When it comes to booking your ideal wedding in Washington DC, the first thing you need is the right venue that will help be the backdrop for your dream day! Our nation’s capital has no shortage of charming and historical venues for every couple’s dream wedding. We’ve put together a short list of some of my favorite DC wedding venues that I have shot at in no particular order. From luxury event spaces, rooftops with world-class views, to modern or historical places, DC has lots of options for you to choose from!
We’ve shot at every venue on this list and can give you our inside scoop on what makes each of them unique!
Have specific questions or want to know our thoughts on a venue you’re looking at? Contact Us
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What are the Best Indoor DC Wedding Venues?
- District Winery (blog post) – With indoor and outdoor ceremony options and overlooking the Anacostia, District Winery is the most modern DC wedding venue. Up to 200 for your guest count, an epic sunset view, and lots of hotels nearby.
- Longview Gallery (blog post) – For the artsy and industrial, this spot is just outside of Blagden Alley with plenty of portrait locations. Also there are so many walkable afterparty options at places like Never Looked Better, Amazona, Tiger Fork, and The Dabney.
- The Fairmont Washington (blog post) – This wedding venue’s in the oldest part of the city, Georgetown! It has an intimate yet large courtyard for cocktail hour with a naturally-lit indoor ceremony option on an elevated stage for guests to more easily see you.
- St. Francis Hall (blog post) – 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.
- Josephine Butler Parks Center (blog post) – You can’t really beat a true DC wedding where this historical spot is across the street from an amazing photo location, Meridian Hill Park.
- Willard InterContinental (blog post) – Just blocks from The White House, you can find a true luxury hotel with classic French-inspired style and a spacious reception space. Having wedding photos with the Capitol in the background along Pennsylvania Avenue is a plus as well!
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco DC (blog post) – Possibly the oldest building in DC, this former post office is in the heart of Chinatown across the street from the National Portrait Gallery and two blocks from the Capital One Arena.
- Toolbox Art Studio (blog post) –
- Hotel Washington (blog post) – Absolutely epic DC wedding venue overloaded with window views of the Washington Monument from every room it seems, Hotel Washington has an industrial and flattering ceremony space with a traditional reception space that’s separate. They also have a great rooftop for cocktail hour, welcome dinners, and brunches!
- American Institute of Architects Building (blog post) – Just steps from The White House, this is a modernized and beautiful building (literally designed by the best architects!) with a private lawn that is great for family photos. In addition to the gorgeous outdoor space is a modern space inside built for large dinners.
- National Museum of Women in the Arts (blog post) – In addition to an amazing cause, this venue is wonderfully equipped with a gorgeous upstairs indoor balcony overlooking the dinner and dancing space.
- Congressional Country Club (blog post) – Only available to those who know someone who knows someone, a wedding here is definitely a way to flex on your friends and have one of the biggest parties possible near DC.
- Sequoia DC (blog post)–Right on the Georgetown Waterfront, Sequoia DC is a wonderful restaurant and wedding venue combination that can host events of all sizes with an outdoor terrace on the beautiful Potomac.
Outdoor Wedding Venues in DC
- Omni Shoreham Hotel (blog post) – A destination feel right in the heart of the District. This venue has a gorgeous pool, tree-filled courtyard for your ceremony, ornate and historic styling for dinner or reception, and it’s still a hotel so no commuting for guests!
- Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) (blog post) – The amazing terrace has incredible DC views of the National Mall while the inside is huge enough for your biggest party.
- Lincolns Cottage (blog post) – It doesn’t get much more historical than this! For history buffs or policy nerds, getting married where Lincoln may have written the Emancipation Proclamation is pretty cool! In addition to the history, Lincoln’s cottage is a cute and nature-filled refuge in the city with greenery everywhere.
- Goodstone Inn (blog post) – Outside the beltway, rent out an entire French-styled retreat space with activities to do all weekend. Beautiful rolling hills, backdrops with vines, and a luxury pool space for your guests. Think where Shiv Roy would retreat but Roman could still have fun.
- Woodend Sanctuary (blog post) – For all the nature and bird lovers, get married at a tranquil wedding venue outside of DC filled with tall trees, wildflowers, and parking! We’ve shot here a number of times and it’s gorgeous rain or shine.
- Larz Anderson House (blog post) – This Gilded Age mansion right is right on Embassy Row. This venue feels like the crown jewels room of the Louvre. Extremely ornate, private, and luxurious.
