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Weddings

About

Located in Washington, DC, The Hay-Adams is an iconic wedding venue. This historic hotel provides a luxurious backdrop for to-be newlyweds and their guests. For couples seeking a glamorous celebration, this venue offers an elegant space that can accommodate intimate or grand occasions.

Facilities and Capacity

With a 6,350-square-foot space for events, The Hay-Adams can host up to 200 guests. Couples and their loved ones can choose from four distinct areas within the hotel for their wedding, each with a unique ambiance. The Top of the Hay is located on the gorgeous rooftop. Featuring French doors, trellises, and vaulted skylights, this provides a stunning setting for a decadent celebration of love. The Top of the Hay also boasts crystal chandeliers and a spectacular panoramic view of the White House. For a warm atmosphere, couples can host their celebration in the Hay-Adams Room, featuring intricate woodwork and period ceiling details. The Concorde Room takes inspiration from the Belle Époque. With delicate crystal and brass chandeliers, hand-painted wallpaper, and a stunning ornamental fireplace, this room offers a sumptuous and sophisticated backdrop for intimate receptions.

Services Offered

The professional team at The Hay-Adams is happy to host rehearsal dinners, ceremonies, receptions, and post-wedding brunches. With their wedding package, they can provide event planning services, setup, and cleanup. Couples and their loved ones can comfortably prepare for the big day in the provided get-ready rooms on-site. This venue offers catering services that include a cocktail reception, sparkling wine toast, a custom four-course dinner menu, wedding cake, and an open bar. All necessary food and beverage items can be included, including chairs, tables, linens, flatware, glassware, and china.

Accommodation

This hotel features a range of rooms and suites for couples and their loved ones to choose from. Each room contains timeless and elegant decor and furnishings for a luxurious stay. For weddings with 100 or more guests, The Hay-Adams provides a complimentary suite for the newlyweds on the night of the wedding.

History

Built in the 1920s and named after John Hay and Henry Adams, this location is steeped in history. John Hay served as a secretary to President Abraham Lincoln, U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and Secretary of State. Henry Adams, a descendant of Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams, was a Harvard professor and historian. The hotel was designed by architect Henry Hobson Richardson and contains many of the original features, along with luxurious modern amenities. Over the years, it has hosted famous figures like Theodore Roosevelt and Mark Twain.

Location

The Hay-Adams is conveniently located in downtown Washington D.C. Couples and their guests can enjoy a wealth of nearby attractions such as The White House, the Smithsonian Museum, and Capitol Hill. The hotel is positioned 1.4 miles northwest of the Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac River.

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Frequently asked questions

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?

15,000

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

12,000

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?

15,000

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

$12,000

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

Bridal Suite
Chairs
China
Clean Up
Flatware
Glassware
Linens
Set Up
Tables

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Cake Cutting
Dessert
Server(s)
Wedding Cake

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink

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

10

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

4

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Historic Building
Hotel
Rooftop

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Covered Outdoor
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?

Accommodations
Bar Services
Catering Services
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Pet Friendly
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

Buffet
Cocktail Reception
Dessert
French Service
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside Cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations
Tastings

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Champagne Toast
House Beer
House Liquor
House Wine
Liquor License
Open Bar
Premium Liquor
Signature Drink
Specialty Beer
Specialty Wine

What event items are available?

Audio Equipment
Chairs
Dance Floor
Lighting
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Valet

What months are included in your peak season?

March
April
May
June
September
October
November
December

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
July
August

Reviews of The Hay-Adams

Jaclyn
Jaclyn Sent on 10/23/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Best Wedding Ever

The Hay Adams venue is incredible- the view is magical overlooking the White House and DC skyline and the food and beverage package were so amazing! So many of our friends and family told us it was the best wedding they ever went to and we planned it in less than 100 days. The staff were so wonderful and did an excellent job. I would 100% recommend the Hay Adams for a wedding or special occasion.
P
Paige Sent on 11/28/2022
5 out of 5 rating

A perfect reception location!

The Hay-Adams was absolutely amazing for our wedding! Not only are the rooms so beautiful you barely even need décor, but the staff is attentive and incredible. The reception was truly a dream come true. It is a unique venue with beauty and history. Not to mention the food was incredible!! We could not have found a better venue for our reception!!
Katelyn
Katelyn Sent on 10/05/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Quintessential DC Venue

We wanted a classic, elegant DC wedding venue, and The Hay-Adams was exactly that. The Top of the Hay has stunning views and was a very special and memorable location for guests. Aside from the gorgeous views and the hotel itself, the service was incredible. Truly top notch. Megan was a delight to work with, she and her team made everything run seamlessly throughout the weekend. Every piece of food from cocktail hour to the reception to brunch was delicious. The Hay-Adams is incredible, we couldn’t have been happier.
James
James Sent on 05/15/2022
5 out of 5 rating

A breathtaking & incredibly special wedding venue

Weeks later, we're still absolutely gushing over the Hay-Adams - it was the perfect venue for our wedding. They had it all, from phenomenal staff to incredible food to luxurious facilities, not to mention the stunning views. We could not have asked for better! They truly make you feel like a VIP throughout the weekend and their top notch events team helps ensure that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

We hosted our ceremony at the Top of the Hay on the 9th floor, cocktail hour was down on the 1st floor in the Hay-Adams Room, then the reception was back upstairs at the Top. Guests were in awe of the view (we also lucked out with absolutely perfect weather), how fantastic the food was (my picky grandmother said the ginger-glazed chilean sea bass was the best fish she's ever had!), and how every detail was perfectly executed.

