Wedding planning can be hard. From historic homes to industrial spaces, check out our list of diverse Washington DC wedding venues to fit your vision.
Decatur House
I’m a sucker for historic buildings and quintessential DC locations. The historic Decatur House fits the definition perfectly. The oldest and most prestigious homes in Washington, Decatur House, is just a block away from the White House and next to Lafayette Square. Built in 1818, it is one of the oldest surviving homes in Washington, D.C..
Perfect for outdoor entertaining, the courtyard, which is surrounded by greenery and features a bricked patio is a wonderful setting for cocktail hour or dining under the stars. Indoor receptions shine in the gracious Carriage House, which boasts a 20-foot, peaked ceiling.
Intimate weddings can be hosted in one of the faithfully restored Historic Entertaining Parlors, appointed with inlaid floors, hand-painted ceilings, and 19th-century chandeliers.
Click here to see more of Lori + Dan’s Decatur House wedding!
Dock 5 at Union Market
If you’re looking to bring your wedding vision to life, Dock 5 is just the blank canvas you need. Located on the second floor of Union Market, Dock 5 is a huge industrial warehouse with soaring ceilings and additional outdoor covered dock/patio. The space offers a blank canvas with a modern feel for the coolest weddings that you can design to be exactly what you want it to be. Let’s not forget there is parking – can I get a whoop whoop for parking in DC?!
Dave and Jeff used the blank canvas to paint the walls with colorful lighting and cool leather couches giving the space a nightclub feel.
Check out Dave + Jeff’s Dock 5 Union Market wedding here!
Tudor Place Historic House and Garden
If you think Washington DC weddings can only consist of hotels or brick buildings – think again! Tudor Place is like a secret garden right in the heart of our nation’s capital. Located in historic Georgetown, the gardens can feel like a rural retreat in the middle of all the hustle and bustle.
Tudor Place is the perfect location for a small, intimate wedding celebration. Ceremony and reception locations include the outdoor garden areas: East Lawn, Bowling Green, and South Lawn, and the indoor 1867 Victorian Dower House. Tudor Place’s 5 1/2 acres of landscaped gardens and historic structures provide an elegant backdrop for a garden wedding. Fun fact, located on the South Lawn, is a 200-year old Tulip Poplar tree.
View the intimate Tudor Place wedding of Mona + Chris here!
The Alexandrian Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection
I know, The Alexandrian isn’t in D.C., but it’s just across the Potomac and Old Town Alexandria is known for its historic charm, with brick sidewalks and well-preserved 18th- and 19th-century buildings. There is an ease and beauty to hotel weddings especially if your guest list is creeping over 200 of your nearest and dearest. Sometimes you can’t beat all in one planning, so #4 is dedicated to the couples that want to ease some of their planning struggles.
The Alexandrian offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces situated in the historic Old Town. Being just steps away from the waterfront and plenty of after party locations to choose from, The Alexandrian blends the historic feel of Old Town with all the creature comforts for you and your guests.
Check out Katie and Brian’s The Alexandrian Old Town wedding here!
City Winery DC
Relatively new to the Washington D.C. scene, City Winery DC is part winery, part restaurant and part music venue. What does that mean for your wedding? Plenty of options! The venue has different room options to fit your intimate or massive guest list. From the Barrel Room Restaurant & Wine Bar featuring exposed brick walls with views of the winery to the Concert Venue combining the rustic charm of a winery with the industrial spark of a city venue the City Winery can accommodate nearly 300 guests. City Winery is a little bit rustic, a little bit industrial and a whole lot of amazing.
The Wine Garden on the third floor of the City Winery Washington DC is an indoor and outdoor space with ivy-covered walls and views of the city. The Wine Garden was a beautiful backdrop for Jared and Kevin’s ceremony. They also used the Rooftop for cocktail hour with golden sunlight streaming in – a photographers dream.
DAR Memorial Continental Hall
If you’re looking for the most Washington DC-est of the Washington DC wedding venues the DAR is for you! DAR is the headquarters for Daughters of the American Revolution, and is a historic landmark in the heart of our nation’s capital. DAR offers elegant indoor and outdoor options for a variety of wedding sizes. The portico is a gorgeous outdoor space for any part of your day with intricately detailed columns and a breathtaking view of the Washington Monument. Historic, beautifully appointed rooms containing crystal chandeliers, antique furnishings and luxurious Beaux-Arts architecture providing an elegant space for your guests. All the grandeur you expect for your wedding is available at this ideal venue in the heart of Washington DC.
Oxon Hill Manor
Our next Washington DC wedding venue isn’t exactly in the city, but it is just south along the Potomac River at the National Harbor. With its formal English gardens, reflecting pool surrounded by rose bushes and a view of the Potomac River, the picturesque Oxon Hill Manor is an ideal setting for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. Oxon Hill Manor, constructed in 1928, sits high on a hill with a picturesque view of the Potomac River from the garden area. Gaydon and Matt wanted something classic, and located in or around the DC area. When they found Oxon Hill Manor they knew it was the right place. They loved the history of it, the gardens, the manor, the view over the Potomac, the whole feeling of being in “old” DC and sort of traveling back in time.
See more of Gayden and Matt’s Oxon Hill Manor wedding here!
Josephine Butler Parks Center
Overlooking Meridian Hill Park, the Josephine Butler Parks Center is a 40-room Renaissance-revival style mansion that has been lovingly restored to its 1927 roots. Once the home of the Hungarian Embassy to the United States, the Josephine Butler Parks Center has been transformed into an Embassy of the Earth, and is a beacon of green urban revitalization and cooperation. Ceremonies can take place in the venue with it’s 14 ft vaulted ceilings and original moldings or outside overlooking the park, complete with a western view of the sunset. The Josephine Butler Parks Center is an ideal location for weddings, receptions, and a variety of other celebrations.
Check out Elizabeth and Dylan’s brunch reception at Josephine Butler Parks Center on the blog!
St. Francis Hall
I’ll admit, from the outside St. Francis Hall looks like an unremarkable brick building, but when you step inside – wow! Soaring ceilings, open wood beams, and arched windows flood the space with rich warmth to create an ambiance like none other. Nestled in the quaint and quiet residential neighborhood of Brookland and adjacent to the stunningly beautiful Franciscan Monastery, St. Francis Hall offers a rare combination of classic beauty and modern amenities. The monastery provides a stunning backdrop for photos, and a nice place for your guests to stroll in between events. Definitely at hidden Washington DC gem.
D.C. War Memorial
It’s no secret, some of my favorite weddings are the small intimate celebrations. While there are many parks and restaurant venues to accommodate intimate weddings in Washington D.C., I think nothing screams more D.C. than our monuments. So I saved the District of Columbia War Memorial: World War I Memorial for last! I love, love, love our monuments, and it also helps that I’m a WWI history nerd.
The DC War Memorial, officially named the District of Columbia War Memorial, commemorates the 26,000 citizens of Washington, D.C., who served during World War I. The domed peristyle Doric temple made of Vermont marble stands as the only memorial on the National Mall dedicated to local residents. Inscribed in the base of the memorial are the 499 names of Washingtonians who lost their lives during World War I. It was dedicated by President Herbert Hoover in 1931 on Armistice Day—the day that marked the official end of the World War.
The DC War Memorial is on the National Mall, but since it’s a little off the beaten path, you still have a sense of privacy. While this would only be a space for your ceremony it is possible to fit quiet a few guests under the dome or the large lawn space in front. 