- Gallery on H (blog post) – A special place right off of H St, the Brooklyn of DC. Outdoor area filled with brick and feeling the hustle & bustle of DC.
- Irvine Nature Center (blog post) – More for the nature lovers at heart, this venue is your no-frills-add-your-own-tent and party venue with lots of greenery for photos!
- Dumbarton House – Charming and elegant museum wedding venue with a garden that feels like you’re at a New England mansion.
- Arts Club of Washington (blog post) – Another art gallery in a historic building in the heart of DC with a private courtyard for your ceremony, historical rooms for cocktail hour, and tree-covered rotunda for your outdoor reception.
Winery wedding venues in or around DC
- Morais Vineyards (blog post) – Portugal-inspired vineyard with acres of vines, magical architecture for getting ready, ceremony, and your reception.
- Breaux Vineyards (blog post)- 400 Acre winery with 17 different grapes, this is where wine-lovers go to get married outside of DC. Outdoor ceremony overlooking the Blue Ridge mountains is a view only this venue has.
- Stone Tower Winery (blog post) – Very close to DC and it’s airports, this 3rd generation family-owned winery is a mix of complex hospitality and lots of room for large weddings. They also have gorgeous outdoor and indoor options for all weather situations!
- Market at Grelen (blog post) – When you’re not headed here on Saturdays for your produce or plants, this outside of DC wedding venue has gorgeous views and a unique clear tent for your reception!
DC Rooftop Wedding Venues
- Fathom Gallery (blog post) – Perfect for an intimate summer affair, they have a roof deck with tons of greenery and accommodate all kinds of events.
- The LINE Hotel (blog post) – One of the most iconic rooftops in the District, The LINE DC has suites with one-of-a-kind getting ready views on their balcony, and the reception space to hold a huge party.
- Yours Truly Hotel (blog post) – This new DC hotel’s rooms are already styled for a modern look with the help of a private deck for outdoor ceremonies and gorgeous furniture for stylized wedding photos.
- Top of the Town (blog post) – Technically in Virginia, this venue has probably the best view of DC from the south you can get.
- Capitol View at 400 (blog post) – Sandwiched between Union Station and the Capitol you can’t go wrong with a rooftop wedding view at Capitol View at 400.
Small and/or Unique DC Wedding Venues
- Del Mar (blog post) – If you’re a foodie and want waterfront & rooftop views then Del Mar is for you! It is Fabio Trabocchi’s celebration of Spanish seafood cuisine which speaks for itself and it’s in a wonderful spot to introduce your guests to DC’s Wharf.
- Nina May (blog post) – For the intimate wedding with an emphasis on togetherness and food, this restaurant’s whole staff helps make weddings special.
- She Loves Me Flower Shop (blog post) – Unlikely to happen often, having a tiny wedding inside a coffeeshop has got to be one of the coolest ideas ever.
- Kreeger Museum (blog post) – Where else can you get married within a few feet of a Van Gogh? In addition to the distinguished art collection, the outdoor space is unlike anything in the District.
- Maketto (blog post) – One of the best coffeeshops, fashion store, and Michelin-level asian restaurant (yes that’s a crazy combo!) in what historically was DC’s first integrated area
- DC War Memorial (blog post) – Built to honor World War I soldiers who died, this spot is great for weddings small and large. It’s also literally on the National Mall, which makes this venue one of a kind.
- Union Stage (blog post) – A music-lovers venue on the water with the privacy you’d require for a party until the hours of the morning.
- Dockmaster Building Wedding – On the Washington Channel overlooking Haines Point, this waterfront wedding venue mixes floor to ceiling windows with your own private pier on the water. Think modern industrial but on the water!
I hope this helps you in your wedding planning whether it be in Washington DC or elsewhere! If there are any venues in the DMV I should consider, feel free to drop a comment below!
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Did these photos resonate with you? Do you and your future spouse have a story to tell? Don’t hesitate to email me for availability and pricing.
Adam Mason is a Washington DC Wedding Photographer who photographs unique couples who don’t look like Barbie and Ken. He is currently booking wedding & elopement photography sessions wherever your heart takes you.
I frequently travel for wedding, event, and non-profit portrait sessions and have clients from coastal Maui to Iceland. To find out details regarding upcoming travel dates to a city near you or to book a custom travel session, see my Travel Schedule!