Brick-paved courtyards, vibrant green palettes, and late-night hotel lobby portraits.
An outdoor ceremony in the heart of Old Town Alexandria.
From transit platform portraits before rehearsal night
to a rowdy, live-band dance floor under the courtyard stars.
This is Julie and Matt
at The Alexandrian Hotel.
Julie and Matt’s celebration at The Alexandrian Hotel was defined by intentionality, unscripted moments, and an atmosphere built around pure enjoyment. Before the wedding weekend officially began, we carved out time during the quiet hours before their rehearsal dinner for a quick portrait session at the Ballston-MU Metro Station — trading traditional greenery for clean lines and modern architectural backdrops.
By the time Saturday arrived, the vibe shifted seamlessly to Old Town elegance. Known for its historic charm and iconic ivy-draped inner courtyard, The Alexandrian provided a private, boutique escape right on King Street. Their aesthetic paired organic, mixed-green bridesmaid gowns with sharp black suits and light green accents for the groomsmen, blending seamlessly into Old Town’s brick architecture.
After a private first look and portraits in the courtyard and surrounding cobblestone streets, Julie and Matt exchanged vows outdoors surrounded by immediate family and close friends, transitioning effortlessly into a high-energy cocktail hour. As the evening wore on, the energy shifted into an unfiltered, rowdy dance party powered by the Bachelor Boys Band — closing out the night with late-night lobby portraits in Julie's second look.
What makes Old Town boutique hotels
work as a backdrop.
"After 16 years and 350+ weddings across destinations ranging from Hawaii and the Cayman Islands to right here in the DMV — boutique venues like The Alexandrian offer a rare combination of intimacy and architectural character. Having cobblestone alleys, private courtyard light, and moody interior spaces all within a single block allows a wedding gallery to feel diverse, stylish, and completely relaxed."
— Jenna Leigh PhotographyI'd love to capture your celebration — let's see if we'd be the right fit for your vision.
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A Photographer's Guide to Weddings The Alexandrian Old Town
Having photographed weddings across Old Town Alexandria, I’m excited to share what makes The Alexandrian Hotel such a unique, versatile stage for wedding photography. Anchoring King Street’s historic district, this Autograph Collection boutique hotel seamlessly marries 18th-century charm with bold, contemporary design. The venue delivers something rare for an urban venue—an intimate inner courtyard shielded from city noise, surrounded by brick facades, lush ivy, and classic Federal-style architecture. Here is what makes each space exceptional from behind the camera:
The Courtyard and Open-Air Ceremonies — The crown jewel of The Alexandrian is its private, brick-paved interior courtyard. For photographers, this space is an absolute dream: enclosed on all four sides by the hotel’s classic architecture, it acts as a giant natural light box. The tall brick walls bounce soft, directional light while eliminating harsh mid-day sun glares and unflattering shadows. Whether hosting an outdoor ceremony under the stars or an open-air cocktail hour, the ivy-draped brick and central fountain give galleries an intimate, European-garden feel right in Northern Virginia.
The Grand Ballroom and Indoor Receptions — For formal seated dinners and high-energy receptions, the hotel’s Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 180 guests. Featuring elegant brass accents, rich molding, and warm lighting, it provides a refined, clean backdrop for toasts and first dances. Because the room’s layout keeps the dance floor centrally focused, a live band or DJ can easily drive the energy—allowing for dynamic, close-up reception coverage that captures every unscripted moment as the party unfolds.
Bridal Suites and Getting-Ready Light — The Alexandrian’s luxury suites offer expansive layouts filled with large windows and bright natural light. The interior styling blends modern chic furniture with bold colors, providing a clean, clutter-free environment for detail shots, invitation flat-lays, and candid morning prep. The proximity of the suites directly above the courtyard makes logistics effortless—allowing couples to move straight from getting ready into a private first look without stepping outside the venue’s perimeter.
Old Town Portrait Walks and Surrounding Architecture — Step outside the hotel’s front doors onto King Street, and you are immediately surrounded by 250 years of history. Within a two-block radius, you’ll find iconic brick alleys, historic row houses with vibrant front doors, cobblestone paths, and tree-lined walkways. A quick 10-minute stroll down toward the waterfront at Carlyle House Historic Park or the Potomac River waterfront provides effortless background variety, allowing us to capture wide architectural portraits alongside intimate couple moments.
