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Updated Aug 17, 202214 Top Washington, DC Wedding Venues for a Monumental Event
Many of DC's wedding venues are rife with political and presidential history.
The Nation's Capital is little more than 68 square miles, but it's brimming with unique places to tie the knot. From restored properties with presidential history to luxury hotels with top-line amenities and even private gardens, the wedding venues in DC accommodate a variety of wedding-day visions.
Space comes at a premium, so couples will find that many DC venues have event space on their rooftops. Couples can keep the décor minimal since DC's maximum building height limit of 130 feet in most cases means that many rooftops offer panoramic views of the city.
By the way, wedding photographers have it easy since the National Mall and its monuments make a perfect backdrop. On top of that, the city's foodie culture makes finding a rehearsal dinner site a cinch, though many venues offer wedding packages that include the rehearsal dinner.
These 14 DC wedding venues give you an idea of the hundreds of properties listed on the The Knot Marketplace. But keep in mind if you can't find what you're looking for in DC, you might look in the greater DC area, for instance just over the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia or in Maryland.
Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC
The Omni Shoreham Hotel is a unique DC wedding venue since it spreads out over 11 acres of prime real estate near Georgetown. Couples can say "I do" outdoors during a secret garden ceremony and host an elegant reception indoors at one of the hotel's ballrooms. Adding to the hotel's mystique is the lore that John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Beauvoir used to frequent when they were dating.
InterContinental Washington DC - The Wharf in Washington, DC
Positioned along the Washington Channel, the InterContinental Washington DC - The Wharf accommodates weddings with guest lists of up to 400. One of the most beloved spots for hosting weddings is the InterContinental's rooftop decks, which offers gorgeous views of the Potomac River, but the hotel also has a ballroom great for hosting a couple's big day too.
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The Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, DC
The Hay-Adams Hotel is a century's old Washington, DC hotel named for John Hay, personal secretary to former President Abraham Lincoln and Henry Adams, the descendent of former President John Adams. The rooftop "Top of the Hay" is the hotel's crown jewel with its views of surrounding landmarks, such as the White House, St. John's Church, and Lafayette Park.
Josephine Butler Parks Center in Washington, DC
Towering over Meridian Hill/Malcom X Park, the Josephine Butler Parks Center is a 40-room Renaissance Revival mansion lovingly restored by nonprofit Washington Parks & People. Once home to the Hungarian and Brazilian embassies, the property now plays hosts to events, offering couples a wedding venue brimming with a stately and romantic ambience with its grand staircase and gorgeous chandeliers. This northwest Washington DC venue can accommodate both indoor and outdoor weddings.
Meridian House in Washington, DC
Designed by John Russell Pope who was also responsible for the Capitol's National Archives, the National Gallery of Art, and the Jefferson Memorial, The Meridian House is a DC wedding venue filled with European charm. Commissioned by the former ambassador to Greece and Spain, this estate nods to Europe both indoors and out with its 17th-century English tapestry that graces the dining room to the imported linden trees that shade the courtyard. This DC wedding venue is ideal for guest lists of up to 200.
St. Regis Washington DC in Washington, DC
Just two blocks from the White House, the St. Regis Washington DC is one of the Capitol's most luxurious wedding venues. From the Astor Ballroom's floor-to-ceiling windows and Louis XIV crystal chandeliers to the Astor Terrace's urban views, this Washington wedding venue aims to give couples the wedding of their dreams for guest lists of up to 200.
Dumbarton House in Washington, DC
Built back in 1799, Georgetown's Dumbarton House is one of the neighborhood's oldest buildings. Couples can exchange vows in Dumbarton's secluded gardens, while the property's Belle Vue Room and courtyards offer event space ideal for hosting elegant receptions. Plus, Dumbarton opens its museum rooms to guests, allowing them to take self-guided tours of the displayed paintings, textiles, silver, and more, from the Federal period.
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The Mansion on O Street in Washington, DC
The Mansion on O Street boasts more than 100 themed rooms and 70 secret doors, which offers couples a unique Washington, DC wedding venue to say "I do." One of the venue's specialties is its wedding brunch, a 3.5-hour affair with food prepared by an award-winning pastry chef and a five-star chef, which can accommodate all sorts of dietary needs.
Fairmont Washington DC in Washington, DC
The Fairmont Washington DC, located near Georgetown at Foggy Bottom, recently underwent a major renovation to unveil three options for wedding receptions: the modern Kennedy Ballroom, the more traditional Grand Ballroom, and the Colonnade with its floor-to-ceiling windows and natural light. When it comes to the ceremony, the hotel's courtyard garden is a perfect spot for exchanging vows.
Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC
Neighboring Washington, DC's National Mall, the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium (which used to be known as the Departmental Auditorium) was dedicated by former President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935. Throughout the years, the auditorium has played host to numerous significant events, including the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty. Now it's limestone walls and marble floors can host weddings with guests lists of up to 650.
Ritz-Carlton Georgetown in Washington, DC
For couples looking to host a small and intimate wedding, the urban garden at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown is a perfect fit. The terraced garden called "The Yard" features a canopy of tree branches and flowering plants, which lend a romantic feel to this urban space. This Ritz can also accommodate larger weddings in its Fahrenheit Ballroom, which features floor-to-ceiling windows and exposed brick that gives a contemporary feel. For smaller, more intimate weddings, "The Smokestack," which is located at the base of a 130-foot smokestack, offers an industrial feel that's complimented by all the luxury touches the Ritz is known for.
Riggs Washington DC in Washington, DC
Built in 1891, Penn Quarter's Riggs Washington DC is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its history as the "Bank of Presidents." No longer housing the assets of 23 American presidents, the Riggs Washington DC can now house weddings starting at 25 people to 120 people across its 4,000 square feet of event space, which includes a stunning 2,500-square-foot rooftop.
Larz Anderson House in Washington, DC
The Larz Anderson House, located near DC's Dupont Circle neighborhood, is a sprawling Beaux-Arts mansion complete with gilded papier-mâché ceilings, carved wooden walls, iron staircases, and marble floors. Once the home of American diplomat Larz Anderson and his wife Isabel, the Larz Anderson House is now a historic house museum and an event venue, which can accommodate up to 130 guests for a seated wedding reception and up to 450 for a standing reception that uses all of the property's event space (including a tented garden).
InterContinental The Willard Washington, DC in Washington DC
With its Pennsylvania Avenue address, you can't get more DC than the InterContinental The Willard Washington DC, which is nicknamed "The Residence of Presidents" for the array of presidents and vice presidents who have stayed there including Abraham Lincoln. Although the property has seen several design iterations dating back to 1816, the current Beaux Arts gem was built in 1901 and now offers elegant wedding ceremonies and receptions, as well as rehearsal dinners, showers, and post-wedding brunches.
