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Unique aesthetic style
Guests comfort
Amenities

About this vendor

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27 years in business

We speak English

Small team (2-10 members)

Josephine Butler Parks Center is a garden wedding venue located in Washington, D.C. Residing on the verdant property is a beautiful renaissance mansion that has been revitalized to its original glory. Though the stately home was once designed to host vice presidents, the property now warmly welcomes guests from far and wide through its doors.

Facilities and Capacity

The venue boasts both indoor and outdoor locations for wedding celebrations. Outside, the mansion features stunning patios and walkways surrounded by lush trees. Ceremonies are held in one of the many outdoor locations or inside the house. Through the mansion’s arched doorways, await 40 extravagant rooms that can host up to 300 standing guests. The rooms are fashioned with Renaissance-style architecture and flaunt characteristics such as high vaulted ceilings and original crown moldings. The Grand Foyer, Great Stairs, and Terrazzo lobby make marvelous locations for wedding portraits and opulent cocktail hours. Newlyweds and their guests can enjoy an evening of fine dining and dance beneath the crystal chandeliers in the grand ballroom. Located on the second floor, the ballroom features canopy views of the Meridian Hill Park treeline.

Services Offered

Josephine Butler Parks Center provides wedding packages tailored for celebrations held between Friday to Sunday. Each reservation gives couples access to the many stunning rooms found within the mansion. Unlimited use of tables and chairs for ceremonies and receptions are also provided with bookings. Within the mansion, audio and lighting equipment, projectors, and flatscreens are supplied for events. There is even a grand piano on-site that can be used to provide music during the affair. The venue highly recommends the use of their trusted list of caterers. These referred vendors share the same values of putting an emphasis on reducing waste and finding environmentally friendly methods to operate their business. The list provides a variety of cuisine options suitable for all different types of tastes and preferences.

History

Josephine Butler Parks Center was previously home to the Hungarian Embassy. Since then, the building has been transformed into a beacon of green urban revitalization by The Washington Parks & People. Known as an “Embassy of the Earth,” the organization participates in global missions by developing methods for humans and nature to coincide. They now lead green initiatives all throughout the city including revitalizing parks and creating programs to encourage healthy communities.

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FAQ

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

5,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

4,000

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$5,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

4,000

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
Clean Up
Parking
Set Up
Tables

What is the minimum number of guests required to book your venue?

2

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

10

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Garden
Historic Building
Mansion

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Elopements
Rehearsal Dinner

What event services do you offer?

Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Pet Friendly
Wifi

What event items are available?

Aisle Markers
Audio Equipment
Chairs
Furniture
Lighting
Tables
Tents

What transportation and access is available?

Parking

What months are included in your peak season?

April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
March
November
December

Still have questions?

Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!

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Reviews of Josephine Butler Parks Center

This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

Powered by AI

Josephine Butler Parks Center (JPBC) is highly praised as a beautiful and unique wedding venue that provides a historic and elegant backdrop for weddings. Reviewers appreciate the attentive and responsive staff, including Steve, who guided tours and helped with planning. The venue's versatile layout allows for different configurations, such as placing the dance floor on the second floor foyer and serving food in various rooms. With the mansion's blend of old charm and modern amenities, JPBC accommodates intimate weddings under 100 guests and offers picturesque spaces like the side garden and balcony for ceremonies and cocktail hours.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Josephine Butler Parks Center (JPBC) is highly praised as a beautiful and unique wedding venue that provides a historic and elegant backdrop for weddings. Reviewers appreciate the attentive and responsive staff, including Steve, who guided tours and helped with planning. The venue's versatile layout allows for different configurations, such as placing the dance floor on the second floor foyer and serving food in various rooms. With the mansion's blend of old charm and modern amenities, JPBC accommodates intimate weddings under 100 guests and offers picturesque spaces like the side garden and balcony for ceremonies and cocktail hours.

Weddingwire
4.8/5 130 reviews
Google
4.6/5 132 reviews
J
Jasmine Sent on 09/20/2024
5 out of 5 rating

The best wedding venue!!!

