Mickey & Josephine's Elegant Union Station Wedding
When Mickey and Josephine chose a Union Station wedding day on September 27th, they knew they wanted a celebration steeped in history and grandeur—and they got exactly that and so much more. From the moment guests arrived at this breathtaking Beaux-Arts landmark, the elegance was undeniable. The couple exchanged their vows in the historic Presidential Suite, the very room where presidents once welcomed world leaders and dignitaries to the United States, creating an atmosphere of timeless sophistication that perfectly matched their love story. The celebration continued in the stunning East Hall, where 31-foot ceilings, marble floors, and glamorous lighting transformed their reception into an unforgettable evening.
But perhaps the most memorable moment came when a player from the legendary 1980 Philadelphia Phillies World Series championship team in attendance gifted the newlyweds an authentic World Series ball—a once-in-a-lifetime surprise that had everyone talking. As I captured every precious moment of Mickey and Josephine's day, I was continually amazed by the perfect blend of historic majesty and modern celebration that only Union Station can provide. Their wedding was a masterclass in DC elegance, and I'm thrilled to share their incredible story with you.
I'd love to photograph your Union Station wedding - contact me if you like what you see!
A Photographer's Guide to Union Station Wedding Photography
Having photographed Union Station weddings, I'm excited to share what makes this historic Washington DC venue exceptional for wedding photography. Whether you're reviewing photos online or touring in person, here's what makes each space remarkable:
The Main Hall - Monumental Beaux-Arts Architecture - The Main Hall spans 120 feet wide by 220 feet long with barrel-vaulted ceilings soaring 96 feet at the peak. The ceiling features 255 individual octagonal coffers, each centered with 23-carat gold leaf creating warm, luminous reflections when afternoon light hits from the oversized Diocletian windows positioned around the perimeter. White marble floors reflect light upward providing natural fill light, while a peristyle of Doric columns surrounds the hall topped by 36 cast plaster Roman Legionnaire statues standing in arched alcoves. The space accommodates 4,000-5,000 guests standing, with Main Hall East offering 650-800 seated or 1,600-1,850 standing. The symmetrical classical design provides perfectly balanced compositions, while the golden ceiling creates flattering, prestigious lighting throughout events.
The East Hall - Skylights and Marble Elegance - East Hall features dramatically raised 31-foot flat glass ceilings with skylights that flood the space with soft, diffused natural illumination, creating a transition "from fresh garden feel before sundown to romantic, candle-lit feel in the evening." White marble floors accommodate 450 guests seated or 800 standing. The high ceilings and open floor plan allow various lighting schemes, while the adjacent colonnade provides iconic Union Station archway shots. Professional photographers praise the space as "so opulent that all we needed was lighting color and intensity"—the 31-foot ceilings create dramatic vertical compositions while marble floors reflect both natural and artificial light beautifully.
The Presidential Suite - Historic Intimacy with Hollywood Regency Styling - The Presidential Suite accommodates 160 guests for seated dinner or 300 for standing cocktail receptions. Originally created in 1907 for U.S. Presidents and visiting dignitaries, this space hosted every president from William Howard Taft through Harry Truman. On June 8, 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt greeted King George VI and Queen Elizabeth here—the first reigning British monarchs to set foot on American soil. The suite features soaring ceilings with archways, large wooden entryways, ornate architectural details, and dramatic lighting with a separate private entrance providing exclusivity and authentic presidential backdrop impossible to replicate elsewhere.
Columbus Club and Palm Court - Versatile Ceremony and Cocktail Spaces - Columbus Club handles ceremonies, cocktail hours, or receptions with 200-330 guests seated and 350 standing. The space features dramatic windows providing natural light, classic wall artistry, and wall-to-wall carpeting, doubling as getting-ready space for bridal party preparations. Palm Court serves as a semi-private add-on with Main Hall or Columbus Club rentals, featuring gold-leafed arched ceilings and natural light through skylights, commonly used for cocktail hours. Photographers appreciate the gold-leaf ceilings and natural light for capturing cocktail hour candids with architectural interest.
Beaux-Arts Details and Roman Architectural Elements - Union Station's Beaux-Arts architecture by Daniel Burnham, modeled after the Baths of Diocletian in Rome, provides classical backdrops throughout. The 626-foot continuous vaulted loggia features Guastavino tiles in herringbone pattern perfect for bridal party processional shots. Six 18-foot-tall colossal statues representing Fire, Electricity, Mechanics, Agriculture, Imagination, and Freedom dominate the exterior roofline. Two pairs of rostral columns topped with gold-leafed eagles flank the facade. The exterior uses Bethel white granite while interior marble, mahogany woodwork, and gold leaf create warm tones that reflect and diffuse light beautifully.
