We are delighted to have our family and friends visit Washington, D.C. for our wedding! To help our guests prepare for the weekend and make accommodations, we have compiled some popular questions and answers. And we plan to add additional information in the coming weeks.

 

Why did you choose Eastern Market for your ceremony and wedding?

Capitol Hill and Eastern Market have a special place in our hearts and story. We met working on Capitol Hill, had our first date at the bar across from Eastern Market and simply love the whole neighborhood. It seemed like the perfect fit and we couldn’t imagine a better place to celebrate with our family and friends.

Where should we stay?

Short answer is whatever fits your budget and preferences! It’s a small city so you can get around very easily via Metro (the regional subway system), taxi or Uber. Our wedding and ceremony will take place on Capitol Hill, which has a limited number of hotels. If you wish to stay within walking distance of the wedding venue, we recommend that you explore AirBNB. It will be convenient to attend our wedding if you’re staying at hotels throughout the city. Neighborhoods that we recommend include Metro Center, Downtown, Logan Circle, Dupont Circle, West End or Foggy Bottom.

Will we need a car?

You won’t need a car for our wedding activities. Unless you are driving into town, we recommend that you skip the car altogether. Repeating advice said earlier, it’s a small city and you can travel across town very easily by Metro, taxi, or Uber. Hotel parking costs are often significant and street parking is limited for non-residents.

I see several Washington, D.C. airports. Which should I choose?

There are three nearby airports:

• DCA: The closest to downtown Washington, D.C. is Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). Transportation from the airport to downtown hotels will be convenient and affordable from DCA — but airfare may be a bit more expensive. A taxi ride from DCA to most downtown hotels will be under 15 minutes and less than $20. This is the only airport with a Metro stop — and downtown fares will be under $3 per person. If you can find reasonably priced flights, National Airport is a great option. Airlines serving DCA include common carriers in addition to Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and Virgin America.
• IAD: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is about 30 miles outside of the city. Travel to downtown hotels will often take 45 minutes. Plan for a $75 taxi ride (or reach the city via bus and Metro). Flights to and from Dulles can be affordable — but be sure to calculate the the time and expense of reaching the airport. When you’re returning to Dulles from downtown, we recommend taking UberX. It’s about $35. Airlines serving IAD include common carriers in addition to Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and Virgin America.
• BWI: Travel between downtown Washington and Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) can take more than an hour. A taxi will cost more than $90. UberX and SuperShuttle are more reasonable options. Amtrak trains also run between BWI airport and Washington Union Station for about $11 — but be sure to check schedules in advance. Airlines serving BWI include common carriers in addition to JetBlue, Southwest and Spirit.

We’d like to make a vacation of it! What should we do?

Fantastic! Washington, D.C. is a world-class city packed with plenty of unique museums, top-notch restaurants, theater, music, sports and history. And it’s our nation’s capital. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, you’ll find plenty to see and do.

• For the Foodies. The list of food options is an ever-evolving enjoyment. Some of our tried and true favorites include Acqua al 2, Ben’s Chili Bowl, Birch and Barley, Bistro Du Coin, Blue Duck Tavern, DGS, District Taco, Hank’s Oyster Bar, Hill Country, Izakaya, Kramerbooks, Medium Rare, Pizzeria Paradiso, Rose’s Luxury, and Ted’s Bulletin.
• For the Adult Beverage Adventurers. There are a bevy of local breweries and brewpubs in town. Our favorite spots to grab a pint (or glass) include Bluejacket,  GBD, Pizzeria Paradiso, Right Proper Brewing, The Partisan, and Iron Gate.
• For the Museum Explorers. The museums of the Smithsonian Institution house Washington’s best known collections — and you could spend countless hours roaming the halls of a dozen Smithsonian buildings on the Mall. The Constitution and Declaration of Independence are on display at the National Archives. News junkies will be amazed by the exhibits at the Newseum. Art lovers should begin with the National Gallery of Art — but don’t pass up two of our favorites, the Phillips Collection and the Hirshhorn Museum (both focus on modern art). And up on Capitol Hill, not to be missed are the Capitol Building and Library of Congress both of which are architectural gems and offer free professional docent tours to visitors.
• For Patriotic Visitors. Washington’s best-known sites are certainly worth seeing. Pose for photos in front of the White House or visit the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. You can either walk along the National Mall to visit the monuments or ride on one of the handful of guided bus tours.
• For Outdoor Enthusiasts. Take a run through Rock Creek Park, walk along the Tidal Basin (cherry blossoms map!), or rent a bike from Capital Bikeshare and ride along the National Mall. Visit the beautiful gardens of Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown. Take Metro to see pandas at the National Zoo in Woodley Park.
• For the Sports Fans. With April comes baseball, basketball and hockey season! You might be able to catch some Nationals baseball, Wizards basketball or Capitals hockey. And for the soccer fans, the DC United MLS team is fun to watch.
• For Those with a Car. The National Arboretum is one of the hidden gems in the city with running and walking paths, relics of the old Capitol Building and even a bonsai exhibit. If you want to see the space shuttle and Concorde up close, the Air and Space Museum’s Virginia site is worth the brief drive and tour. The charming harbor town and capital of Annapolis, Maryland is just a short 45 minute drive from D.C. where you can eat fresh seafood, tour the town and see the Naval Academy.