At the Georgetown location, Fahrenheit Ballroom is available for weddings and it is one of the most unique spaces in the city with loft-like ceilings, exposed steel beams and original red brick walls reminiscent of the hotel’s history as a turn-of-the-century brick factory structure that later served as an incinerator.

Photo Credit: Zaid Hamid

As banquet space, Fahrenheit Ballroom is able to accommodate receptions and dinners for up to 120 guests.

For more information about The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown please visit the website.

The Art Deco décor gives the hotel has a vintage elegance that will leave you speechless. The French influence carries through every aspect of the hotel, from the service to the décor, and Cecile Remington, the sales and marketing coordinator at the Sofitel, says “brides and grooms will fall in love with the hotel’s ‘Essence de Plaisir’, loosely translated to the ‘essence of pleasure’.”

The Sofitel does use preferred vendors, including DC Rentals and AFI Furninshings for rentals, Love Struck Images and Freed Photography for Photography, Janet Flowers for Florals, and Aimee Dominick of A. Dominick Events, Alexandra Kovach of Alexandra and Company and Trisha Cranor of Working Brides for wedding planners.

For more information about the Sofitel, please visit their website.

Remember this Real Wedding?!

Photo Credit: Procopio Photography

For more information on the property, contact Alison Okobi at aokobi@hayadams.com.

***

This past week James and I were able to put a big check mark next to another item on our long wedding to-do list: hotel room blocks.  I realize many of you are shaking your head and thinking “Big check? Picking a hotel is easy!”  That is what I thought and once again, as has become the theme of my wedding experience, I was wrong.    A number of factors complicated our decision: location, guest needs and hotel style.

Location was tough for a few reasons, but the biggest challenge was the location of our reception, the venue is surrounded by museums and government buildings, not hotels.   Add to that the fact that our church is not within walking distance of our reception venue or any hotels.  We had to decide if we wanted our guests close to our venue or in the center of DC with easy access to the metro and activities.

Guest needs was also a big factor in our decision, as much as this day is all about us, we had to think about the guests at some point.  Anyone who has booked a hotel room in DC knows it can be a pricey stay.  Our wedding planner suggested choosing two hotels, one at a higher price and a second alternative at a lower price.   Also, some guests would be traveling with a family, so a hotel that offered rooms with multiple beds was also a must.

Then came style.  To me where the guests stay is a continuation of the wedding style, and since it is the first thing out of town guests will see, it can set the tone for the weekend.  DC has so many great boutique hotels you can find almost anything to fit your style.  James and I were looked for something fun and modern, but at the same time welcoming and accommodating.

And finally, those of you that know James and I probably know that over the years we have become what some may call “hotel snobs.”  Whether it be through work, friends who work at hotels or generous family members, we have been fortunate to stay in some great hotels and once you’ve had a taste of it, it’s hard to go back!

To make our final decision we drove by our options, debated and then finally, I went to my boss, who I call Mr. DC.  He is my go-to source for anything DC – restaurant recommendations, weekend get-a-ways, you name it, he knows it.  So after a month of debating and researching, we went with Hotel George and The Liaison, two great boutique hotels under a half-mile from our venue.  See below for a few pictures of each hotel.

The Liaison

Hotel George

“The Hotel Monaco is such a unique and contemporary venue,” says Buddee Clinton, Director of Catering and Special Events. Clinton added that the hotel, which is on the site of the original American General Post Office, has managed to preserve its historical charm even after undergoing recent renovations.

Photography Credit: Love Life Images

Ceremonies, dinner, and dancing can be held in your choice of the many luxurious spaces the hotel has to offer. The spectacular Paris Ballroom, once the post office library, boasts a grand skylight dome ceiling and features breathtaking sweeping arches and white Corinthian pillars. The Athens room is equally magnificent, as it is lined with windows overlooking a beautiful courtyard. The Paris Ballroom can accommodate up to 300 guests, while the Athens Room can accommodate up to 200.

