Washington offers many beautiful, historic sites for tourists and residents alike, several of which could also serve as the backdrop for wedding ceremonies.
On the National Mall there are three places to say ‘I do’: The Jefferson Memorial west lawn, the George Mason Memorial and the D.C. War Memorial. Though stunning and unique locations, having a wedding here takes a lot of preparation. First, couples must apply for a special use permit at the D.C. parks commission. These permits can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to process and cost $90. At the Jefferson Memorial, a wedding is allotted two hours for set up, the ceremony and the break down. Even less time is allowed at the George Mason Memorial where there is a one hour limit and no setup allowed. If you’re planning on having a professional photographer at any of the locations, you’ll need to file an additional form and pay a $50 fee.
Whether you’re having a wedding for four people or a thousand, Nationals Park could be your venue. The park offers many different sized spaces as well as catering from Levy Restaurants. Food choices range from baseball fare to plated dinners. You don’t have to be a baseball enthusiast to have your wedding here, but if you are, you can have batting practice on the field or an appearance by the mascots to make the day even more special.
The Whitemore House, home to the Women’s National Democratic Club, is a historic mansion in DuPont Circle that welcomes weddings. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was granted museum status in 2000. The house has nine rooms and an outdoor courtyard for guests to enjoy. The venue provides catering for smaller groups, but outside catering is permitted. Bartenders are provided and all alcohol must be purchased through the house.
The National Building Museum on F Street N.W. is a prestigious venue where guests will be greeted with 75-foot Corinthian columns in the great hall. The space can accommodate up to 1,600 guests. Couples need to hire their own caterers and any other desired vendors.
The Newseum holds events on the seventh and eighth floor which can accommodate multiple events. The museum itself can be booked as well offering views of the Capitol, National Mall and surrounding museums. Weddings are held on the terraces. Food and beverage service is exclusively done by Wolfgang Puck Catering.
Looking for a green wedding that’s a little less in touch with nature? The National Press Club just might be your venue. As part of their green initiative, they are completely powered by wind power. The club is centrally located downtown. Situated on the 13th floor of the National Press Building, the Club offers a variety of rooms and an in-house caterer.
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- The National Mall
