Washington DC is a wonderful city for weddings. But, it is also a wonderful city to look at when having a wedding. Today, that is our focus. In particular, we wanted to highlight three wedding venues in Arlington Virginia that feature spectacular views of the nation’s capital and a little bit of our experience with each.  If you’re looking to introduce the feel of DC without leaving the Commonwealth, all three of these venues are excellent choices.

Waterview Conference Center | Arlington, VA

The Waterview Conference Center is part of the Corporate Executive Board (CEB) building in Rosslyn.  Opened in 2009, it is by far the newest of the properties in this list, and perhaps the one that gets overlooked as a great wedding venue.  They’ve chosen to keep the space very modern with tons of glass and funky angles that keep it visually interesting but let in lots of natural light.

The building rests slightly further away from the water than the other two venues we are reviewing, but your guests won’t know that, they’ll simply know that the view is stunning.  Their main sight line looks out over Teddy Roosevelt Island into the district with a great panoramic view of the monuments.

To compliment the modern look of WCC, we have seen our couples use modern lounge furniture for an upscale but comfortable space that really sets the tone for  a great celebration.  Uplighting really brings the space to life as the natural light from the windows fades into night and the real party begins.

For more information on the Waterview Conference Center, check out their website and Facebook.

 

 

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The Key Bridge Marriott | Arlington, VA

They don’t make this one a mystery with the name – sure enough, it sits just adjacent to the Francis Scott Key Bridge heading into Georgetown.  With this location, not only does the Marriott enjoy views of Georgetown and the Washington DC skyline, but has a great waterfront feel as well.

I appreciate that The Marriott’s interior and upholstery feel very modern and updated despite the fact that the property has existed since 1959 (maybe just a renovation or two since then…).  They’ve used some textures on the walls even that give the space a feeling similar to a cruise ship.  It’s a swanky look for sure.

With respect to catering, the Marriott’s internal team does a great job.  If you’re looking to check two boxes on your planning list instead of just one, you won’t have to interview a third-party catering team if you decide to host your wedding here.

The Key Bridge Marriott is classic but updated option with a great view of the city.

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Top of the Town | Arlington, VA

The folks at Top of the Town would tell you that they have the best view of DC, and they might be right.  Location wise, TotT is actually quite close to the Key Bridge Marriott and the buildings are similar in height.  But, it has one really big difference maker which is that the primary sight line into the city is right down the line of the National Mall.  You are looking directly across The Potomac onto the Jefferson Memorial and down the line to the Washington Monument.

The space itself is a long, but relatively thin room allowing each guest to enjoy that incredible view.  The unique shape of the room lends itself well to our Bose satellite speakers allowing us to spread sound evenly throughout a long space without creating hot spots and making any one area too loud or too soft.

One thing to keep in mind, however, if you’re considering TotT is that they do have some restrictions when it comes to sound.  The building is older and has residents that can hear a rowdy party going on in their event space.  The result is that music can’t be played with heavy amounts of bass, and guests are not permitted to jump up and down on the dance floor.  So, if you believe that you’ll have a rowdy group of guests, or love music when the bass is really thumping – this may not be the space for you.  But, if heavy bass and jumping aren’t your thing, this view is absolutely fabulous.

Check out Top of the Town’s website to learn more.

 

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So, is there a best venue on this list?  We wish it were that easy.  All three of these venues have great views and much more to offer you and your wedding guests as you plan your celebration.  Thanks for taking the time to check them out, and we hope that our overview helps you in your path towards choosing the perfect venue!