Post # 1
Member
3 posts
Wannabee
Ladies,
Without getting into the details of my sob story, my fiancee and I have elected to ditch the father paid for ceremony for a small intimate affair (20 people). In order to save our sanity, it requires keeping our family out of the loop, paying for it, and just doing it ourselves.
We live in Old Town (Alexandria), VA. I would love to have a Virginia / DC / Maryland wedding that is close to home in a small garden setting away from prying eyes. I cannot seem to find that ideal location. There are gardens, but they all seem to cater to large parties and cost a fortune.
I am desperate for ideas or suggestions. I have tried contacting the local gardening clubs for suggestions (as they are the ones who run the yearly garden open houses/tours) but have not received any positive feedback.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Post # 3
Member
13015 posts
Honey Beekeeper
Have you looked at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna? I know they can do larger parties, but it might be really nice with a smaller group.
Post # 4
Member
509 posts
Busy bee
I got married here…many years ago. It’s right off the GW Parkway. I think it’s even nicer now and it’s pretty affordable from what I remember. We had 60 people at our wedding.
http://www.collingwoodlibrary.com/venue.php
We got married by the water…
There is also River Farm, next door but I think it’s more expensive…
http://www.ahs.org/river_farm/wedding.htm
Post # 5
Member
509 posts
Busy bee
There is also Gunston Hall, off Rt. 1 in Lorton.
There is also a beautiful garden where two friends of mine got married years ago…and the weddings were beautiful!
http://www.gunstonhall.org/events/index.html
And, there is also a beautiful garden at the Unitarian Church off Ft Hunt Road. Another friend got married there and it was gorgeous!
http://hollinhallweddings.com/
Good luck!
Post # 6
Member
509 posts
Busy bee
@abbie017: My friend got married there last year and it was beautiful!
Post # 7
Member
3720 posts
Sugar bee
Have you looked st Brookside Gardens or Mrs. K’s toll house in Silver Spring? Both could be perfect. There are also some great county parks in North Arlington which are secluded and more rustic.
Post # 8
Member
509 posts
Busy bee
Thought of another place. I went to a wedding last month here (in Maryland) and it was gorgeous and intimate. The inside is very nice for a small group and the views were amazing.
http://www.thecomusinn.com/
Post # 9
Member
509 posts
Busy bee
Post # 10
Member
3886 posts
Honey bee
Try The Comus Inn up in Dicketson, Md. Gorgeous grounds at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain (which really isn’t a proper mountain but it’s still gorgeous).
Post # 11
Member
509 posts
Busy bee
@fishbone: That’s what I just posted. 🙂 We went to a wedding last month there and it was so beautiful!!!
Post # 12
Member
91 posts
Worker bee
Have you tried Tabard Inn? They have the most adorable patio/terrace tha’ts closed off. It’s not a ‘garden’, but it’ll probably fit your needs and isn’t expensive at all.
Post # 13
Member
122 posts
Blushing bee
You’ve probably scoped out Old Town already, but I first thought about Carlyle House or the Morrison Hotel (beautiful courtyard). Also, Woodend in Chevy Chase, MD has goregous grounds but I’m not sure about cost.
Post # 14
Member
5 posts
Newbee
you probably found a venue already, but Morrison House in Old Town has Elopement packages.
Post # 14
Member
1 posts
Wannabee
jacilynnicole: did you have any luck? im in a similar boat…
Post # 15
Member
8 posts
Newbee
[content removed for self-promotion]
Member