Posts Tagged ‘venue spotlight’

Washington DC-area Wedding Venue Guide

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

We’ve been planning weddings for five years and have helped over 250 couples tie the knot!  Luckily for you, that means we know the ‘ins and outs’ of nearly every wedding venue in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland (beltway & eastern shore).

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For an inside look at some weddings at our favorite venues, take a peek at the links below:

Historic/Garden:
The Carnegie Instituteand here – (Washington, DC)
The Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (Vienna, VA)
The Wilson-Farr House (Fairfax, VA)
The Lee-Fendall House (Old Town Alexandria, VA)
Woodend Sanctuary (Chevy Chase, MD)
The Newton White Mansion (Mitchellville, MD)

Hotels/Clubs/Ballrooms:
The Willard Intercontinental (Washington, DC)
The National Press Club (Washington, DC)
The Hay-Adams Hotel (Washington, DC)
Tyson’s Corner Marriott (Tyson’s Corner, VA)
The Sheraton Reston (Reston, VA)

Restaurants:
Sequoia Restaurant (Georgetown, DC)
2941 Restaurant (Falls Church, VA)
Famoso Restaurant & M Cafe (Bethesda, MD)
Old Ebbitt Grill (Washington, DC)

Museums:
The International Spy Museum / Zola (Washington, DC)
The Newseum (Washington, DC)

Eastern Shore/Bay:
The Chesapeake Bay Beach Club (Stevensville, MD)
Queenstown Harbor River House (Queenstown, MD)

Non-traditional:
Glen Echo Park (Glen Echo, MD)
Signature Theater (Shirlington, VA)

Here’s a list of the venues we’ve featured as part of our Real Weddings:

Historic/Garden:
The Decatur House
(Washington, DC)
The Carnegie Institute (Washington, DC)
Newton White Mansionand hereand hereand here – (Mitchellville, MD)
Mount Airy Mansion (Upper Marlboro, MD)
Oxon Hill Manor (Oxon Hill, MD)
Woodend Sanctuary
and here – (Chevy Chase, MD)
The Mansion at Strathmoreand here – (Bethesda, MD)
Brookside Gardens (Wheaton, MD)
Stronghold Mansion (Sugarloaf Mountain, MD)
Collingwood Libraryand hereand here -  (Alexandria, VA)
River Farm (Alexandria, VA)
Hollin Hall (Alexandria, VA)
Old Town Hall (Fairfax, VA)
The Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
and hereand hereand here – (Vienna, VA)
Oatlands Historic House & Gardens
(Leesburg, VA)
The Thomas Birkby Houseand here – (Leesburg, VA)
Raspberry Plainand here – (Leesburg, VA)
Rose Hill Manor (Leesburg, VA)
Long Branch Historic House (Millwood, VA)
Whitehall Manorand here – (Bluemont, VA)

Hotels/Clubs/Ballrooms:
The Fairmont Hoteland the Colonnade here – (Washington, DC)
The Mandarin Oriental (Washington, DC)
The Omni Shorehamand here – (Washington, DC)
The St. Regis Hotel (Washington, DC)
The Ronald Reagan Buildingand here – (Washington, DC)
The Westin Grandand here – (Washington, DC)
Hotel Monacoand here – (Washington, DC)
The Washington Club (Washington, DC)
The National Press Club (Washington, DC)
Fort Myer Officer’s Club (Arlington, VA)
The Army Navy Country Club (Arlington, VA)
The Westin Arlington Gateway (Arlington, VA)
Top of the Town (Arlington, VA)
The Sheraton National (Arlington, VA)
The Hyatt Regency Bethesda (Bethesda, MD)
The Hyatt Fair Lakes (Fair Lakes, VA)
Fairfax Marriott (Fairfax, VA)
Old Hickory Golf Club (Woodbridge, VA)
Hidden Creek Country Cluband here – (Reston, VA)
River Creek Club (Leesburg, VA)
The Hilton Washington Dulles (Dulles, VA)
Foxchase Manorand here – (Manassas, VA)

