Find Wedding venues for rent in Alexandria, VA

About Alexandria

Standing just across the Potomac River from the nation’s capital, Alexandria, Virginia has a small-town feeling with well-preserved historic buildings and quaint cobblestone streets. The fast-paced, modern city of Alexandria surrounds the waterfront Old Town District, founded in 1749. Its streets are lined with more than 200 independently-owned restaurants, boutique shops and galleries, and museums. Despite its historic and sometimes formal charm, Alexandria is also home to a thriving nightlife scene, with artisan cocktail spots, live music, and even bars where dogs are not only welcome, but very much invited.

With many different activities to experience, from a stroll through George Washington’s Mount Vernon to exploring a tall ship on the waterfront, guests will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy themselves before or after the ceremony. Alexandria’s food scene continues to grow and diversify, with new restaurants opening their doors each year. In fact, foodies can find everything from fine dining to freshly-caught seafood to a variety of authentic ethnic cuisines.

With its quiet inner-city romance (found around every corner), majestic architecture, and many attractions, Alexandria is a fantastic spot to consider hosting a wedding. You’ll find many historic or elegantly modern venues to choose from (all with the perfect backdrop for the perfect wedding photos) as well as many quality businesses who can help you achieve the day you’ve been dreaming of.

• Interesting Fact
  Alexandria was recently named one of the best small cities in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

Wedding Options in Alexandria

Whether you’re looking for a hip, trendy celebration with a modern feel or a traditional ceremony experience in Alexandria’s Old Town, top-rated service providers are available to assist you in achieving your vision for your wedding event.

• Florists
  From classic white roses to more modern, colorful creation, flowers play a big role in expressing the theme and mood of a wedding. Fortunately, many local florists are available in Alexandria to provide modern, trendy or traditional centerpieces, ceremony décor, and wearable flowers for the wedding party. Budgets and needs are always taken into consideration, and some florists specialize in life-like silk flowers for a different approach.
  
  Petal’s Edge Floral Design
  With more than 15 years of experience and a passion for weddings and special events, designers at Petal’s Edge not only make beautiful floral creations, but so so in an environmentally-friendly and sustainable way whenever possible. The company offers a variety of wedding packages to choose from, including grand events and small, intimate gatherings.
  
  
• Photographers
  Weddings represent coming together as families and friends to celebrate the next chapter of a couple’s life, and capturing special moments is one of the best ways to look back on the day for years to come. In Alexandria, you’ll find many talented photographers, many of whom have been in business for a decade or more, who can create lasting memories of your wedding from beginning to end.
  
  
• Wedding Entertainment
  Alexandria is home to a number of entertainment companies that specialize in making your wedding receptions memorable, and many include not just entertainers but dance floors, lighting setups, and other party needs.
  
  
• Caterers
  Gathering family and friends for a meal after a wedding ceremony is a great way to enjoy your wedding with all your wedding guests. In Alexandria, there are many catering companies available to provide quality foods from fine dining to dessert bars and chocolate fountains, grilled meats to Mexican fiestas. Dietary needs can be accommodated and companies can provide their own table setups or simply bring delicious food for venue servers.

Wedding Planning Companies in Alexandria

• Andrea Green Events & Design
  After more than 15 years in the event planning business, founder and lead designer Andrea Green excels at giving couples exactly what they need, whether it’s a creative design concept, working out those last-minute details, or providing full-service support starting months before the big day. Green and her team offer packages and a la carte services for all budgets and have recently been featured in Amor Latino Unveiled, Style Me Pretty and Here Comes the Guide.
  
  
• Chancey Charm Events
  For the designers at Chancey Charm Events, wedding planning is an art. The business has been managing weddings in 11 different states for more than a decade. Whether you just need a point in the right direction or are looking for an artfully-designed roadmap leading up to your big day, Chancey Charm can help you plan it perfectly. You can choose from several service options, including full planning, month-of coordination, virtual design and more.
  
  
• Bellwether Events
  Founder and published author Janice Carnevale established Bellwether Events in 2006 and has since helped more than 100 couples celebrate with expertly designed and carried-out weddings. Bellwether Events offers a variety of options, including event planning, event design and management. Whether you choose one, two or all three services, planners will work with you every step of the way to create a joyful, stress-free experience.

Pros and Cons of Hosting a Wedding in Alexandria

Pros:

• Close to D.C.
  After taking in the best Alexandria has to offer, a day trip to the nation’s capital for more excitement is an easy option.
  
  
• Walkable city
  Districts such as Old Town are pedestrian-friendly and have many dining, shopping, and lodging options in close proximity.
  
  
• Historic attractions
  The historic Old Town and waterfront districts are full of cobblestone streets, well-preserved 18th and 19th century buildings and manicured parks.

Cons:

• Bad traffic
  Alexandria has many commuters, and main thoroughfares become very congested during rush hours and weekends. Plan accordingly or use public transportation.
  
  
• Expensive amenities
  The cost of living in Alexandria is 53% higher than the national average, making everything from food to fuel to basic retail goods more expensive.
  
  
• Potential for floods
  Its low elevation and proximity to the Potomac River means parts of Alexandria are prone to flooding and flash flooding during periods of heavy rain.

Famous Wedding Locations in Alexandria

Check out one of these famous Alexandria attractions before or after your wedding event!

• Mount Vernon
  Step back in time with a stroll through Mount Vernon, the preserved estate of former President George Washington. The estate, which is now a living history museum displaying documents and everyday artifacts from life in colonial America, features a working farm, a distillery and grist mill and more than 25 galleries, as well as a few carefully-cultivated gardens. Visitors can view many exhibits related to important historical figures and even visit the first president’s final resting place on the estate grounds.
  
  
• Torpedo Factory Art Center
  Once a former naval munitions plant on the banks of the Potomac River, the factory that once manufactured torpedoes was transformed in 1974 into an artist’s haven. The complex is now home to the country’s largest collection of publicly-accessible art studios – 82 to be exact, spread out over three floors – seven galleries and more than 160 professional artists. Visitors can view and take home unique keepsakes, from pottery to paintings to fiber arts, metalwork and more.
  
  
• King Street Mile
  If you’ve come to Alexandria looking for an upscale urban shopping experience, look no further. Old Town’s King Street is a mile-long street lined with boutique shops featuring everything from personalized stationery to high fashion and one-of-a-kind antiques. The street also features some of the city’s best dining establishments, cocktail lounges, high-style salons and museums.