21 Beautiful Private Estate Wedding Venues in DC, Virginia, and Maryland

The DMV area is filled with properties available to rent as private estate wedding venues. You can find anything from historic mansions to previously working barns to gardens with beautiful tents. Couples love to book these kinds of wedding venues because they include outdoor space. Cavernous venues with no personality, no natural light, and no history have not been en vogue for years. Al fresco celebrations in spaces with character and solid back-up plans are necessary to the most desirable wedding venues. Oftentimes, these private estates have a lot of flexibility. Clients usually aren’t locked into one particular caterer. Hosts may be able to buy your own booze. Couples might be able to customize your wedding day timeline and flow. These are just a few of the many upsides to private estate weddings.

If you don’t have your own property large enough to host the wedding of your dreams, check out this list of private estates that you can rent as your wedding venue.

Private Estate Wedding Venue Costs and Seasonality

I tried to share the rental rates of these private estates when possible. If you see a range of rates, you can assume the low end is for the off-season and not a Saturday rental. On the flip side, the highest rate noted will reflect a Saturday rental in peak season. Off-season in the DC area is generally January – March. Mid-season is July- August and November – December. Peak season is currently April – June, and September – October.

With climate change, I’m seeing March and November weddings becoming increasingly popular as the weather grows more temperate. I can foresee June and September eventually (within my lifetime) becoming mid-season like July and August. The heat and humidity in the DMV become unbearable, and no one wants to be outside.

Private Estate Wedding: DC Venues

1 Meridian House

• Meridian House is the most popular historic private estate in DC for wedding rentals. There is a wide lawn where many couples host their wedding ceremony. There is also a pebble-scaped grove of forty Linden trees that are original to the home. The grove is a wonderful place that can host your ceremony, cocktail hour, or dinner, depending on your flow and guest count. And inside the home, there are five Beaux-Arts rooms to host your guests for dinner and dancing. Since Meridian House does so many weddings every year, the team there works like a well-oiled machine, and it is not only a great place to celebrate but also a great place to work.
• Here is a Meridian House wedding we previously planned.
• Address: 1630 Crescent Pl NW, Washington, DC 20009
• Phone: 202-667-6800
• Website
• Capacity is 150, firm
• What’s Included: White folding chairs for the ceremony, outdoor patio furniture, chivari chairs for dinner, and assorted tables for indoor use. Bistro lights are installed in the Linden Grove
• Catering Options: A list of options you must select from
• 2026 published rates: $23-26K

2 Decatur House

• The Decatur House features a historic Federal-style mansion, a small garden, a large tentable courtyard, and a non-historic building that can also be used for large events. Decatur House can accommodate large groups of up to 220, depending on your flow and menu style. But if you have 120 or fewer wedding guests, this venue is a steal compared to other DC wedding venues. This is because you can make due without the cost of a tent rental. Wedding guests are wowed by the historic home, and the courtyard offers the opportunity for an al fresco ceremony and/or dinner. If you are looking for a tented wedding in DC proper, this is the wedding venue for you. The Carriage House is a great place to dance because it is air-conditioned. It is walkable to numerous hotels. I love working here because it is a great location and a beautiful setting.
• Here is a Decatur House wedding we previously planned.
• Address: Decatur House actually has two street addresses, so be sure which you want to publish to your guests.
• Phone: 202-218-4333
• Website
• Capacity is 180-220, depending on how you use the space, but 120 allows you to have cocktails in the historic mansion
• What’s Included: No tables or chairs are included. The staff can offer tours of the historic building if you want.
• Catering Options: There is a list of preferred caterers. Other caterers may be hired with pre-approval from the venue.
• 2026 published rates: Starting at $10K. Tent is an additional fee.

3 Larz Anderson House

• The Larz Anderson House is a Beaux-Arts private estate in DC that is available as a wedding venue. The highlight of this private property is a reflecting pool in the sculpture garden where you can host your dinner. This historic mansion hosts an impressive collection of art and is walkable to hotels. If you want to feel like you’ve stepped back into the Gilded Age, this private venue is that. They do have a restriction on red wine and live bands.
• Here is an Anderson House wedding we previously planned.
• Address: 2118 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Phone: 202-785-2040
• Website
• Capacity is 130, but fewer is ideal. I would recommend 100.
• What’s Included: No tables or chairs are included
• Catering Options: A list of options you must select from
• 2026 published rates: $16-18K.