Capitol Hill Portrait Locations and DC Landmark Access - The U.S. Capitol sits 0.4-0.8 miles away—a comfortable 10-20 minute walk—allowing couples to shoot Capitol portraits during cocktail hour. Afternoon light behind the dome creates magical glow for ethereal portraits, with no permit required. The Supreme Court sits just two minutes from the Capitol with white marble, columns, and fountains requiring no permit. The Library of Congress stands another two minutes away with grand staircases and one of the best views looking back at the Capitol. Many photographers structure portrait sessions around hitting all three locations in a 15-20 minute efficient circuit.
Timeline and Logistical Planning - Typical flow: 2-4 hour hotel getting-ready at nearby Phoenix Park Hotel, Liaison Hotel, or Kimpton George Hotel with natural light for preparation photography, first look at Union Station exterior colonnade, ceremony in Columbus Club or Presidential Suite (5:00 PM), cocktail hour while couple captures 15-20 minute Capitol portraits during golden hour, grand entrance to East Hall reception (7:00 PM), dinner service with Design Cuisine exclusive catering, then dancing. Total event time typically 5-6 hours. Union Station is primarily indoor, eliminating weather concerns—photographers call it "my number one backup location for rainy days." Union Station parking garage operates 24/7, while Metro Red Line, Amtrak, and MARC trains provide unmatched transportation convenience for destination weddings.
SAMPLE TIMELINE: SEPTEMBER WEDDING AT UNION STATION
This timeline was created by Coordinated Details for Josephine and Mickey's September celebration.
1:30 PM - Photography coverage begins (getting ready in holding rooms)
2:00 PM - Pre-ceremony portraits (bride, groom, bridal party, immediate family)
4:00 PM - Ceremony begins in Presidential Suite
4:20 PM - Ceremony concludes / Cocktail hour begins in Palm Court
4:45 PM - Family portraits
5:00 PM - Bride and groom join cocktail hour
5:30 PM - Cocktail hour concludes / Guests transition to East Hall
5:45 PM - Grand entrance and first dance
5:55 PM - Dinner service begins
7:03 PM - Father-daughter dance
7:06 PM - Mother-son dance
7:09 PM - Open dancing begins
7:55 PM - Cake cutting (not announced)
9:30 PM - Photography coverage concludes
10:00 PM - Reception ends
Notes: This all-in-one-location wedding at Union Station allowed for a relaxed timeline with nearly two hours for pre-ceremony portraits before the 4:00 PM ceremony. The couple prioritized enjoying their full cocktail hour with guests, joining at 5:00 PM after all family portraits were complete. The September ceremony in Union Station's Presidential Suite transitioned seamlessly to cocktail hour in the iconic Palm Court, then reception in the East Hall. Late September's earlier sunset meant we captured golden hour portraits during the cocktail hour window before the 5:45 PM reception began.
Every corner of this 1907 National Register landmark provides exceptional photography opportunities, from five architecturally distinct event spaces with presidential history to naturally lit halls with golden coffers and skylights to colonnade and Capitol portraits across total capacity of 5,000 guests, making it a dream location for couples seeking sophisticated celebrations with authentic American history that photograph with timeless elegance in a venue combining Washington DC's premier downtown location with unmatched Capitol Hill monument access just blocks from Union Station's grand Beaux-Arts entrance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Union Station Weddings
Q: What is the history behind Union Station in Washington DC?
A: Union Station in Washington, D.C. opened on October 27, 1907, and is considered to be one of the finest examples of the Beaux-Arts style of architecture. Architect Daniel Burnham designed the building to serve as a gateway for the capital city. For over a century, this historic venue has been the arrival point in D.C. for presidents, dignitaries, and royalty. The grand Main Hall, modeled after the Baths of Diocletian in Rome, features barrel-vaulted ceilings lined with 23-carat gold leaf, distinguished white marble floors, and remarkably oversized windows. The station underwent a three-year, $160 million restoration completed in 1988 that is still cited as one of the nation's most successful examples of adaptive reuse through a private-public partnership.
Q: What is the Presidential Suite and why was it created?
A: When Congress authorized the construction of Union Station in 1903, there had been two recent presidential assassinations in public places: President James Garfield at the Baltimore and Potomac Station in Washington, DC in 1881 and President William McKinley in Buffalo, New York in 1901. Taking that into consideration, Daniel Burnham incorporated a separate and grander entrance to be reserved for the use of the President, as well as visiting foreign dignitaries. The Presidential Suite was built for presidents to safely await their travels and it's the very room several presidents used to welcome world leaders and dignitaries to the United States. Most notably, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt greeted King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in the Presidential Suite Reception Room during their visit to the United States in June 1939.
