Your Guide to Planning a Wedding in Alexandria

Hoping to be surrounded by stunning natural vistas? Tie the knot on the grounds of historic estates including George Washington’s Mount Vernon, America’s most-visited historic home, Gadsby’s Tavern Restaurant or the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden. Book the newly renovated Riverside Garden at George Mason’s Gunston Hall, bask in Meadowlark Botanical Gardens or opt for a ceremony on the sprawling lawns of River Farm. The Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House offer two distinct experiences on the same estate; overlooking the Potomac, Woodlawn plantation was carved from George Washington’s Mount Vernon, established on the tribal lands of the Doeg people and was later purchased and transformed by abolitionist Quakers. Meanwhile, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House, a Usonian home built in 1940, artfully blends into the landscape. Host your ceremony at Hollin Hall & the Meeting House at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church beneath its wisteria-arbored terrace next to a boxwood maze.

Be enamored with boutique venues like Morrison House Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection, set in a Federalist-style building and boasting a literary touch in the hotel’s library and cocktail lounge. You and your guests can soak in incredible original artwork during an event at Principle Gallery, housed in a Revolutionary-era townhouse, or inside the salmon-pink Athenaeum, built in the Greek Revival style and home to the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association. Plus, savor panoramic views with an elevated experience at ALX Community – Atrium.

If you’re seeking all the charm that Alexandria has to offer, look no further than the steps of George Washington’s Masonic National Memorial or an open-air wedding aboard the Cherry Blossom Riverboat via City Cruises Alexandria with a background of the Washington, D.C., skyline. Or tie the know amidst dozens of operating artist studios at the  Torpedo Factory Art Center or at a reproduction of the first ship commissioned for the Continental Navy with tall ship Providence. Don’t overlook intimate spaces within spacious venues like Building Momentum’s charming rustic pergola in The Garden. Find more special spots to host your event at Lloyd House, Mary M. Gates Learning Center at United Way Worldwide, National Museum of the United States Army or the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum.

Alexandria’s hotels offer distinct spaces with waterfront views, iconic backdrops and more for your intimate celebration. Check out the enchanting interior courtyard or newly renovated ballroom at The Alexandrian, or revel in riverside views at Alexandria’s only waterfront property, Hotel Indigo. Be charmed at Sheraton Suites, which caters to Halal, Hindu and Kosher Weddings, or tie the knot at The Westin’s spacious Edison Ballroom. Host your reception at Alexandria’s largest hotel property, the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, with dining options catering to wide-ranging dietary needs and a property ideal for large weddings. Or book Hilton Alexandria Old Town, Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria, Lorien Hotel & Spa or Embassy Suites by Hilton Alexandria Old Town for a strategic location at the top of King Street.

Or try one of Alexandria’s newest hotels, such as Hotel AKA Alexandria, designed by acclaimed Italian architect Piero Lissoni. Gather your gang for a casual welcome party movie night at the Hotel AKA theater. And opening in 2024, Hotel Heron will occupy the Colonial Revival space which once housed the historic George Mason Hotel.

From convenience to luxury, Alexandria offers multiple transportation options for your wedding party needs. Check out woman-owned Fleet Transportation for 24-hour customer service and add-ons like airport meet-and-greets, customized guided local tours and more. Or arrive in style with DC Livery’s luxury limousines or executive sedans. Book a wedding shuttle bus with GOGO Charters and enjoy private service between the hotel, ceremony and reception. Try Reston Limousine to get you and your guests where they need to go safely and smoothly. Meanwhile, USA Guided Tours DC offers both transportation and tailored Old Town and Washington, D.C., guided tours.

Image Credit: Kelly Loss Photography

Relish a candid and photojournalistic experience with Kelly Loss Photography or work with By Asa Photography for all your wedding photography and videography dreams.

Wedding flowers are one of the most important components of the visual experience on your big day, so it’s important to work with a team of floral professionals that can help bring your vision to life. Be inspired by nature with Enchanted Florist’s exquisite arrangements or up your creativity with an unforgettable floral experience by Bloom Fresh Flowers. Check out high-end retail florist Helen Olivia Flowers to bring your floral dreams to life, no matter how big or small. You’ll find only the freshest of flowers from Holland Flowers & The Wedding Loft. Explore a full range of plant and floral arrangements with custom design from Conklyn’s. Choose sophisticated greenery for your celebration, sourced from Greenstreet Gardens of Virginia.

