11 Ballrooms With a Twist in D.C., Maryland and Virginia

Carnegie Institution for Science

1530 P Street NW, Washington, DC;

(202) 387-6400; CarnegieScience.edu

Stun your guests with a wedding at this historic landmark. Located between Dupont Circle and Logan Circle, this venue is the headquarters for Carnegie Institution for Science, an institute dedicated to scientific discovery. The neoclassical building offers a grand marble Rotunda with Corinthian pillars and dramatic skylights that create a dramatic backdrop for a ceremony for 150 guests.

Cosmos Club

2121 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC;

(202) 387-7783; CosmosClub.org

If you really want to impress your guests, the Cosmos Club, located at Townsend Mansion on Embassy Row, is guaranteed to wow. With past members that include three US presidents, 36 Nobel Prize winners and 61 Pulitzer Prize honorees, this exclusive social club has some serious street cred—not to mention, one of the most beautiful ballrooms we've seen. The club's baroque-style Warne Ballroom is dripping with intricate moldings, ornate gilded details and crystal chandeliers, all topped off with a fresco ceiling. Sign us up!

DAR Constitution Hall

1776 D Street NW, Washington, DC;

(202) 879-3318; DAR.org

Do you love having options? Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Constitution Hall has them. With nine beautiful event spaces, this downtown spot is suitable for all types of weddings. If we had to choose, we're partial to ceremonies in the Portico—a stunning outdoor rotunda with views of the Washington Monument—followed by receptions in the adjacent O'Byrne Gallery, with its herringbone hardwood floors and original ram's-head sconces.

The George Peabody Library

17 East Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore;

(410) 234-4943; PeabodyEvents.Library.JHU.edu

Book lovers will go nuts for this jaw-dropping literary paradise located on the campus of Johns Hopkins University. The historic library has five levels of wraparound balconies, culminating with a giant skylight 61 feet above the black-and-white marble floor.

The John Marshall Ballrooms

101 N. Fifth St., Richmond, VA;

(804) 775-2323; TheJohnMarshallBallrooms.com

Having hosted celebrities ranging from Elvis Presley to Richard Nixon, Hotel John Marshall has some serious nostalgia. Despite recent renovations, the venue's two ballrooms still retain their original 1920s grandeur. The Virginia Ballroom boasts a wraparound balcony and a split staircase made for a grand entrance.

Keswick Hall

701 Club Drive, Charlottesville, VA;

(434) 979-3440; Keswick.com

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Right around the corner from Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, stands Keswick Hall, a 48-room mansion on 600 sprawling acres. The Keswick Ballroom (holds 150 to 210 guests) is the perfect setting for an idyllic wine country wedding. The hall's executive chef will customize menus to highlight seasonal ingredients, and the in-house sommelier can pair wines to match, so expect great things from their kitchen for all your catering needs.

Main Street Station

1500 E Main St., Richmond, VA;

(804) 523-3328; RMAOnline.org

Once a bustling transportation hub, this Richmond landmark will blow you away with its tremendous arched windows and classic architecture. The venue provides rooms off the main ballroom that could double as lounge areas for guests who need a break from dancing. Weather permitting, the ballroom's loggia is also included in the package.

Taubman Museum of Art

110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke, VA;

(540) 342-5760; TaubmanMuseum.org

There's nothing better than natural lighting, and that's exactly what you'll find at downtown Roanoke's Taubman Museum of Art. The unique architecture of the Taubman includes a contemporary three-story glass roof atrium ideal for a chic wedding with a modern spin. And how about a grand entrance via the glass staircase? Yes please!

Top of the Town

1400 N. 14th St. N, Arlington, VA;

(703) 387-8696; TopoftheTown.net

Rest easy at Top of the Town, where the stunning DC views (you can see as far as the Redskins's FedEx Field!) leave little need for added decor. This private event facility can accommodate up to 180 seated guests and has a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as an outdoor terrace.

The Walters Art Museum

600 N Charles St., Baltimore;

(410) 547-9000; TheWalters.org

For a cultured affair, consider the Sculpture Court at this downtown Baltimore landmark. The space (which can accommodate 200 to 350) was inspired by an Italian Renaissance palazzo and is surrounded by soaring marble columns and priceless antiquities. Depending on which of the museum's event spaces you book, your guests will have a gallery or two to explore.

The Woman's Club of Portsmouth

304 Sycamore Road, Portsmouth, VA;

(757) 399-7810; WomansClubofPortsmouth.com

Located on the Elizabeth River, the Southern style Woman's Club of Portsmouth has a romantic covered porch and a deck perfect for a breezy summer cocktail hour. Recent renovations to the rustic, barn-like ballroom have increased the seating capacity to 250, so you can invite all of your loved ones to watch you make your grand entrance from the second-story balcony.

Find your own extraordinary ballroom here!