Q: What makes the East Hall special for wedding receptions?
A: The East Hall is one of the most sought-after event and meeting spaces in Washington DC due to its versatility and proximity to the Capitol grounds. For over a century, East Hall has served as the backdrop for a wide array of presidential inaugural balls, world galas, and other noteworthy events, such as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's 70th birthday celebration. The space features a dramatically raised 31' ceiling, marble floors, glamorous lighting, and alluring architecture. The East Hall provides a blank canvas that can be transformed to match any wedding vision, from classic elegance to modern sophistication, while maintaining its inherent grandeur.
Q: How much does it cost to have a Union Station Wedding?
A: Union Station Wedding costs range from $500 to $10,000 for 50 guests, though costs can vary significantly based on your chosen space, guest count, and customization preferences. The venue offers multiple event spaces with different capacities and pricing structures. Since Union Station works with Design Cuisine as their exclusive caterer, your final cost will depend on your menu selections, rental needs, and the specific spaces you choose for your ceremony and reception. For accurate pricing tailored to your wedding vision, it's best to contact Union Station's events team directly at events@unionstationevents.com or call 202-289-8300.
Q: What capacity does the Presidential Suite accommodate?
A: The Presidential Suite can host up to 300 guests for cocktails or 160 for a seated dinner. The venue lists a seated capacity of 240 and standing capacity of 300. This makes it an ideal space for intimate to mid-sized ceremonies and receptions. The suite's Hollywood Regency style adds a touch of glamour, and with thoughtful décor and lighting, it creates a truly unique atmosphere that blends historic significance with modern elegance.
Q: What other event spaces are available at Union Station besides the Presidential Suite and East Hall?
A: Union Station offers five impeccable event spaces with distinctive details. Beyond the Presidential Suite and East Hall, couples can choose from the Main Hall, which is perhaps the most iconic space and can accommodate up to 5,000 guests; the Columbus Club, which features charming architecture, dramatic windows and classic wall artistry; and the Palm Court, a semi-private area that allows guests to enjoy the stunning gold-leafed arched ceilings. The Main Hall at Union Station has hosted everything from Presidential Inaugural Balls to Fortune 500 corporate events, international philanthropic galas and lavish weddings. Each space can be reserved individually or paired together for larger celebrations.
Q: What is the overall style and atmosphere of Union Station as a wedding venue?
A: Union Station embodies timeless Beaux-Arts grandeur with a sophisticated, historic elegance that's uniquely Washington DC. The venue seamlessly blends Old World opulence with modern amenities, creating an atmosphere that feels both presidential and romantic. The Presidential Suite embodies the grandeur of old D.C., while the dramatic architecture throughout features soaring ceilings, pristine marble floors, ornate details, and stunning natural light from oversized windows. With its electric atmosphere and remarkable connection to Capitol Hill history, Union Station is a destination like no other. It's the perfect choice for couples who want a wedding venue that tells a story and provides an inherently elegant backdrop that requires minimal additional decoration.
Q: Does Union Station require couples to use specific vendors?
A: Union Station features curated menus from renowned caterer Design Cuisine, who serves as the exclusive catering partner for the venue. The professionally trained staff will guide you through the entire wedding process - from the first consultation until the very last goodbye on your wedding night. Your dedicated Account Executive will work with you to identify your ideal menu offerings, select the rentals that best suit your needs and style, and ensure that the day-of team has all of the necessary tools to provide you with the perfect wedding celebration. For other vendors like photographers, florists, and entertainment, you'll have the flexibility to choose your preferred professionals, making it easy to build your dream team while enjoying the convenience of on-site catering expertise.
Why should couples choose Union Station for their Washington DC wedding?
As a Washington DC Wedding Photographer also serving Northern Virginia and Maryland, I know that Union Station offers an unmatched combination of historic significance, architectural beauty, and logistical convenience that few venues can rival. It's incredibly easy to access—guests can simply step off the train and find themselves right at the venue. Plus, with so many hotels nearby, it's a convenient option for out-of-town guests.
The venue's rich history means your wedding photos will be captured against backdrops where presidents, royalty, and world leaders once stood. Union Station boasts a clientele that includes Walt Disney, the Presidential Inaugural Committee, and a growing list of couples looking for an exceptional place to launch their lives together. With multiple stunning event spaces to choose from, professional event staff, excellent catering, and a location steps from the Capitol, Union Station provides everything you need for a truly unforgettable wedding celebration in the heart of our nation's capital.
