Affordable Waterfront, Historic, Industrial Venue
$4,450 starting price
201 to 250 guests
Deri Collingwood
EVENTS DIRECTOR
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (3X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Located in Alexandria, VA, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is a museum venue that hosts weddings. This historic property is set on the waterfront, offering spectacular views of the Potomac River. Washington D.C is nearby, allowing couples to enjoy an intimate and private affair while being close to the lively ambiance of a city.
Couples who choose to marry at the Art Center can expect a truly spectacular setting for their celebration. Torpedo Factory Art Center once was a working torpedo factory before opening to the public in 1974. It now acts as a studio for artists who create one-of-a-kind pieces. These pieces are showcased around the venue, providing a plethora of opportunities for distinctive wedding photos. The property has retained its authentic industrial charm, with exposed piping and high ceilings. Combined with artistic embellishments, this creates a modern and styling environment for you and your guests to enjoy.
The Torpedo Factory Art Center can host up to 220 guests for banquet-style occasions and up to 700 people for a standing cocktail reception. Along with ceremonies and receptions, it offers an elegant backdrop for pre-nuptial celebrations, including engagement parties and rehearsal dinners. Dedicated staff will take care of the setup and breakdown of your event, allowing you to relax and enjoy your day. This museum also welcomes outside vendors, allowing you to put your own stamp on your day. For your convenience, they can recommend a list of catering companies they have worked with. Dancing and music are allowed at this venue, while parking is available nearby for guests who are driving.
What You'll Love About Torpedo Factory Art Center:
Couples found the staff professional, creative, and dedicated. They appreciated its beautiful views and industrial vibe, which fit various wedding themes. Check out the review section for more information.
Pricing details
Starting prices
Reception
$4,850
Reception
$4,850
Ceremony
$4,850
Bar services
Contact for price
Catering
Contact for price
- Couples usually spend $4,950
- Starting prices don't include service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees.
- Guest count and seasonality may also affect prices. Peak season for this venue is Apr-Dec.
Are you interested?
Reach out and share your wedding details.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Guest Capacity
Up to 250
Settings
Historic Venue
Industrial & Warehouse
Museum
Venue Service Offerings
Planning
Rentals & Equipment
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Meet the team
Deri Collingwood
Events Director
Deri is a seasoned event planner and a gregarious extrovert that enjoys partnering with clients and vendors to create the guest’s ideal experience. Deri holds an MS in Hospitality Industry Studies from New York University, an Advanced Profesional Degree in Customer Relationship Management from New York University, and a BA in Speech Communications from George Mason University. Deri has been with the City’s Office of the Arts for 5 + years and led the Torpedo Factory Art Center to be recognized by Washingtonian Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, Weddinggrule.com, The Knot, and Wedding Wire.
Availability
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.052 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
The Torpedo Factory Art Center is highly praised by multiple reviewers for its stunning, unique venue perfect for weddings. The industrial urban vibe, beautiful view, and proximity to Old Town Alexandria were highlighted, as well as the exceptional service provided by Deri Collingwood and her team. Deri's professionalism, creativity, and dedication in bringing wedding visions to life, along with the seamless planning process, received extensive praise. Guests appreciated the transformation of the space and the unique experience of celebrating in an art gallery setting. Overall, the Torpedo Factory was described as a dream venue that surpassed expectations and offered a remarkable wedding experience.- Top reviews
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Keara T
Highlighted review.
5.0
12/29/2024
When my husband and I were engaged, we had a connection to the Torpedo Factory Art Center because we had already visited the studios together numerous times. After touring the venue with Deri Collingwood, we decided this location would be the site for our wedding reception. We had an amazing experience with all the TFAC staff and outside vendors. In particular, Deri (TFAC Senior Private Event Rental Manager) and Richard (TFAC Director of Facilities) were organized, courteous, and communicative. Richard helped direct our wedding party with loading in beverages/decorations the day before our event and loading out leftover materials the day afterwards. Deri was the keystone person on our wedding day, and we feel so fortunate to have worked with her. Deri's team handled everything including the timeline, décor installation/deinstallation (images captured by @christyscheelphotography), and management of all outside vendors. She had the best attitude and checked-in with us multiple times throughout the night to clarify or correct things that deviated from the original timeline. We have no plans to host another big event in the near future, but we will gladly promote our experience with the Torpedo Factory.