4 Perry Belmont House

• Another Beaux-Arts private mansion in DC that is available to rent for weddings is the Perry Belmont House. The main downside to this wedding venue, compared to others on this list, is that it lacks an outdoor space other than a small lawn for photos. There are multiple rooms in this historic home that can be used for your wedding day. Each is stunningly decorated, and some are filled with historic antiques. If your ceremony is on-site, that room will require a flip for dancing.
• Here is a Perry Belmont wedding we had planned in the past.
• Address: 1618 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
• Phone: 240-618-2243
• Website
• Capacity is 150, but fewer is ideal
• What’s Included: No tables or chairs are included
• Catering Options: A list of options you must select from
• 2026 published rates: begin at $16K.

5 Josephine Butler Parks Center

• This Italian Renaissance Revival mansion is a fantastic place for a wedding. There are indoor, terrace, and garden spaces to flow your event through. Since this wedding venue is in a residential neighborhood, there are noise restrictions to be aware of. This is one of the few historic homes in the region where you can light a fire in the fireplaces!
• Here is a Josephine Butler Parks Center wedding we had planned in the past. This was a winter wedding, so we did not use the South Garden.
• Address: 2437 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
• Phone: 202-618-6039
• Website
• Capacity is 150 for a seated dinner.
• What’s Included: tables and chairs, some AV equipment
• Catering Options: There is a list of preferred caterers. Other caterers may be hired with pre-approval from the venue.
• 2026 published rates are $4-11K

6 Dumbarton House

• A Federal-style museum with extensive gardens, a tented courtyard for dinner, and a ballroom for dancing. Nestled in the iconic Georgetown neighborhood, this hidden gem is reopening in 2027 after extensive renovations. Wedding guests love to explore the gardens of this venue during cocktail hour. Note that per local regulations, celebrations must end at 10 pm.
• Here is a Dumbarton house wedding we had planned in the past.
• Address: 2715 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20007
• Phone: 202-337-2288
• Website
• Capacity is 150, but 125 is recommended. See my informational post about Dumbarton Floor Plans
• What’s Included: Tables and chairs are not included.
• Catering Options: There is a list of preferred caterers. Other caterers may be hired with pre-approval from the venue.
• Published pricing for 2027 is $6-14K. Tent is an additional fee.

Private Estate Wedding: Northern Virginia Venues

7 River Farm

• An enormous private estate on the banks of the Potomac River, the American Horticultural Society is currently doing all the things necessary to increase the capacity and comfort for its wedding rentals. There are sweeping lawns, a historic mansion, a contemporary clear-top tent, and multiple gardens to flow your wedding day through. This wedding venue is a hidden gem in the Alexandria area, and wedding guests are wowed when they explore the property.
• Address: 7931 E Boulevard Dr, Alexandria, VA 22308
• Phone: 703-768-5700
• Website
• Capacity is 250 for a seated ceremony and reception with the new 30×100 tent they have installed.
• What’s Included: a clear top frame tent. Tables and chairs are not included.
• Catering Options: There is a list of preferred caterers. Other caterers may be hired with pre-approval from the venue.
• 2026 published rates $5-19K

8 Woodlawn Mansion

• Woodlawn was once part of Mount Vernon, it was later transformed from a plantation to an anti-slavery community by Quakers and Free Black families. There are a few lawns to host your ceremony, a garden with a reflecting pool for cocktail hour; and a tent with a hardscaped floor for your dinner and dancing. I like this wedding venue because there are a lot of ceremony options. And the tent/catering set up is pretty turnkey, so you don’t get overwhelmed with decision-making.
• Address: 9000 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309
• Phone: 703-780-4000
• Website
• Capacity is 250 for a seated dinner.
• What’s Included: Tables and chairs are not included with the base rental fee.
• Catering Options: You can hire either Main Event or Design Cuisine. You will book your tent and equipment through them.
• The tent package is an additional fee, and it includes lighting, draping, tables, and chairs. You will also need to rent a restroom trailer. The restrooms inside the Mansion are not ADA-compliant.

