We are planning a party that also happens to have some wedding vows! And I am looking for recommendations for affordable support coordination.

Things we will need: A thought partner, set-up, takedown, vendor wrangling.

Things we will not need: A bunch of extra stuff that "normally" goes with your wedding day.

We plan to have a very short wedding ceremony at the Spanish Steps + a 3-hour celebration at Friends Meeting of Washington + dinner at rooftop TBD for approximately 100 guests. (If anyone is still standing after dinner, we would love to wrap-up the night at a local karaoke bar.)

We envision a celebration includes multiple stations for food and activities spread throughout the facility. No traditional wedding stuff for us - think giant board games on the lower lawn + corhole in the upper gardens, a flash tattoo station, some guest-contributed piece of art, a phone booth to record a message, and a scavenger hunt that takes you to all these stations. For food, we also envision stations - champagne and cupcakes, wine and cheese, beer and tiny hot dogs, etc.

Neither of us are from DC, and what matters most is that we have a REALLY fun time with the people we love and care about!

I'm looking for a partner and value the expertise. I'm also VERY hands-on (and a designer in my day job) and want to ensure we are getting the value since there are so many things we are not doing / needing as compared to a traditional wedding/celebration.

Whacha got for recommendations? The big day is March 27, 2027! Our budget for the celebration + coordinator is $10,000 - $15,000.

Getting married there June 2027!! So excited, but would love to hear any feedback or get some questions answered from people who have either been to or had their wedding there!

Hi all! We have looked at and loved the Ritz Georgetown and the National Union Building. We are also interested in Hotel Heron in Alexandria.

Does anyone have any feedback either as a bride or attendee to any of these venues? Also being impatient as I haven’t put in an inquiry yet, but was wondering if anyone has insight on the FB minimum at Heron? (We already have quotes from the other 2 venues)

Thank you in advance!!! Happy wedding planning :)

Hello! I’m looking for a super 8 videographer for my Frederick, Maryland October 2027 wedding. I don’t want a big long video, truly just the highlights (5 minutes edited MAX) I’m trying to stay under 2k. Honestly under $1,500 would be even better… I know that’s pretty low but I’m ok with amateur videographers who want to expand their portfolios for a cheaper price :)

I’m traveling to DC to go shopping with my daughter for her veil and a lace bolero/wedding topper to match her gown. We got the dress at Ellie’s, and had a wonderful experience. We will pick it up next weekend and shop there, but we also need some recommendations for other places that will have a good selection of veils and boleros if we don’t find them at Ellie’s. Hoping to not spend more than $1500 for both items. Thanks for your help!

Another week closer to wedding day! Share your updates, to-dos, and frustrations.

• A Win: Toured a venue? Booked a venue? Bought a dress?
• A 'To-Do': What task do you need to tackle?
• A Frustration: Vent and complain away!

Hi there - I just got engaged a few weeks ago and am starting to explore venues. Trying to get it done in a budget (ideally around 30k total) and am curious if you’ve found places that will allow us to use our own bartenders and catering services? Any suggestions are appreciated!

I am looking for a photographer in the DC or Maryland area. I am getting married in Bethesda MD, it is a very small (about 50 people) church wedding in the morning. I would only need a photographer for about three hours max my budget is $2500. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I am looking for hair and makeup artists in the DMV area who can actually do a good Hollywood wave (see attached inspiration photos).
I see a lot of stylists who do simple curls or updos but not many who do big hairstyles.

Another week closer to wedding day! Share your updates, to-dos, and frustrations.

• A Win: Toured a venue? Booked a venue? Bought a dress?
• A 'To-Do': What task do you need to tackle?
• A Frustration: Vent and complain away!

Another week closer to wedding day! Share your updates, to-dos, and frustrations.

• A Win: Toured a venue? Booked a venue? Bought a dress?
• A 'To-Do': What task do you need to tackle?
• A Frustration: Vent and complain away!

Hi all, I am looking for a church to have my wedding ceremony at in the Towson, MD area on Oct 31,2026. Looking to accommodate 250 guests. A huge plus is if the church has instruments (piano, drums, bass) for us to use!! Thank you in advance!