We had a DREAM wedding at the JBPC. I cannot say enough about the team here and the venue!!!! Everything throughout the planning process was incredibly easy. The JBPC team was responsive, kept us updated on their inventory, and accommodated us coming in several times during the planning process. Seriously, the best venue and the best organization. Our day was executed flawlessly thanks to their above and beyond help.
Amye
Amye Sent on 05/09/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Unparalleled Location and Service

We coordinate a few weddings each year at JBPC, so I speak from experience when I say that this venue is a hidden gem for DC couples! Located right along Meridian Hill Park (think: garden photo ops!), this historic buildling becomes yours for the night and the stately rooms start to feel like home. The decor has just enough character to feel special while also being neutral enough for your vision to come to life - we've seen it done up in a dozen+ different styles. Staff and in-house resources are amazing, very tuned in to each guest and making your event special. They recently upgraded the restroom facilities among other updates. Don't sleep on this venue, we love weddings at JBPC!
Ryan
Ryan Sent on 04/26/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful Mansion in a Perfect Location!

Josephine Butler Parks Center is a magnificent Renaissance Revival mansion next to Meridian Hill Park. Washington Parks and People – a community organization led by Josephine Butler that revived the mansion and park in the early ‘90s – uses the mansion as a community center throughout the week for numerous organizations. On the weekends, the space is rented out to weddings to help support those community programs.


The mansion has the quirks and beauty of an old house. We had our ceremony in the side garden, which is close to an apartment building. Working with the venue, our photographer, and florist, the side garden transformed into the perfect space for a spring wedding in which the building disappeared. From the garden, our guests used the front steps and portico for cocktail hour before moving upstairs to the large ballroom for the reception. The venue was the perfect size for our wedding of 72 people that enabled our guests to dance, drink on the balcony, or relax in a sideroom while playing cards. If you have a wedding under 100 guests, this venue provides a blend of old and new DC for an intimate wedding and ceremony.
Faith
Faith Sent on 01/27/2024
5 out of 5 rating

The perfect D.C. venue!

My husband and I got married in January and were looking for a venue to shelter from the cold with unique architecture and not just a space we would have to fill with decorations. JBPC is wedding-ready with its beautiful interior! JBPC is also across from Meridian Park. Although it was very windy on the wedding day, having a park as an option for taking pictures was lovely. The venue planning coordinators communicated well, answered our questions, and ensured the space aligned with our wedding day vision. Thank you, Josephine Butler Parks Center, for being a memorable place for our special day :)
Patricia
Tricia Sent on 12/16/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect space for our winter wedding

We have lived near the Parks Center for years and have walked by many a couple getting married there. After we got engaged, we couldn't think of a place we would rather get married. The space is gorgeous and fit our aesthetic perfectly. The evening flowed flawlessly. We had the ceremony on the second floor, cocktail hour on the ground floor, and then dinner and dancing on the second floor. The division of space made each part of the evening (ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, dancing) feel like its own event. They even had a new fire pit on the balcony, which our guests loved. We couldn't imagine getting married anywhere else.
L
Lee A. Sent on 12/21/2019
5 out of 5 rating

We loved it!!!

We got married at JBPC on October 26. We LOVED our wedding, thanks in large part to the fabulous venue. We had around 175 people for a seated dinner and used both the spaces on the second floor for dinner. We loved the warm, welcoming vibe of JBPC; we loved the Parks & People mission; we found it so easy to work with Malina and other JBPC staff that were helpful along the way. We can't recommend this venue enough.
E
Elizabeth Sent on 12/01/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Stunning historic house in the city

We checked out multiple venues in DC, but none captured the vision we had for our October 19, 2019 wedding like the Josephine Butler Parks Center.

The space is beautiful enough to not need too much decoration but simple enough to be a blank canvas if you wanted to go big. We had 120 guests and it felt both spacious and intimate.

Malina was very informative and helpful and has done the wedding rodeo enough times to have answers to every question we threw at her.

