They have many rules and regulations, but all that information is upfront. By clicking 'Send', I agree to WeddingWires Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. In addition, the caterers provide setup and cleanup services to ensure that you can focus on enjoying your special day and time with loved ones. The leaves behind the Hemlock Grove ceremony location turned a beautiful golden yellow for our late October wedding. She was organized, straight-forward, kind, and responsive. Beatriz. This venue was exactly what we were looking for -- an indoor/outdoor mix of beautiful scenery. We were blessed with the best weather that has ever occurred in June in DC, which really showcased the beauty of the place (though the rainy day contingency was well-thought-out and would have worked too.) 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Share with your guests to collect your wedding photos. ore we even saw it in person, and we had no regrets. The combination of indoor and outdoor spaces made the venue so versatile, and our guests loved having the option to move between the two throughout the night. With that said, everything else was beautiful. You have to work with their preferred list of vendors, but that is very standard. We got married at Woodend in April 2018. Woodend Sanctuary was the perfect location for our wedding. The mansion itself is very pretty and requi My fiancee and I visited several mansions in the area for possible reception sites. We booked this venue before the pandemic and when we had to reschedule, we did have to pay a date change fee. Most importantly, Beatriz was incredibly helpful, informative, responsive, and pleasant in helping us organize everything. Also, compared to the other outdoor venues we visited in the DMV, this was by far the best value (can't wait to file my taxes and get that write-off!) It's not cheap, but if you can book this venue, you WILL have a Woodend Sanctuary is a really beautiful location for a small wedding (50-125 people). Beatriz Engel is a pro. We're both incredibly grateful to have married here. Beatriz, the site manager, was easy to communicate with. Even with the unexpected late May showers, we managed to have a beautiful tented ceremony on the Woodend is an absolutely gorgeous setting for a wedding! Built in 1927, Woodend was designed by John Russell Pope (Jefferson Memorial, DAR Constitution Hall, National Gallery of Art, etc.) The Hemlock Grove looked like the perfect spot for an outdoor, nature-inspired ceremony, and mansion and tent seemed like the ideal place for a Sunday-morning brunch reception. We wish you and Paulina all the best! Woodend is such a beautiful venue! I wish you all the best! We booked in October for the following August, and I recall that most of the peak months in late spring and early fall were booked up! The property is large and well kept; the natural beauty, including the flowers, trees, and surrounding forest, made it feel peaceful and grand. The trees and flowers make Woodend such a gorgeous location for a wedding, and the air-conditioned tent for the reception felt relaxed and comfortable but also elegant at the same time. This venue was PERFECT for our morning fall wedding. Overall, it was a big investment, but the natural beauty of the setting enhanced our wedding in so many ways and made for beautiful wedding day photographs and memories. We tailor our services to suit the unique vision of each couple, helping them in every step of the process. We wanted to string up some simple bistro lights and were told it would be $1700 to do so because that's what the one monopoly charged. Beatriz Engel is a pro. The venue is expensive, but it is so elegant with multiple ways to use the various beautiful spaces, indoors and outdoors. You still get a stunning immersive outdoor feeling while staying comfortably dry! Our guests loved the beautiful scenery and the herds of deer that visited at dusk. You were a pleasure to work with. Historic/Landmark Building, Mansion, Private Estate, Park/Garden, Vintage, Outdoor, 8940 Jones Mill Road Chevy Chase, MD 20815. I can see us visiting Woodend for our future anniversaries to relive our special day. We set up the buffet in one of the rooms and had dancing in the other--that was important to me, I wanted to have a large separate area for dancing and Woodend was perfect for that. The wedding ceremony in the grove, watching the bride come through the trees, the cocktail hour on the portico, the dinner and dancing a Woodend was my dream venue - the perfect balance of natural and formal. re was plenty of space to set up lawn games and enjoy the day. We were also planning the wedding from far away (we live on the west coast) and Beatriz accommodated MULTIPLE venue visits/tours - first with our parents, and then with my fiance and me when we were in town. Owner and lead planner Karla Edlinger offers day-of coordination, as well as partial and full-service planning. Beatriz was very responsive throughout the entire process. Thank you for your review, and for your support of our environmental mission, Soumya. I love the natural beauty of fall foliage and wanted a setting for our ceremony and rece Woodend was exactly what we were looking for in a wedding venue. We are so happy that we were able to get married at