Looking for nice but not crazy expensive wedding venue and caterer

[Anonymous]

We looked at several DC caterers and found they were all really expensive. We ended up going with Rouge. They’re in Baltimore (so, cheaper) but were happy to come into the district for us. Food was phenomenal.

Had our reception at the Josephine Butler house by Meridian Hill Park but I wouldn’t say that was inexpensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In general it is less expensive to go to a hotel or restaurant or catering center than it is to rent a facility. Because when you rent a facility you usually have to rent all the stuff (tables, chairs, etc) that you need and have them brought in.

And just like location is everything in real estate, timing is important in weddings. Generally, September & October, and April through June, will be the more expensive months and it will be more competitive to find the space you want on the day and at the time you want it.

Finally, where do you want to be in the DMV?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We looked at several DC caterers and found they were all really expensive. We ended up going with Rouge. They’re in Baltimore (so, cheaper) but were happy to come into the district for us. Food was phenomenal.

Had our reception at the Josephine Butler house by Meridian Hill Park but I wouldn’t say that was inexpensive.

I just got married. This is definitely not the case. After you add on the gratuity and all of the taxes, hotels ended up being quite a bit more expensive.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a favorite local restaurant (not a chain). Talk to them about renting it out for your wedding. Usually less expensive than hotels or other sites I see mentioned here and they already have tables, dishes, bartenders, etc. You just bring in the DJ.

[Anonymous]

The Garden at Building Momentum in Alexandria is a nice small event space, you’d have to bring in a caterer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The woodend sanctuary
Pinstripes

I was just going to say Woodend!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Lodge at Seneca Creek holds 100. We used a good but reasonable caterer there- Hemibry. http://www.hemibry.com/

I can’t say anything about venues, but confirming Hemibry’s food is fantastic!

They were great to work with too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brunch or lunch weddings are cheaper because they are shorter and people don’t drink as much.
Find a pretty location (like National Harbor), find a restaurant that can accommodate 100 people and have brunch.
Plan to spend at least $50pp + gratuity and taxes. You might be able to find places that can do it for $35-40pp++, but budget for $50 (closer to $60-65 once you gratuity and taxes).
Don’t do dancing.

Please know that I will get drunk and dance at your wedding regardless of the time of day.

Not if there isn’t music or a dance floor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We looked at several DC caterers and found they were all really expensive. We ended up going with Rouge. They’re in Baltimore (so, cheaper) but were happy to come into the district for us. Food was phenomenal.

Had our reception at the Josephine Butler house by Meridian Hill Park but I wouldn’t say that was inexpensive.

I just got married. This is definitely not the case. After you add on the gratuity and all of the taxes, hotels ended up being quite a bit more expensive.

It depends on what kind of venues you’re talking about. If you’re talking DC’s high end venues, the non-hotels (Mellon Auditorium, National Museum of Women in the Arts, Meridian House, Anderson House, Decatur House) are all more expensive all-in than high end hotel venues (Four Seasons, Hay Adams, Ritz Carlton).