1301 Constitution Ave NW,
Washington, DC 20240
202-373-8183
View their website
Average Base Cost: $42,000
Our average base cost for an Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium wedding is calculated by figuring a 150-person guest list for a Saturday ceremony/reception using a food/beverage cost of $125/pp. Entertainment, flowers, furniture, additional decorations and rentals, transportation, and photography are not included. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand. Gratuity and sales tax is included.
*Prices subject to change
How it breaks down:
Facility Rental Fee: $15,250 is the base rental rate. This is based on 14 hours of access time, including load-in and load-out. Given the extra costs listed below, the venue estimates that it will cost approximately $18,750 for the building rental and building support costs.
What’s Included: Rental of the building, including the Lobby, Ballroom, Green Room and Exterior Balcony. This price also includes support services and staffing.
Extras: Security costs $3,000 (for under 600 guests). Anything outside the venue’s rental time frame or over 14 hours is billed at $900 per hour. You are required by the Health Department to have a catering tent if your caterer (kitchen) will be set up outside. The Mellon Auditorium has a $600.00 security fee for usage of this exterior door in addition to the rental cost of the tent.
Food and Beverage: Outside catering and vendors are allowed. They provide a list of approved vendors, but clients may select from outside of that list as long as the venue’s insurance requirements are met. They do allow event hosts to provide their own alcohol through an approved supplier, however some caterers do not allow clients to provide their own alcohol, as they carry the license and liability for liquor.
Important Note: You can have a ceremony and reception there, however your caterer will have to turn over the ballroom during your cocktail hour (they would need a minimum of an hour to do this).
More Stats:
Space Type: Inside/Outside
Size: The ballroom can accommodate anywhere from 150 to 630 guests comfortably for a seated dinner, or up to 1,000 guests can mingle for a standing reception.
Bridal Suite: Yes
Parking: Valet service is highly recommended.
How Will Grandma Get There? The venue is located in the heart of Washington D.C. and is near many beautiful (albeit pricey) hotels, including the JW Marriott and the Intercontinental Willard Hotel. More affordable options can be found in nearby Capitol Hill, Logan Park and Dupont Circle areas.
Party On! Almost all events take 3 hours to load-out of the building, so your event should end 3 hours before your vendors expect to be finished. Access hours must fall between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m. Alcohol service must end by 1:00 a.m.
The Report:
Woman Getting Married Says:
Bring your big guest list and your big budget to this gorgeous D.C. wedding venue. While this historical building charges a hefty venue rental fee, their flexibility with bringing in your own caterer helps soften the blow. However, keep in mind that you will have to bring in mostly everything…from the wedding chairs and tables to the catering kitchen. All in all, however, you cannot find a more stunning wedding venue in D.C. with a location like this. The 2 a.m. end time is also a bonus!
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