relationship, and I think this carries with it a certain sense of organic romance about the whole affair. It doesn't feel to me like the kind of trumped up stuffed teddy bear with a heart or even a dozen red roses style of romance.  It feels natural and right.  My buddy says it's to stick it to the man, and I don't really see how Union Station really flies so far in the face of tradition to accomplish that goal.  It's probably just my lack of understanding, but I think it's an excellent choice of venues, and I suspect it will generate many years of fond memories.

As noted over the last few days, it's the holiday season and also the season of perpetual darkness during the times that I can cobble together to walk. If there were anyone following this journal of my travels on foot (and there is not anyone interested, even the Russians have abandoned this site), they would probably find the next several weeks heavily populated with photos of Christmas lights because I can make them work reasonably well with the camera on my phone.  Today is no exception.

Christmas on Capitol Hill

I swung by the Capitol and captured this shot from the other side of the Capitol Christmas tree from the view featured yesterday.  This may end up being the season of shots of the Capitol Building because I can usually make something reasonably photogenic due to the proliferation of light in this area of the city.  We shall see.