Eastern Shore/Bay:
Queenstown Harbor River House (Queenstown, MD)
The Chesapeake Bay Beach Club (Stevensville, MD)
Kent Manor Inn (Stevensville, MD)

Non-traditional:
Glen Echo Park – (Glen Echo, MD)
The Barns at Wolf Trap (Vienna, VA)
The Torpedo Factory (Old Town Alexandria, VA)

Have you already picked your venue?  Where will you be tying the knot?  Which venues did we miss?

Laura1

I’m back… with a venue selection!

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Hi all!   I know it’s been a while since I first announced my big news, but we’ve been busy with tastings, meetings and contracts so that we can relax over the holidays.  Now I’ll have to catch you up on my plans!

When it came to picking a location, I have to say that it was an easy choice for us.  As a wedding planner, I’m pretty familiar with most of the DC area’s venues, and there are some amazing options.  But our choice was just PERFECT for us.

A few months ago, I went to go see a children’s theater production at Glen Echo Park with a friend.   I fell in love with both the park and the carefree feeling I got as I walked around.  What surprised me the most is that I’ve somehow lived in the DC area for seven years before visiting this hidden gem that’s INSIDE the beltway!   My fiancé and I try not to take anything too seriously and love being outdoors.  So when I brought him back to this old art-deco amusement park with a running carousel, he was sold as quickly as I was.   It’s the perfect backdrop for a chic and whimsical wedding with some very personal vintage flair.  We’re confident that our guests will be comfortable just being themselves (no tuxes or sequins required!) and will remember the day long after the last dance.   Some of our longtime blog followers might remember that we did a venue spotlight on Glen Echo Park way back when Wish Special Events was Soiree Special Events!  Here is the sign at the front entrance to the park, which overlooks an old trolley that is parked there, seemingly freezing a moment in time.

entrance

Weather permitting, our ceremony will be held outside on a grassy tree-lined grove in the center of the park.  But in the event that it’s raining or too sunny, we will be married underneath this Cuddle Up Pavilion, which is the structure that used to house the Tilt a Whirl! cuddle up

Guests will be able to explore the park and take a ride on the carousel in between the ceremony and reception.  I’m not a carousel expert or anything, but I have to say that this carousel is beautifully restored and is sure to make any rider feel as happy as John and I will be on that day.  This gorgeous night shot of the indoor carousel is courtesy of Michelle Lindsay Photography.    Carousel at night

When the fun begins, we will be in the Bumper Car Pavilion… a covered structure with fantastic hard wood floors that used to house the… you guessed it… bumper cars!     That’s a coincidental nod to my fiance’s love of all things with wheels.    He’s more in to the motorcycle, truck and racecar variety… but since we couldn’t (read: wouldn’t) get married at a racetrack, this is a pretty good compromise.  This photo is courtesy of Documentary Associates, who were the photographers that worked with Rebecca on Hailey & Matt’s Glen Echo wedding in July 2009.

Bumper Car Pavilion night

This park has a LOT of history to it and the friendly park rangers are more than happy to give tours and share this history with anyone that’s interested.   Here’s a picture of the Bumper Car Pavilion when it housed the Dodgem Scooters:

bumper car pavilion black white

A few other points about this park that makes it perfect for us:

1.)     At one point, this was considered a branch of the Chautauqua Institution.  The original Chautauqua Institution still exists, is one of my favorite places to visit and served as my home for two summers that I worked at its theater company.   Since I’m hugely into the arts (studied voice in college) and Glen Echo  still serves as a home to many artists, I feel a particular connection to the park.

2.)    The park only allows wine, beer and champagne… no liquor.  While some might see this as a downfall, I embraced it as a budget-friendly way to offer adult beverages all night.  Plus, our quick mental review of our guest list proved that most are beer or wine drinkers anyways.

