Washington Life Magazine
Washington Life Magazine

Perfect Places to hold your Wedding Reception

Tying the knot sometime soon? Washington Life has done a littlehomework to aid you in your search for the perfect place to holdyour wedding reception. Whether you lean to the great outdoors orprefer a more formal indoor setting, what follows is a list of specialplaces with a breakdown of costs and hidden expenses. Not altarbound? These venues would also be great for other special events.
The Arts Club of Washington
2017 I St., NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-331-7282
These two federal-style town homes have high ceilings, period style furniture and crystalchandeliers. This building was once an executive mansion for President James Monroe andoffers a variety of settings for entertaining from seated dinners in one of the art galleriesto receptions in the courtyard.
House and garden receptions can accommodate up to 300 people. 150 people canbe seated in the garden area.
The rental fee is $2,200 for a larger reception.This includes four hours for the party, two hours for set-up and a half-hour forcleanup. It is $300 for each additional hour. The party must end by midnight with themusic ending at 11 p.m.
Catering and bar costs begin at $1,600 extra for a large group though costs varywith size and season.
Bar service is around $20 per person and top-shelf alcohol will be stocked.
No red wine is permitted on the second floor.
 
The Black Horse Inn
8393 Meetze Rd.
Warrenton, Virginia 20187
540-349-4020
This Civil-war era estate is located on 20 acres of Virginia countryside. This localewon an award in Arrington’s Bed & Breakfast Journal’s Book of Lists for “B&B / Inn WithThe Best Wedding Arrangements” last year.
Several wedding packages are available. “The Gilded Fox” includes eight hours of site rentaltime (with setup and take down) and it accommodates 200 guests for dining anddancing. Table and chair rental as well as two hours with a wedding planner are included inthe $5,600 site fee. For $7,180, guests can also fill the 8 bedrooms for one night and have agourmet breakfast. Packages vary in price depending on guests staying at the inn.
Another option: the garden terrace. For 125 seated people for a 4 hour event plus timefor setup and take down, cost is $2,500, not including chair, table and tent rental.Ceremonies can be held in the gazebo. There is also a large stone terrace, picturesquepond, fountain, and bridge, which are ideal for wedding photos.
Outdoor music is permitted.
Cleaning is an additional $350.
Staff time is charged at $25 per hour per person.
The inn has in-house caterers and meals range from $25 to $45 per person. There is nocorkage fee at the Inn. Bar packages include a light bar for $3.50 per person that includessodas, juices and ice. For $4.95 per person, guests can choose from a variety of hardliquors, mixes, tonic, etc.
The Inn’s bedrooms range in price from $125 to $295. There are also other hotels locatednearby where other guests can stay since the Inn has only eight unique bedrooms to offer.
Black Horse Inn
The Black Horse Inn

The Cloisters
10440 Falls Rd.
Brooklandville, Maryland
410-877-3492
The outdoor areas, including the amphitheater, provide a beautiful setting for a weddingceremony and reception. What makes this location unique is its medieval French andEnglish decoration and architecture, and its outdoor amphitheater which is available forceremonies with up to 200 guests.
Site rental ranges from $1,800 to $2,700, depending on the time (daytime vs. evening).In July and August, site rental drops to $1,500. These costs allow for a one-hour ceremony, afour hour reception and time for setup and cleanup.
The Cloisters can accommodate 120 people seated with dancing and 200 guests standing.The second and third floors are available for reception at $200 per floor. Total capacityinside is 350 people.
Additional hours are billed at $100. The rental provides access to the ground floor, garden,amphitheater, bride’s room, babysitting room and parking lots. Also, the Cloisters providestables, chairs and coat racks. Cushions for the outdoor amphitheater are available for $1.50each.
Votive candles are permitted as are candles in hurricanes.
Please note, if you are planning a summer wedding, the Cloisters does not have air conditioning.
No amplified music is permitted except during the ceremony.
A licensed caterer may be selected from an approved list. If you are the second person tobook on a Saturday, you must use the other person’s caterer.
 
