Anonymous
Post 11/16/2012 11:19     Subject: ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
Well Dunn provided all staff, including bar, and set up and break down.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2012 11:08     Subject: ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
Anonymous wrote:An officiant married us on a church lawn. Then we had the reception at Maggiano's Restaurant in Bethedsa. We rented a very lovely small reception rooms upstairs. Only invited family. Cost for the room + lunch for 15 people was $700. Brought a small wedding cake from a bakery. It was relaxing and enjoyable.


NP here. This. I know you said DC but we got married by a JOP at the Fairfax City Museum then went to lunch at the now defunct Colvin Run Tavern. The chef made my cake and we had a small private room. Twelve people attended (family and friends) and it was actually on a Monday but I think you get the idea: no hotels, or restaurants if you want a unique experience. Good luck and I hope you find something -- wedding planning is draining!
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2012 10:48     Subject: ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
Anonymous wrote:The caterer you choose does all that. You just tell them what you want and where. Tables, linens, dishes, candles, etc. The place has some furniture you can use if you want. I didn't have a wedding florist, just called nice florist and ordered arrangements to my specifications. Way cheaper than engaging florist for a "wedding." A friend took the photos and another set up a video camera. Very classy wedding with great food (Well Dunn Catering) and premium open bar (we got the liquor from Ace Beverage- they deliver and pick up the remainder for credit back to you) for about $50 per guest.


Sounds great! I didn't realize the catering companies took charge of those details. Did Well Dunn have staff available to tend bar?
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2012 10:39     Subject: ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
I've been to 2 weddings at Glen Echo. Very, very fun!!!
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2012 10:28     Subject: ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
Anonymous wrote:PP who did the Cranston House wedding -- it took about 1 hour total of time dealing with the venue. I went on lunch hour to tour, booked it, and then went back with caterer to show them. 30 minutes each time. I spent a few hours picking the caterer (have to try their food... Well Dunn beat out several others for me). And picking the menu took a bit. But total time? 10 hours maybe? Not stressful at all. Venue nice but low key because it is more like a house not a ballroom. And the 8 hour rental period is generous - plenty of time for set up and clean up around a 3-4 hour event.


I am so jealous of you. We planned our wedding in our hometown 500 miles away. I flew back 4-5 times to meet with the venue, florists, photographers, etc etc and coordinated the rest with pushy and opinionated family members who were "helping." It consumed my life. I hated it. I loved my wedding, but I hated the planning process. OP, I totally get why you want to avoid all that. If I had to do it all again, I would do it like PP. Good luck, OP!
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2012 10:23     Subject: ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
PP who did the Cranston House wedding -- it took about 1 hour total of time dealing with the venue. I went on lunch hour to tour, booked it, and then went back with caterer to show them. 30 minutes each time. I spent a few hours picking the caterer (have to try their food... Well Dunn beat out several others for me). And picking the menu took a bit. But total time? 10 hours maybe? Not stressful at all. Venue nice but low key because it is more like a house not a ballroom. And the 8 hour rental period is generous - plenty of time for set up and clean up around a 3-4 hour event.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2012 10:10     Subject: ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
OP, I have to say, if you want an easy wedding for a small crowd that Cranford House looks like a great option! Beautiful venue, and cheap - $1500 total? That's crazy for DC! Do an 11am ceremony with a catered lunch and you are done. With a dress, tux, cake and photography you could get out of this thing for less than $10K, which is bargain-basement for DC. And the PP is right - the catering company will handle all the tables and stuff. You can have a meeting to choose those details, a tasting to pick your food and be done.

Good lord - I wish I'd done this!
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2012 10:01     Subject: ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
The caterer you choose does all that. You just tell them what you want and where. Tables, linens, dishes, candles, etc. The place has some furniture you can use if you want. I didn't have a wedding florist, just called nice florist and ordered arrangements to my specifications. Way cheaper than engaging florist for a "wedding." A friend took the photos and another set up a video camera. Very classy wedding with great food (Well Dunn Catering) and premium open bar (we got the liquor from Ace Beverage- they deliver and pick up the remainder for credit back to you) for about $50 per guest.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2012 09:52     Subject: ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
Anonymous wrote:Sorry it's called American news women's club. Or cranford house. At 22nd and R. 12 years ago it cost $500 to rent when every other venue was $5000+.


Nice idea, thanks. But did that leave you having to pull together the catering, table rental, and all those other tid bits? That's what has me nervous. I have no idea what goes into party planning. My mother has a better idea but, much as I love her, I'd rather not get her heavily involved.
Anonymous
Post 11/15/2012 22:55     Subject: ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
Sorry it's called American news women's club. Or cranford house. At 22nd and R. 12 years ago it cost $500 to rent when every other venue was $5000+.
Anonymous
Post 11/15/2012 22:51     Subject: ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
National women's press club townhouse on R Street. Charming and inexpensive. You can choose your own caterer. (That's a big deal if you've checked out venues). Full kitchen, piano, etc. Lovely and fun.
Anonymous
Post 11/15/2012 22:49     Subject: ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
An officiant married us on a church lawn. Then we had the reception at Maggiano's Restaurant in Bethedsa. We rented a very lovely small reception rooms upstairs. Only invited family. Cost for the room + lunch for 15 people was $700. Brought a small wedding cake from a bakery. It was relaxing and enjoyable.
Anonymous
Post 11/15/2012 22:45     Subject: ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
OP here - I really really appreciate all these ideas. Looks like we need to do some research and then make some calls.

Luckily, our desire for simple is really because I just don't like this kind of planning, have a super full plate, and never dreamed of a fancy wedding. I don't want to break the bank but don't mind investing a bit for a nice experience whose planning doesn't leave me worrying and awake until all hours of the night.
Anonymous
Post 11/15/2012 22:26     Subject: Re:ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
Anonymous wrote:OP, check out the Mansion on O Street; it is unique and quirky and you can do just about any kind of event there. We did a wedding and cocktail party (with dancing) years ago and people thought it was great. i think the website is www.omansion.com


just looked at the website for the first time in ages -- the site is way more corporate and boring than the place itself.
Anonymous
Post 11/15/2012 22:24     Subject: Re:ideas for a very easy (low stress) wedding (DC venue?)
OP, check out the Mansion on O Street; it is unique and quirky and you can do just about any kind of event there. We did a wedding and cocktail party (with dancing) years ago and people thought it was great. i think the website is www.omansion.com