3.)    We chose August 2010… both because of availability and because we’ll receive off-season rates.   I know what you’re thinking:  an outdoor August wedding in DC?   Are you crazy?  Well, maybe a little bit, but we’re also smart.   We’ve having the wedding later in the day after the sun goes down so it won’t be unbearable.  And if it’s a little warm, guests will dress accordingly and we’ll still celebrate just the same.   Let’s face it:  it doesn’t matter what time of year you choose, if you’re having an outdoor wedding in DC, you’re at the mercy of some of the most unpredictable weather I’ve ever experienced.   So you might as well do it at a lower rate when possible!

That’s all for today.   I’ll be back soon with posts on building a wedding website and our DIY Save the Dates!   I’ll leave you with one more shot from Blink Photography of a couple dancing in the Bumper Car Pavilion.  I L-O-V-E the hard wood floors, the geometric patterns in the ceiling and the natural light shining through!

dancing in bumper car

Be back soon!

cristin

Venue Spotlight: 1777 F Street, NW

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

A few weeks ago, we were invited to an open house at a new venue, 1777 F Street, NW. This gorgeous venue houses the Council on Foreign Relations, but also serves as a venue for meetings, receptions, and all kinds of events.

When you walk into the venue, less than a block from the Old Executive Office Building, you are greeted by the welcoming lobby.

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(Sorry, my photographs don’t do it justice!)

Here’s a picture from the venue’s web site of the reception space outside of the larger reception room.

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You can certainly bring in your own lounge furniture for the space and create a great lounge, but the furniture that’s already there is SO comfortable!

The first floor boardroom can be used in a number of ways.  There were cocktail tables set up throughout the room, as well as a few appetizer stations and bars.

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Different caterers were set up on the various floors of the venue — unfortunately, I can’t remember the name of the caterer on the first floor!

When you go back into the lobby, there’s a grand staircase that leads to the second floor.  At the bottom of this staircase were the adorable ladies from Sweet Ladies Bakery.

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Can I just say, YUM!?!?!  Here’s a guest, enjoying one of their delicious cupcakes:

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And a display of a few of their mini cupcakes:

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They also had a display of these adorable “lollipops,” including a brownie lollipop, a chocolate truffle rolled in coconut, and cheesecake lollipops!  I’ve already referred one of my brides to them — they have great prices, and are the nicest girls to boot!

On the 2nd floor, there are a number of areas that couples can use in a variety of ways.  I think if it were me, I would do my cocktail hour on the rooftop terrace (which you’ll see soon), and dinner and dancing in the second floor “ballroom.”

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The room holds about 175 for dinner, so probably around 140 for dinner and dancing.  Or you could have dinner in the ballroom, and have dancing just outside the ballroom in the reception space (photo from 1777 F Street web site)

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All of the furniture can be moved out, and this would also be a great area for a little lounge (all of the furniture you see is yours to use however you’d like!)

On this floor, delicious food was offered by Susan Gage Caterers.

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You then take the elevator up to the 7th floor, where the spaces are more designed for meetings, but I had to mention the wonderful ladies from Ridgewells Catering.  I ate the MOST DELICIOUS chocolate peanut butter bonbon…with pop rocks on the bottom.  I LOVE POP ROCKS!!!  They also had these delicious little poached apples with a brie mousse, and look at these adorable little “ice cream cones”!

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They were filled with various fillings, and were AMAZING!  The folks at Ridgewells are just so creative, I love it!

After visiting and snacking on the 7th floor, I headed up to my favorite part of the venue, the 8th floor terrace.  (Again, I apologize for my less than stellar photography skills!)