We could not recommend the Hay-Adams enough, and can't wait to return for future celebrations. It's definitely well-worth the investment for a beautiful, love-filled weekend!
B
Brittany Sent on 01/19/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Erika Ruben is the Best!

The Hay-Adams is THE spot to get married in DC. The rooftop space has the best view of the city and the service is unparalleled. Erika Ruben was a delight to work with. She's a true professional, has a fantastic bubbly personality, and bent over backwards for us. I highly recommend the Hay-Adams and commend the Hay for hiring Erika. Erika, thank you.
Kate
Kate Sent on 02/04/2018
5 out of 5 rating
The Hay-Adams is the ultimate Washington wedding experience. We knew we wanted to host at a DC hotel and looked at them all. Upon entering Top of the Hay, we knew this location would not only make our day super memorable for us but also for our guests. The event from planning through execution (with Kathryn) was top notch with incredible service, exceptional hospitality and friendly encounters. Not to mention 100% the best view of Washington.

A family of foodies, the food was one of the most important pieces of the venue for us and the chefs at the Hay pulled out all of the stops to present a creative menu for our brunch wedding. For example, the specialty bar was make your own bloody marys and mimosas, the bread baskets were fresh brunch pastry boards and the entree was the fanciest filet and eggs I had ever enjoyed.

The service was amazing. During hair and makeup in the suite that morning, all of the hairdryers blew a fuse. The building engineer was in our room within 3 minutes to correct the issue (this happened at 6am, no less!). The suite the wedding party got ready in was spacious, gorgeous for photos and very comfortable. There were moments of incredible surprise and delight including upgrades, amenities sent to our room and even special service to our 5 year old flower girl the next morning at brunch.

The Hay-Adams is iconic for many but will always hold a very special place in our hearts and memories! I recommend them without hesitation!
A
Ashley Sent on 01/27/2018
5 out of 5 rating
I was torn between the Hay Adams and the Newseum for my wedding venue for the views of DC, and now that the day has come and passed I could not be happier with my decision to go with the Hay Adams. In addition to the absolutely spectacular location and view from the Top of the Hay, the service was impeccable. When I asked if my guests could be greeted with champagne as they arrived for the ceremony and was told "we don't like saying no here!" I was a bit worried at first, as in the year of planning the wedding the Hay Adams went through 3 different catering managers, but in the end my worries were unwarranted. They made sure everything went off without a hitch and while I didn't grow up imagining it, it truly was a dream wedding. It didn't hurt that the food was absolutely phenomenal and they were able to cater to my gluten-intolerance!
R
Ryan Sent on 11/04/2017
5 out of 5 rating
We were fortunate enough to have our wedding at the Top of the Hay at the Hay-Adams hotel. The view completely speaks for itself and you’d be hard pressed to find a better wedding venue in DC. But the true quality of the Hay-Adams extends well beyond the view. The staff is knowledgeable and communicative and are more than happy to tailor to all of your specific needs, as a bride planning her wedding from abroad I couldn’t have asked for a better team. There was a wide variety of meals options to choose from and was perfectly prepared.
C
Cate Sent on 11/11/2016
5 out of 5 rating
I got married at the Hay on Saturday and everything was perfect!! Both the service and the venue were 1st class all the way. I did not have to lift a finger all night long. The staff was so welcoming and sweet and really went above and beyond to make my day perfect. The wedding coordinator Erin was FANTASTIC! I had the best experience and I highly recommend to anyone looking for a top notch wedding.
M
Menstal Sent on 10/03/2016
5 out of 5 rating
The Hay-Adams was the perfect venue for our small, traditional wedding. All of our guests were from out-of-town so we wanted to treat them to the best DC had to offer and The Hay-Adams delivered. Erin was a dream to work with from beginning to end. She was extremely responsive to emails and phone calls and was there the day of to make sure everything went smoothly. She helped us plan the reception down to the minute and our guests kept complimenting us on how organized our wedding was. And of course, the view is undeniable spectacular, the room is beautiful, and the service was impeccable. The entire team was highly experienced and really guided us through the day. We also spent our wedding night at the hotel and the guestroom was incredible! We had an amazing time working with and hosting our wedding at The Hay-Adams and would recommend them to anyone planning a DC event.
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Awards

48
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2014 Winner

Map

The Hay-Adams frequently asked questions

The Hay-Adams includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Bridal Suite
  • Chairs
  • China
  • Clean Up
  • Flatware
  • Glassware
  • Linens
  • Set Up
  • Tables
The Hay-Adams includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
  • Dessert
  • Server(s)
  • Wedding Cake
The bar service starting price at The Hay-Adams includes:
  • Champagne Toast
  • House Beer
  • House Liquor
  • House Wine
  • Open Bar
  • Premium Liquor
  • Signature Drink
The space offered by The Hay-Adams for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Historic Building
  • Hotel
  • Rooftop
The Hay-Adams offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
The Hay-Adams offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
The Hay-Adams offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Accommodations
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Event Planner
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wifi
The Hay-Adams offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Lighting
  • Tables
The Hay-Adams is recommended by 98% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.9 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 5 in quality of service, 5 in flexibility, 4.9 in professionalism, 4.9 in value and 4.8 in average response time.

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