Woodend earlier this month! They all worked with us every step of the way, and everything was just more perfect than I could have ever imagined. Woodend met all of our needs. The bridal suite and grooms library room were spacious. Our guests absolutely loved this venue and it suited our wedding so well. All night, our guests drifted from the indoor setting to the portico or walked the grounds; it was great to see everyone so pleased no matter what the setting. Your kind words made the work I love doing even more lovable! Woodend is very close to DC, which is where we live and where all of our guests were staying, yet it feels so quiet, private, and secluded; truly the best of both worlds! This venue is absolutely incredible. Please see our, Get Our Wedding Planner App On Your Mobile Device. Get inspired by beautiful images from award winning photographers. Woodend was fantastic for our special day! One major reason we picked the venue is that they have a seamless rain plan, which we were fortunate not to have avail ourselves of (though it rained the morning of our wedding day). Woodend fit the bill perfectly with everything I was looking for and more!!! oking for and more!!! Woodend couldn't have been more perfect. I loved having the ability to be at Woodend all day, including getting ready with our wedding parties in the designated rooms, first look photos, our ceremony in the grove, and the reception + dancing in the tent and mansion. All the pics we saw were of receptions in the summer, we were having a winter wedding so we eere hoping it would be just as romantic. esent and responsive to our needs. By clicking 'Request Quote', you agree that your information will be shared with the vendor and used to create an account on TheKnot.com. We are located 9 miles from downtown DC in a private and secluded 40-acre nature sanctuary. We have a special connection to Woodend and are so happy we got married there! Woodend was the perfect place for our wedding. It was a pleasure being a small part of your special day, Tacy! Such a beautiful and welcoming venue--highly recommend! What are the most important characteristics of Woodend Sanctuary & Mansion in terms of venue type, style and location? since it's a non-profit. Wedding planning in a pandemic is stressful, to put it mildly, but Beatriz made it as simple and stress-free as possible. Woodend Sanctuary has an awesome tent rain backup plan which was one of the factors that convinced us to book there in the first place. We had two ceremonies on our wedding day, a tea ceremony in the Great Hall and a chuppah ceremony in the Hemlock Grove, and had two receptions, one in the conference room and portico and one on the tented terrace. It was okay in the end but frustrating at the time. In 1969, the family donated Woodend to the Audubon Naturalist Society. ny and the reception there with total confidence. We had the most amazing experience at Woodend. Woodend offers a charming grove for your outdoor ceremony, but you can also choose anywhere you want on the surrounding grounds. Among the many event space options in the D.C. area, Woodend Sanctuary is a hidden gem! The rental fee is not subjected to sales tax. They had large fans set up in the main room where we had dancing. At the end of the process, it genuinely felt as if Beatriz was part of our family. My mission is to capturebold, modern, and distinctivephotos for unconventional couples. If you're starting to plan your COVID wedding, this is a winning decision. I want to make you look epic, awesome, amazing, beautiful, and dapper all the things you like and none of the things you dont. Venue Contact Information Dan and Greg's Autumn Wedding How much does the Woodend Sanctuary cost? Our daughter's wedding was at Woodend Sanctuary and Mansion last weekend and it was a complete success. She was organized, straight-forward, kind, and responsive. Most importantly, I want to capture what makes youyou. We were fortunate to use the grove for our ceremony (warmed up with some heat lamps) and used the tent and house for our reception. and in the tented terrace, - Complimentary birdseed provided upon request for send-off, - Alcohol must be served by licensed bartender/caterer, Price this venue to get your customized estimate, no strings attached. There were deer romping nearby during our ceremony, which maybe not everyone would like - but we loved it! Beatriz. As of 2020, from June through September, Woodend provides complimentary air conditioning in our tented terrace, in addition to the existing fans, tented heaters, and chandeliers. Woodend was the perfect location for our December 2019 wedding. We wish you and Sean all the best! nd party throughout the downstairs of the mansion made for an exquisite and memorable affair. We were able to have an outdoor ceremony and indoor dinner and dancing! Built in 1927, Woodend Mansion was designed by the renowned architect John Russell Pope, who also designed the Jefferson Memorial and the National Archives Building. If you want to be snow white frolicking in the forest among deer and bunnies, this is the place for you. Conveniently located in Chevy Chase, MD, less than 9 miles from The White House and just minutes off the Capital Beltway, Woodend Nature Sanctuary is the ideal venue for your wedding. With the wildflower meadow acting as a backdrop to the beautiful grove, and a stunning classic palette of whites and greens, it made for a picture-perfect ceremony. Pleasereach outto me regarding availably and pricing. 