Flexibility is important to the Hotel Monaco special events staff, as they have worked with many of the city’s best rental companies, florists, and bands. For more information, contact Buddee Clinton, Director of Catering and Special events, at (202) 449-7014 or buddee.clinton@kimptonhotels.com

Photography Credit: Holland Photo Arts

Befitting its Federal heritage, the stately columned main house and its simple outbuildings that now comprise the inn are furnished in restrained yet comfortable elegance. Whether on the Verandah, the Wine Cellar, the Front Lawn or under a tent, you cannot go wrong hosting your wedding or rehearsal dinner at Clifton Inn – the history filled pastoral setting is breathtaking.

For those who are lucky enough to stay on property, each room and suite is distinct and unique, some featuring airy lofts; others opening out onto private terraces within the gardens; and all enjoy the modern luxuries of wi-fi, Bose sound systems, Mascioni linens, and Molton Brown amenities.   Chef Dean Maupin’s exquisite American cuisine celebrates the bounty of local Virginia ingredients that he transforms into hearty breakfasts, delectable afternoon teas, and the sumptuous multi-course dinners for which Clifton has become known.

And, for any couples who are still looking for that perfect venue for their September wedding, you certainly want to consider this fabulous offer:

Book an exclusive use wedding of 100 guests or more to take place in September 2010 and receive a complementary 5-night stay in a luxury apartment in Buenos Aires, Argentina, compliments of our sister company Time & Place! You may use this stay for your honeymoon or to celebrate your wedding anniversary… It represents a value of $3,000.00… Don’t miss out! Call our sales department for details at 434-971-1800!

Clifton Inn is like few other places on earth, an incredible venue just a hop, skip and jump from the District!

The Jefferson first opened its doors in 1923 as a luxury residential building but by 1955 was converted into a hotel.  This Beau Arts gem is one of Washington’s best luxury hotels, one that should be top of the list for your wedding weekend!  When you enter and are greeted by a personal butler under the expansive skylight, you just feel like you stepped back in the ages.  Imagine how your guests might feel staying here for the weekend or the luxury of getting ready for the big day in the Martha Jefferson Suite…oh my…

The Martha Jefferson Suite, the top-floor Bridal Suite affords 1,090 square feet of romance with city and skylight views accented by three Juliet balconies which open to allow an abundance of fresh air into the suite. A pale, Tiffany-inspired blue accents the suite’s soft palette of creams and grays, which is carried throughout its living room (featuring a gas fireplace), intimate dining room for two or four, and bedroom with a canopied King bed. The Bridal Suite’s bathroom features a soaking tub for two and intricate mosaic tiling. An additional powder room is found in the suite and a second king bedroom can be connected to create a two-bedroom luxury accommodation.

It would be beyond lovely to get ready with the girls in this room, and then, spend the night of the wedding here with your sweetheart.

And, not to worry, the spa at The Jefferson will offer pampering and renewal consistent with the hotel’s historic heritage, including treatment menu based on herbs and other botanicals grown on Thomas Jefferson’s farms.

Being from Charlottesville, the Thomas Jefferson Suite particularly speaks to my taste!

For more information, be sure to contact Shelley Kissell at (202) 448 – 3252 or skissel@jeffersondc.com.

Today, Julia is stopping by to tell us about how she selected a venue.  This is often one of the first decision a bride makes, as it often determines the date, and sometimes the size, of the wedding.

Here’s Julia…

Only after 5 seconds and the word “Congratulations” did the questions start flowing at my surprise engagement party. “Where” and “when” were now the immediate hot topics. I overheard Chris answering those two questions as we made our way among our guests. He kept saying that he wanted to get married within the next few months. “Why wait to get married?” he kept asking everyone. As much as I could agree with that reasoning, the obvious answer is the time it takes to plan a wedding!

Good thing I was fully prepared to swept up in the tornado of all things wedding. I’ve performed at weddings at almost every venue you can find in our area. I’ve even performed weddings at places that you would not expect like Clore Brothers Outfitters (picture on right, below) on the banks of a river where people kayak and drink beer while being pushed downstream.  Or at the most beautiful, fantasyland type of venues like Galleria at Lafayette Center (picture on left, below) in Washington, DC.

