Skip to main content
Weddings

Pricing information

Reception
$20,000 starting price
Ceremony
$1,500 starting price
Reception
$20,000 starting price
Ceremony
$1,500 starting price

About

The Watergate Hotel is an upscale hotel and wedding venue located in the heart of Washington, DC. Situated along the Potomac River, this luxurious accommodation boasts stunning views, signature event spaces, and modern amenities. While the name is synonymous with political scandal, the hotel had earned a reputation for infamy even before this historic event. When it was first opened in 1967, the curvaceous design, imagined by famed Italian architect Luigi Moretti, drew criticism from the conservative DC elite. However, the daring style soon made the hotel the playground of the rich and famous. After undergoing numerous renovations, the property has now been fully redesigned by Ron Arad to capture the essence of its original opulence. The venue is outfitted with mid-century modern accents, a copper lobby, and retro staff uniforms created by Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant. Together, these touches effortlessly blend contemporary chic and classic elegance to pay homage to the building’s storied past.

Facilities and Capacity
The Watergate Hotel’s multiple event spaces can be fully configured to accommodate weddings of all styles and sizes. Among these, the rooftop patio The Top of the Gate offers sweeping views of the Potomac and can accommodate up to 350 guests. The Moretti Grand Ballroom, named for the original architect, is lavishly furnished and can host over 500 for dinner. The Cecchi Junior Ballroom holds 300 and boasts elaborate chandeliers that sparkle from above. The Library and Kingbird Room makes for a stylish space to host cocktail hours, ceremonies, and pre-nuptial functions. Other boardrooms and hospitality suites can be used how couples see fit. Over the celebratory weekend, visitors are also invited to enjoy a pampering experience at the Argentta Spa and sip cocktails at The Next Whisky Bar.

Services Offered
Packages at The Watergate Hotel are all-inclusive and come with a dance floor, luxury linens, and china, silverware, and crystal. A wedding planner is also included to help customize each event with decor and floral arrangements and photography and music recommendations. Fully tailored catered meals are available, along with six plated hors d'oeuvres, three-course dinners, and five hours of open bar service. The newlyweds are also provided with a complimentary suite, and room blocks can be reserved for out-of-town guests. This posh venue is ideal for Washington weddings, where the proximity to Georgetown, unbeatable views, and the iconic landmark location make it a sought-after destination.

illustration popular

Venues you may like

See other venues that are popular with couples right now

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?

$20,000

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

$20,000

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?

$1,500

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

$1,500

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

4

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Historic Building
Hotel
Rooftop
Waterfront

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?

Accommodations
Bar Services
Catering Services
Clean Up
Event Planner
Event Rentals
Get Ready Rooms
Outside Vendors
Wifi

What catering services do you offer?

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

What bar services do you provide?

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

What event items are available?

Aisle Runners
Altar/Arch
Audio Equipment
Chairs
Dance Floor
Decor
Drapery
Furniture
Lighting
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Chocolate Fountain
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Valet
Wheelchair Access
illustration question

Any other questions?

Message vendor

Reviews of The Watergate Hotel

Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
4.6 out of 5 rating
4.6 out of 5 rating
11 Reviews
91% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    4.6 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.6 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.5 out of 5 rating
Weddingwire
4.6/5 11 reviews
Google
4.3/5 2671 reviews
Katrina
Katrina A. Sent on 05/02/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Great service, stunning views from the Watergate Hotel

The Watergate Hotel provided the perfect backdrop for my daughters spring wedding. Thank you to the team for excellent service and above and beyond considerations. Our memories are beyond compare due to the service from the team, especially Lori H. Best ever.
J
Justin Sent on 03/18/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Fun Venue and Great Team