38. After touring many different venues in the DC area, we were blown away by the beauty of Woodend and all that it has to offer. Beatriz. We started researching venues for our wedding when we stumbled across this beautiful property. Thank you for your lovely review and kind words. I booked Woodend Sanctuary for 6 hours for my ceremony only and it was perfect. If you prefer email, you can email them here: woodendrentals@anshome.org. Everything about itthe outdoors and the mansion and beautiful. Woodend Sanctuary was the perfect venue for my wedding reception--the house and the grounds are stunning. Our climate-control tent is adjacent to the house and is a great back-up plan in case of inclement weather. I highly recommend Woodend for any special occasion. Even though we originally thought we would want our wedding ceremony and reception at a hotel, we immediately knew upon visiting the site that Woodend would be our venue. Not only is it beautiful, secluded and historic, but Beatriz and her entire team are thoughtful, kind and so wonderfully helpful. You were a joy to work with, and we are so glad you a wonderful fall wedding!!! Strong recommend! It was the perfect venue for 155 people - stunningly beautiful, lush, green and all kinds of other amazing colors from the many types of flora on site. The mansion didn't feel old, but timeless because it was beautifully maintained. We wanted something with a natural feel that fit our style and love of nature but was not too far out of the DC area. Part of the rental fee is considered a donation to the Audubon Naturalist Society and is tax-deductible, no sales. Beatriz. In our case, we were so lucky to have nice weather and the space couldnt have been more beautiful with the flowers and trees all blooming to create a wonderful backdrop. The Hemlock Grove is so beautiful for the ceremony, and it took all the stress off to know that there was a tent (included with the price!) Woodend Mansion was the first and last wedding venue that we checked out when planning our wedding. Check out this years best local pros, chosen by couples like you. Learn more about backyard wedding venues in Provo on The Knot. ven had a great moment where a butterfly flew by during our ceremony! On top of that, we wanted to have a baraat--an Indian procession with a horse--and we were concerned that, as a nature sanctuary, they would not go for it. Beatriz was awesome to work with! The combination of indoor and outdoor spaces made the venue so versatile, and our guests loved having the option to move between the two throughout the night. If something simply cannot be done, she is upfront about it and suggests alternatives. Fees includes a ceremony area, a reception area, and two staging rooms. Beatriz. My only regret is that I didn't try to rent the venue for the entire day and night so we could enjoy it longer! 2122 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, LGBT Wedding Photographer in Washington DC. Highly recommend Woodend! Message this venue now to check their availability and receive more information. From our first visit we knew Woodend was the best choice! (We had unfortunately dealt with some vendors who forgot important details that were discussed, causing some unnecessary stress.) employee of the venue, owner of the venue, photographer). Highly recommend! outdoor spaces are beautiful. Only good things to say!!! I want to make you look epic, awesome, amazing, beautiful, and dapper all the things you like and none of the things you dont. It was magical. Our guests were obsessed with the venue, and could not stop talking about it. We found some vendors to not be as friendly, helpful, or communicative post contract as they were pre-contract. Woodend's tent is dressed up with drapes and ceiling liner, so it's always elegant, whether you want all panels open with plenty of fresh air, or with all clear panels closed. We were sold on the historic house and the beautiful property, particularly the tree-lined grove. tarting to plan your COVID wedding, this is a winning decision. It feels both intimate and spacious and at the same time, relaxed yet elegant. Thank you for your review and your support of our environmental mission. Woodend's tent is dressed up with drapes and ceiling liner, so it's always elegant, whether you want all panels open with plenty of fresh air, or with all clear panels closed. If you have the budget to have a florist and wedding planner take care of everything then Woodend is a wonderful venue. I recommend without reservation. If you decide to have a wedding at Woodend Sanctuary, you will not only get an amazing venue, but you will get to work with a complete rockstar, and that rockstar is Beatriz. Fees includes a ceremony area, a reception area, and two staging rooms. Beatriz and everyone at Woodend were amazing to work with for our daytime Brunch wedding. <<< The Great Hall and the tented terrace are excellent alternatives for your ceremony. for the Wells family. We wish you all the best! Woodend was the only wedding venue that we looked at; I was pretty much sold based on