9 The Market at Grelen

• The Market at Grelen is a part of a 1000 acre tree nursery in the Virginia foothills. There are multiple venues and buildings, allowing you to build an entire destination wedding weekend in Somerset, Virginia. The beautiful tent is being upgraded to a glass conservatory building for 2027.
• Address: 15091 Yager Rd., Somerset, Virginia, 22911
• Phone: 540-672-7268
• Website
• Capacity is 250 (events over 200 guests incur an additional fee per person)
• What’s Included: tables, chairs, bars
• Catering Options: You must pick a caterer from their approved list.
• 2027 published rates range $8-22K. 2028 published rates range from $11-32K.

10 Riverside on the Potomac

• Riverside on the Potomac is a private estate featuring a giant barn for your wedding reception, accompanied by a waterfront site for ceremonies. A working farm with live-in venue owners, this is a sprawling private property where you can host your wedding in Loudoun County. I like this private property for many reasons. The owners care so much about each couple and each event. The barns here are not new builds, they are historically working barns. That said, the owners have put a lot of time, money and care into making the barns comfortable for their guests.
• Here is a Riverside wedding we had planned in the past.
• Address: 44337 Spinks Ferry Rd, Leesburg, VA 20176
• Phone: 571-528-1065
• Website
• Capacity is 300, but you should rent more bathrooms for over 200 guests.
• What’s Included: Folding chairs for your ceremony and reception. There is an existing lounge set and a large bar.
• Catering Options: There is a list of preferred caterers. Other caterers may be hired with pre-approval from the venue.
• 2026 published rates: $9000

11 Tranquility Farm & Winery

• Tranquility Farm & Winery offers a true private estate experience. There are onsite lodgings for up to 40 VIPs, numerous locations for your ceremony, a glass conservatory or a historic barn for your reception. And the manor house can host your other wedding weekend events. And their sister property Otium Winery across the street offers even more wedding venue options. You get exclusive use of the venue for at least 48 hours.
• Here is a Tranquility Farm wedding we had planned before their new glass conservatory was added.
• Address: 18050 Tranquility Road, Purcellville, Virginia 20132
• Phone: 540-338-2027
• Website
• Capacity is 300 for the Glass Manor and 125 for the historic Bank Barn.
• What’s Included: various tables and chairs.
• Catering Options: There is an exclusive caterer who also provides the beverages.

12 Hendry House

• Hendry House is part of the Arlington County Parks system, so it is beautifully maintained and reasonably priced. The petite mansion with a wrap around porch is a great setting for your cocktail reception. There is an outdoor ceremony location and a lawn for a tent.
• Here is a Hendry House wedding we had planned in the past.
• Address: 2411 24th St N, Arlington, VA 22207
• Phone: 703-228-7036
• Website
• Capacity is 150 when you add a tent on the lawn. The tent is an additional fee.
• What’s Included: Tables and chairs are not included.
• Catering Options: You can hire a licensed and insured caterer. You must also get your own ABC license.
• 2026 published rates: $2000-9000

13 Veritas Winery

• I consider Veritas Winery a private estate wedding venue because they have lodging on-site for your VIP guests. This feature elevates it beyond a basic wedding venue and adds a feeling of getting married at a private home.
• Address: 151 Veritas Ln, Afton, VA 22920
• Phone: 540-456-8000
• Website
• Capacity is 250.
• What’s Included: tables and chairs.
• Catering Options: The catering and beverages are handled by the venue.
• 2026 published rates: $5-13K, plus a $20K F&B minimum.

14 Rust Manor House

• Rust Manor House is a private estate managed by a park authority. It includes a manor house, gardens, and a tent for your wedding reception.
• Here is a Rust Manor House wedding we had planned in the past.
• Address: 802 Childrens Center Rd, Leesburg, VA 20175
• Phone: 202-306-9127
• Website
• Capacity is 200 if you don’t have a band, though overall I would recommend fewer.
• What’s Included: Tables and chairs, lighting and climate control are included in the tent.
• Catering Options: There is an exclusive caterer who handles all the food & beverage.

