Selecting a photographer for your wedding is a HUGE decision! I was so happy that the Wedding Pickle blog wanted to feature my pictures and advice. The blog has a goal of helping brides avoid “pickles”, and choosing the right photographer is so important for an enjoyable wedding day and beautiful memories. You can read the full post here.
Next up we have the Ritz Carlton Tyson’s Corner and River Farm.
The Ritz Carlton Tyson’s Corner is, of course, a gorgeous hotel. It can easily accomodate a larger reception and a rockin’ party. As the second and third pictures show, professional lighting can really transform a reception space.
And now my favorite wedding spot – River Farm! Located in Alexandria Virginia near Mt. Vernon, it’s beautiful in any season and has lots of options for all size ceremonies and receptions. As the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society the grounds are always well manicured. It’s on the Potomac River and the property was once owned by George Washington. This enormous Osage Orange tree was a gift from Thomas Jefferson. Lot’s of Washington DC history and beautiful gardens, perfect for the quintessential DC wedding!
Today we have two historic mansions: the Lloyd House and Oxon Hill Manor.
First, the Lloyd House is in the heart of Old Town Alexandria on Washington Street. It’s perfect for small weddings with a little garden that is spectacular in early November. What could be prettier than getting married under this gorgeous yellow tree?
Next up is Oxon Hill Manor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. It is one of my top favorite spots. Pretty gardens, gorgeous mansion, what’s not to love? It’s great for outdoor ceremonies and medium sized weddings. More than about 80 people for a sit down dinner and the dinner tables inside would need to be in more than one room. You have use of multiple downstairs rooms, several garden spaces and a beautiful and bright bridal room upstairs. The venue books two events a day on weekend, so there is an earlier and later time. I recommend having a planner to make sure that set up happens quickly and the wedding stays on time since for a ceremony and reception it is a tight fit – but certainly doable. A great idea for the early time slot is to go to DC afterwards for pictures with the just the couple.
The next two on my list of favorite Washington DC wedding venues are the Hotel Monaco Washington DC and the Gaylord National Harbor. While hotels don’t usually make my list, these two are quite unique.
First up is the Hotel Monaco – the one in Washington DC has a beautiful ballroom space with windows and a rotunda to let in natural light. Both this one and the Hotel Monaco in Alexandria have bright colors and eclectic furniture in their lobbies. The Hotel Monaco Washington is considered a luxury boutique hotel and would certainly be an unforgettable place for your guests to stay.
The Gaylord National, located in the new shopping district at National Harbor, boasts an enormous atrium, part of which is used for the cocktail hour. There are lots of options for inside and outside pictures. The suites are beautiful for getting ready as well. It certainly is a first class hotel and everything you’d expect at a Gaylord.
Next up is the Lloyd House in Alexandria, and Oxon Hill Manor.
There are so many amazing venues in the Washington DC metro area for wedding receptions. Many also have beautiful spaces for having a wedding ceremony at the same location – which will certainly simplify your wedding day! It’s been so much fun to photograph weddings at these wedding spots, and I’m always being asked which venues are my favorites, so I thought I’d highlight 10, two at at time (roughly in alphabetical order).
First is the Belmont County Club in Ashburn Virginia. It is a gorgeous historic home in the front with a large ballroom in the back, plus a golf course – this venue has it all! I love all the historic homes that have been turned into event venues, and the house at Belmont Country Club is gorgeous! It’s a beautiful spot for wedding pictures and the cocktail hour. If the ceremony is held on the lawn, there are also pretty rooms upstairs for getting ready.
The Chesapeake Bay Beach Club in Stevensville, Maryland was featured as a Today Show Wedding and I can see why! It’s an waterfront venue with several indoor and outdoor spaces available. A ceremony by the bay would be so scenic. The beach house is a large enough space that even if it rains there is plenty of space for everyone inside, and the view of the bay out the large windows is still lovely. If you’re looking for a newer venue, that still has lots of character, this is it.
Up next are the Gaylord National Harbor and the Hotel Monoco Washington DC.
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