Look to Alexandria salons and beauty spots to handle your hair and makeup needs. Let Sugar House Day Spa treat your tresses and do your makeup for you and your bridal party or visit King Street makeup boutique Bellacara, which carries top lines such as Westman Atelier and Laura Mercier. Treat your roots at waterfront Salon Monte from TLC’s wedding and reality TV star Monte Durham. Relax with eco-friendly products and an elegant hairdo for the big day at Latina-owned Cualtzin Salon or get your hair styled at Holistic Hair Studio, where you can rest assured your hair is being treated with free trade and organic hair products. Jump into an artsy and chill environment at Salon deZEN while you get a wedding blowout or unique fluid hair painting. Feel relaxed and radiant at Stylists at North while getting your hair styled as you sip some procured wine or custom tea. Need to unwind before the big day? Indulge in skin and body therapies at Fountains Day Spa or luxuriate in day spa packages at the Lorien Hotel & Spa.

We know the ceremony and reception are the stars of the show, but nothing makes the wedding weekend even more memorable like a pre- or post-wedding experience. After the wedding festivities, wake up and keep the fun going with mimosas and bites aboard a booze or brunch cruise on the Potomac with City Cruises Alexandria or enjoy an intimate and curated al fresco getaway with Picnic & Peonies.

For bridal and groomsmen parties, try a crowd-pleasing tasting at Port City Brewing Company, Aslin Beer Company, Lost Boy Cider or The MacMillan Spirit House (opening in 2024), or sample customized wine pairings at BARCA Pier and Wine. Think outside the box and roll up your sleeves with a workshop from Shop Made in VA, or partake in a cocktail or ceviche-making competition at The Study at Morrison House. Let your group make personalized pizzas Mia’s Italian Kitchen and enjoy being on the iconic King Street pedestrian block. Get spooked during a ghost tour with Nightly Spirits – Ghost Tour Pub Crawls or Alexandria Colonial Tours or travel back in time with Alexandria History Tours. Or let our your inner kid with an experience at ShadowLand Entertainment Center.

Insider Tip:Contact Visit Alexandria’s Meeting Support Specialist for complementary recommendations for your welcome venue or rehearsal dinner.

Image Credit: Korean Husband Hong Kong Wife

Food quality, creativity, presentation and customer service are all important when it comes to choosing a catering company for your wedding. Windows Catering Company has built its reputation in the D.C. area as a top wedding caterer for more than 25 years, so you can rest assured your party is in good hands. Kick things up a notch with wood-smoked barbeque from Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company, Myron Mixon’s Pitmaster Barbeque and Pork Barrel BBQ. Alexandria Restaurant Partners offers full service catering with a bar from  Mia’s Italian Kitchen and  Theismann’s Restaurant & Bar. Plus, check out Alexandria’s countless caterers including Homegrown Restaurant Group, Wegmans, Bittersweet Catering,  Main Events Caterers and Design Cuisine.

Insider Tip: Contact your wedding venue event contact to send over their list of preferred vendors. Some venues may charge a fee to use a caterer not on this list.

Do away with the traditional wedding cake and dish up some delicious and Instagram-worthy delights. Serve crowd-pleasing cupcake options with fresh-baked treats from Alexandria Cupcake or Lavender Moon Cupcakery. Order a vast array of pan-Latin American pan dulce from Veronica’s Bakery to please your guests. Try Buzz Bakeshop for whimsical treats or treat guests to the over-the-top creations from The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar. You can also enlist Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats, which serves up legendary Wisconsin-style frozen custard and nostalgic treats out of a vintage 1952 Metro van named Gigi right outside your wedding venue, perfect for a spring or summer wedding. Lure yours guests (briefly) off the dance floor with all sorts of mouthwatering baked goods from Firehook Bakery & Coffee House and Junction Bakery & Bistro.

Shopping for one-of-a-kind party favors and gifts for your bridal parties is easy in the D.C. region’s largest destination of independent boutiques. Support local artists and give guests a souvenir to remember their time in Alexandria with items from Made in ALX. Pick up home décor from Red Barn Mercantile or treat your bridal party to gorgeous glassware from The Hour Shop’s Modern Home Bar collection or gift a DIY kit, workshop experience or on-trend home décor gift from AR Workshop. Grab printed treasures from Penny Post as well as Alexandria-themed accents and charming pre-made gift bags from The Old Town Shop. Plus, surprise your bridesmaids or loved ones with minimalist pieces from She’s Unique, something sparkly from Mystique Jewelers or exquisite creations from King’s Jewelry.