Havy V
5.0
12/25/2024
We recently had our wedding at Torpedo Factory, and it was absolutely perfect! The venue is stunning, with an industrial urban vibe, making it a truly magical setting for our special day.
Our guests couldn’t stop raving about the beauty of the space and how seamlessly everything flowed. If you’re looking for a venue that combines elegance and charm, I wholeheartedly recommend Torpedo Factory. It was everything we dreamed of and more!
Any questions?
Beth C
5.0
12/20/2024
I knew I wanted to get married in a fun, unique space and the Torpedo Factory Art Center absolutely blew me away. Our wedding was perfect— our guests loved the venue and how the space transformed from the daytime museum to an incredible wedding space. Most of all, Deri was fantastic in orchestrating that my vision came to life and went as smoothly as possible. She is absolutely incredible, and I wish I could relive the day over and over!
Ben B
5.0
12/08/2024
The Torpedo Factory Art Center was honestly our dream venue. It's gorgeous, easily accessible, fun, historical, and totally memorable. Our guests got photos with a torpedo and by the riverside! No one else we know had that, certainly. We happen to like a modern/industrial look, but honestly, Deri and her team are so skilled at bringing in gorgeous lighting and curtains, that it can feel like all kinds of spaces. And that stairway is absolutely perfect your entrance. Deri is incredibly creative and enthusiastic. We didn't really know what we wanted our wedding to look like, and she was awesome at negotiating between just telling us what to do when we were stumped and getting us to figure out what we wanted. Finding TFAC was the core of our whole, amazing, wedding experience.
Jordan M
5.0
7/21/2024
Amazing venue!! Deri and her team were incredibly detailed, nice, strategic, efficient, and creative.
Why I picked the venue: central location to old town, very easy for guests to walk around, no rain plan needed, beautiful views for cocktail hour, able to have wedding start in evening and end at midnight, unique art
Nate B
5.0
7/13/2024
Deri and her team truly brought our wedding vision to life! We are so thankful for Deri and the amount of work she put into our wedding to make it so meaningful and memorable for us. Deri is attentive, passionate, caring, and a true visionary that has your best interest in mind and will do whatever it takes to make sure it comes to life. She's always willing to come up with creative options, thinks outside the box, and has your best interest in mind from working with vendors, providing recommendations on rehearsal dinner and lodging, to everything in between. We know that we were in great hands with Deri! Deri also makes herself available to meet (over the phone and in person) whenever you need it and we are so appreciative of her! We are so happy we chose to start our union on Union! Highly recommend Deri and TFAC!
Mackenzie B
5.0
6/24/2024
Had the best wedding here, and Deri was the best to work with! Would absolutely recommend this space, having everything in one place and in such a great area really made the wedding for everyone.
Sejal P
5.0
4/30/2024
We held our high school prom at the Torpedo Factory. And, WOW, what a night it was!! From the recommended vendors to the event planning staff it was perfection and the best prom ever. We had 700 students in attendance. It went off without a hitch. The event staff helped guide us through all of our desires from check in to hanging decorations to the final clean up. We used Bittersweet Catering, DMV Flowerwalls for decoration/360 Photobooth, ACPD and DJ Modern Box/DJ Amplitude. Everyone should use these amazing vendors and recreate our night at the Torpedo Factory. You will be so happy you did. I am so grateful to this amazing team that pulled off a lifetime of memories for our Juniors, Seniors and staff.
Deja E
5.0
3/25/2024
Deri Collington made my event unforgettable! I’ve never had such a seamless process while planning event as this one. From touring the venue, reservations, communication, professionalism, customer service, execution, EVERYTHING was perfect!