Congressional Club
2001 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-332-1155
Founded in 1908, this club was originally established to provide a place to createfriendships between the spouses of members of the House and Senate. The beautifully litballroom includes an antique Steinway piano. Classic décor, complete with columnsand a grand double staircase create a traditional ambiance.
For a non-member to have a wedding at Congressional Club, a member must sponsora guest by signing a rental contract.
The ballroom with alcoves can seat 175 people with a dance floor and 200 without.There is a 75 person minimum on weeknights and weekends.
The space costs $4,000 to rent for up to eight hours. The rental fee includes the site, tables,chairs, a manager, and houseman.
Caterers must be approved.
If beverages are brought into the Club, host must provide soda, ice, etc. There will be acork fee of $3.50 per guest for outside wine. The club has bartenders available.
Fees for a coat check and doorman will be added. The doorman is $2 per person.
Events must end by midnight.
Host must hire a valet service for parties over 50 persons.
 
Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 17th St., NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-639-1781
Weddings may be held in the two-story inner atrium of the Corcoran. This space issurrounded by ionic columns and has a grand staircase which guests will descend toeat in the main atrium. Your friends and family can enjoy wandering through the gallerieswith museum docents on hand to answer questions.
200-250 guests have ample room for a seated dinner with a dance floor. For just a reception,400 people can comfortably enjoy the event. On average, receptions cost around$12,000.
You may choose from the Corcoran’s list of caterers.
Required operations and cleanup charges are an additional $750 dollars and required securityis $4 per person.
There is ample parking but a valet is recommended.
 
Decatur House Museum
1600 H St. NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-842-1856
The museum is dedicated to educating the public about American cultural and socialhistory as it relates to Decatur House. Complete with vaulted ceilings and a brickcourtyard surrounded by gardens, guests can also take advantage of their private use of themuseum.
The Courtyard holds 500 people standing and 220 seated and the area can be tented.The Carriage House can accommodate 120 people for a seated reception and 250 standing.The Victorian Parlor is ideal for less than 100 guests.
Decatur House’s weekend rate for the Carriage House and/or Courtyard is $4,000for seven hours, allotting four hours for the event, or $5,000 for nine hours. It is $6,000 torent the Victorian Parlor for a standing reception and $7,000 for a seated one, whichincludes nine hours of time and use of the House and Courtyard. For this rental, the feeminus $2,750 is tax deductible.
Extra fees include $100 membership fee for all contracting parties renting the site and a$500 ceremony fee that includes an hour of rehearsal time.
No music is permitted after 11:30 pm. A fee of $450, per hour, will be charged to anyevent that extends beyond the time allotted. The event is deemed over when the last guestleaves. An additional $100 will be charged for set-up and cleanup time. There are also extracharges for events held during holidays or heavy seasons.
You may choose from a list of approved caterers, tent vendors, and valets.
Decatur House prohibits cash bars, throwing things for the bride and groom send-off andfood and drink in the museum (except on the second floor for a Victorian Parlor rental).Also, no red beverages are permitted unless part of a full-seated dinner in the CarriageHouse.
There is limited parking but garages are in the vicinity.
 
Dumbarton House
2715 Q St. NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-337-2288
Wedding guests enter Dumbarton House through the museum area and have theoption to tour the museum and explore the private collection. The combined indoorBelle Vue elegant dining room and outdoor courtyard and garden areas provide a beautifuland intimate setting for a wedding.
Site rental is $7,500 for a ceremony and reception within the six hour time period.Additional hours are $350. Using the Belle Vue room and a tented courtyard, 150 guestscan be accommodated for a seated reception with a band and dance floor.
Tent rental is an extra expense and must be obtained from an approved vendor. The tentdoubles as a rain plan.
Caterers and beverage service are not included though Dumbarton House has a listof approved caterers.
No music is allowed at all after 11:30 p.m. and the event must be over at 1 am. Musicalbands or orchestras are limited to six members.
Dumbarton House recommends hiring a valet.
 
