A Curated list of Washington DC Wedding Venues (updated for 2023)
Finding the perfect wedding venue is typically the first step to planning your wedding. It can also be stressful to find just the right spot. I’ve curated this list of the best dc wedding venues in the Washington DC area to help you narrow your search and provide inspiration.
It’s broken up by type of venue and style, allowing you to explore the wide variety of venues in the DC area.
Why you should have a DC wedding
If you want a variety of sceneries, DC has a lot to offer with its many options for locations.
There are also many venues that cover everything you need for your wedding in one place. (no need for travel on your wedding day!)
Potential issues:
Potential issues with DC weddings
Washington DC can be quite crowded on weekends and during special events. Public transportation and roads can have gridlock. Something as simple as a politician’s motorcade can shut down streets.
Are Permits required for DC wedding portraits?
Most landmarks and attractions in DC require permits for wedding photography, but I do know of a few places that don’t explicitly require permits:
- National Gallery of Art
- National Portrait Gallery
- Freer Gallery of Art
- Exterior of Union Station (provides cover for weather)
Indoor Wedding Venues in DC
Meridian House
John Russell Pope constructed the National Archives, the National Gallery of Art, the Jefferson Memorial, and also the Meridian House, making it an architectural highlight in a city full of marvelous buildings, monuments, and places. Enjoy the surrounding wonder of the historic gardens. The Meridian House is a beautiful venue for weddings, with its elegant neoclassical architecture and stunning gardens. The grand ballroom is the perfect setting for a formal reception, while the outdoor terrace is a lovely spot for a ceremony or cocktail hour. The staff is professional and attentive, ensuring that every detail of your special day is taken care of. Overall, the Meridian House is a top choice for a chic and memorable wedding celebration.
Website (cost, rates, availability): https://www.meridian.org
St. Francis Hall
A stunning and classic DC wedding venue right in the heart of the District. Located in the Brookland neighborhood St. Francis Hall weddings can have catholic stylings or even outdoor Italian styling.
There are just so many beautiful spots at this venue for wedding photos. From the courtyard with the tall pillars and archways to the main hall with sky-high ceilings and iconic red stage drapes. St. Francis Hall is a beautiful venue for weddings, with its charming brick exterior and elegant interior. The main hall is spacious and well-lit, making it a perfect setting for a ceremony or reception. The staff is friendly and accommodating, ensuring that your special day runs smoothly. Overall, St. Francis Hall is a wonderful choice for a wedding venue.
See photos on my full blog post w/ Adam and Sara’s wedding!
Address: 1340 Quincy St NE, Washington, DC 20017
Website (cost, rates, and availability): https://www.stfrancishall.com/about
Phone: (703) 777-2797
Sequoia Restaurant
This beautiful restaurant sits peacefully on the banks of the Potomac, where your wedding can be as picturesque as it is tranquil, thanks to glass windows running floor up to ceiling, offering views of both the Roosevelt Island and Bridge, as well as the Key Bridge, the Kennedy Center, and Virginia Skyline. Sequoia is a beautiful venue for weddings, with its stunning natural surroundings and elegant event spaces. The staff is attentive and professional, ensuring that every detail of the wedding is taken care of. The food is top-notch, with a variety of options to suit every taste. Overall, couples can trust that their wedding at Sequoia will be a truly memorable and special occasion.
Website: https://sequoiadc.com/
Top of the Town
This upscale space is just outside of the DC and yet has unparalleled panoramic views of the capital, notable monuments, and the Potomac River. Up to 180 guests can enjoy exquisite style and comfort in a hilltop penthouse. Top of the Town is a beautiful venue for weddings, with breathtaking views of the city skyline and a sophisticated atmosphere. The event spaces are spacious and elegant, and the catering is top-notch. The staff is also very professional and attentive, ensuring that your wedding runs smoothly. Overall, Top of the Town is a stunning choice for couples looking to have a memorable and luxurious wedding celebration.
blog post: Marcy + Rahmin
website (cost, rates, availability): https://www.topofthetown.com
phone: (703) 387-8696
Longview Gallery
This is an industrial chic art museum featuring contemporary fine art from artists both established and emerging. A modern venue with several unique spaces, you can use over 8,000 square feet to create a modern and unique wedding experience. Longview Gallery is a unique and artistic venue for weddings, with a stunning collection of contemporary art and a chic, modern atmosphere. The event spaces are versatile and can be customized to fit the theme and style of your wedding. The catering is also delicious, with a variety of menu options to choose from.