what I found online, but touring the gorgeous mansion and grounds solidified that Woodend was the perfect venue for us. We wanted an outdoor venue surrounded by nature, but with the option to move the party indoors if the weather wasn't ideal. Woodend is a favorite venue of wildlife and nature lovers. Approved caterers vetted by Woodend supply waiting staff, attendants, food, soft drinks and bar mixers, but you can supply your own alcohol and the caterer provides the bartender to serve it. Everything was dusted, the outdoors was well-manicured, and the bathrooms were clean & stocked the entire night. The tented terrace is also such a great space. Contact Us about Your Special Occasion. Thank you, Andrea. We HIGHLY recommend Woodend! The library and bridal suite were the perfect private spaces for us to retreat to. We got married August 20th, which was risky weather wise, but worked out perfectly. Be warned - this place books early - more than a year and a half ahead at times! There was plenty of parking for guests, and because it is on its own little hilltop, even though it's within 7 minutes of downtown Bethesda, it had a calm and private atmosphere. We were planning to take our photos outside, but it rained all day, so we switched to taking photos indoors, and they all turned out stunning. You don't even have to do anything to make it gorgeous. Both rooms have restrooms and are the perfect places to finish getting ready and do detail photos of shoes, gown, boutonniere, bouquet, rings and so much more. The grounds are gorgeous and the tent is perfect for dinner. to see two more, but after touring Woodend we were sold. I'm Chris and I'm a Washington DC wedding photographer. Beatriz has seen it all at Woodend - she knows the venue and its many logistical possibilities inside out. The grounds and house looked beautiful and all our guests complimented the "intimate vibe." since it's a non-profit. nd removing decorations. Take a . The Historic Woodend Sanctuary & Mansion boasts a charming grove for outdoor ceremonies, accommodating 170 guests from April to November and 120 guests from December to March. If you'd like to learn more about the venue, or book it right now because it's so amazing, reach out to their super event team. We HIGHLY recommend Woodend! No sun? The indoor and Rachel, If you are using speakers- just don't expect the flow to work (even though the caterer said that people often do that and it works out fine- I guess it just doesn't always). You were an amazing couple to work with, from beginning to end. On top of that, Beatriz was great to work with as was the site manager the day-of. The site manager who was there the night of our wedding was helpful, too. Also, the Woodend team are incredibly helpful day-of - I didn't have to worry about parking, logistics, anything. Guests can bring their own alcohol without incurring corkage fees, and the caterer provides a licensed bartender, eliminating the need for a liquor license. The tented terrace as a backup plan for rain (which we thankfully did not need to use) and with the option of heating on a cold fall evening was key. We got married August 20th, which was risky weather wise, but worked out perfectly. Woodend gave us both. And we loved the ability for our guests to hang out in separate rooms or outside if they didn't want to dance. Beatriz was great throughout the process. The mansion is also beautiful and well-kept; we really didn't need any extra decorations beyond flowers because the space is so decorative in and of itself. The tented terrace didn't even feel like a tent because of the chandelier inside and being surrounded by nature gave it a wonderful indoor/outdoor experience. Woodend is such a beautiful venue! Civil Union, Commitment Ceremony, Interfaith Ceremony, Non-Religious Ceremony, Religious Ceremony, Second Wedding , Vow Renewal Ceremony, Ballroom, Estate, Garden, Historic Venue, Tented, Trees. They also allowed red wine which was not always the case with other historic houses / venues we looked into. I'm Chris and my mission is to capturebold, modern, and distinctivephotos for unconventional couples. Click Here for All Other Rental Needs. <<. The staff is excellent to work with and the space is just beautiful. Strong recommend! Beatriz and staff all very professional and great to work with. Woodend Sanctuary provides such a beautiful wedding venue, set right outside of Washington, DC. We were blessed with the best weather that has ever occurred in June in DC, which really showcased the beauty of the place (though the rainy day contingency was well-thought-out and would have worked too.) WEDDINGS Woodend Sanctuary & Mansion: Where nature is always the background Take a Virtual Tour of Woodend CEREMONY Woodend offers a charming grove for your outdoor ceremony, but you can also choose anywhere you want on the surrounding grounds. This venue is absolutely incredible. >>> WE HEAR YOU! We visited several venues in the area, and none compared. The tent comes with all accessories you may need (chandeliers, liner, side panels, fans and heaters, as well as air conditioning from Jun-Sep). A unique benefit of Woodend Sanctuary is that it's also home to the Audubon Naturalist Society, "the oldest independent environmental organization in the Washington, DC region."