And we felt especially great about using the Center because we knew we were supporting the Washington Parks!
Laura
Laura Sent on 11/23/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect and beautiful venue for a fall wedding

We absolutely loved having our wedding at the Parks Center. Walking by it actually encouraged us to think about getting married for real. Malina clearly handles a lot but she was really accomodating and helpful. Since they do get a lot of business, be sure to book a long enough window for load in and prep (there ended up being a brunch the morning of our wedding that made prep start a bit late). I wouldn't recommend for anyone with a lot of elderly or disabled guests since there is a lot of stairs but otherwise it was absolutely gorgeous.
P
Philip Sent on 11/04/2019
5 out of 5 rating

The best venue in dc!

We just got married at the Josephine Butler Parks Center this past Saturday night. It is a mansion right out of a fairytale. It’s so elegant. But it’s not stuffy or overbearing. It’s really welcoming. Meridian Hill Park (Malcolm X Park), across the street is DC’s best place for photos. When we were doing our photos we ran into 2 other wedding parties and 3 marriage proposals. Malina Eaglin was absolutely amazing. She is kind, warm, deeply knowledgeable, and really caring. She answered all of our questions and all of our parents’ questions. The venue has spectacular rooms with beautiful, classic decor. Beautiful large windows, Fireplaces, Tall ceilings, a Flowing grand staircase, and a grand balcony on the second floor overlooking the park. It also has a grand piano you can use for the ceremony or the reception. And there’s even a bridal suite on the third floor where the bride can get ready and spend some time with just her family and friends. This place is unforgettable. Make sure to put in your reservation a year and 6 months in advance. If everyone knew about this place, the wait for a wedding date would be 5 years.
C
Connie Sent on 10/28/2019
5 out of 5 rating

A wonderful place to get married in the city

Had a wonderful experience with the Washington Parks & People and the Josephine Butler Parks Center team! You will know that the fee for booking the venue goes to support a good cause - parks and park programming in Washington, D.C. - so even the experience of booking will make you feel great. The staff is friendly, helpful, and very flexible. The location is hard to beat and looks out over Meridian Hill Park. The venue is beautiful, and you can really be creative in how you configure all the space for your ceremony and reception! We felt very well taken care of before, during, and also after the event - after the wedding, they very kindly held on to some vases that we had left there by accident. Thank you so much for all your help!
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

130
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2015 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner
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Real Weddings

Yelena & Jake
45 photos · 09/15/2018

Professional Network & Endorsements

Catering by Seasons Catering by Seasons Wedding Caterers

Great Venue!

Kristen Donovan, Soprano Kristen Donovan, Soprano Wedding Musicians

I had my wedding reception at the Josephine Butler Parks Center in January 2015. Mai was so kind and knowledgeable. My husband and I had a million questions and she thoroughly answered them and guided us through our decision making regarding the space. I was worried because there were some changes in staff right before my wedding but I was relieved when I met Makenzie. Makenzie met with me and my husband before the event and answered any lingering questions that we had. Overall, JBPC was very flexible with our needs and we are so happy that we chose them. The space is gorgeous and we were so happy to know that by supporting JBPC, we were supporting the local non profits that call JBPC home.

EverMoreEvents II EverMoreEvents II Wedding Planners

I love this venue - the staff is professional and customer friendly. I can not wait to offer this venue to another client. Than you Abbey!!

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Josephine Butler Parks Center frequently asked questions

Josephine Butler Parks Center includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • Clean Up
  • Parking
  • Set Up
  • Tables
The space offered by Josephine Butler Parks Center for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Garden
  • Historic Building
  • Mansion
Josephine Butler Parks Center offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
Josephine Butler Parks Center offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
Josephine Butler Parks Center offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wifi
Josephine Butler Parks Center offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Aisle Markers
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Furniture
  • Lighting
  • Tables
  • Tents
Josephine Butler Parks Center is recommended by 96% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.8 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.9 in quality of service, 4.9 in value, 4.8 in flexibility, 4.8 in professionalism and 4.6 in average response time.
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