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).

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

Historic/Garden:
The Carnegie Institute – and 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 Mansion – and here – and here – and 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 Strathmore – and here – (Bethesda, MD)
Brookside Gardens (Wheaton, MD)
Stronghold Mansion (Sugarloaf Mountain, MD)
Collingwood Library – and here – and here -  (Alexandria, VA)
River Farm (Alexandria, VA)
Hollin Hall (Alexandria, VA)
Old Town Hall (Fairfax, VA)
The Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens – and here – and here – and here – (Vienna, VA)
Oatlands Historic House & Gardens (Leesburg, VA)
The Thomas Birkby House – and here – (Leesburg, VA)
Raspberry Plain – and here – (Leesburg, VA)
Rose Hill Manor (Leesburg, VA)
Long Branch Historic House (Millwood, VA)
Whitehall Manor – and here – (Bluemont, VA)

Hotels/Clubs/Ballrooms:
The Fairmont Hotel – and the Colonnade here – (Washington, DC)
The Mandarin Oriental (Washington, DC)
The Omni Shoreham – and here – (Washington, DC)
The St. Regis Hotel (Washington, DC)
The Ronald Reagan Building – and here – (Washington, DC)
The Westin Grand – and here – (Washington, DC)
Hotel Monaco – and 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 Club – and here – (Reston, VA)
River Creek Club (Leesburg, VA)
The Hilton Washington Dulles (Dulles, VA)
Foxchase Manor – and 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?

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.

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! 

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.   

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.

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:

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!

Be back soon!

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 :::

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.

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 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.

Hey, gang!  Due to unforeseen circumstances, one of our couples is moving the date of their wedding.  As a result, the beautiful Oxon Hill Manor is now available for the evening of Saturday, October 17th, 2009.  If you’re still looking for a venue, don’t rule out this gorgeous building.  It has beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces and you can bring your own caterer.

Here are some pictures from their web site.

Entrance to Oxon Hill Manor

Beautiful Walkway paved with flowers, and you can see the river!

Gorgeous courtyard where you can have your ceremony or cocktail hour

Great water feature that I picture with tables all around it

GORGEOUS brides room!

Foyer for an escort card table or a bar

Use the ballroom for dancing or dinner