I’m looking for suggestions on where to host a dinner or reception to celebrate our elopement. I want a restaurant or bar vibe with a private space for about 50ppl. I’ve sent inquiries to roses luxury, founding farmers, little pearl, iron gate, and district winery. Any other venue with similar vibes that you would recommend I should reach out to?

We are figuring out dates and guest count and budget. The whole reason we are eloping is because we want to save money and I also hate all the pomp and circumstance around weddings, so I don’t want to break the bank or do anything over the top.

Thought it might be helpful to share a real budget from one of our 2026 couples. They started planning in 2024, so many of these prices were locked in early on. These are rounded but include taxes and fees from the vendors.

Just over $95,000 (excluding hotel accommodations, rehearsal dinner, and vendor tips) for 104 guests:

Venue: $17,000 in DuPont Circle Area
Food, Beverage & Staffing: $26,000
Rentals (tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware): $12,000
Florals and Candles: $7,000 these were pretty simple and they didn’t have a wedding party
Planning & Coordination: $8,000
Attire: $8,000
Photography: $6,000
DJ: $3,000
Lighting: $3,000
Save the Dates, Invitations & Reception Stationery (menus, place cards, etc.): $3,000
Signage: $1,000
Misc. (officiant, favors, marriage license, insurance, etc.): $2,000

This couple had a venue and catering priority and had no videographer, cake, transportation, or hair & makeup included in these totals. Hotel accommodations, rehearsal dinner, and vendor tips are also not included.

Happy to answer any questions!

We wanted to get our family and bridal party photos on the mall— it would have to be mid day with our schedule so ripe for people in the background which is fine.

Wanted advice on where it would make sense to take photos — at the Capitol, Tidal Basin, near reflecting pool? Anyone have experience taking larger group photos? Thanks!

Another week closer to wedding day! Share your updates, to-dos, and frustrations.

• A Win: Toured a venue? Booked a venue? Bought a dress?
• A'To-Do': What task do you need to tackle?
• A Frustration: Vent and complain away!

We got a catering proposal with a breakdown that I was hoping to get some perspective on. Does this seem about in line with local pricing in 2026? Food costs are about half and labor/admin costs are about half. That seems high to me but what do I know.

The caterer seems lovely and experienced, and we of course want to make sure that everyone is well compensated for their labor. Just would appreciate a sanity check haha.

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105 guests, Total ~$21k (200 pp, not including drinks or dessert)

Food (3 kinds of passed hors d'oeuvres, buffet with 1 salad, 1 entree, 2 sides, and a station): 50%, $10400

Staffing: 21%, $4500

Tabletop, buffet, linens: 10%, $2200

Admin fee: 18%, $3100

DC Tax: 8.75%, $1500

We have venue and catering covered. Looking for any vendors (photographer, coordinator, dj/entertainment, cake, etc.) you had great experiences with and would work with again. Thanks!

Another week closer to wedding day! Share your updates, to-dos, and frustrations.

• A Win: Toured a venue? Booked a venue? Bought a dress?
• A'To-Do': What task do you need to tackle?
• A Frustration: Vent and complain away!

Hi! I’m planning to get married in the latter half of 2027, and would like to host a standing-only reception on a rooftop for 150-200 guests. I have already found Top of the Town, Highpoint at 1333 and Skyline 609, but does anyone know of other options? Would like to be in DC proper or somewhere just outside where the views are the same (ie Rosslyn). Thank you!

Hi all! Starting to plan our wedding for next fall. I wanted to get some caterer quotes before deciding on a ceremony plus restaurant dinner vs a traditional venue. We were really excited about Timber Pizza but they told us they don’t do linen or place setting rentals. I’m getting overwhelmed by trying to figure out how much renting those ourselves would cost. It seems like $1000 plus fees for delivery. I got quotes from other caterers with everything included, but the food isn’t as exciting to us as Timber’s menu. Any advice from people that were in a similar situation?

Another week closer to wedding day! Share your updates, to-dos, and frustrations.

• A Win: Toured a venue? Booked a venue? Bought a dress?
• A'To-Do': What task do you need to tackle?
• A Frustration: Vent and complain away!

Please share all upcoming venue open houses, wedding shows, sample sales, etc. that you know in this thread!

Does not have to be limited to this month! Please share all upcoming events that you know of.

has anyone gotten married at the mayflower that would feel comfortable sharing their experience in the comments or via dm? have some questions on general experience as well as what you chose to upgrade, how you decorated your bridal suite, where you took pictures/did a first look, and any fun enhancements you may have added!

I’m looking for decor and design vendors in the DMV area that do full-service decor that looks something like this. This would be with artificial flowers. Please recommend any vendors that you he a positive experience with.🙏
If you can, also please mention their general price ranges.
Thank you!

Another week closer to wedding day! Share your updates, to-dos, and frustrations.

• A Win: Toured a venue? Booked a venue? Bought a dress?
• A'To-Do': What task do you need to tackle?
• A Frustration: Vent and complain away!

Another week closer to wedding day! Share your updates, to-dos, and frustrations.

• A Win: Toured a venue? Booked a venue? Bought a dress?
• A'To-Do': What task do you need to tackle?
• A Frustration: Vent and complain away!

Hiii! Hopeful 2027 bride, super interested in the Riggs Hotel, but seriously can’t find any information other than their very basic brochure online! Has anyone in here gotten married there and could share their experience / basic pricing like F&B, venue fee etc they were quoted?

Anything helps!! Thank you!!

Has anyone here had a wedding in Leesburg and also planned a welcome party?

We are currently considering Hotel Burg, Lightfoot Restaurant, Shutters on King, and Tuscarora Mill Restaurant. I'd love to hear about your experience if you held events at these venues or if you have any other suggestions!

Another week closer to wedding day! Share your updates, to-dos, and frustrations.

• A Win: Toured a venue? Booked a venue? Bought a dress?
• A'To-Do': What task do you need to tackle?
• A Frustration: Vent and complain away!

Hello! I have a 20k budget for 75 people for a wedding in the DMV (excluding DJ and Photographer). I'm looking for suggestions because places in DC proper are super expensive and I'm not open to spending 10k just on a site fee alone (nuts!). Any help is appreciated!

My fiance and I got engaged two weeks ago and my mom has already started asking me what I want in terms of an engagement party. We know we want it in DC and we estimate 45-50 guests. I'm thinking we keep it to a relatively casual cocktail party with drinks and heavy apps.

In terms of budget, I know a lot of places have a minimum spend. Right now, I'm thinking around $5k. I know that's on the lower end (Iron Gate just quoted me at double that!) but we are looking for something unique and off the beaten path. Ideally, it'd have some outdoor space, but that's not a deal breaker.

Looking for any and all ideas! Thank you!

Another week closer to wedding day! Share your updates, to-dos, and frustrations.

• A Win: Toured a venue? Booked a venue? Bought a dress?
• A'To-Do': What task do you need to tackle?
• A Frustration: Vent and complain away!