I always dreamed of walking down the big staircase adorned with thousands of candles, while beautiful light fixtures and flowy draperies hung from the glass-domed ceiling.

But, back to my reality. Chris and I had talked about our wedding probably starting in the first few months of dating. It always came down to a winter wedding. Of course, I knew where the ceremony would take place – the church I grew up in, Centreville United Methodist Church. But, that presented some challenges. At the weddings I’ve attended as a guest, I’ve always appreciated when the ceremony and reception where close in proximity. The less the guest has to do, the better the event, I think. So, that would definitely slash out my fantasy venue locations in downtown DC. I started scouring the Centreville/Fairfax area for venues – to which there are considerably fewer options than in the city.

And how did I find the venues? The best resources were:

1) Scoured every magazine I could find at Barnes & Noble.

2) Searched google for any random page that talked about “Northern Virginia Wedding Venues” to make sure I hadn’t left any rock unturned.

3) I viewed area caterer’s websites to see their venue lists.

4) I drove around the area to make sure I hadn’t missed any venue.

It came down to 4 venues: Crowne Plaza Dulles, Hyatt Fair Lakes, Marriott at Fair Oaks and the Hilton Garden Inn Fairfax. I made appointments for Chris and I to meet with all of the venue event planners starting early one morning and made a spreadsheet comparing all of the contract items so we could be prepared with questions.

But, first and foremost, it came down to how we envisioned our wedding as we stepped into each venue. Of course they all had their strengths and the venue event planners were all so responsive and helpful. I think lovely weddings could certainly be held at each place. But, we wanted the grandest space for the budget my parents so generously bestowed upon us. (Or as my parents say, I have a “champagne taste” and I was determined to stretch the budget as much as possible to get a “gulp, not a sip.”)

The Marriott at Fair Oaks had the wow factor. The hotel is contemporary and fresh. They have a courtyard in the center of the hotel, where the cocktail hour is held that has marble floors, modern furniture, columns, trees and a large fountain.  We instantly felt like it was the place for us.

You’ve chosen a great venue, Julia!  We can’t wait to hear your plans for decorating the space!

If you have a question, concern, idea, or if you would like to submit pictures of your wedding to be featured on District Weddings, please shoot me an e-mail (devon{at}districtweddings.com).  I would love to hear from you!  

Be sure to sign up for District Weddings In Your Inbox to receive our Weekly Recap, as well as exciting news on upcoming events, giveaways, and more.  Plus, the first 25 readers to sign up will receive a delicious raspberry-buttercream flavored District Weddings lip balm!  

Thanks for taking time today to visit District Weddings.  Please join us again tomorrow for a special tribute to the Inauguration of our 44th President.

Vendors for Real Wedding: The Hay-Adams

Wedding Planner: Aimee Dominick, A.Dominick Events

Catering: Alison Okobi, Director of Catering, The Hay-Adams Hotel

Flowers: Surroundings Floral

Rentals: Party Rental Ltd

Photography: Andrew Reilly

Music: Johnny Artis Band

Invitations: Cheree Berry Paper

Transportation: Atlantic Services Group

Hair: Elegant Hair by Giselle

Makeup: Kim Reyes Makeup

Cake: Kendall’s Cakes

The rooftop view isn’t the only advantage of having a wedding at The Hay-Adams.  The food, service, and ballroom are just as amazing.  The golden sunlight of the rooftop contrasted against the deep reds of the ballroom–this hotel is quintessentially autumn in D.C.  

Did you see the beautiful red cherry blossom programs that doubled as escort cards?  They were designed by nationally-known invitation artist, Cheree Berry.  On the inside cover of each calligraphed program is the guests’ table number.  Such a cute and practical idea!  

Although Cheree Berry Paper is based out of St. Louis, she might as well be a D.C. vendor.  She conducts consultations over the phone and sends proofs via e-mail.  Not to mention, she ships directly to you, or to your calligrapher.  All reasons why Modern Bride named her one of the top 25 Wedding Trendsetters of 2008!  I am especially indebted to Cheree, as she designed the beautiful District Weddings logo.  When you have a minute, check out her site.  Her designs never cease to amaze me.