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Josephine Butler Parks Center Reviews

Josephine Butler Parks Center

Josephine Butler Parks Center

Washington, DC
4.8 out of 5 rating, 130 reviews
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Reviews

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Awards

Weddingwire
4.8/5 130 reviews
Google
4.6/5 126 reviews
  • Amye
    Amye Sent on 05/09/2024
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    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
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    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...
  • Faith
    Faith Sent on 01/27/2024
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    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 :)
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  • Patricia
    Tricia Sent on 12/16/2021
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    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.
  • Laura
    Laura Sent on 11/23/2019
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    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.
  • Caroline
    Caroline Sent on 08/20/2019
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    JBPC - The best venue for a perfect day!

    We had the most wonderfully fabulous wedding at JBPC! Everything from the set up to the end was perfect. We had so many options for set up and rain plans, and it was more than perfect.

    Our wedding was an August 2019 wedding with 160 people. We chose to use a preferred vendor, Timber Pizza, for our food. We hired a day-of coordinator (ANA Trio Solutions - shes the best), we used a local DJ, and we stayed at the LineDC hotel. We had a small bridal party but a LOT of family, and needed a solid, easy rain plan due to it being in DC in August.

    You CANNOT get a better deal, and...
  • heather k
    Heather Sent on 03/10/2019
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    Amazing Venue

    I am so glad that we chose Josephine Butler! Our indoor winter wedding felt glamorous, warm, and classy, and Malina and the Parks JB Center team were delightful to work with. Pictures below say a thousand words!

    Josephine Butler Parks Center's reply:

    Hi Heather,

    We appreciate you sharing your beautiful day with us at the Parks Center. You looked amazing in each photo! Best wishes on this wonderful journey.
  • Kisha
    Kisha Sent on 11/07/2018
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    Beautiful Venue and Professional Staff

    This is the perfect venue for small intimate weddings. We had about 100 guests and everything was perfect. The staff was professional and responsive and the surrounding area (park) is beautiful. So many wonderful areas for photos. Just be mindful parking is limited so providing transportation for guests would be ideal.

    Josephine Butler Parks Center's reply:

    Hi Kisha,

    Thank you for taking the time to write a review of the Parks Center. We wish you all the joy and happiness in your union.

    Best,
  • Aleks
    Aleks Sent on 10/11/2017
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    Choosing to have our wedding at the Josephine Butler Parks Center was the best decision we could have made with regards to selecting our wedding venue. Besides being a gorgeous and historic building in the middle of the city that supports DC parks, the staff was beyond accommodating, helpful, responsive, and very nice! We started off working with Mackenzie, who was absolutely wonderful and then worked with Malina when Mackenzie left, who was equally wonderful and so sweet! Our wedding guests another loved the space; there was enough room to have 85 guests for a seated dinner with a dance floor in the middle of the ballroom. We made so many special and cherished memories here! Thank you for the time of our life, JBPC!

    Josephine Butler Parks Center's reply:

    Hi Aleks,

    Thank you for the amazing review. We are very pleased that you chose the Parks Center to host your wedding day. We wish you all the joy and happiness in your union.

    Best,
  • Yoomie
    Yoomie Sent on 06/21/2017
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    The JBPC is a hidden wedding gem in DC! Such a steal for the price, Which was $2-3K less other venues in DC proper that we were looking at that held the same amount of guests (150). But the wedding price also came with 8 full hours of usage and all the tables and chairs that we need, no need for rentals! That saved us at least two grand right there! It was the first venue we viewed (we only toured two venues) and the one we came back to. No need to tour anymore.

    Josephine Butler Parks Center's reply:

    Hello Yoomie,

    Thank you for your review! We are very pleased that you enjoyed your wedding day at the Parks Center. Wishing you all the best in your union.
  • TAC
    Tara Sent on 04/20/2016
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    Josephine Butler Parks Center is absolutely gorgeous -- it's the perfect historic DC mansion, but at a third of the price of other local venues with the same idea. Plus, your fees go to support Washington Parks and People, which helps maintain the Parks and the Parks Center (which helps many of the other nonprofits housed in the venue as well!) A stunning location with a purpose? Perfect!

    We held our wedding there this past weekend and I cannot say enough about how perfect it was. The staff at JBPC is incredible, on top of it and totally helpful in whatever way they can be. Makenzie Delmotte is absolutely amazing to work with -- responsive, helpful, hilarious, and...
  • Teresa
    Teresa Sent on 08/09/2015
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    The JBPC was the perfect choice for our wedding reception. The staff was extremely kind, efficient, patient, & helpful. The center is such a beautiful place. You essentially get the entire building, so it was perfect for our cocktail hour downstairs and dinner/dancing upstairs. There's even a "secret staircase" that the couple can use to get up to the private bridal suite when entering from the back. This allows you to have a moment of solitude before joining the reception. You also get to use their tables, Chiavari chairs, sound system (although I'd suggest having the DJ bring their own), and more when you get the wedding package. Many places make you rent this inventory for extra, but the...

