Compare Top Wedding & Event Venues in Washington, D.C.

Venue Selection & Management

Planning a DC wedding or event means balancing size, style, and budget. To make choices easy, we’ve put together a quick comparison of popular venues in Washington, D.C. The table below lists each venue’s guest capacity, catering setup, number of rooms, and whether it offers rooftop or waterfront options. (Starting prices are generally custom-quoted.) Five of the venues – smaller, simpler hotels – are marked as budget-friendly. Use this at-a-glance guide to find a venue that fits your needs and your wallet.

You can also explore a wide range of event venues Washington DC if you want a broader selection beyond the hotels listed here.

Venue Name	Guest Capacity	Catering (In-house/External)	Guest Rooms	Rooftop / Waterfront	Starting Price	Budget-Friendly
The St. Regis Washington DC	Up to 400	In-house	172	No	Varies	No
The Hay-Adams Hotel	Up to 340	In-house	145	Yes (rooftop)	Varies	No
JW Marriott Washington DC	Up to 1,520	In-house	777	Yes (terrace)	Varies	No
The Ritz-Carlton Washington DC	1,100	In-house	300	No	Varies	No
The Watergate Hotel	Up to 560	In-house	336 (from DC guide)	Yes (riverfront)	Varies	No
Four Seasons Hotel DC	500	In-house	259 (from DC guide)	No	Varies	No
The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown	150	In-house	161 (from DC guide)	No	Varies	No
The Fairmont Georgetown	700	In-house	415	No	Varies	No
Washington Hilton	4,417 (reception)	In-house	1,107	Yes (rooftop terrace)	Varies	No
Omni Shoreham Hotel	Varies (large)	In-house	834	No	Varies	No
Marriott Marquis DC	3,500	In-house	1,175 (from DC guide)	Yes (rooftop)	Varies	No
The Line DC	300	In-house	220 (from DC guide)	Yes (rooftop)	Varies	No
Hotel Zena	200	In-house	191	Yes (rooftop pool)	Varies	No
Eaton DC	500	In-house	193 (from DC guide)	Yes (rooftop bar)	Varies	No
Capitol Hill Hotel	Up to 60	In-house	80 (from DC guide)	No	Varies	Yes
Washington Court Hotel	~350 (Grand Ballrm)	In-house	254	No	Varies	No
Hyatt Regency Washington	1,500	In-house	820	No	Varies	No
The Mayflower Hotel	500	In-house	413	No	Varies	No
Henley Park Hotel	Intimate (boutique)	In-house	119	No	Varies	Yes
Phoenix Park Hotel	120	In-house	175	No	Varies	Yes
Grand Hyatt Washington	1,100	In-house	897	No	Varies	No
Renaissance Washington DC	4,980 (standing)	In-house	311	No	Varies	No
Hotel Washington	12,000+ sqft (large)	In-house	217	Yes (rooftop VUE)	Varies	No
The Ven at Embassy Row	30	In-house	118	Yes (rooftop)	Varies	No
The Dupont Circle Hotel	~350 (10,000+ sqft)	In-house	327	No	Varies	No
Residence Inn Downtown	Small (suites)	In-house	256	No	Varies	Yes
ARC Hotel	Intimate	In-house	255	No	Varies	Yes
Canopy by Hilton The Wharf	~1700 sq ft (modest)	In-house	371	Yes (waterfront)	Varies	No

Large venues – The Washington Hilton, JW Marriott, Marriott Marquis, and Grand Hyatt have ballrooms that can host well over 1,000 guests, making them ideal for grand weddings or conferences. By contrast, smaller hotels like Capitol Hill Hotel and Henley Park are better for intimate gatherings (under 100 guests).

Couples looking for venues in Washington DC beyond this list may find boutique hotels, lofts, and historic spaces that offer something different from traditional ballrooms.

Catering – Nearly all listed venues provide in-house catering and bars. You’ll typically work with the hotel’s chef to create custom menus. (Outside caterers are rarely needed or allowed in full-service hotels.)

If you’re comparing options nationally, you might also want to see some affordable wedding venues in San Antonio for budget-friendly ideas, even if your event is in DC.

