5 Best Washington DC Wedding Venues with a View

Mariah Treiber

January 18, 2023

Classy look, downtown vibes, and romantic ambiance—check, check, and check! Carly and Connor are getting married in Bozeman, Montana this summer. However, they wanted their engagement photos to reflect timeless, vogue-style portraits that would stand the test of time. These beautifully versatile pictures can be displayed as wall art, photo albums, wedding décor, announcements, and more!

For an extra dose of variety and fun, they brought along their new puppy Woodley for the first half of the session. Dogs are a great way to help you relax and ease into your photo session. Then, a friend can take them for a walk while you finish up your session (as cute as they are, you may want them off your hands for a bit so you can get all the great shots without worrying about your pup). Carly and Connor have an amazing rooftop above their apartment that overlooks the capitol building. Woodley just snuggled back into their apartment while we strolled around these iconic DC sites for the rest of the session.

Whether you’re a DC local or in from out of state, DC is a gorgeous wedding location with so many unique venues to choose from. If you book far enough in advance, cherry blossom season typically peaks about mid-March to mid-April. The dreamy pink petals make all of DC look like a fairytale, and it’s an experience you’ll never forget!

Looking for the perfect Washington DC wedding venue? Here are a few of my favorites to get you started:

5 Stunning Washington DC Wedding Venues

The Hay-Adams Hotel

Venue Style

The Hay-Adams was recently recognized as the #1 hotel in DC. This historic hotel is warm and inviting without sacrificing luxury elements. Clean, modern updates make it feel bright and spacious. The boutique hotel has 5-star accommodations. Even better, the Top of the Hay has a wraparound al fresco terrace that offers panoramic views of the White House and the city skyline.

Capacity

This versatile venue can host intimate gatherings and cocktail receptions or a large celebration of up to 340 guests!

Learn more about The Hay-Adams Hotel wedding and event here.

Dock 5 Union Market

Venue Style

This renovated industrial warehouse is perfect for almost any design and serves as a wedding-equipped blank canvas. Dress it up in an elegant and sophisticated design, or go with something trendy and eclectic—how you transform the space is entirely up to you! This gem of a venue sits above the artisanal market, which hosts 30 local producers.

Capacity

Dock 5 can host 400 seated guests with room for cocktails or 700 standing guests.

Learn more about Dock 5 at Union Market weddings and events here.

St. Regis Washington DC

Venue Style

This ultra-luxe hotel has a prime spot near the National Mall, making it a highly sought-after stay for dignitaries and celebrities visiting DC. St. Regis is known for its iconic cocktail lounge and bar with private bottle-service booths. Gold accents, multi-layered sparkling chandeliers, and luxury furnishings make this one of the most elegant venues on the list.

Capacity

With eight distinct event spaces, including romantic Astor Terrace, St. Regis can host everything from intimate ceremonies to full-scale receptions with up to 300 guests.

Learn more about St. Regis weddings and events here.

International Spy Museum

Of course DC has an entire museum dedicated to the world of espionage. This extraordinary nonprofit museum and venue is a full-sensory experience. You can test your spy skills by going undercover with a secret identity. This interactive museum serves as a stunning venue and entertainment all in one! Top-level event spaces like the 7^th-Floor Ballroom and Rooftop Terrace overlook DC and the National Mall.

Capacity

Depending on the selected event space, SPY can host 160+ guests.

Learn more about weddings and events at SPY here.

InterContinental Washington DC The Wharf

Venue Style

Say “I do” in a ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Potomac River. This elegant contemporary venue has a prime spot at The Wharf, a bustling river hub in DC. Modern lines and a neutral color palette will complement and enhance your personalized wedding design. The river and stunning sunsets are the focal points of this spacious venue.

Capacity

The InterContinental Hotel can host weddings of up to 400 guests.

Learn more about InterContinental weddings here.

View more venues at The Wharf here.