The DMV (Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia) area has so many awesome wedding venues with no shortage of unique and interesting choices! Whether you are envisioning a small, intimate wedding with river views, an elegant celebration, or a big bash at a historical wedding venue, you could find it here.
With so many options to choose from, and from a Virginia / Washington DC wedding photographer that has seen a lot of venues, here are some of my favorite wedding venues I have photographed at. Keep reading to discover my favorite and best wedding venues in the DMV area!
Your Guide to the Best Wedding Venues in the DMV Area
Here are my top recommendations for wedding venues in the DMV area:
Washington DC Wedding Venues
Eastern Market
Eastern Market is a historic wedding venue that is still very much a hidden gem. It has rustic charm, bistro lighting outdoors, and is the perfect venue for a small, intimate affair or big dance party! Pro tip: Even if it rains, you can still have your cocktail reception under the covered bays, immersing your guests in the Capitol Hill experience
DC War Memorial
The DC War Memorial is a stunning backdrop that is ideal for an elopement or small wedding ceremony. This round marble memorial is right on the National Mall and surrounded by large, beautiful trees, creating a serene ambiance in a busy city. Pro tip: The Lincoln Memorial is a short walk away if you want to capture some couple portraits there afterwards!
Kimpton Hotel Monaco
The Kimpton Hotel Monaco is a luxury boutique hotel with breathtaking ballrooms and historic architecture. It’s a dreamy wedding venue for an elegant, glamorous celebration with a courtyard for cocktail receptions. Accommodates up to 200 guests. Pro tip: An awesome staircase is perfect for first looks or classy portraits. Also, the Portrait Gallery is right across the street, giving options for portraits even if it rains.
Big Bear Cafe
Big Bear Cafe hosts an intimate garden celebration with a rustic indoor feeling for a reception, dinner, and dancing. It is located in a charming, small residential area and is surrounded by cobblestone patios, gardens, trees, and old native grape vines, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. A buy-out of the cafe brings multiple spaces for mingling, dancing, and celebrating! Pro tip: if hosting your ceremony outside, consider a ceremony where you can see the twinkle lights in the outdoor space. Best for late fall weddings for timing.
Patterson Mansion
Patterson Mansion is a historic Neoclassical-style mansion situated on Dupont Circle with an eye-catching grand exterior and an interior full of character and historical comforts. The beautiful balcony allows guests to meander during cocktail hour or provides an iconic first look location. Best for weddings under 100 people. Pro tip: Dupont Circle right after sunset can be a great time to take photos with the twinkle of street lights creating some dramatic photos.
Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle
Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle is one of the prominent cathedrals in Washington, DC., being the location of JFK’s funeral and many Catholic presidents attending mass at this venue. This circa-1893 cathedral has colorful mosaics, a soaring dome, and an ornate interior, and it is located close to the Mayflower Hotel and other trendy DC hotels. Pro tip: There isn’t a waiting space for the couple prior to the ceremony, so plan to arrive right before you walk down the aisle! (Which makes for some great documentary photos).
Pearl Street Warehouse
If you are looking for a unique venue with a bit of an edge, consider Pearl Street Warehouse, a live music venue located in the bustling area of the DC Wharf. This venue works well for a cocktail-style reception, but can also host up to 150 guests seated. Pro tip: If this space doesn’t work for your ceremony, consider the Molly Smith study at Arena stage, a light-drenched space for ceremonies. Bonus, it’s within walking distance to Pearl Street Warehouse.
Dockmaster Building
The Dockmaster Building at The DC Wharf has idyllic waterfront views with a modern reception space with wraparound windows. Cocktail receptions and ceremonies can be held outside, but are still mostly covered. Pro tip: Consider ceremonies closer to sunset and consider the space on the district pier, for a ceremony that is a little different from your everyday ceremony space.
Josephine Butler Parks Center
Josephine Butler Parks Center is a historic building in Washington, D.C., that is a Renaissance Revival-style mansion with historical charm dripping throughout the venue. It is located across the street from Meridian Hill Park and is perfect for an afternoon brunch or a later into the night dance party. The ceremony and reception are all held indoors, making it a great venue for couples who aren’t fond of coming up with weather contingency plans.
Pro tip: Depending upon current laws, the rental of Josephine Butler Parks Center has a portion of the rental that can be tax-deductible. They also allow outside caterers, making it a great venue if you are hoping for more traditional ethnic food outside of typical wedding catering.
Virginia Wedding Venues
River Farm
River Farm is a gorgeous estate with lush gardens, river views, woodlands, and so much more to offer you and your guests. It is a 27-acre historic venue located on the banks of the Potomac River. Pro tip: Even though the river is east, there is often a beautiful sunset that reflects gorgeous pink colors in the summertime.
Atrium and Meadowlark
The Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens has picturesque garden views, a serene ambiance, and endless natural beauty – it feels like you’ve stepped into another world. The glass-walled Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is one of my favorite Northern Virginia wedding venues. The greenhouse is gorgeous, with lots of beautiful plants and foliage, and a great spot for first looks and wedding portraits! I love this venue so much that I wrote an in-depth guide about it, which you can check out here!