Four Seasons Hotel
2800 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-342-0444
The hotel never books two weddings for the same day and full, experienced wedding staffis on hand for all wedding needs. There is also a 13,000 square foot spa where the brideand groom can prepare for the wedding and where everyone can relax after the event.
The ballroom can seat 450 people without a dance floor, 350 with the dance space, and800 standing.
Pricing depends on the time of day, the day of the week, and many other factors. Onaverage, lunch/per person starts at $80 and dinner/per person is $125 and up. Bar packagesare available for different prices. You may not bring your own wine.
Valet parking would be needed for a large wedding.
Events are tailored to the host’s wishes and timing depends on the party itself. Manyinternational weddings have been held at this location.
Room rates range from $240-475.
The Four Seasons does not give a time limit to evening events and there are no musicrestrictions.
 
George Washington’s River Farm
7931 East Boulevard Drive
Alexandria, Virginia 22308
703-768-5700
This beautiful and historic estate, once owned by George Washington is located inAlexandria. The elegant main house sits on 25 acres of beautiful scenery, complete with aview of the Potomac from the flagstone patio. A hand-painted floral frieze decoratesthe entranceway.
Costs include site rental for eight hours including set-up and break down. In themonths of April through October, rental for up to 140 people is $6,000 including a 30’ x60’ white tent with perimeter lighting and a 6’x10’ marquee to the ballroom. If guestsexceed that amount, it is $8,500 for up to 200 people and includes a 30’ x 80’ tent. InNovember through March, up to 140 people can be accommodated for $4,500 with astanding reception for larger parties.
Guests must vacate by 10 p.m. and caterers by 11p.m. Additional up-front hours can bepurchased at $300 per hour.
Host is responsible for food and drink and caterers must be approved.
Ample parking is available though some parties hire a valet.
No amplified music is permitted outside.
River Farm

River Farm
River Farm

The Goodstone Inn & Estate
36205 Snake Hill Rd.
Middleburg, Virginia 20117
540-687-4645
This thirteen-room estate, decorated in French and English country styles, is situatedon 265 acres. All weddings are held outside by the mansion pool, adjacent to the originalmansion façade.
A wedding package for 101-175 guests on a weekend in full season on average costs$19,750. This includes the daily inn rental of $4,985, the two-night minimum for $9,970,occupancy taxes, the $7,500 site fee, state sales tax and daily service fee.
Rental of all 13 guestrooms is required for a private wedding. For weddings booked on weekendsin full season, there is a two-night minimum. Rooms can hold 36 guests maximumincluding sleeper sofas and children’s room.
Rental equipment such as chairs and tables are available for rent by the Goodstone.Using Goodstone equipment also incurs a set-up charge.
Rehearsal time can be arranged. The Goodstone can cater small groups of guests.
Tents are required by the Inn and must be rented from a list of vendors provided. Thetent serves as a rain plan. Caterers must also be approved.
Music may be played outdoors until 10:30 p.m. and there are some restrictions concerningamplified music.
For over 100 guests, hiring a valet is recommended.
The throwing of rice is prohibited though birdseed, flower petals and potpourri areacceptable.
Goodstone Inn

Goodstone Inn
Goodstone Inn

Halcyon House
3400 Prospect St. NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-338-3295
This spacious Georgian mansion is complete with gardens that overlook the Potomac andD.C.’s monuments. Benjamin Stoddert, a wealthy merchant and America’s first secretaryof the navy built the mansion in 1783. It has been extensively remodeled and nowstands as a wonderful place for an intimate wedding.
Halcyon can accommodate 160 people with a band and 180 without. In the past, somehosts have tented the driveway to accommodate more people.
The cost for renting the site is $10,000. The wedding must end between 11 and 11:30p.m. Caterer must be approved.
Very limited rehearsal time is available.
No amplified music is permitted outside.
 