Private Estate Wedding: Maryland Venues

15 Woodend Mansion

• Woodend Mansion is a private estate on dozens of acres tucked into the Maryland suburbs outside of DC. You might never discover Woodend if you didn’t know where to look. There are multiple outdoor options for your ceremony. The cocktail hour is typically held on the back terrace. And there is an existing tent where you will have your wedding dinner. The mansion is used for dancing and as an alternate spot for cocktail hour.
• Here is a Woodend Mansion wedding we had planned in the past.
• Address: 8940 Jones Mill Rd, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
• Phone: 301-652-9188
• Website
• Capacity is 150 when the tent is installed (April – November)
• What’s Included: The reception tent (April – November) is included in the fee, with air-conditioning provided from June through September.
• Catering Options: You must hire a caterer from their approved list.

16 Strathmore Mansion

• Strathmore Mansion is a community hub with educational events, proper tea parties, rotating lcoal art shows, and a cute gift shop. It also sits on beautiful grounds that can be used in a variety of ways. There is space to have dinner and dancing inside for 100 guests. The mansion was truly designed for entertaining.
• Here is a Strathmore Mansion wedding we had planned in the past.
• Address: 10701 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852
• Phone: 301-581-5255
• Website
• Capacity is 100 if you do not add a tent on the lawn.
• What’s Included: tables and chairs for indoor use are included.
• Catering Options: There is a short list of caterers that you can pick from.
• 2026 published rate is $5500-6000. I should caution that an 8-hour rental is probably not enough time, as this is a tricky venue to load into. An additional hour is $750.

17 Glenview Mansion

• This wedding venue is run by the city of Rockville. It features a historic mansion and beautiful grounds. For larger events, you can add a big tent for dinner and dancing. This venue is in a great location, and since it is a government building, it is reasonably priced.
• Address: 603 Edmonston Dr, Rockville, MD 20851
• Phone: 240-314-8660
• Website
• Capacity is 200 guests when you add a tent.
• What’s Included: There is an inventory of tables you have access to.
• Catering Options: There is a list of caterers that you can pick from.
• 2026 published rates $2-7K. January – March is discounted. Holidays are $1000 more. Garden ceremonies are an additional $500.

18 Rockwood Manor Park

• Another county park property that has all the amenities of a private estate wedding venue. There is even onsite lodgings, albeit a bit rustic, depending on your taste. And there are firepits!
• Here is a Rockwood Manor wedding we had planned in the past.
• Address: 11001 Macarthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854
• Phone: 301-563-7510
• Website
• Capacity is 120 guests.
• What’s Included: chairs for your ceremony and tables.
• Catering Options: you must hire a licensed and insured caterer.
• 2026 published rates $2-6K

19 Newton White Mansion

• A nearly 100-year-old Georgian Mansion sitting on over 500 acres is the definition of a private estate wedding venue.
• Here is a Newton White Mansion wedding we had planned in the past.
• Address: 2708 Enterprise Rd, Mitchellville, MD 20721
• Phone: 301-249-2004
• Website
• Capacity is published at 240, but that might not include space for a dance floor or a band.

20 Pavilion at Weathlery

• A stunning waterfront wedding venue with a private home for getting ready, and a new pavilion for your reception. The private owners of this 25-acre property are constantly investing in the estate and working to make it even better for their wedding clients.
• Here is a Weatherly Pavilion wedding we had planned in the past.
• Address: 14145 Banks Odee Rd, Newburg, MD 20664 (Near the 301 Bridge to King George, Virginia)
• Phone: 301-385-8969
• Website
• Capacity is 200
• What’s Included: tables and chairs
• Catering Options: There is a list of preferred caterers. You can deviate from the list with approval from the venue.

21 Any Private Estate You Have Access To

I’m the expert wedding planner who can build the wedding of your dreams from the ground up at a private estate. In fact, that is what this website is all about. I can bring a luxury wedding to your private property. You don’t have to choose a traditional wedding venue when you want a private estate feel.

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