Unique and Unconventional Wedding Venues
Searching for the perfect wedding venue in the DC area can be hard! We totally get it because there are oodles of amazing places to choose from. We wanted to follow up some of our last venue posts with these unique and unconventional DC wedding venues. Don’t forget to check out those past posts at the end of this one. Today we are focusing on unique and unconventional DC wedding venues. From museums to art galleries, distilleries to Pilates studios, the possibilities truly do seem endless. Small and intimate or large and grandiose, you can almost host your wedding anywhere your heart desires! Find a venue that fits your personalities as individuals and as a couple. There is one out there for everyone! And don’t forget to check out our amazing wedding venue vendors; we think they’re pretty stunning!
Newseum
By far one of the most innovative and unique wedding venues, the Newseum has a plethora of options for you to choose from should this be “the one.” Perhaps you’d like to host your nuptials in the Knight Conference Center and terrace, where the breathtaking views of the US Capitol and surrounding city can be explored, or if that’s not enough, you can take over the entirety of the museum for a top-to-bottom, unforgettable extravaganza. The Newseum is happy to host Wolfgang Puck Catering, which makes for scrumptious rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions.
Toolbox
A Pilates studio isn’t always your first thought when you think perfect wedding venue but maybe it should be! With their gorgeous wood floors and exposed brick walls, we can’t help but be in awe of this space. Not only is it a Pilates studio, but it is also an art studio and so there is always fantastic decor already up on the walls. With the capacity for a seated dinner for 140 or a cocktail style reception for 250, this space is super versatile and unique!
Red October Photography in Fathom Gallery DC Wedding
Fathom Gallery
When choosing to wed at Fathom Gallery, you have lots of different spatial options. Inside the gallery, you will find exposed brick and local art, cultural and digital and interactive design. Love the idea of a gallery wedding but want an outdoor ceremony? They have a roof deck with lush greenery and budding pear trees! You can also host your reception on their grounds after holding your ceremony in any of DC’s amazing churches.
Sonoma
We love the vibe at Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar with their modern chic interior and low lighting. They have a wide variety of spaces to choose from that will fit in with your wedding aesthetic whether it is a small and intimate affair or a larger 200 guest reception! And don’t get even us started on the food! With tons of options that range from brunch to dinner, you can’t go wrong with any of their seasonal meal choices. Yummm, now we’re hungry!
One Eight Distilling
Named for Article One Section Eight of the constitution (which provided the establishment of a district to serve as the nation’s capital), this unique venue is an actual distillery that produces spirits with locally sourced ingredients. They strive to combine the time-honored traditions of distilling with modern innovation. Their stylish facilities accommodate upwards of 300 guests and can bring a modern rustic feel to your big day! Plus, how many people can say they got married at a distillery? How unique!
Dani Leigh Photography in DC Elopement at Nationals Park
Nationals Park
The home of the Washington Nationals can make for an incredibly fun and whimsical wedding venue. You can have the wedding ceremony behind home plate and treat your guests to batting practice in the cages during cocktail hour or the reception! Don’t forget about the Racing Presidents! If you’re lucky, they might even stop by to say hello. You don’t necessarily need to utilize a baseball theme to host your wedding here; you can still maintain an elegant aesthetic while hosting your big day in a unique space like this one!
Arena Stage
This theater hosts a plethora of productions that focus on the American spirit. What could be better for a wedding in the nation’s capital?! This unconventional venue can help you to create a theatrical event that you (and your guests) will never forget! Wed in their intimate Kogod Cradle and have breezy cocktails on their rooftop terrace. With their amazing views of the waterfront in the Grand Lobby and Molly Smith Study you can set a dramatic tone for your reception. We can’t get enough of this multipurpose venue.
Corradetti Glassblowing Studio & Gallery
Nestled in the heart of historic Clipper Mill in Baltimore, this Glassblowing studio and gallery is the perfect space for your special day! Corradetti boasts 3,300 square feet in their studio, complete with bamboo hardwood floors, exposed brick, and high ceilings that creates a contemporary design plan infused with old world charm. The gallery side of the space includes vibrant blown glass artwork that has all been made on site which creates an original ambiance that can’t be easily recreated anywhere else.
Pinstripes
The idea of getting married in a bowling alley doesn’t immediately scream class, but Pinstripes is not your average bowling alley. They don’t serve hot dogs for $1.00 and pitchers of beer. This unconventional venue has a beautifully appointed ballroom, a private event entrance, and beautiful reception rooms that create an intimate experience. Picturesque views of the C&L Canal, luxurious bowling lanes, bocce courts, and a cozy outdoor fire pit allow couples to craft an unforgettable and completely unique (and not to mention fun!) wedding celebration. Oh and we can’t forget to mention that their food and drink are definitely a far cry from the bowling alleys you’re used to!
2941
This hidden gem is located in Virginia and boasts lush landscaping, koi ponds, waterfalls, world-class artwork, and a lakeside view. What more could you want for your wedding? Oh wait fantastic food! Because 2941 is first and foremost a restaurant, you know that they will provide you with some amazing sips, bites, and full meals that truly are works of art.
For more wedding venues and vendors, please visit our Washington DC area wedding vendor guide and for even more amazing local ideas, check out our wedding inspiration galleries and other Washington DC area real weddings. Also, don’t forget about last week’s DC Area Rustic Wedding Venues and DC Area Urban Wedding Venues.