Hotel Heron
Hotel Heron is an Art Deco-style hotel that is a new venue in Alexandria, but with over a century of history. The rooftop bar (ideal for cocktail hours) has beautiful panoramic views of Old Town Alexandria and the Potomac. A highlight of the venue is the beautiful ballroom that feels less ballroom, more a window-filled room of light with a gorgeous wood floor. Pro tip: Consider Carlyle House Garden if you would like to hold your ceremony in a close by but alternate location. The hotel is also close to many different denominational churches.
The Alexandrian
The Alexandrian is another gorgeous, luxury hotel to host your wedding at. It has a charming outdoor courtyard with a backup ballroom space in case it ends up being a stormy day. Pro tip: This hotel is pet-friendly and also has balconies – a great place if you want to include your furbaby in the festivities.
Army Navy Country Club
The Army Navy Country Club, located in Arlington, Virginia, is still close to the city, with a gorgeous view of the city and monuments. The ballroom has beautiful, large windows and a gorgeous patio that overlooks the city. While the club is not open to the public, if you are a member or can be sponsored by a member, you can have your wedding here!
Westfields Marriott Golf Club
Westfields Marriott Golf Club is a hidden gem in Clifton, Virginia, that has all the beauty of a golf course, with a private, secluded feeling. The beautiful front of the clubhouse is seasonally adorned with flowers and ferns, reminding you of the charm of Old Virginia. The ceremony takes place under a covered structure with white billowing curtains that protect you and your guests from the elements. Pro tip: The sunset here is gorgeous, and the golf cart provided means you can sneak out for just 5 minutes for those gorgeous sunset silhouettes!
Clifton Inn Charlottesville
Clifton Inn Charlottesville is not only a gorgeous inn to visit and stay at while in the Charlottesville area, but hosting your wedding here feels as if you are on a private resort, complete with secret gardens, hidden pools, and a gorgeous historic home that is opposite the iconic ceremony backdrop. One of my favorite parts is the sailcloth tent with an elevated summer garden feel.
Cooper Mill
Cooper Mill is a new event space in Old Town Alexandria that is not only a stylish, upscale mill building, but is also one of Alexandria’s last waterfront warehouses. The view of the Potomac River from the event space can’t be beat – but what is truly exceptional is the culinary tastes that feel straight out of Italy, and the hospitality here is top-notch.
Sylvanside Farms
Sylvanside Farms is a picturesque farm wedding venue with various historic barns set on 25 acres of Virginia countryside. They have a selection of ceremony spots throughout the property and two natural springs that are a dreamy spot for gorgeous golden hour photos. They have the largest space for receptions in Loudoun County that is not a traditional hotel space. If you have a large or small wedding, Sylvanside can be the Virginia hunt country charm you are looking for. Pro tip: If you’re fond of horses, see if the horse residents can visit your cocktail reception (they even get their own cocktail reception food of carrots).
Blue Hill Farm
Blue Hill Farm is a B&B / wedding venue nestled in the countryside of Waterford with a charming custom-built farmhouse surrounded by rolling hills, farmland, and pastoral vistas with the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. To top it off, there is a gorgeous pool and friendly chickens that sometimes roam the pastures. The owners pride themselves on making you feel at home, as if you are hosting your reception at a family estate. Pro tip: The bonfire is truly a sight to see – definitely add it on to your wedding day if you can!
Maryland Wedding Venues
Woodend Sanctuary & Mansion
The Woodend Sanctuary & Mansion is an elegant and romantic setting for a wildflower garden-style wedding. It is a 40-acre nature sanctuary where you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery, meadows, and forest. The mansion has a newly designed garden tent that is attached to the historic home, allowing for beautiful events, rain or shine. The getting-ready spaces are unique and large, making it easy to host larger wedding parties. Pro tip: Large family photos are a breeze following the ceremony, with lots of space and steps for the perfect family photo.
Attaboy Brewery
Attaboy Brewery is located in Downtown Frederick’s East Side and is a modern wedding venue with a 2000 sq ft private outdoor beer garden. The venue is chic and playful, and truly offers you a blank slate to create a unique wedding with the barrel backdrop and ample space to have food trucks if you want to give your guests fun options. Pro tip: They have some awesome beers, my favorite is the ones with fruit like Guava no Guava!
Chesapeake Bay Beach Club and Inn
Chesapeake Bay Beach Club and Inn is an idyllic, coastal wedding venue. It sits right on the water and has gorgeous bay views and views of the iconic Bay Bridge and beach access. If you are looking for a scaled-back wedding with the same charm as the beach club, consider the Inn with adorable farm-to-table gardens.
Ready To Hire Your Wedding Photographer?
I hope you found this info on wedding venues in the DMV area helpful and maybe even found your dream wedding venue.
And… if you’re still looking for a Washington DC/Virginia wedding photographer, I’d love to connect! My approach to wedding photography starts with understanding what—and who—matters the most to the two of you.
When you hire me to photograph your wedding, we’ll sit down to figure out what photos are must-haves and how you want your day to feel. Your images will capture your day in its entirety: the spontaneous joy, the precious family photos, the experience you created for your guests.
You can learn more about my wedding photography services here or get in touch with me here!
Read these next:
Virginia Wedding Venues: Your Guide to the Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
How To Make Your Family Wedding Photos Painless: 5 Tips From A Wedding Photographer
