DC’s Most Romantic Wedding Venues

We found ourselves in a tizzy recently when asked to narrow down our favorite DC wedding venues for the February issue of BeInkandescent Magazine. The task was daunting. Our nation's capital is simply filled with treasures and we fought having to pare down our list.

How did finally get through it? Truth is, not every venue works for every couple. Through a myriad of factors - size, availability, location, etc. - the list of potential locations can get narrowed down pretty quickly. But to us, nothing defines a wedding venue more than the couple themselves. From a laid-back to high glamor and everything in between, the personality of the happy couple should be taken into foremost consideration.

So who's on our list? Read on below to discover some of our favorite Washington, DC wedding venues based on couple-personality. And for the full BeInkandescent article, click here.

For the chillsters: Glen Echo Park
7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD; Website here

For couples seeking a laid back, less traditional wedding venue, Glen Echo Park should definitely be on your list.

Nestled into the woods just off MacArthur Blvd., the park’s art deco buildings and signage have a charm all their own. Though many of the facilities could stand a fresh coat of paint, it’s appealing to peek back in time to a bygone era complete with a restored Dentzel carousel (circa 1921), a bumper-car pavilion (circa 1923), an arcade, and a puppet playhouse.

The bumper car pavilion reminds me of Coney Island, with its well-worn hardwood floors and white twinkling lights that span the rafters. This outdoor space offers a multitude of options, any of which would make for a fun, laid-back bash. Be sure to have the carousel lit and running during the reception.


For the glamour duo: Meridian House
1630 Crescent Place, NW, Washington D.C.; Website here

One of the most spectacular weddings I’ve ever witnessed was held at the Meridian House, a jewel of a venue nestled in a residential neighborhood just west of Meridian Hill Park. The bride and groom went old-Hollywood, and their theme was a hit with guests.

I simply love the flow of the available indoor/outdoor space, which is actually a complex of sorts that also includes the White-Meyer House, Meridian House and its gardens, and a gorgeous pebbled courtyard overlooking downtown DC and the monuments. The courtyard, with 40 statuesque linden trees and original sculptures, allows for spectacular outdoor ceremonies, receptions, and dinner parties.

The rooms inside the home, which was built in 1919, allow for the splendor one would expect from such a historic facility. You can easily fit 200 guests for a seated meal and dancing. Decoration should be minimal, of course, to allow for this stunning home to tell its own story.


For urbanites: Long View Gallery
1234 Ninth Street NW, Washington, DC; Website here

Longing for an edgy New York City vibe in the heart of DC? Look no further than Long View Gallery.
This vast gallery is fixture in the Shaw neighborhood. Focused on promoting the DC area’s burgeoning art community, its walls highlight both established and new artists through rotating exhibitions as well as a growing permanent collection.

The venue itself is 5,000 square feet of raw warehouse space. With finished concrete floors and 20-foot ceilings, the opportunities here are endless. Whether a cocktail reception for 400 or a reception with sit-down for 180, you’re confined here only by your imagination. What’s more, on warm evenings, a 9’x11’ aluminum-alloy glass door that opens onto Blagden Alley can be opened (and tented) to allow for even more space.


For die-hard romantics: St. Regis Astor Ballroom and Terrace
923 16th Street & K Street NW Washington D.C.; Website here

Longing for romance? Then dance amongst candles, beneath an endlessly starry night at the St. Regis Ballroom and Terrace.

Renovated in 2007, the hotel is sheer splendor and visual decadence. Guests will delight as they dine and dance beneath the ballroom’s soaring 18-foot high, hand-crafted ceilings. Not to mention the Palladian windows, crystal chandeliers, and four-star cuisine provided by one of the top kitchens in the city that the hotel works with.

Dreaming of an outdoor wedding? Dancing, cocktails, and the ceremony can be held on the flowering Astor Terrace. In total, you have 4,000 square feet to work with. No wonder the St. Regis has claimed the Washingtonian magazine’s “Best Hotel for Small Weddings” title.


For the WOW-factor: Halcyon House
3400 Prospect Street Washington D.C.; Website here

For the couple looking to really wow their guests, the Halcyon House in Georgetown will do the trick.

Built in 1783, this enormous 30,500 square foot property is complete with a beautifully appointed ballroom, music room, contemporary sculpture studio, and a magnificent garden (originally designed by Pierre L’Enfant) that features commanding views of the Potomac River and the Washington Monument. Of course, the Halcyon is actually a home with residents, so events must be worked around their schedule.