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As with the other floors, these benches and tables can be used however you like, plus, of course, you can supplement with cocktail tables and bars.  The terrace also has a great view of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building:

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If it rains, though, the space inside is still really pretty, and also has a great built in bar:

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One of the best things about the venue is that, if you’re renting it for a weekend, you get THE ENTIRE BUILDING!  What other venue do you know where you get four floors of space to do whatever you want with?!  Their prices are really affordable, so if you’re looking for a new, unique venue near the White House with an outdoor terrace, check out 1777 F Street, NW. You can call them at 202.509.8465 or email them at dcrentals@cfr.org.

Thanks for inviting us to your open house, gang — we had lots of fun!

Rebecca

Venue Spotlight: Bolger Center

Friday, October 9th, 2009

A few weeks ago, Laura and I traveled up the beltway to Potomac to check out a place I had heard a lot about, but had never seen, The Bolger Center.

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The Bolger Center is an unusual local venue.  Originally built as a convent, it was later sold to the US Postal Service as a training facility.  Although it is still owned by the USPS, it is operated as a hotel and conference center.  You can definitely see the Post Office influence throughout the venue in some really cool ways:

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The first thing we saw was the Pony Express Bar & Grill.  See what I mean about the cute Post Office references?  I LOVED this space.  I completely pictured either having a rehearsal dinner or even a casual reception in this space!

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Sorry my pictures are kind of dark!  You walk into the grill, and immediately see these adorable cocktail tables and a shuffleboard table.

Cocktails

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To the right is a great, HUGE hardwood bar, and then another large area to put additional seating, buffet tables, or even use the pool table!

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One of my favorite parts of the space, though, is the HUGE courtyard right outside.  If you were using the indoor space for a reception, this would be a great cocktail area, or even a cool area for a ceremony:

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One of the nicest things about it is that a large portion of it is covered, so even if it rains, you’re protected!

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The Bolger Center landscaping and gardening staff must be the hardest working guys in Maryland.  There are acres and acres of land there, and yet, not a piece of grass seems out of place.  The lawns were beautifully mowed, the trees were in great areas to provide shade to every courtyard area, and the flowers are apparently in bloom all year round!  There are even adorable fountains throughout the property:

Courtyard1

Courtyard2

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The above path leads to the GORGEOUS Stained Glass Hall.  This hall used to be a chapel, back in the days of the nunnery, and can now be used for either a church-like ceremony or for a great reception.  The hall holds about 120 for a ceremony and around 180 for a reception.

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bolger center wedding chapel

Here is the room set up for a conference.

bolger center wedding chapel 2

I seriously couldn’t get over the gorgeousness of these windows!

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Here’s a picture of a wedding ceremony in the Stained Glass Room.  Pretty, no?

LJ Wedding1

Another option for your ceremony (or your reception, if you wanted to use a tent) is in the front of the building.  This HUGE grassy area is large enough for thousands for a company picnic, so it can obviously fit any size ceremony or reception, and there are dozens of places to choose from, all of which have great views!

bolger center events outdoors

bolger center md wedding

The next area we saw was the courtyard outside of the larger ballroom:

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Annette at the Bolger Center sent me some great pictures of an event that took place in this courtyard at night:

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That courtyard leads to the larger indoor event area, the Ben Franklin Ballroom.  Unfortunately, right now the ballroom is, well…not too pretty. However, hooray, hooray, they’re renovating it as we speak, and in January it will be GORGEOUS!  Check out the pictures of the renovation!

ben franklin room bolger center

The room is HUGE, and the renovations are going to make it VERY popular for all kinds of events, but especially weddings!  The Ben Franklin Hall can hold almost 500 people, so it’s perfect for a large wedding.

If it’s raining or cold, the ballroom also has a great indoor area for cocktail hour.  Again, keeping with the postal theme, how cute is this?!

bolger center ben franklin room weddings

bolger center weddings

bolger center wedding

Finally, one of the best parts is that the rooms are INSANELY affordable!  There are plenty of rooms for you and your guests, so you never even have to leave the grounds.

So if you’re looking for a great venue in Maryland, definitely call Annette at the Bolger Center at 301-983-7000.  She’s great, and will set you up at a really great venue!