Late-Night Editorial Lobby and Elevator Shots — When the reception music winds down, The Alexandrian delivers one last visual gift. The hotel’s bold interior design, moody hallway lighting, velvet furniture, and vintage-inspired elevators create a high-fashion, editorial backdrop for late-night portraits. Slipping away for 10 minutes at the end of the evening—especially if the bride switches into a second look—yields stylish, magazine-worthy imagery that perfectly closes out the wedding story.
Every corner of this historic Old Town hotel provides exceptional photography opportunities — from the private, brick-paved courtyard where soft directional light filters through ivy-covered walls to the surrounding cobblestone alleys where 250 years of architecture frame every portrait to the moody, velvet-accented lobby where late-night editorial shots close out the evening in style. A venue where the historic elegance of 18th-century Alexandria and bold, contemporary boutique design do the work that no amount of artificial styling ever could, and where the seamless flow between open-air courtyard light, cobblestone streetscapes, and chic interior spaces provides portrait variety that few urban venues in the entire DMV can match — right here, directly in the heart of King Street.
FAQ
Q: What does it cost to get married at The Alexandrian Hotel?
A: Rental fees for event spaces at The Alexandrian generally range from $2,500 to $6,000+ depending on the season, day of the week, and specific rooms reserved. Food and beverage minimums typically start around $12,000 for off-peak or Friday/Sunday dates and can reach $25,000+ for peak Saturday evenings. Overall, full-service wedding budgets at The Alexandrian usually average between $35,000 and $75,000+ depending on guest count and vendor selections.
Q: What is the guest capacity for ceremonies and receptions?
A: The Alexandrian can comfortably accommodate up to 180 guests for a seated dinner and dance floor in the Grand Ballroom, or up to 150 guests for an outdoor courtyard ceremony and reception. For more intimate celebrations, smaller private dining rooms and parlor spaces are available for micro-weddings and rehearsal dinners under 50 guests.
Q: What happens if it rains on our wedding day?
A: If you plan an outdoor ceremony or cocktail hour in the courtyard, The Alexandrian offers seamless indoor rain contingencies. Ceremonies can easily shift into the interior foyer or ballroom spaces without sacrificing the hotel's classic, historic charm. The indoor hallways and covered archways also provide plenty of protected portrait options while waiting for weather to clear.
Q: Are there good portrait locations within walking distance of the hotel?
A: Yes! The Alexandrian's King Street location puts you steps from some of the best photo spots in Northern Virginia. Within a 5-minute walk, you have access to historic brick alleys, cobblestone streets, Carlyle House Historic Park, and classic Old Town row houses. The Potomac River waterfront is also just a 10-minute walk down King Street.
Q: Can we bring in outside vendors, or do we have to use the hotel's catering?
A: All food and beverage catering is provided directly in-house through the hotel's culinary team and signature restaurant partners, ensuring a seamless experience for guests. However, you are free to bring in your own external vendors for photography, videography, floral design, planning, hair and makeup, and entertainment (such as a live band or DJ).
Q: Where do guests park, and is the hotel accessible for out-of-town travelers?
A: The Alexandrian offers full valet parking services at the front entrance for all wedding guests and overnight attendees. Located under 5 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and steps from King Street's dining, shopping, and water taxi access, the venue is exceptionally convenient for out-of-town guests traveling into the DMV.
Why The Alexandrian Old Town Should Be Your Wedding Photography Choice
As a Northern Virginia Wedding Photographer also serving Washington DC and Maryland, I've captured love stories across the region's most celebrated venues — but The Alexandrian Hotel consistently stands out as the premier destination for boutique urban elegance in the heart of Old Town. This historic King Street property delivers something no standard ballroom or rural estate can replicate: a private, brick-paved interior courtyard where soft directional light filters through ivy-draped walls, cobblestone streetscapes and 250 years of architecture just steps from your front door, and a moody, velvet-accented lobby where late-night editorial portraits close out your evening in style — a combination that simply doesn't exist anywhere else this close to the nation's capital.