blog post: James + Christine
website (cost, rates, availability): https://www.longviewgallerydc.com
phone: (202) 232-4788
Josephine Butler Parks Center
This is an amazing Renaissance-revival-style mansion of 18,000 square feet overlooking the Meridian Hill Park. It was actually originally the estate dedicated to the Hungarian Embassy. Now, it is the home of the Embassy of the Earth. The Josephine Butler Parks Center is a beautiful and elegant venue for weddings. The spacious ballroom and outdoor gardens provide the perfect setting for a memorable celebration, and the professional staff is dedicated to ensuring that every detail is taken care of. The center also offers a variety of catering options and can accommodate a wide range of guest counts, making it a great choice for couples planning their special day. Overall, the Josephine Butler Parks Center is a top-notch venue for weddings.
website (cost, rates, availability): https://www.washingtonparks.net/
Elopement or Small Wedding Venues
Fathom Gallery
The Dockmaster Building
The Observatory at America’s Square
AJAX
Big Bear Cafe
Dacha Loft
Friends Meeting of Washington
Anderson House
Historic Washington DC Wedding Venues
Dumbarton House
Kimpton Hotel Monaco
The Hay-Adams
Ronald Reagan Building + International Trade Center
Decatur House on Lafayette Square
The Mansion on O Street
Restaurant Wedding Reception Venues
Tabard Inn
Iron Gate
Sonoma
Affordable (or free) Wedding Venues
IA&A at Hillyer ($800)
Historic Polegreen Church
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
Top of the Town
Josephine Butler Parks Center
Mead Center
Mountain Memories at ThorpeWood
Cranford House
Heurlich House Museum
Patapsco Female Institute
Rooftop Wedding Venues
Officina
Thompson Hotel
Fathom Gallery
The Capitol View Rooftop
The Hay-Adams
The Dupont Circle
The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
City Winery
Capitol Hill Wedding Venues
The Capitol Hill Club
St. Peter’s on Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church
Sewall-Belmont House & Museum
Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital
Miracle Theater
The Flying Bridge
Methodist Building
Redemption Hill Church, DC
Lutheran Church of the Reformation
Library Wedding Venues
The Carnegie Library
Decatur House
Meridian House
Murray Hill Manor
The George Peabody Library
Carnegie Institution for Science
Downtown / Metro Area Wedding Venues
Waterfront Wedding Venues
The Osprey’s at Belmont Bay
Herrington on the Bay
Black Walnut Point Inn
1) Four Seasons Hotel
Want a cosmopolitan and chic experience mixed with grandeur and elegance? Enjoy everything from sky-lit venues to private terraces to sprawling lawns to sun-filled settings. The Four Seasons Hotel in Washington D.C. is a luxurious and elegant venue for weddings. With its stunning event spaces, top-notch service, and fine dining options, it is a perfect choice for couples looking for a sophisticated and memorable wedding experience.
website (cost, rates, availability): https://www.fourseasons.com/
phone: (202) 342-0444
2) The City Club of Washington
This is a private and upscale club dating back to 1987 is the midst of the theater and business district. Social activities, five-star menus, and entertainment are the order of the day in this opulent space. If you’re looking for a venue that exudes sophistication and style for your big day, The City Club of Washington should definitely be on your radar. Not only does the elegant ballroom, with its towering ceilings and stunning windows, provide the perfect setting for a chic and sophisticated wedding, but the team at The City Club of Washington goes above and beyond to make sure every last detail is taken care of.
website (cost, rates, availability): http://www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/The-City-Club-of-Washington
address: 555 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
phone: (202) 347-0818
3) Dumbarton House
This 1.25-acre space features eye-popping gardens and grounds great for an outdoor wedding. Dating back to the 1800s, it’s a great example of Federal-period architecture, replete with impressive decorative art. It’s a five-star member of the Wedding Style directory. Dumbarton House is an excellent choice for a wedding venue. The historic mansion, located in the heart of Georgetown, provides a beautiful and elegant setting for any wedding.
