One of the things I love about Washington DC is the incredible history that has embedded itself in our architecture. As a wedding photographer, I love that this city is packed with unique luxury wedding venues that create one-of-a-kind celebrations. Whether you’re looking for something refined and intimate or lavish and magnificent, there is a venue that will offer you the exact atmosphere you are dreaming of.
I’ve put together a list of my favorite luxury wedding venues here in DC. Every single one of these venues will provide your guests with an unforgettable experience, helping you create memories that you will cherish forever. These venues don’t churn out cookie-cutter celebrations – rather, each of these venues offers a unique space for a memorable story to be told!
Larz Anderson House
When it was built in 1905, the Larz Anderson House was described as a “Florentine villa in the midst of American independence”. It perfectly describes the elegant escapism of this historic masterpiece. I love the gentle grandeur that the gothic touches give this stunning property – the sweeping staircase and glittering ballroom are particular highlights, not simply because of the atmosphere they will give your reception, but also for the incredible photos you can capture there!
The Larz Anderson also hides a lovely walled garden that forms the perfect place for a drinks reception or an intimate outdoor dinner. Out of all of these luxury wedding venues, this is one of my all-time favorites!
Perry Belmont House
Walking into the Perry Belmont House is like walking straight into a fairy-tale palace. This property is unique on this list of luxury wedding venues because it was built specifically for the Belmont family to host and entertain the crème de la crème of society from the United States and across the globe. Now you can bask in the opulent Beaux-Arts architecture, complete with soaring marble staircases, ornate gilding, and magnificent chandeliers.
Tudor Place
This historic house and gardens in the heart of Georgetown is the perfect spot for intimate weddings and ‘minimonies’. One of the things I love about the luxury wedding venues on the property is that the gardens are designed to flow in a series of ‘rooms’. So, wherever you find yourself, you feel like you’ve stumbled upon a secret garden. Tudor Place was home to six generations of Martha Washington’s descendants, and with fountains, arbors, and the elegant facades of the Federal-style buildings, this is the perfect setting for an intimate celebration.
Meridian House
Described by some as being the best example of French architecture in the entire United States, Meridian House is a gem among luxury wedding venues. Protected from the hustle and bustle of its stunning central location and surrounded by its impressive gardens and grounds, this grand property offers many different sites to celebrate a beautiful, European-styled wedding. The venue recommends that outdoor celebrations take place between late April and mid-October when their gardens are in full bloom. Indoors, the Drawing Room glows with refinement and the huge, arched library windows offer an incredible backdrop for your photos.
The Hay-Adams
For a DC wedding experience like no other, book The Hay-Adams. Overlooking the White House and the Washington Monument, it’s hard to imagine luxury wedding venues with more iconic views. Every room at the Hay oozes elegant luxury, but the true winner has to be the ‘Top of the Hay’. Booking this space allows you access to the gallery where you can soak up the panorama and take unforgettable wedding photos, while skylights and trellises give your entire rooftop-wedding an extraordinary atmosphere.
Dumbarton House
Completed around 1800, the stately Dumbarton House has frequently been voted among the top luxury wedding venues in the city. The stone courtyard here is special enough to stand on its own but when it’s decorated and hung with lights and foliage, it is transformed into something truly magical!
The house and grounds radiate a sense of peace that I love. With high ceilings and tall windows, the indoor spaces feel luxurious without being cloying. It’s easy to see why, in spite of being one of the oldest buildings in Georgetown, Dumbarton House still gets more than its fair share of luxury weddings.
Mellon Auditorium
@mellonauditorium_eventemissary
If jaw-dropping grandeur is what you’re looking for, look no further than the Mellon Auditorium! This is one of the largest luxury wedding venues in DC, with a capacity of up to 1000 people. Soaring columns rise up into the vaulted ceiling and it is uplit with dramatic lighting that can be tailored to the atmosphere of your event. This Neo-classical masterpiece is in high demand for galas and corporate events and it will allow you to celebrate your wedding in unforgettable magnificence.
The LINE Hotel
Many of the incredible luxury wedding venues on this list are designed to send you back in time in the best way. The LINE Hotel, however, as a dynamic reinvention of a 110-year-old church, walks the line between the beauty of the past and the charisma of the present. With a variety of sleek and characterful spaces, including a roof terrace with 360° views of the surrounding city and a mezzanine with striking arched windows, this venue offers history wrapped in innovation. It can accommodate wedding parties from the small and intimate to a party of up to 300 people.
St. Regis Washington DC
The gorgeous facade of St. Regis Washington, just two blocks from the White House, is a good indication of the splendor within. One of the most popular luxury wedding venues in the city, and for good reason, St. Regis offers a gorgeous ballroom for your reception. The stylish Terrace creates outdoor sophistication in summer, while in the winter months St. Regis offers a tent designed specifically for wedding ceremonies. The regal gates of the Astor Terrace are a sight to behold upon entering. Altogether, this venue is an exquisite backdrop for one of the happiest days of your life.
What’s your favorite?
There’s no better city than Washington DC to find unique and unforgettable luxury wedding venues. So as you plan for your celebration, I hope this tour of Washington DC’s luxury wedding venues has helped you discover a high-impact, beautiful location to fall in love with!
Planning a wedding? Let’s talk! Check out my guide on 5 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer here.
DID YOU ENJOY THIS BLOG POST? PIN IT FOR LATER…
comments +