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Weddings

United States National Arboretum

Up to 300 guests
Availability

Trending now

Highly recommended

Pricing Information

These prices are available for the months of April through October. These prices are available for the months of November through February.
Reception
$7,000 starting price
Ceremony
$1,000 starting price
Bar
$9 starting price
Reception
$7,000 starting price
Ceremony
$1,000 starting price
Bar
$9 starting price

About

On WeddingWire since 2017

United States National Arboretum is a wedding venue located in Washington, DC.

While the National Arboretum attracts visitors near and far to experience its 446 acres worth of sprawling gardens and world-renowned monuments, it also serves as the largest outdoor private event and wedding location in Washington.

A wedding at this living museum is a once-in-a-lifetime experience worth sharing with the most important people in your life. If you’re looking for a place that combines both natural and historic beauty, then the National Arboretum is the perfect wedding location for you.

The U.S. National Arboretum, located in Northeast D.C. at Bladensburg Road and New York Avenue, is a U.S. Department of Agriculture research facility.

Have your ceremony in the shadows of the historic columns, enjoy cocktails in the sprawling Herb Garden and of course, dance the night away in your own private meadow under the stars!!

We do not have indoor space and no longer offer ceremony only options.

All weddings must start after 5pm and end by 11pm.

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?

$7,000

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

$7,000

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

No

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

$1,000

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

$1,000

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Clean Up
Parking

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

Cake Cutting
Dessert
Server(s)
Wedding Cake

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$9

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

Bartender(s)
Limited Bar

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

12

Describe your venue:

Garden
Park

What kind of settings are available?

Covered Outdoor
Uncovered Outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal Shower
Engagement Party
Rehearsal Dinner

What catering services do you offer?

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

What bar services do you provide?

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

What event items are available?

Tents

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Chocolate Fountain
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking

What months are included in your peak season?

April
May
June
July
August
September
October

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
November
December
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10 Reviews

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Rated
5.0
out of 5.0
Recommended by 100% of couples
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating

11 User photos

  • L
    Laura Married on 06/05/2023
    5 out of 5 rating
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    • Flexibility
      5.0 out of 5 rating

    Wonderful experience working with Natalie of McNeese Thomas Group

    Selecting my venue and working with Natalie was the first -- and most important -- decision I’ve made in wedding planning thus far! My fiance and I were so excited to learn that the National Arboretum was available for weddings and reached out to Natalie in December 2019, toured the venue in January 2020, and were ready to commit on the spot. Planning a May 2021 wedding amidst the uncertainty of the pandemic has felt stressful, but having Natalie in our corner has helped us keep moving forward. She has been responsive from the moment we met, answering all of our questions (big and small) with kindness and timeliness, and has provided us with so many vendor connections along the way. The conversations I’ve had with vendors thus far indicate that Natalie is held in high regard by her industry colleagues -- “I love working with Natalie” is something I’ve heard multiple times now! And it’s true. It’s been a pleasure to work with her and I highly, highly, highly recommend reaching out to her!

    United States National Arboretum's reply:

    Laura, thank you for this wonderful review! We so appreciate it and can't wait for your wedding. You are in excellent hands with your vendors and your patience during this pandemic is inspiring!
  • C
    Chad S. Married on 10/15/2022
    5 out of 5 rating
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      5.0 out of 5 rating
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    We had the PERFECT wedding

    We could not imagine having a more perfect day and a more perfect place. The Arboretum is a truly astonishing setting with multiple sites on the venue to hold your reception, ceremony and cocktail hour -- based on the size of your party. We had almost 200 guests so we held our ceremony in the 'meadow'... a field overlooking the Capital Columns. You reach the meadow by walking through the Knot Garden and adjacent herb garden. Our cocktail hour was then at the 'water pond', a deck outside the main building wrapped with a coy pond and water fountains. Our ceremony was held under a tent in the Northern Terrace, located just on the other side of the main building in a clearing.

    Weather is definitely a factor but we lucked out and had one of the most gorgeous days an October has ever seen, and given the season we had nice bright pops of yellow and red as the tree colors had begun changing. Everything looked incredible and we (and our guests) were just in awe of the natural beauty around us.

    The downsides with the Arboretum is the tent requirement, including generator, some lighting, etc.. but the tent was absolutely stunning with lights underneath. We did rent heaters but didn't need them since it was such a beautiful day.

    Natalie is the event coordinator who worked with us the entire time, helping to recommend vendors and make other great suggestions along the way. She was super fun and easy to communicate with, incredibly responsive, and was there to make the magic happen on our wedding night. She saved the groom's shirt from a permanent stain with a timely tide pen during the reception as well!

    10/10 want to get married again so we can do it all over at the Arboretum.
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10

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Map

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2400 R St NE Washington, DC, 20002
2022976427
Location of (United States National Arboretum)

United States National Arboretum frequently asked questions

United States National Arboretum includes the following items and services for wedding events in its starting site fee:
  • Clean Up
  • Parking
United States National Arboretum includes the following items and services in its wedding catering costs:
  • Cake Cutting
  • Dessert
  • Server(s)
  • Wedding Cake
The bar service starting price at United States National Arboretum includes:
  • Bartender(s)
  • Limited Bar
The space offered by United States National Arboretum for wedding events is known for:
  • Garden
  • Park
United States National Arboretum offers the following indoor/outdoor options for weddings:
  • Covered Outdoor
  • Uncovered Outdoor
United States National Arboretum offers the following types of wedding events:
  • Ceremony
  • Reception
  • Bridal Shower
  • Engagement Party
  • Rehearsal Dinner
United States National Arboretum offers the following furniture and decor items for weddings:
  • Tents
United States National Arboretum is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.

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