The Hay-Adams Hotel
16th & H Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-638-6600
This hotel is decorated in an Italian Renaissance motif that creates an ambiance ofdignified refinement. Located across from the White House, the hotel has a one-of-a-kindpanoramic view of Washington. The Hay-Adams opened in 1928 “to provide for thesocially elite as well as the men and women who loom large in the Country’s life.”
The John Hay Room with period ceiling treatments and warm décor has a receptioncapacity of 175 and a banquet capacity of 120-150 guests. The rooftop terrace, overlookingthe White House and the monuments, can accommodate 120 for a reception.Smaller groups can also be accommodated in a variety of settings.
Pricing starts at $150 per person.
Bar service includes champagne, wine and mineral water. Full bar includes red and whitewines, domestic beer, vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, sparkling water and soft drinks. Cost is$20 per person unless based on actual alcohol consumption.
Extra services offered includes: Valet parking is $12 per car. Coat check is $2.50 per guest.Chair rental is $8.50 per chair.
 
The Jefferson Hotel
1200 16th St., NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-347-2200
This beaux-arts inspired building is located merely four blocks from the White House.This venue creates a private-estate feel with its ambiance and exquisite furnishings. Its intimateappeal combined with an award winning chef makes for a perfect wedding venue.
The Jefferson can accommodate 80–100 people with a dance floor.
Cost starts at $125 to $175 per person.
Catering and beverage service are provided by the hotel. For outside wine, there is a $10corkage fee.
Events must end by midnight.
Valet cost is $13 per person. However, off-street parking is available in addition togarage parking behind the hotel.
 
Meridian House
1630 Crescent Place, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-939-5592
“Quo habitat felicitas nil entret mali” (“Where happiness dwells, evil will notenter”) is the inscription above the entrance to Meridian House. Wedding guests will betreated to both indoor and outdoor accommodations. The pebbled Linden Grove iscomposed of 40 imported Linden trees form a seasonal natural canopy. The Loggia, leadingto the Linden Grove, is decorated with hand-carved Venetian torches. The variety ofunique rooms provides many settings for wedding guests to mingle.
Meridian House likes to keep guest size around 150 so that an outdoor wedding canbe held inside in the event of rain. A standing reception could hold up to 300 people.
A Saturday evening ceremony and reception will cost $9,500, which includes full use of thehouse and gardens for ten hours. The cost includes banquet tables, chairs, and use ofthe private parking lot.
Tent rental, valet parking, and coat check are not included in the fee. If a non-listed catereris employed, a $5,000 security deposit must be paid.
Run-over time is billed at $1,500 per hour.
In the event of rain and your party is forced to move inside, no red wine or red food ispermitted.
Musical bands or orchestras are limited to eight members. Music must end by 11 p.m.
Meridian prohibits cash bars, lit candles and the throwing of rice, confetti or anythingsimilar.
Meridian House

Meridian House
Meridian House

National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-783-5000
This extremely beautiful venue boasts marble floors, moldings and large chandeliers.Ceremonies can be held in the Great Hall and guests can then ascend the double staircaseto the Mezzanine. Fees for use of the facility includes a donation to the museum.Private use of the exhibits creates cultural entertainment for guests.
The Great Hall and the Mezzanine can each seat 250 people. If a party is 250 guests orless, both of these areas may be used at different times throughout the event. A ceremonymay be held in the Great Hall and dinner can be served in the Mezzanine.
The price for site rental during the spring and fall seasons is $12,000, $10,000 of which is taxdeductible. In January, February, July and August, the price is $8,000, with $6,000 taxdeductible.
The two floors of the gallery can be opened at $60 per floor which pays for a docent.
Rehearsal time can be arranged at no extra charge.
Events must be over by midnight. The Museum deems a party to be over when theliquor is not being served. Guests can be filtering out and caterers can be cleaning up.Additional time is billed at $500 per half hour.
Candles are permitted as long as they do not drip wax.
 