Rebecca

Venue Spotlight: St. Francis Hall

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

Way back in February, Jodi and I ventured into DC for an open house by R&R Catering at St. Francis Hall, located on the grounds of the Franciscan Monastery in the Brookland neighborhood of NE DC.  I was unexpectedly out of the office for a bit, time got away from me, and now I am more than fashionably late on this post.   I hope it’s worth the wait though!

R&R put on a wonderful display, but we were surprisingly taken with the venue itself. It’s a hidden gem in DC and should definitely be on your list of venues if you’re looking for a unique, affordable, gorgeous backdrop for your ceremony and/or reception.  All of our camera shots came out too dark, so these are unfortunately provided by the venue… although it’s much better to visit in person!

From the brick walls to the wrought-iron chandeliers and sconces, it’s uniquely breathtaking and has a very “romantic renaissance” feel. The hardwood floors are just beautiful… no dance floor needed!

The venue can hold up to 250 and the layout lends itself to some unique options in terms of “flow” for the evening.  There are long hallways on either side of those arches that can hold more tables or be used for more tables, buffet lines, candy buffets, dessert stations or cocktail hours! 

  
The modest rental fee also includes use of the smaller gardens just next to the building, the kitchen,the terrace overlooking a small pond (great for cocktail hour), the stage (perfect for a band) and access to the beautiful (and larger) gardens across the street for wedding party photos.   Although you can’t get married in these larger gardens, there are other options on site, including St. Francis Hall itself! on-site parking. Security assisted us with parking and made us feel more than safe in an unfamiliar neighborhood.

 

The rental fee also includes a few other perks like padded chairs, tables, sound system (with mics) and projector screen… as well as some

Cara at St. Francis Hall is fantastic and was happy to offer some great discounts to Wish brides, one of which includes free use of the facility’s gold ballroom chairs and tables.    If you’re looking for a unique, romantic and gorgeous venue, be sure to check out St. Francis Hall… and leave some time to walk around the gardens while you’re there!

::: Cristin :::

Venue Spotlight: Oxon Hill Manor

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

Recently we visited Oxon Hill Manor in Maryland.  Just across the bridge from Old Town Alexandria, Oxon Hill has become a popular wedding venue since reopening in 2007.  It had been undergoing a renovation and unfortunately caught fire while work was being done.  Now it’s completely overhauled and GORGEOUS!  Check out this beautiful wedding venue.

At the entrance there is a stately driveway and a large circle, ideal for a classic car or limousine to pull up:

Just inside the front door is this foyer space.  I like the black and white tiled floors and the tapestries on the wall.  This is a perfect spot for a guest book and escort cards or even an indoor cocktail hour:

Just past the foyer, you can look down the hallway.  Oxon Hill has several wooden furniture pieces that fit the style of the house:

Here’s the Dining Room with parquet floors and beautiful woodwork.  This room can fit approximately 50-60 seated guests:

On the other side of the house, the Drawing Room is great for dinners.  It can seat another 50-60 guests:

Up the spiral staircase is a bridal room that’s perfect for a bride and her bridesmaids to get ready:

Here’s the bridal room with lots of natural sunlight and seating:

The bridal room even has it’s own restroom!  I think this bathroom is larger than the one I have at home:

One of the bigger appeals of Oxon Hill is the amazingly manicured gardens.  This lawn overlooks a rectangular pond with fountains and is a great spot for ceremonies:

Looking to the right you see another on of their gardens.  In the distance you can see the Potomac River:

If you’re looking for a wedding venues then please consider Oxon Hill!  I think you’ll love it at first site like I did.

