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Washington, DC offers an incredible setting for couples drawn to timeless architecture, rich history, and a chic city atmosphere. From iconic monuments and grand historic buildings to elegant hotels, museums, gardens, and intimate neighborhood spaces, a Washington, DC wedding can feel both editorial & meaningful.

The city creates a beautiful contrast between old-world grandeur and modern energy, giving couples endless possibilities for a celebration that feels elevated without losing its sense of place. Whether you envision portraits among classic architecture, a black-tie evening in the heart of the city, or a weekend spent celebrating with your favorite people, DC has a way of making a wedding feel effortlessly iconic.

washington dc wedding photographer

Rae Marshall

Rae Marshall

Heirloom albums that will last a lifetime

Custom service tailored exclusively to you

Access to our network of the finest vendors

Beautiful photography and a seamless experience

A welcoming presence and easy guidance

What You Can Expect From Us

Wedding offerings are custom tailored to exactly what you need. We love traveling for unique days and can include multi day coverage, film photography and more.

Rae Marshall works closely with you and your planner, bringing an artist's eye and a warm presence.

the experience

Rae Marshall Photography

Meridian House

Meridian House is one of Washington, DC’s most romantic wedding venues, offering historic architecture, European-inspired gardens, and an intimate atmosphere in the heart of the city. With its grand interiors, beautiful courtyard, and timeless setting, it’s an incredible choice for couples envisioning an elegant Washington, DC wedding with an editorial feel.

Larz Anderson House

For couples drawn to history, art, and incredible architecture, Larz Anderson House is one of the most distinctive wedding venues in Washington, DC. Ornate interiors, marble floors, dramatic staircases, and gilded details create an almost European atmosphere that lends itself beautifully to a sophisticated, fashion-forward wedding.

DAR Headquarters

Located just steps from the White House and National Mall, the historic DAR Headquarters offers an iconic Washington backdrop for an elegant city wedding. Its classical architecture, grand spaces, and beautiful outdoor portico make it especially striking for couples who want their wedding to feel timeless, sophisticated, and distinctly DC.

Goodstone Inn

Set among the rolling countryside of Middleburg, Virginia, Goodstone Inn feels like a romantic escape to the European countryside without leaving Northern Virginia. The historic estate, gardens, stone architecture, and intimate luxury make it an especially beautiful setting for a wedding weekend that feels relaxed, elevated, and completely transportive.

The Willard InterContinental

Few Washington, DC wedding venues feel as quintessentially DC as The Willard InterContinental. With its storied history, ornate architecture, grand ballrooms, and location near some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, The Willard is a beautiful choice for a timeless black-tie wedding with classic Washington elegance.

Morais Vineyards

Morais Vineyards brings a touch of European romance to the Virginia countryside with vineyard views, dramatic architecture, and elegant indoor and outdoor spaces. Located in Bealeton, Virginia, the estate is a beautiful option for couples searching for a Northern Virginia wedding venue that feels romantic, luxurious, and a little unexpected.

Great Marsh Estate

Great Marsh Estate is a breathtaking Northern Virginia wedding venue surrounded by rolling countryside in Bealeton. The Georgian mansion, sweeping lawn, tree-lined grounds, and refined interiors create an effortlessly timeless setting that can feel equally at home with an intimate garden celebration or an elegant black-tie wedding.

The Hay-Adams

Overlooking the White House and Lafayette Square, The Hay-Adams offers one of the most iconic settings for a luxury wedding in Washington, DC. Its historic interiors, rooftop views, and understated old-world elegance make it an incredible choice for couples who want a sophisticated city celebration that could only happen in Washington.

Perry Belmont House

The Perry Belmont House is a showstopping Washington, DC wedding venue filled with Beaux-Arts architecture, sweeping staircases, marble, gilded details, and old-world grandeur. For couples who love fashion, history, and spaces with a strong sense of character, it offers an extraordinary backdrop for an editorial and elegant celebration.

Conrad Washington, DC

For couples who prefer clean lines and contemporary luxury, Conrad Washington, DC offers a distinctly modern alternative to the city’s historic wedding venues. Its sophisticated interiors, rooftop spaces, and central location make it an ideal setting for a polished, fashion-forward Washington, DC wedding.