Renaissance Mayflower Hotel
1127 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20038
202-347-3000
This hotel was built in 1925 in a grand architectural style. The inside is ornate andvery light, with windows lining the rooms. The luxurious marble promenade leadsguests to the ballrooms.
A seated reception can accommodate 450-600 people with a dance floor.
For a Saturday night wedding, the cost ranges from $20,000- $30,000. This includes everythingexcept music and centerpieces. Rehearsal time is part of the package. Menuprices range from $136-153 per person.
You may not bring in your own alcohol.
There are no music restrictions.
Both valet parking and garage parking are available for guests.
 
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel
1150 M St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-974-5535
The Ritz-Carlton has the newest luxury ballroom in the city. The hotel has a beautifulgrand staircase, pale-gold silk wall coverings and six chandeliers. Italian ivory marble wasused to decorate this luxurious venue. Beautiful china, linens, and chair covers areoffered for use at no extra charge.
The ballroom can hold as many as 1,100 people. The Plaza ballroom can accommodatemore than 200 and the dance floor size can change depending on the party size. Thereare also other spaces available.
There is no ceremony fee.
There is no ending time but alcohol must stop being served at 2 a.m. in accordancewith D.C. liquor laws. Extra time cost depends on what services are needed.
 
Rockwood Manor Park
11001 Mac Arthur Blvd.
Potomac, Maryland 20854
301-299-5026
This two-story brick Georgian mansion is nestled in a cozy wooded setting. Besides indoorreceptions, outdoor parties can be held by the gazebo, on the flagstone terrace surrounded bylush foliage or in a tented area. This wooden setting is conveniently located 20 minutesoutside of downtown Washington.
Inside, a maximum of 80-100 guests can be accommodated. Outside, approximately 300people. Rental cost for seven hours is $2,250 for 200 guests and includes tables and chairs.
Choose from the list of 60 approved caterers.
No music is allowed outside and candles must be in containers.
 
The St. Regis Hotel
923 M St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-429-2400
This historic hotel was recently named inCondé Nast Traveler’s 2002 Gold List. Thecrystal ballroom’s paladin windows overlook the crystal gardens that are landscaped withmany lights. This beautiful landmark was designed in the style of an ItalianRenaissance Palace and holds beautiful European crystal chandeliers.
The crystal ballroom can serve 200 seated guests with a dance floor and average costper person would be $150. It includes both indoor and outdoor privileges. The fee is forfive hours of time including set up. The cost of additional time depends on additional servicesneeded and is easily negotiable with the hotel and caterer.
There is a $850 ceremony fee for the room.
The hotel is prepared to tailor the catering to the host’s desires such as creating a vodka baror food stations.
 
The Historic Georgetown Club
1530 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-333-9330
This venue has an Old World, European décor complete with wood paneling, crystalchandeliers, rich tapestries and fireplaces. The warm and comfortable atmosphere is anideal place to hold an intimate wedding.
This is a member’s only club. If a non-member wishes to hold an event, it must be sponsoredby a friend or business associate who is a member. The sponsor is ultimately responsiblefor payment if the non-member defaults. Historic Georgetown Club has an extensivelist of reciprocal clubs in the U.S. and around the world whose members may also enjoyfull use of Historic Georgetown Club.
No outside food or drink is permitted in the club.
A reception of100 guests is the largest seated reception that can be accommodated.
The non-member cost of renting the main dining room and living room is $900. There isno room fee for members. There is no time limit with room rental.
Dinner and a variety of wines are charged per person between $95 and $135.
Valet parking costs $11 per car.
The club suggests a three-piece trio due to the small setting, but a sound system is alsoavailable.
 
Private Clubs
If you are a member or know a member who will sponsor you, private clubs such as TheCosmos Club, Metropolitan Club of Washington D.C. and University Club areoften less expensive alternatives for your wedding reception.

 



Home  |   Where To Find Us  |   Advertising  |   Privacy Policy  |   Site Map  |   Purchase Photos  |   About Us

Click here to go to the NEW Washington Life Magazine