Rooftop/Waterfront – For skyline or river views, check venues noted “Yes” in our table. For example, the Watergate Hotel and Canopy at The Wharf overlook the Potomac River, and the Hotel Washington has a trendy rooftop bar (VUE). The Line DC and Hay-Adams even feature rooftop event spaces.

Looking for a more curated list of unique wedding venues Washington DC? These offer standout design, historic charm, or modern aesthetics that make your day extra memorable.

Budget-friendly choices – We marked five simpler hotels as cost-conscious picks. The Capitol Hill Hotel (80 rooms) is excellent for small meetings (up to ~60 guests). The historic Henley Park (119 rooms) and cozy Phoenix Park (175 rooms) offer elegant spaces without ultra-luxury price tags. The ARC Hotel and Residence Inn Downtown provide functional, no-frills spaces (meeting rooms plus lodging) at lower rates. These venues typically have fewer frills but can save you on overall cost.

For couples interested in understanding hotel Washington wedding cost, it’s important to note that most rates are custom-quoted based on your event date and package.

Pricing note – Starting rates are generally custom-quoted based on date and package. Most of the above venues do not publish flat “starting prices,” so expect to request a proposal.

With this comparison in hand, you can more easily narrow down the DC venues that fit your guest list, preferred amenities, and budget. Happy planning!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the largest wedding venues in Washington, D.C.?▾

Some of the largest venues in D.C. include the Washington Hilton (up to 4,417 guests), Marriott Marquis (up to 3,500 guests), Renaissance Washington DC (up to 4,980 standing), JW Marriott (up to 1,520 guests), and the Grand Hyatt Washington (up to 1,100 guests). These venues are best suited for grand weddings, galas, or large conferences.

Which Washington, D.C. hotels are budget-friendly for weddings and events?▾

If you’re planning on a tighter budget, consider the Capitol Hill Hotel, Henley Park Hotel, Phoenix Park Hotel, Residence Inn Downtown, or ARC Hotel. These properties are marked as budget-friendly because they offer smaller, simpler setups at lower price points.

Do D.C. wedding venues allow outside catering?▾

Most full-service hotels in Washington, D.C. provide in-house catering and preferred bar setups. Outside catering is rarely permitted, so couples typically work with the hotel’s chef to design a custom menu.

Which Washington, D.C. venues have rooftop event spaces or terraces?▾

Popular rooftop venues in D.C. include The Hay-Adams, JW Marriott (terrace), Washington Hilton, Marriott Marquis, The Line DC, Hotel Zena, Eaton DC, and Hotel Washington (VUE rooftop). Canopy by Hilton at The Wharf and The Watergate Hotel highlight riverfront and waterfront views.

What are the best small wedding venues in Washington, D.C.?▾

For intimate weddings or gatherings, venues such as Capitol Hill Hotel (up to 60 guests), Henley Park Hotel, Phoenix Park Hotel, and The Ven at Embassy Row (30 guests) are excellent choices. These boutique properties provide charm and elegance without overwhelming space.

What is the typical starting price for wedding venues in Washington, D.C.?▾

Most D.C. wedding and event venues do not publish fixed starting prices. Costs vary depending on guest count, event package, food and beverage minimums, and the time of year. Couples should request a custom proposal directly from the venue.

Which venues in Washington, D.C. offer waterfront views?▾

The Watergate Hotel and Canopy by Hilton The Wharf are standout venues along the Potomac River, both offering beautiful waterfront and skyline backdrops for weddings and events.

How many hotel guest rooms do most D.C. venues offer?▾

Capacity varies widely. Large hotels such as the Washington Hilton (over 1,100 rooms) and Marriott Marquis (1,175 rooms) accommodate big guest groups, while boutique hotels like Henley Park (119 rooms) and Capitol Hill Hotel (80 rooms) are better for smaller stays.

What should couples consider when choosing a wedding venue in Washington, D.C.?▾

The main factors include guest capacity, catering flexibility, onsite accommodations, location views (such as rooftop or waterfront), and overall budget. Using a venue comparison chart can make it easier to match your event size, style, and finances with the right space.