Washington DC area site

[rraznick]

Help, we cannot find a site in the DC area that does not cost as much as a small house. There are so many hidden get ya later charges. We are paying for this wedding ourselves and have been unable to set a date because we cannot find a site we can afford. Any ideas???

[Athena]

I don't know DC, but this is one area where you have to get creative, and think outside the circle of "usual" options. My fiance and I decided that this was one area we wouldn't compromise on, and want a stunning location with great food and service. We are willing to cut back on a lot of things (I'm going to either rent my dress, or buy from a consignment shop) to have a beautiful reception. Our wedding is about a year and a half out, so we have plenty of time.

You might want to think backwards--find a caterer that you like, then ask them about reception sites. I work in the hospitality business, so I know a bit about the "reality" of what things cost. Everything costs money, and when you want all the little extras, the caterer and/or site coordinator is going to pass that on to you. Even when it sounds like it's all inclusive, that's not necessarily so: A local hotel advertised an all inclusive reception at $19.95 per person, including a free room for the bride and groom. Great, except that they have what they call a "food and beverage minimum". For a room that would accommodate a reception for 80 people, the "minimum" was $4,000, and that's before tax and tip (add another 25%). My fiance was dumbfounded by places which were charging $500-$1,000 just to use the room, until we checked out this hotel. Now he realizes that with a room charge or rental fee, you're free to spend what ever you want on everything else without someone telling you that you have to hit a certain "minimum".

Talk to everyone who will be connected with your wedding (florist, tuxes, photographer, musicians, DJ/band, minister, etc) and ask them about some unusual sites where they have seen receptions done. I'm sure they will come up with some places you'd never dream of on your own.

Also, every place you go, think to yourself "what would this place be like for a reception?" Even if it's not a place that you would "normally" have one, ask. The worst they can do is say no.

[r166]

Why don't you try some of the restaurants around the area? Normandy Farm had a really deal. You should really check that place out. You could also try some of the resaurants in downtown Bethesda. You'd be surprised to find that several of them have banquet facilities (usually on an upper level)to accomodate 150-200 people! We're having our reception at an Italian restaurant in Bethesda for a very reasonable price.

[rraznick]

Thank you!! That is a great idea. I will lookinto it. Which resturant are you using??

[dcbride]

I would avoid hotel ballrooms. They are outrageously expensive in this area.

You might want to try renting out a location, and then bringing a caterer in (and supplying your own alcohol), which is what we're doing. It's saving us a ton (especially since we're having 200 people at the wedding and having a really good band was a necessity -- the band was our splurge, so we had to cut back in other places).

Go buy "Unique Meeting, Wedding and Party Places in Greater Washington" by Elise Ford. (It's about $15 on Amazon.) It lists really unique locations for weddings and it gives a lot of information, such as price, size, ambiance, whether you can have a band, kinds of alcohol allowed (some places ban red wine b/c it stains), etc., etc.

And if you rent a place and bring in a caterer, look for caterers outside of the DC area. They are much cheaper and many of them will travel. We're using Catering by Jill in Richmond. He's done two weddings in the DC area for people that I know and they've been very nice. Plus, he doesn't charge extra for cake cutting, he doesn't have corkage fees, and he supplies his own glasses and silverware (saving you on rental fees). We're paying an extra travel fee, but the total price is still thousands less than DC area caterers were quoting us.

[2beleland]

We had a hard time finding a place too. Our requirements were: a place where we can have an outside ceremony and inside reception at the same site, no hotels, able to choose our own caterer, able to seat the whole group (125) in one space for the reception, and I had to just be a beautiful place -- a tall order!

I found that there are very few sites that meet these requirements and most of what I saw started at $6,000!

Then we really lucked out and found Mount Vernon Unitarian Church. It is on the site of Hollin Hall, an old estate, and is a few miles south of Old Town Alexandria. The beautiful old boxwood gardens are still in place and the church provides the use of their chapel as a reception hall -- it has a cathedral ceiling with skylights, hardwood floors, and one stained glass window and seats 125, with room for dancing. I just LOVE it and the price for 8 hours rental was $2250...a bargain in this area.

They provide a list of approved caterers to select from.

[minac73]

I have the EXACT same reception requirements as you 2beleland, except I may be looking at a group of 100-120. I am in the process of looking for reception sites and would like to know the other places you considered for your wedding. Also, I am concerned that the cost of bringing in a caterer (costs for linens, nice flatware/settings, servers PLUS food) may be more expensive than some of the package deals offered at hotels when I add in the site fee. I know you are working off an approved list of caterers, but do you know of any caterers that have good food and would work well for someone on a tight wedding budget? I know the catering cost "depends" on what you order, but do you have any idea of a reasonable range for a cocktail reception and a buffet offering 2 entree choices?

[Pearls]

I definitely didn't want a hotel wedding and checked out all of the possibilities in the DC/Maryland area. I ended up going to Baltimore (by BWI) for our reception site - Elkridge Furnance Inn. I chose it because they will take care of everything (linens, cake, liquor) and there aren't any hidden charges (and we didn't have to sign a contract committing to a price). Its actually a great restuarant in a few historic buildings and they have an elegant tent in the back for the reception. Montgomery County Parks also has some locations that might be of interest. There is a DC weddings website that I found through the Post online. Its of great use. I checked out about 20-30 places (phone or visit) until I found the perfect place. Don't settle for a hotel unless you want it. Affordable weddings can be had in DC - with a little searching (I had a lot to do, but I have a big family).