Hotels near venues vs “nicer” area

Are you paying for the hotel blocks? If so, depending on how many guests you're looking to block for, you could maybe look into airbnbs or rental houses if that's an option near the country club? It would kind of go with the theme of the wedding and may even turn out cheaper!

If you aren't paying for the block, I would maybe make both options known. If you have a wedding website, I would add both option under out of town accommodations. If I were coming far from out of town, I personally may would rather go into DC. But for guests drinking, the closer option would be nice to have too!

I don't see a problem with you letting guests know on a separate card that DC is another option. Ultimately it's their choice anyways where they would like to stay!

Do not pay for a block. Let guests know what options there are and let them choose. No one is going to drive an hour for a fancy hotel hotel when Hampton is fine.

I would include both and I love the metro card idea! I live 40 minutes outside of DC and didn't even remotely think of that. Most of my guests have been to DC before so they probably wouldn't be interested in driving further than needed, but if a lot of your guests are from out of town, I think it would be great if you include the option of staying in DC. As you mentioned, I wouldn't include a specific hotel option as DC has a million hotels with varying degrees of "niceness".

What time is your ceremony? Are you going to be providing a shuttle to/from your venue to hotels at all?

I personally would not recommend accommodations an hour away unless I was also providing a safe transportation option for guests. If guests are drinking or it is late, you don't want them driving that far, and an hour cab ride/Uber/Lyft is going to be very expensive, plus if they are having fun at your wedding they aren't really going to be hitting the city for a night out after. Guests can figure out for themselves how far you are from DC and plan accordingly if they want to end up there or make a mini vacation out of your wedding event. Recommend a clean, affordable local hotel and leave it at that. If you have a wedding website you can mention DC in the "Things to Do" section.

People will ultimately book where they want to, but getting a block close to the venue and possibly one in DC would be awesome- otherwise, I'd get a block where the venue is and let them do the legwork if they want to make a DC trip out of this too.

Personally, if I were going to your wedding I'd love to know how far away DC is and if you had a block there, I would probably book it! Especially for out of town guests, DC would be so cool, and would really make it a full wedding weekend. I agree with above though, only do this if you don't have to pay for the block- then you have nothing to lose!