As a Washington, DC wedding photographer, it’s safe to say I’ve photographed at my share of wedding venues in this incredible city. The best thing about this area is that there is truly something for everyone; whether you love classic white marble or historic old clubs, it can be found without ever leaving DC! So on today’s Bridal Business, I am sharing the best wedding venues in Washington, DC and a bit of information about what makes each one so unique!
Daughter’s of the American Revolution (DAR)
This will always be my personal favorite wedding venue in DC! The O’Byrne Gallery, where receptions are held, encapsulates the timelessness of DC in one stunning room. It also opens right onto the Portico that overlooks the White House where your guests can enjoy cocktail hour or dancing! Heading upstairs, both the historic library and balcony overlooking the Washington Monument make for classic portrait backdrops. This place is a dream!
See more Emily & Max’s DAR Constitution Hall Wedding. And more of other past DAR Weddings (and here and here!)
Meridian House
Like mentioned at the Josephine Bulter Parks Center above, the Meridian House is one of those amazing (and rare!) wedding venues in DC that offers stunning gardens with an equally beautiful interior in the case of rain! Tall trees provide an endless amount of shade, so you don’t have to worry about the summer heat with this location!
See more of Tayler & Kunal’s Black Tie Meridian House wedding and a spring Meridian House wedding here.
The Ritz-Carlton DC
DC is home to two Ritz-Carltons, one downtown and one in Georgetown. Both are fantastic options, but the downtown one has an incredible staff that literally transforms their ballroom to make it unique to each and every couple. There is no such thing as a “basic” ballroom wedding when working with The Ritz!
See more of Heather & Bernie’s Ritz Carlton Wedding.
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful churches in all of the United States and it’s always such an honor to photograph here. The reason I saved this one as a bonus location? You have to have worked at the Cathedral, had a family member married at the Cathedral, or have been a student at one of their various schools to say your “I dos” in this incredible location. If you haven’t done one of the above, fear not! You can apply for a permit to be married or take photos in their STUNNING gardens!
See more National Cathedral weddings here and here!
Andrew Mellon Auditorium
The Andrew Mellon Auditorium is one of the largest wedding venues in all of Washington, DC. The Great Hall can accommodate up to 1,000 guests at any time, with smaller spaces available in the Green Room, East & West. The exterior architecture is just as divine as the interior, so you can have great portraits both inside & out. It’s an ideal area of the District, right off the National Mall so your guests can easy enjoy sightseeing on their trip to DC.
Image Source [ALL]
The LINE Hotel
This venue recently opened in Adams Morgan is already becoming a favorite to many in the area! It boasts a stunning rooftop view of the city and a gorgeous ballroom that can seat up to 500 guests at once. Having a smaller wedding? There are fantastic rooms available here for those more intimate events as well!
Cosmos Club
If you’re looking for Paris in DC, you’ve come to the right place. The Cosmos Club is home to the Warne Ballroom, a room so stunning that even if no decorating was done, it would look just perfect. The ceiling mural in the Cosmos Club reception ballroom is even more beautiful in person and the club boasts both and East and West Garden perfect for portraits and your ceremony.
See more of Kendra & Ben’s Cosmos Club Wedding.
The Willard Intercontinental
Weddings held at the Willard Intercontinental are in the lap of luxury. The moment you walk into the hotel, you will feel elegance surrounding you in their marble columns and opulent ballrooms.
See more of Darcy & Kevin’s Willard Intercontinental Wedding. 
Each and every couple is looking for something different when researching a venue — for those who are interested in a large hotel that can accommodate all their guests in one location, this is fantastic choice! It’s right downtown which makes it accessible to shopping, food, and sites so they don’t ever need to rent a car!
Kristina and Sean’s Mayflower Hotel wedding was perfection!
National Museum of Women in the Arts
When I think of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, one word always comes to mind: elegance. This two-story ballroom features regal chandeliers and a grand staircase from the top tier. There is an endless amount of windows ensuring there will always be daylight streaming in for your ceremony!
