Elite wedding locations in DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Woodend, the estate home of Nature Forward (formerly the Audubon Naturalist Society). It can do 125 people. There's a nice grove where you can do the ceremony and bring in your priest/rabbi/other. It's lovely, it's not that expensive and guests will appreciate your commitment to nature and think that's why you chose it (and why not?).

The main reason not to is there’s no air conditioning. If you get a perfect night, yes, it’s lovely and not fussy. But I’ve seen a wedding there in May when it was 90 degrees and humid, and nobody was looking elegant. In Washington, you need at least a place people can retreat for a spell that is air conditioned.

The heat is a huge factor. No one wants to get married outdoors with an outdoor reception here June-September. Seriously, guests get heat exhaustion and your vendors get kidney damage. Don’t torture everyone. Pay the higher free for a venue with AC or for a cooler month.

You can do it imo, you just need to have indoor space as well. Decatur house works in summer, so does Meridian. Woodend unfortunately does not.

So Woodend does or does not have AC?

I haven’t been since pre-Covid but definitely check if you’re interested because it didn’t before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The elite wedding we were invited to but couldn’t go was at the Reagan Building.

That sounds like it was big. Over 250 there are only so many spaces.

The Mellon auditorium is the best giant space imo. Which is why my favorite rich DC character, Louise Linton, chose it. And in what is possibly the biggest and most underrated political power move of the era, they made Mike “mother” Pence officiate the lavish non-church wedding to the child third bride. Truly living his values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Newseum

It’s long gone. For similar vibes and view, the roof of charlie Palmer steak.

[Anonymous]

Depends on just how DC elite you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Newseum

It’s long gone. For similar vibes and view, the roof of charlie Palmer steak.

I didn't post it but agree that any place requiring a time machine makes it into the "elite" category.

[Anonymous]

The Mayflower throws great weddings- is it still there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The elite wedding we were invited to but couldn’t go was at the Reagan Building.

That sounds like it was big. Over 250 there are only so many spaces.

The Mellon auditorium is the best giant space imo. Which is why my favorite rich DC character, Louise Linton, chose it. And in what is possibly the biggest and most underrated political power move of the era, they made Mike “mother” Pence officiate the lavish non-church wedding to the child third bride. Truly living his values.

This is so weird too but if you go to a huge wedding there, check out the catering kitchen that will have been set up in the alley. Caterers are amazing.

[Anonymous]

The yard of the White House.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Mayflower throws great weddings- is it still there?

It’s there but the smaller ballroom sucks. Take care when booking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got married at a steak house and have no dog in this fight.

That said, it seems to me that any place that can be rented by anyone with enough money is, by definition, not "elite." So, to answer OP's question, I would think private homes, members-only organizations, and place where you have to have connections (like the WH).

Not for us. We'll have up to 4 weddings and budget is not a concern for them. We have the money but zero of the properties or connections you mention. So I appreciate the suggestions on this thread.

Right, and I hope you have a truly lovely wedding(s), but if you were truly "elite" (whatever that means) you would have the properties/connections. That is not a bad thing, in my opinion, just a fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Park Hyatt or any other nice hotel.

No one wants to have a reception in the same hotel as their bah mitzvah party.

Whatever. DC is a hotel wedding town. Pick any one!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Mayflower throws great weddings- is it still there?

It’s there but the smaller ballroom sucks. Take care when booking.

I had my wedding at the Mayflower years ago and I still have people tell me it was the nicest wedding they have ever been to. BUT, agree, it is only worth it if you can get the Grand Ballroom and the size OP mentioned will not be a big enough, I do not think. I am not sure if you can pay extra to get the Grand Ballroom. My wedding cost about $120k back in the early 2000's, but that included, the reception band, ceremony trio, flowers, cake from outside vendor even though it would have been included at Mayflower, photo/videography, etc., not just what we paid to the Mayflower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Woodend, the estate home of Nature Forward (formerly the Audubon Naturalist Society). It can do 125 people. There's a nice grove where you can do the ceremony and bring in your priest/rabbi/other. It's lovely, it's not that expensive and guests will appreciate your commitment to nature and think that's why you chose it (and why not?).

The main reason not to is there’s no air conditioning. If you get a perfect night, yes, it’s lovely and not fussy. But I’ve seen a wedding there in May when it was 90 degrees and humid, and nobody was looking elegant. In Washington, you need at least a place people can retreat for a spell that is air conditioned.

Agree.

Also it’s not “elite”

[Anonymous]

I feel like Hay Adams wedding are just so boring.

[Anonymous]

Blessed Sacrament if Catholic