10 Most Popular Small Wedding Venues in Washington, DC

The Whittemore House is one of the most beautiful historic institutions to be found across Washington D.C. and beyond, with its cherished property providing a scenic backdrop for wedding celebrations of a relatively small size. The Whittemore House was originally built in the 1890s, and the Women’s National Democratic Club has lived within this property since 1927. Today, the Whittemore House can host parties with in-house catering, in-house beverage services, and dinner service items including chairs, tables, utensils, linens, and more. With all of these convenient amenities provided with bookings, The Whittemore House can keep things simple and effortless for the happy couple.

Address: 1526 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036

Phone: 215-550-1363

Guest Capacity: 10 to 220 guests

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Look no further than Studio 52 for a Washington D.C.-based wedding venue that can offer a charming environment for a wedding party of maximal elegance and sophistication. Studio 52 can host wedding celebrations of up to 75 seated guests or 150 standing guests, making this a flexible choice of venue with a variety of potential seating configurations and floor plans that can meet the needs of small-to-medium sized gatherings. The price of a gathering at Studio 52 includes an hour of setup and breakdown time, parking in a garage and on the street, a cash bar or open bar, casual lounge furniture, and a preferred vendors list.

Address: 1508 Okie St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Phone: 202-818-8703

Guest Capacity: 70 to 150 guests

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The Josephine Butler Parks Center is a wedding locale in Washington D.C. with tons of event space for a wedding party flanked by sites of history and heritage. The Josephine Butler Parks Center overlooks Meridian Hill and Malcolm X Park for a taste of natural beauty, while the 18,000 square foot Renaissance Revival Mansion features tons of rooms for wedding parties. The recipient of a vast collection of industry awards as a wedding venue from a variety of wedding-centric publications and media outlets, the Josephine Butler Parks Center is a D.C. favorite, with its combination of history and modernity gracing wedding parties of all kinds in the local area.

Address: 2437 15th St NW Washington, DC 20009

Phone: 202-462-7275

Guest Capacity: 30 to 225 guests

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When it comes to wedding celebrations in and around Washington D.C., the Dumbarton House is a historic institution with a great reputation for hosting parties that go off without a hitch. The Dumbarton House is best known as a museum that is open to guests who want a taste of the local history of this charming area of Washington D.C., and for wedding parties, this museum can convert into an event space that can host up to 200 seated guests within the entire property or 75 guests within the historic portions of the museum area. The North Garden, Upper Terrace, East Park, Belle Vue Room, and Tented Courtyard are the finest event spaces on the property, with the capacity of up to 150 seated guests with room for round tables, a band, and a dance floor for a full dinner and dancing reception.

Address: 2715 Q St NW Washington, DC 20007

Phone: 202-337-2288

Guest Capacity: 30 to 200 guests

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The Mansion on O & O Street Museum is one of the most unique wedding venues across Washington D.C. and beyond, with its event planning services keeping tons of amenities all under one roof for maximal client convenience. Noted as a “hidden gem” of the local area featuring an array of themed rooms and 70 secret doors, The Mansion on O & O Street Museum is truly a venue full of surprises that will keep all guests in attendance on their toes. This lighthearted, whimsical choice of venue offers packaged pricing that keeps the wedding planning process simple for clients, with all-inclusive experiences including micro weddings, elopements, sit-down dinners, and more.

Address: 2020 O St NW Washington D.C., DC 20036

Phone: 202-496-2020

Guest Capacity: 185 to 650 guests

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For a wedding locale that can create memorable wedding parties in a refined atmosphere, the Decatur House is a great choice of Washington D.C.-based small venues. The Decatur House was originally constructed all the way back in 1819, and today, the event spaces that dot the property include the Carriage House and the Courtyard. The Carriage House can host up to 250 standing or 170 seated guests within a beautiful indoor space that includes a covered portico that adjoins the Courtyard to the Carriage House. Up to 300 standing or 220 seated guests can be hosted within the Courtyard, while 150 seated guests can allow for room for a dance floor, ideal for a dinner and dancing reception that stretches on late into the night.

Address: 1610 H St NW Washington D.C., DC 20006

Phone: 202-218-4333

Guest Capacity: 10 to 300 guests

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The Capital Turnaround is a luxurious wedding venue decked out with tons of features and amenities that will make weddings feel right at home within the event spaces. The Capital Turnaround is decked out with features for wedding parties including LED walls and 20 flat screen TVs as well as state of the art audio and visual equipment, lounge furniture, private dressing rooms, and on-site day-of event coordination to ensure that the logistical flow of the wedding day is executed smoothly and seamlessly. A list of preferred vendors can be provided for wedding parties at Capital Turnaround. The event spaces on the property can host up to 450 guests for a cocktail reception or 330 seated guests for a dinner and dancing reception. 

Address: 770 M St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Guest Capacity: 330 to 450 guests

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Wedding ceremonies and receptions taking place at the Top of the Town are sure to benefit from the magnetic scenic surroundings and the gorgeous interior event space that can host truly beautiful wedding parties. The Top of the Town is a Washington D.C.-based wedding venue showing off infinite vistas of the surrounding metropolitan area from the top of a tall building, with sights visible including the Capitol, the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, and the Potomac River. Up to 180 standing or 150 seated guests can be hosted for a dinner and dancing reception, while a list of approved vendors and caterers can ensure that couples work with the very best in the industry for their party. Features of the event space include a marble foyer and hallway, 12 foot windows, opulent chandeliers, wood panel dance floor, tables and chairs, and more.

Address: 1400 14th Street North Arlington, VA 22209

Phone: 703-387-8696

Guest Capacity: 150 to 180 guests

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The Wharf is one of the premier small wedding venues to be found across Washington D.C. and beyond, with its sweeping picturesque beauty capturing the romance of the wedding celebrations hosted within its premises. The Wharf is home to tons of unique wedding venues and event spaces including the Dockmaster Building, the District Pier, the Transit Pier, and more. Up to 140 standing or 100 seated guests can be hosted in the Dockmaster Building, which is a two-story glass-walled space featuring 270-degree views of the river as well as a wraparound balcony, a canopy, and floor-to-ceiling windows. This elegant indoor event space is the ideal spot for a dinner and dancing reception, and bookings with this event space can include use of the District Pier for an outdoor ceremony.

Address: 760 Maine Avenue Southwest Washington D.C., DC 20024

Guest Capacity: 12 to 800 guests

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Check out The City Club for a wedding venue in Washington D.C. with a stellar set up for ceremonies and receptions of unforgettable sophistication and opulence. The City Club is a beguiling event space that can host up to 150 seated guests within the Ballroom and 300 guests within the Atrium, ensuring that parties both small and large can fit within this venue. The City Club is a full-service venue, guaranteeing clients that tons of in-house services can be compiled into one convenient place for a seamless booking and purchasing process. Wedding packages can be customized to exact client specifications for a fully bespoke process working with The City Club.

Address: 555 13th Street Northwest Washington D.C., DC 20004

Phone: 202-347-0818

Guest Capacity: up to 75 guests

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