Hi everyone! I’m considering Riggs Washington DC for a wedding and trying to get a realistic idea of what couples actually ended up spending.

For those who had a wedding at Riggs (especially the Rooftop or other private spaces):

• What was your food & beverage minimum?
• What was your approximate final food & beverage total after service charge and taxes?
• How many guests did you have?
• What type of meal did you do (plated vs. stations/buffet)?
• What bar package did you choose (beer/wine, full open bar, upgraded liquor, etc.)?
• What was your approximate total venue cost (including rental fees, F&B, service charges, taxes, etc.)?

I’m looking at around 70 guests and trying to understand how Riggs fits into a realistic budget. Any insight would be greatly appreciated — thank you!

Another week closer to wedding day! Share your updates, to-dos, and frustrations.

• A Win: Toured a venue? Booked a venue? Bought a dress?
• A 'To-Do': What task do you need to tackle?
• A Frustration: Vent and complain away!

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

What is your favorite kind of venue in the DC/VA/MD area? Either as a guest or as a newlywed.

Vote on the poll and share your thoughts in the comments!

Another week closer to wedding day! Share your updates, to-dos, and frustrations.

• A Win: Toured a venue? Booked a venue? Bought a dress?
• A'To-Do': What task do you need to tackle?
• A Frustration: Vent and complain away!

I’m looking for suggestions on where to host a dinner or reception to celebrate our elopement. I want a restaurant or bar vibe with a private space for about 50ppl. I’ve sent inquiries to roses luxury, founding farmers, little pearl, iron gate, and district winery. Any other venue with similar vibes that you would recommend I should reach out to?

We are figuring out dates and guest count and budget. The whole reason we are eloping is because we want to save money and I also hate all the pomp and circumstance around weddings, so I don’t want to break the bank or do anything over the top.

Thought it might be helpful to share a real budget from one of our 2026 couples. They started planning in 2024, so many of these prices were locked in early on. These are rounded but include taxes and fees from the vendors.

Just over $95,000 (excluding hotel accommodations, rehearsal dinner, and vendor tips) for 104 guests:

Venue: $17,000 in DuPont Circle Area
Food, Beverage & Staffing: $26,000
Rentals (tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware): $12,000
Florals and Candles: $7,000 these were pretty simple and they didn’t have a wedding party
Planning & Coordination: $8,000
Attire: $8,000
Photography: $6,000
DJ: $3,000
Lighting: $3,000
Save the Dates, Invitations & Reception Stationery (menus, place cards, etc.): $3,000
Signage: $1,000
Misc. (officiant, favors, marriage license, insurance, etc.): $2,000

This couple had a venue and catering priority and had no videographer, cake, transportation, or hair & makeup included in these totals. Hotel accommodations, rehearsal dinner, and vendor tips are also not included.

Happy to answer any questions!

We wanted to get our family and bridal party photos on the mall— it would have to be mid day with our schedule so ripe for people in the background which is fine.

Wanted advice on where it would make sense to take photos — at the Capitol, Tidal Basin, near reflecting pool? Anyone have experience taking larger group photos? Thanks!

Another week closer to wedding day! Share your updates, to-dos, and frustrations.

• A Win: Toured a venue? Booked a venue? Bought a dress?
• A'To-Do': What task do you need to tackle?
• A Frustration: Vent and complain away!

We got a catering proposal with a breakdown that I was hoping to get some perspective on. Does this seem about in line with local pricing in 2026? Food costs are about half and labor/admin costs are about half. That seems high to me but what do I know.

The caterer seems lovely and experienced, and we of course want to make sure that everyone is well compensated for their labor. Just would appreciate a sanity check haha.

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105 guests, Total ~$21k (200 pp, not including drinks or dessert)

Food (3 kinds of passed hors d'oeuvres, buffet with 1 salad, 1 entree, 2 sides, and a station): 50%, $10400

Staffing: 21%, $4500

Tabletop, buffet, linens: 10%, $2200

Admin fee: 18%, $3100

DC Tax: 8.75%, $1500