Venue Spotlight: Sequoia Restaurant

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Last week I was invited to visit Sequoia restaurant on the Georgetown waterfront in DC.  What a gorgeous restaurant!  It’s been two years since we’ve done an event with them and they’ve made some major adjustments since then.  First, they’ve replaced a large portion of the staff and are starting fresh with some accomplished chefs in the kitchen.  Second, they’re giving the whole restaurant a face lift.  They’ve installed a beautiful art piece, updated all the patio furniture, and completed some nice landscaping on their huge deck.  They’re also vamping up their wedding reception packages to make the restaurant a more appealing option for brides and grooms!  Now THAT’S what I’m talking about!

Of course I took some photos…what would this blog be without pictures?

The view from the boardwalk along the river.  The restaurant is on the second floor of this massive building and their outdoor patio is really expansive:

The view from the top:

Another view of the patio and their new palm trees and furniture:

Stepping inside the restaurant, you’ll see the beautiful wooden floors, the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, and the gorgeous blue art installation.  I wish the sun was in a better spot so the photo wasn’t so backlit…hopefully you get the idea.  These chandeliers reminds me of an installation I saw in an airport….the one I’m thinking of had little white birds suspended from mono filament.  The little birds made up the shape of a bigger bird and from one cluster to the next they morphed into an airplane.  Does anyone know what I’m talking about?  It sounds crazy but it’s truly beautiful, just like the blue ones they have at Sequoia:

Sequoia also has a second level.  Up here there are a few dining tables, a big long wooden bar, and a smaller area on the opposite side (which seats about 20 guests):

Another photo of the bar.  Sorry for all the backlit mess!

Back downstairs there is a private room that will seat up to about 150 guests.  I like how the bar is built-in along the back wall.  The windows look out over the river.  They will be remodeling this space, replacing the chairs, and jazzing it up a bit.  I think it’s going to be gorgeous!

Mr. Scott Moon (on right, the go-to guy for weddings at Sequoia) and his boss, Mr. Walter Rauscher.  Here you can see the blue lighting installations a little better:

I really had a great time visiting Sequoia and urge you to check it out for your own event.  Even if you already have your wedding reception venue booked, how about the rehearsal dinner or a Sunday brunch?  This restaurant is turning a new leaf, kicking it up a notch, and would love to show you how they can make your event fabulous!  Email Scott Moon today to set up an appointment.  Tell them I sent you!

Rehearsal Dinner Venue Spotlight: DC’s Buca di Beppo

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Usually we spotlight wedding reception venues on the blog.  Today we’re going to switch it up and introduce a rehearsal dinner venue.  We recently took a tour and tried the food at Buca di Beppo, a wonderful family-style Italian restaurant.  Located at 1825 Connecticut Ave. NW near Dupont Circle, this is a convenient spot for guests staying near Dupont or if your ceremony rehearsal is in one of the many churches in the neighborhood.  Here are some photos I took of my visit.

The front door.  Buca di Beppo is in a modern office building but once you step inside you instantly feel at home (like of the Italian grandma you never had):

Some of their private dining rooms, perfect for rehearsal dinners or small weddings:

The smaller and much more whimsical Pope-themed room:

It wouldn’t be a Buca without all the great photos on the walls.  Some are serious, some are cute, and others are just plain wacky:

The outdoor patio!  I fell in love with this spot when I saw it.  The only drawback is that it’s uncovered.  However, if the weather ends up being bad they reserve space for you inside too.  Wouldn’t it be great to sit outside for your rehearsal dinner?

Buca’s dinners range from $22-32 per person depending on the number of courses you choose.  Since the meals are served family-style and each dish is replenished once it’s empty, it’s really like an all-you-can eat buffet!  This is really an amazing value compared to the expensive sit-down restaurant options in the Dupont Circle area.

I received several gift certificates which are good for either $10 off a food purchase OR one complimentary meal with their sales staff.  If you’re considering booking Buca for your rehearsal dinner, this is the perfect opportunity to see the rooms and try the food for free.  Why not check it out?  Shoot me an email (including your mailing address) if you’d like one of these certificates.  Otherwise you can contact Courtney in their sales office to set up your appointment!