4) The City Club of Washington
This is a private and upscale club dating back to 1987 is the midst of the theater and business district. Social activities, five-star menus, and entertainment are the order of the day in this opulent space.
website (cost, rates, availability): http://www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/The-City-Club-of-Washington
address: 555 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
phone: (202) 347-0818
5) The Hamilton
Host any kind of wedding reception you want in the three different event spaces of this exquisite venue. Cutting-edge green technology is great for live entertainment, or enjoy the stunning murals painted by Kevin Paulsen.
6) The Hay-Adams
There might not be another spot as classic and timeless as this historic location. Italian Renaissance architecture supports the upscale interior featuring both Elizabeth and Tudor motifs. This location has tremendous views of the White House itself.
blog post: Josh + Victoria
website (cost, rates, availability): https://www.hayadams.com/
phone: (202) 638-6600
7) Josephine Butler Parks Center
8) Kimpton Donovan Hotel
This hotel sits on Thomas Circle, a premium area full of shops, restaurants, bars, and galleries along with easy access to the Metro. Subtle yet sophisticated, the hotel size and amenities support extravagant weddings with many guests.
9) Saint Francis Hall
10) Kipton Mason and Rook Hotel
Looking for a thrilling and polished wedding without having to work too hard coming up with it? As many as 100 guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor spaces alike with delectable catering in these dapper digs downtown.
11) Long View Gallery
12) Lincoln Restaurant
Sitting in the heart of the capital, this venue has an iconic and historic vibe infused with sleek modernism. Maggie O’Neill is a renowned hometown artist who designed this architectural space, infusing Abraham Lincoln into every facet of this place.
13) The Loft at 600
Albert Goehner constructed this architectural gem back in 1909, but 2012 renovations helped to weave in contemporary amenities so that as many as 120 guests can enjoy new and old among the Italian Renaissance revival design in downtown.
14) The Mansion on O Street
This might just be the undiscovered diamond in the rough of wedding venues, as they have themed rooms which couples can use to pretend a destination wedding without actually having to leave the country. Complimentary wedding coordinators are always a huge plus, as is the world-class cuisine.
15) Meridian House
John Russell Pope constructed the National Archives, the National Gallery of Art, the Jefferson Memorial, and also the Meridian House, making it an architectural highlight in a city full of marvelous buildings, monuments, and places. Enjoy the surrounding wonder of the historic gardens.
website (cost, rates, availability): http://www.meridian.org
16) Odyssey Cruises
Want something different than everything else? Take 50 to 500 guests on the glass-enclosed Odyssey in European style. Get married under the historic bridges which arch over the Potamac River.
17) Old Ebbitt Grill
This iconic location dates back to 1856, close to both the White House and downtown museums. It was a favorite place to eat for four presidents, and continues to be a locally loved spot. The opulent environment can accommodate from as few as 25 to as many as 700 guests.
18) Omni Shoreham Hotel
Three different ballrooms and a single outdoor venue are plenty of room for sophisticated weddings where it’s rumored John and Jackie Kennedy started their courtship.
19) Phoenix Park Hotel
Enjoy an ideal balance of comfort and sophistication in a historic venue that to this day stays true to genuine architecture of the 1920s while still working in modern amenities. Just moments away from Union Station and the Capitol, this location has three different wedding packages plus customized options.
20) The Ritz Carlton
They have an Urban Garden in the very heart of Georgetown, ideal for outdoor weddings for small groups. Or head indoors to the elegant Fahrenheit Ballroom.
21) Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
Hold a wedding of any magnitude in this location near the middle of downtown. Multiple signature spaces offer tremendous views of Pennsylvania Avenue, while the interior spaces mix modern design and sophistication in this iconic structure.
23) Studio 52
Founders Drew and Chelsea designed this industrial-chic space with handpicked elements for a cozy and intimate setting. Balancing modern vibes with just enough warmth, this locale even has an on-site photo booth where guests can have some silly fun.
24) Tabard Inn
This gorgeous 19th-century townhome offers intimacy and elegance for a charming ceremony and a bit of pastoral flair. Ceremonies and receptions can be held indoor or out with room for dining and dancing for up to 100 guests.
25) Top of the Town
26) Toolbox
This is a boutique-style space at the center of Dupont Circle with brick and wood interior decor and abstract art. It’s ideal for 130 up to 250 guests and can be fitted into many styles.
27) The Whittemore House
DC has many historic mansions, and also many elegant ones, but few compete with this place. Harvey Page, an iconic architect, originally built it as a private home for an opera singer who was a descendant of John Adams. Enjoy a stately wedding among historic artwork.