Glenstone Gardens

Glenstone Gardens offers a romantic Northern Virginia setting filled with lush greenery, manicured gardens, and an intimate estate atmosphere. The property is especially beautiful for couples dreaming of an outdoor celebration where the landscape becomes part of the experience, creating a wedding that feels elegant, organic, and effortlessly romantic.

washington dc wedding venues

some of our favorites

More About Rae Marshall

I am an artist first, using the mantra "life imitates art" to capture heirloom imagery in fast paced environments.  My many years of experience have trained me to look for moments before they happen, and give me the ability to make anyone feel at ease, because this is celebration and art, all fun. I am drawn to pretty, out of the box and interesting things, and have a crazy love for NYC street fashion.

Rae's approach is defined by the pulse of the day, by the people, by the love.

Rae Marshall

Award Winning Raleigh Wedding & Portrait Photography

What People Are Saying

"If you want photos that make you scream, smile and cry all at the same time then Rae is the photographer you need! Rae captured our wedding day and all the emotions of it so perfectly. She has an incredibly talented and creative eye and each photo we got back from her was a true work of art."

- Gabby and Jerry

What is the best time of year to get married in Washington, DC or Virginia?

Spring and fall are especially beautiful for Washington, DC and Virginia weddings, offering comfortable temperatures, blooming gardens or rich fall color. April through May and September through October are particularly popular for outdoor celebrations.

What should we look for in a Washington, DC or Virginia wedding photographer?

Look for a photographer whose work reflects the way you want your wedding to feel, not just how you want it to look. Experience navigating changing light, historic venues, city locations, estate properties, and the natural unpredictability of a wedding day is equally important.

Do we need a photographer who has photographed our wedding venue before?

Not necessarily. An experienced wedding photographer should be comfortable walking into a new space, finding beautiful light and compositions, and approaching your venue with a fresh perspective rather than recreating the same photographs they've made before.

What are some of the most beautiful wedding venues in Washington, DC and Virginia?

The DC and Northern Virginia area has an incredible collection of venues, from historic mansions like Meridian House and Larz Anderson House to iconic hotels like The Hay-Adams and The Willard, along with romantic Virginia estates and vineyards such as Goodstone Inn, Great Marsh Estate, and Morais Vineyards.

Should we have an outdoor wedding in Washington, DC or Virginia?

Absolutely, especially during spring and fall when the gardens and surrounding landscapes are at their most beautiful. Because summers can be hot and humid and weather can change quickly, having a thoughtful indoor or covered backup plan is always worthwhile.

What time should we schedule our Washington, DC or Virginia wedding ceremony?

For outdoor weddings, consider sunset when choosing your ceremony time so there is beautiful natural light throughout the ceremony and time afterward for portraits. Your photographer and planner can help create a timeline based on your specific date, venue, and lighting.

Can we take engagement photos somewhere different from our wedding location?

Absolutely. Washington, DC and Virginia offer everything from iconic monuments and historic architecture to Georgetown streets, gardens, countryside estates, vineyards, and mountain landscapes, so your engagement session can have an entirely different feeling from your wedding day.

What makes Washington, DC and Virginia such a great destination for a wedding?

The area offers a rare combination of historic architecture, sophisticated city settings, European-inspired estates, vineyards, gardens, and rolling Virginia countryside. Couples can create an entire wedding weekend that feels like a destination celebration while still being surrounded by the history and energy of Washington.

How far in advance should we book our Washington, DC or Virginia wedding photographer?

For popular spring and fall Saturdays, booking your wedding photographer 12–18 months in advance is a good idea, especially if photography is one of your priorities or you have a specific photographer in mind.

What areas of Washington, DC and Virginia do you photograph weddings in?

Rae Marshall Photography photographs weddings throughout Washington, DC and Virginia, including Georgetown, Middleburg, Leesburg, Alexandria, Charlottesville, and the surrounding Northern Virginia countryside, as well as destination celebrations throughout the East Coast and beyond.

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an ode to the way it felt.

Because it's Iconic...