    Josephine Butler Parks Center's reply:

    Thanks so much for this great review, Teresa. You hit on so many of the things we love about the Parks Center. Just to provide some clarity, most of our weddings do flip the ballroom from ceremony to reception, but the Parks Center team does not physically do this. This is done by the caterers, and if you're working with one of our preferred vendors, it's a breeze and provides the perfect amount of time for cocktail hour!
  • Antonia
    Antonia Sent on 10/18/2011
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    This is a gem of a place if you want to do your own wedding and save money. The house sparkles and gleams and would cost at least double the price at a more full service venue.

    I found the staff responsive and helpful - they really want you to have a good experience - but they work part time and they don't know how everything works - like the sound system they provide.

    This is fantastic, beautiful place and excellent value for money.

    Josephine Butler Parks Center's reply:

    Thank you so much for having your wedding with us! We now have full time staff to help with weddings... so we hear you (and our other brides) and are making the changes needed so going forward no one has to wait to hear back from us.
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    Jasmine Sent on 09/20/2024
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    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.
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    Lee A. Sent on 12/21/2019
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    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.
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    Elizabeth Sent on 12/01/2019
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    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!
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    Philip Sent on 11/04/2019
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    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...
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    Connie Sent on 10/28/2019
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    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!
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    Jalapeno Sent on 04/12/2019
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    European Elegance in DC

    Josephine Butler is one of my favorite locations in Washington DC for weddings. I'm a wedding photographer and know what happens "behind the scenes." When you aren't looking, the staff are busting their rears to make sure you and every vendor are taken care of. Additionally, the European vibe and location across the street from one of the choicest locations in DC. Make sure to check it out before all the dates are gone!

    Josephine Butler Parks Center's reply:

    Thank you for your kind words on our venue! It is always a pleasure to work with amazing photographers who are passionate about their work. We look forward to working with you in the future!
  • K
    Kai Sent on 10/08/2018
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    We had the best time working with Malina and the staff at Josephine Butler Parks center. The venue is beautiful, in a great location, and reasonably priced for a DC city wedding. Malina was extremely responsive and kind. The fact that the venue had beautiful tables and chairs and that the staff set them up according to our plan was a huge cost savings and made life a lot easier. I would highly recommend this venue!

    Josephine Butler Parks Center's reply:

    Hi Kai,

    Thank you for your review! It was a pleasure to work with you for your special day. Congratulations on this new chapter in your life.

    Best,
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    Jess Sent on 08/06/2018
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    The JBPC was an ideal venue for our big night! Malina was a pleasure to work with and made us feel at ease that she had everything under control (and she did!!!). This venue is the perfect place for a couple that wants an authentic DC experience without the "hotel venue" feel. Just a note - we had 135 at our wedding and it was just about the perfect size for the venue.

    The JBPC is an absolute gem and such a unique spot if you have a mid-sized wedding. We couldn't be happier with how it turned out and the fantastic experience working with Malina!

    Josephine Butler Parks Center's reply:

    Hi Jess,

    Thank you for the amazing review! We truly enjoyed working with you for your special day. Best wishes on this wonderful journey, as you build your new lives together.

    Kind regards.
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    Leigh Sent on 10/23/2017
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    My husband and I had the wedding of our dreams here. They truly went above and beyond to ensure our happiness and the space lent itself beautifully for the day. We couldn't have been happier with our venue choice and encourage all to check this place out.

    Josephine Butler Parks Center's reply:

    Hi Leigh,

    Thank you for your review! It was a pleasure to work with you for your special day. Congratulations on your union.
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    Julia Sent on 07/12/2017
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    My husband and I had our wedding at JBPC in June 2017. The venue is a beautiful, historical mansion that is perfect for a small or medium-sized wedding. We hosted 115 people for a sit-down dinner and dancing, and I think that was the perfect size for the space. Malina was quick to respond to our many emails and questions, so the venue was very easy to work with. We chose some of our other vendors through JBPC recommendations and they all worked out wonderfully. We also appreciate that the venue fee is technically a donation to Washington Parks and People. One additional note- we hosted our wedding on a very hot day in June, and even though JBPC...
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    Jasmine Sent on 07/05/2017
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    I fell in love with the Josephine Butler Parks Center during our first visit and I was so happy to hear that our wedding guests loved the venue as well! It was such a pleasure working with both Makenzie and Malina - they are so laid back and accommodating. We were able to work with excellent vendors who also had a relationship with the venue and staff, which helped a lot. Finding a downtown DC wedding venue that includes so many extras but doesn't break the bank was a true challenge; however, the JBPC did not disappoint! I cannot say enough to express my gratitude to Malina and her staff for their excellent support and professionalism over the course...
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    Brittany Sent on 06/01/2017
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    Josephine Butler was the first and only venue we viewed. We were smitten with the gorgeous facade of the outside and the historic nature of the space. The interiors are gorgeous and the space is perfect for a wedding of 150 or smaller. It is intimate and unique. One of the best values, besides how responsive and supportive the team is, is the amount of furniture the space includes. The round tables and gold chairs are often expensive and hard to find when renting in a space that does not provide! Truly feel like it was the best value with the most stunning location. We took photographs in Meridian Hill park between the service and reception! Not the mention...
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