Venue Spotlight: Morven Park

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

Last week I was invited to visit Morven Park, a beautiful historic manor in Leesburg, Virginia that’s just recently been opened for weddings and private events.  This beautiful home has housed two governors: Thomas Swann of Maryland and Virginia’s reform governor, Westmoreland Davis.

Under the direction of it’s managing group, the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, the mansion itself is currently in the middle of a HUGE renovation.  They’ve restored four of the 22 rooms, installed a geothermal HVAC system, stablized the foundation and restored the exterior so far, with plans to do much more.  This is in efforts to maintain the building as a museum and tours resumed May 1, 2009.  Unfortunately the interior spaces are not available for rent.  However, the 1,000+ acres of expansive grounds are perfect for tenting and secluded enough that you feel worlds away from civilization.

Pulling into the grounds, the first thing you notice is the stunning Morven Park mansion:

Anthony Cavallo from Vintage 50 is the person who’s handling the booking of all private events held at Morven Park.  He gave us a tour of the grounds and took us to the front drive of the mansion:

The porch is one spot where you can host an event.  The Mansion Portico holds about 50 standing guests and would be perfect for a cocktail hour.

Looking out from the Portico, you’re treated to a breathtaking view of the Leesburg countryside.  Morven Park often uses the Mansion Lawn for equestrian events and large festivals:

On either side of the mansion, the grounds feature several stunning spots that can easily be tented.  After venturing through the manicured gardens…..

….we stumbled upon the Croquet Court!  I can only assume that people used to play croquet here, hence the name.  It’s the prettiest spot in the whole place, I think.  Big, beautiful trees line either side to make a large rectangular space.  This site holds up to 800 guests although a wedding with 300-400 guests would fit perfectly:

Here’s another view of the Croquet Court, showing the character of the trees:

Morven Park is filled with little beautiful gardens strewn here and there.  I thought this one was particularly pretty since the daffodils were in bloom:

Near the Croquet Field, a pleasant surprise awaits below a short flight of tucked away stone steps:

The Reflection Pool is hidden away but a true gem.  There is less than a foot of water in the pond and the fountain in the center gives some background noise to the peaceful spot.  I envision the lawn to either side acting as the aisle for a wedding ceremony.

Just past the two trees in the above photo, there is another lawn that can be tented.  The Reflection Pool Lawn can seat up to about 120 guests and is perfect for smaller weddings:

I really enjoyed my afternoon at Morven Park (and my yummy brunch at Vintage 50). If you’re looking for an elegant outdoor spot for your wedding, please consider this historic gem.  The fees are relatively reasonable ($1500-3500 before the tent) and well worth the natural beauty of the venue.  Since they just opened for private events, most dates in 2010 are still available as well as some select dates for this fall.  Be sure to contact Anthony if you’d like to see it for yourself!

To see video of the inside of the mansion, see FoxDC’s newscast about this beautiful property.

The New W Hotel in DC

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

The historic Hotel Washington was closed down last year and is reopening as the W Washington DC!  Slated to be ready in July, this hot property is in a fantastic downtown location at 15th & Pennsylvania.  Those of you who know that Mr. Obama lives at 1600 Pennsylvania realize that this hotel is right in the middle of things.

Mariam Karim is the new Director of Catering and has shared a few sneak peeks of the hotel & meeting space.  Keep in mind these are only renderings but they should be pretty close to the real deal.

The Dining Room (aka ballroom?):

The Living Room (aka lobby?):

The Sky Terrace Bar (aka rooftop deck):

The W is actually one of the few places in DC with a fantastic view of the White House, Ellipse, and several of the famous presidential monuments.  While I’m not sure you could rent the bar area for a private event, you could most certainly have an afterparty there!

To schedule a time to see the space for yourself or inquire about holding a wedding there, email Mariam or call her at 202-661-2426.  Special thanks to Doreen at Engaged! Magazine for sharing this with us.

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