See more of KC & Andrews’s National Museum of Women in the Arts wedding, as well as Emily & Mike’s NMWA Wedding.
Congressional Country Club
Although this location isn’t technically in DC, it’s just a stone throw away in Bethesda, MD! The Congressional Country Club is one of the most notable clubs in the area as it’s been home to many prestigious golf championships and host to several remarkable members, including a few past Presidents. Their elegant event space is unrivaled and the views from the green are to die for!
View all of Emily and Patrick’s Congressional Country Club wedding!
Carnegie Institution for Science
Like so many of these wonderful venues, The Carnegie Institution for Science is another Washington, DC wedding venue that is as beautiful outside as it is inside. The exterior of the building is very traditional DC with white columns and a grand staircase. But the inside is truly something special — a two-story rotunda filled with ornate white walls and lot of windows for beautiful daylight. It’s perfectly situated within walking distance to many downtown hotels which makes it the perfect spot for your guests to enjoy as well!
See more of Chris & Michelle’s Carnegie Institution for Science Wedding, as well as Amanda & Brian’s winter Carnegie Wedding.
Dumbarton House
I love the Dumbarton House in Washington, DC because it’s one of those unique venues that works for a small elopement wedding or for a large-scale celebration! Receptions here are typically done outdoors and with the unpredictability of DC weather, it’s best that they are tented. Dumbarton House has an endless amount of gardens, so you know that portraits will be stunning anywhere on this lovely property!
Image Source [HERE]
St. Matthews Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Matthews the Apostle in NW is another one of my favorite churches in the District. While the outside is unassuming, t’s actually where JFK was laid to rest, so you know it’s absolutely stunning inside. If you’re celebrating with a Catholic mass and looking for the perfect location in DC for a church ceremony, this is the place you want to say “I do”!
I’ve photographed several St. Matthews Cathedral weddings that you can view here, here, here, here, and here.
Josephine Butler Parks Center
Josephine Bulter Parks Center is a historic home located just outside the stunning fountain at Meridian Hill Park in Northwest DC. It’s lush gardens and arched doorways make for stunning portrait backdrops. For those planning an outdoor wedding but are looking for something with a beautiful indoor backup, this is your spot!
Anderson House at the Society of the Cincinnati
Walking into the Anderson House at the Society of the Cincinnati makes one feel as if they’ve stepped into a time machine. The space was developed during the American Revolution in a Beaux-Art style masterpiece. The marble-lined rooms are the perfect combination of romance and history in one unique space.
View all of Kate & Michael’s Anderson House Wedding. See more Anderson House weddings here and here!
This historic venue is in the heart of DC and features a two-story ballroom so guests feel anything but cramped — a rarity in the District! As a bonus, it’s just steps from the White House which in and of itself can make for some pretty epic portraits!
You can see James & Cady’s Army Navy Club wedding for more inspiration!
Tudor Place
If you’re looking for a private venue, Tudor Place is definitely the spot for you; even if you walked past this historic home, you could easily miss it! Their stunning hedged gardens and expansive land provides an off the beaten path location in the heart of Georgetown. Just be prepared to arrange transportation for your guests as parking is very limited in this part of town!
District Winery
A winery IN the District of Columbia?! Yes, please! This stunning waterfront venue is run by an amazing team and has gorgeous sunset views over the Anacostia River!
Click to view Melissa & Jake’s District Winery Wedding! And another DW wedding from last fall!
DC War Memorial
While it’s fairly common knowledge that you can apply to take photographs at any of the iconic monuments in Washington, DC, it’s lesser known that you can actually get married within a few of them! My favorite, by far, is the DC War Memorial as it reminds me of a smaller and more private Jefferson Memorial with the same quintessential architecture!
See Maggie & Andy’s DC War Memorial wedding here and Jenn & Todd’s DC War Memorial elopement here!
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