With piles of snow on the ground and hopes of Spring, I wanted to write about Garden Wedding Venues this week. Holding your wedding in a garden setting is great for several reasons. Some Garden Venues have indoor spaces or allow tents which helps to calm the nerves, at least about rain. You will walk away with beautiful photos while spending less money on decor. Some sites have special features like waterfalls, gazebos or a trellis’.
Brookside Gardens
Brookside Gardens is 50 acres and has several options to chose from. Capacities range from 20-250 people. The Japanese Tea House and glass-topped Conservatory are great for a small wedding. The Fragrance Garden is dotted with scented flowers and steps away from a tented lawn. A perfect spot for a garden ceremony. The reception hall holds 125 guests and has breathtaking views of the azalea gardens. Larger receptions are held in the Gude Garden, where a tent can accommodate 250 people.
Brookside Gardens
contact: Brookside Gardens
phone: 301.962.1404
email: Event.Manager@montgomeryparks.org
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens includes 95 acres of lush gardens, green hills, and perfectly manicured landscape. The Atrium can seat 230 guests for a wedding reception and up to 300 standing guests. It has trees with twinkle lights, a stream that leads to an indoor fountain, three walls of glass and a two-thousand square foot skylight. There are also several other options including Wedding Gazebos, the new outdoor Lilac Pavilion or the Korean Bell Garden for standing ceremonies.
Meadowlark Gardens
contact: Wayne Hager
phone: 703.255.3631 ext. 105
email: atrium@nvrpa.org
Meridian House
Meridian House can accommodate 150 seated. This beautiful estate is surrounded by stone walls which hold a grove of linden trees with two acres of distinctive, urban gardens. This is a great garden option because in case of rain you still have plenty of beautiful indoor options including a grand two story staircase.
Meridian House
contact: Maria Canellis
phone: 202.939.5592
email: mcanellis@meridian.org
River Farm
Once owned by George Washington, River Farm is now the headquarters for the American Horticultural Society. The property is 25 acres of landscaped lawns and gardens that overlook the Potomac River. The manor-style house and terrace in addition to the gardens offer a lot of options for a fun event. It accommodates 50 indoors or 160 seated using the tented terrace.
River Farm
contact: Janet Daniels
phone: 703.768.5700 ext. 114
email: rentals@ahs.org
Woodend Sanctuary
Woodend Sanctuary is 40 acres and is part of the Audubon Naturalist Society, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental issues. It offers a Greek portico, sweeping lawns, and spacious, high-ceilinged rooms. The tented terrace, next to the great hall, can accommodate 150 seated guests. Outdoors, the beautiful wedding grove offers an surreal backdrop for romantic ceremonies while the Great Hall with its staircase and balcony provides a great alternative.
Woodend Sanctuary
contact: Rebecca Robinson
phone: 301.652.9188 ext. 38
email: rebecca.robinson@anshome.org
Woodrow Wilson House
The Woodrow Wilson House is a Georgian revival townhouse conveniently located just five blocks from Dupont Circle. With fully restored garden on two levels and a tiled terrace it can hold up to 250 guests. This beautiful urban garden really does provide a multitude of photo options. Between the gardens and museum there are so many things for your guests to do at this venue.
Woodrow Wilson House
contact: Sarah Andrews
phone: 202.387.4062
email: sandrews@WoodrowWilsonHouse.org