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Weddings

About

The Mead Center for American Theater is a waterfront wedding venue located in Washington, D.C. Perfect for the unconventional couple, this venue is a theatrical setting that your guests will never forget. Available for both ceremonies and receptions, you’ll be able to say “I do” in the intimate Kogod Cradle before moving to a stunning reception in the Grand Lobby with a waterfront view. The dramatic scene is one that your friends and family are bound to love.

Facilities and Capacity

With a maximum capacity of 250 guests, The Mead Center for American Theater is the perfect setting for weddings big and small. The venue’s four event spaces will give you a variety of settings to choose from. For a dramatic setting, there’s no space better than the Kogod Cradle. Standing on the built-in stage with your guests seated in theatre-style seating, you will be the stars of the show. For a more traditional-style setup, host your guests in the Molly Smith Study, complete with natural light beaming in from its large windows. Dance the night away in the Grand Lobby with its elevated ceilings and large windows. No matter which space you choose, The Mead Center for American Theater is the perfect space for an unforgettable celebration!

Services Offered

Because this venue is accustomed to hosting performances, their space has everything you’ll need for an upscale event. The built-in lighting and sound will make setup easy, while their team of professional planners will make the planning process smooth and free of stress. Services include:

  • Bridal suite
  • Lighting/sound
  • Vendor referrals
  • Outside vendors

Location

The Mead Center for American Theater is located in the heart of Washington D.C. Nestled in the center of the Southwest Waterfront, this premier venue is just steps from local D.C. restaurants and attractions. Your guests will have access to all of the rich history and urban views D.C. has to offer when you book with The Mead Center for American Theater.

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$5,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$5,500

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$1,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$1,000

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Bridal Suite

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$5

Reviews of Arena Stage

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
4.8 out of 5 rating
4.8 out of 5 rating
11 reviews
96% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    4.6 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.8 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.8 out of 5 rating
pooja
Pooja Sent on 02/14/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect venue, amazing team

Arena Stage (officially The Mead Center) was the last potential wedding venue we visited. We liked it so much we moved up our wedding date from September to June to fit their schedule. It was the first racially integrated theater in DC and is an important non-profit performing arts space in the District. We felt like our money would be well spent there as opposed to alternatives. We held our ceremony in one of the theaters, cocktail hour on the terrace, and reception in the lobby. All the spaces are amazing and elevators made it all accessible for our elders. Cannot say enough about the team. Emma was incredibly patient with all of our questions. She made our wedding ceremony better by taking the rehearsal seriously and sharing great ideas we went with. Her upbeat energy created such a great vibe for planning everything together. Emma seems genuinely happy to do what she does which rubs off. The same people who do lighting and sound for the plays were the people who managed those details for our wedding ceremony which included live music. That meant we had nothing to worry about. One perk: the dressing rooms! It was so cool to be backstage getting ready with our family and then sharing a toast together just the two of us right after the ceremony. And we were able to take photos all over the place beforehand. It's an awesome space for that, inside and out. If you're okay with a relatively shorter planning window like we were (they book weddings around their play schedule which was set maybe 6-9 months or so in advance) and you have budget for venue, this is an amazing place to get married. BTW they have a handful of approved caterers and they all seem great. We talked to most of them and did some tastings and in the end went with Spilled Milk, which all of our guests raved about.
R
Rachel S. Sent on 02/09/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing venue and amazing team

We had an amazing experience working with the events team (Emma, Demi, and Brittany) for our September 1 wedding at Arena Stage. They went above and beyond to make our wedding vision come to life, and we can't recommend them enough. We were especially impressed with the lengths they went to to ensure that we didn't see each other before the ceremony, and their attentiveness and level of detail (in working with vendors, making sure everything went off without a hitch, and even ensuring we had food and drinks while taking pictures!).
K
Katherine Sent on 11/25/2018
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing experience, stunning location

Where do I even begin? Arena Stage is a stunning venue, with soaring ceilings and floor to ceiling windows. It is in a prime location, very close to the Wharf DC which made lodging for our guests (and the after party) so easy and gave people visiting a great place to stay. As incredible as the venue is, what really made it amazing was our experience working with the special events staff. Chrystal is absolutely awesome and from the moment she gave us a tour, was so positive and warm. The staff was super responsive and went out of their way to make everything perfect for us. We could not have been happier with our experience!!

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
Enchanting Events by Erica Enchanting Events by Erica Wedding Planners

I highly recommend this space. You could host a performance, stage play, reception, product launch, networking event, gala and more at this beautiful venue. The possibilities are endless.

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