We booked the Watergate Hotel as our wedding venue in 2020 just a few weeks before the DC lockdown for COVID-19. We were lucky both due to the timing of events as well as having a professional and attentive team at the Watergate. Sarah Nester was our main point of contact, and she had an incredible entourage that worked with us to make our wedding day the best it could be. They were very transparent during contract negotiations and included no hidden fees. They were also incredibly flexible and allowed us to bring in a horse for the Baraat (Indian Wedding). If you haven’t seen the Watergate since the renovations, do visit. Also ask to see the Moretti ballroom with the glittering starlight ceiling. One of the best parts of the whole experience was that our out-of-town guests were simply dumbstruck that they were at THE Watergate Hotel. We highly recommend pursuing the Watergate as a potential wedding venue due to the team, the style, and the history. Thank you for making our wedding possible!
T
Tiffany Sent on 10/13/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Stunning, unique, modern hotel venue for wedding

My husband and I both have very busy jobs and knew right off the bat that we wanted a hotel wedding for the convenience of having everything for the day-of in one place (catering, lodging, ceremony, reception). We chose the Watergate Hotel because we wanted an iconic, modern and elegant venue and this hotel blew us away. It is absolutely stunning with PLENTY of photograph opps for the 'gram (rooftop, whiskey bar, grassy terraces, watergate entrance sign, library, moretti ballroom with the starry night lights), and located conveniently in the Georgetown/Foggy Bottom area. The bridal suite is AMAZING, with a wrap around balcony overlooking the Potomac River. It is also big enough to accommodate getting ready for large bridal parties (I had 10 bridesmaids plus my mother and mother-in-law, and 4 hair/make-up people). I had both my ceremony and reception there and the entire process was seamless.

One point of frustration that I do need to make is that there was a lot of turnover in our main point of contact. We had 5 different venue coordinators between the time we signed our contract and the day of our wedding (over a span of one year). This was particularly frustrating because there was not always sufficient transition between coordinators, so I had to schedule multiple meetings to ensure the details of our contract and remind them of exceptions that had been agreed to which may not have been captured in writing. That being said, I believe that high turnover is unfortunately common in this industry, and it does not seem that any of these coordinators left for reasons due to the venue itself. My final coordinator, Sarah Nester, was absolutely amazing, professional, and extremely attentive to our needs. She made sure to remember little details like my husband's request to have his own slice of red velvet cake (the actual wedding cake that everyone else had was chocolate). The hotel was also very accommodating in allowing early check in for a majority of my wedding party, and provided us and our parents with complimentary treats the day of. The actual wedding ended up running very smoothly and exceeded our expectations. It is a bit pricy but was pretty on par with other luxury hotels in DC.
illustration message bubble

Are you interested?

Message vendor

Awards

11
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner

Real Weddings

Nadia & Derek
12 photos · 10/01/2021

Team

Lori Holtzman
Lori Holtzman
Director of National Accounts

Greetings from The Watergate Hotel! I recently joined the team here at The Watergate Hotel in October, 2020! I have been in the Washington, D.C. market for over 20 years with luxury hotel experience.

I am so thrilled to join the team and work closely with you on planning your special day. I am passionate about food, wine & travel and love creating memorable experiences especially for my friends and family.

I look forward to sharing in the planning of your special day and I am thrilled to showcase this incredible venue, The Watergate Hotel!

Map

illustration visit

Would you like to visit?

Request a visit

The Watergate Hotel frequently asked questions

The space offered by The Watergate Hotel for wedding events is known for:
  • Ballroom
  • Historic Building
  • Hotel
  • Rooftop
  • Waterfront
The Watergate Hotel offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Indoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
The Watergate Hotel offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Elopements
  • Rehearsal Dinner
The Watergate Hotel offers the following services for wedding events:
  • Accommodations
  • Bar Services
  • Catering Services
  • Clean Up
  • Event Planner
  • Event Rentals
  • Get Ready Rooms
  • Outside Vendors
  • Wifi
The Watergate Hotel offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Aisle Runners
  • Altar/Arch
  • Audio Equipment
  • Chairs
  • Dance Floor
  • Decor
  • Drapery
  • Furniture
  • Lighting
  • Tables
The Watergate Hotel is recommended by 91% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 4.6 out of 5 with the following breakdown: 4.6 in quality of service, 4.6 in value, 4.5 in average response time, 4.5 in flexibility and 4.5 in professionalism.

Other vendors in Washington DC for your wedding

Wedding Venues