Nick R
5.0
3/25/2024
We can't say enough good things about the Torpedo Factory Art Center and their lead event person, Deri. The Torpedo Factory was all we hoped it would be for our wedding. If you are looking for a unique wedding venue and you are focused on having the best dance floor ever then the Torpedo Factory is for you. Right on the waterfront in the heart of Old Town Alexandria this venue is amazing for those looking for a city wedding. We can't say enough good things.
edmund s
5.0
3/25/2024
We held our wedding reception at the torpedo factory last year and we loved it. At first i was a little hesitant about the size because we were expecting over 200 guests, but seeing it all laid out it was perfect. Nobody was cramped and there was still plenty of walkway and dance floor. Renting out the second floor as well was such a great addition to how guests used the space. It allowed people to step out of the action without removing themselves entirely from the event. The art galleries in the torpedo factory were a greay addition to the space as well. They captured the attention of the guests during the cocktail hour but during the core of the reception they seemed to fade into the background. The lighting in the displays can be adjusted to whatever balance along that line works best for you.
The real highlight, though, was the event team. Deri and her team were always responsive, and she was always supportive, but never at the cost of honesty or realistic expectations. She wanted us to succeed and went above and beyond to make sure we could.
This is a beautiful, adaptable, and unique venue, and you will be in good hands working with Deri.
Jessie l
5.0
3/21/2024
The Torpedo Factory is truly a one-of-a-kind venue. Our guests couldn't stop talking about how cool and unconventional the spot was. It provided the perfect backdrop for our special day, and being surrounded by art added an extra layer of excitement and charm.
One of the highlights was the convenience of the location. Not only was it easy for us to organize a rehearsal dinner beforehand, but we also had the opportunity to host an unforgettable after-party. The proximity to hotels made it incredibly convenient for our guests, ensuring that everyone could enjoy the celebration without worrying about transportation.
Deri played a pivotal role in making our wedding dreams a reality. Not only did she recommend exceptional vendors who exceeded our expectations, but she also contributed her own creative ideas and valuable insights throughout the planning process. Deri's professionalism and dedication were truly commendable, and her collaboration with our wedding planner ensured that everything ran seamlessly on the big day.
In summary, our experience with Deri, her team at the Torpedo Factory surpassed all expectations. It was a day filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories, and we couldn't have asked for a better team to bring our vision to life. We wholeheartedly recommend Deri and this venue to anyone looking for a truly extraordinary wedding experience.
Emily M
5.0
3/08/2024
First off, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is an absolute dream venue. It is beautiful, unique, and affordable (relative to other venue expenses!) Old Town Alexandria is such a beautiful and charming neighborhood as well, and all our guests enjoyed staying there.
However, the main reason that the TFAC is so amazing is because of Deri, the venue manager. Immediately, she made my husband and I feel right at home and so much less stressed about the planning. She handled EVERYTHING and went so above and beyond. Even post wedding, she is helping me tie up some loose ends. I can't speak highly enough about her professionalism and her clear passion for her job and making your wedding day perfect.
I can't recommend the TFAC enough for your wedding day!
Jonathan Y
5.0
12/29/2023
Wonderful place with amazing handmade art, and artists were very kind, the artist allowed us to touch some things and were willing to show us how things work, and what they are or what they represent.
Meg L
5.0
6/30/2023
My husband and I recently were married at the Torpedo Factory Art Center on May 13, 2023. We fell in love with the venue the minute we walked in. It is such a unique venue being a live art gallery during the day and transforms into a private venue at night. The venue is right on the water with a beautiful view of National Harbor. We loved the industrial vibe which fit our theme perfectly. We needed a place that could fit our unique theme and fun vibe and it was perfect. Not only was it a perfect place for our wedding the staff was unbelievably helpful. Deri and Joslyn the two even coordinators who worked with us and our wedding planner tirelessly wen above and beyond to make sure our special day went as smoothly as possible. You will not find a wedding venue that cares more about you or your wedding. I am a person who has worked in customer service since I was young and my service expectations are high and they exceeded all my expectations. I highly recommend using the Torpedo Factory for your next big event you will not be sorry.
Dillon H
5.0
6/02/2023
We are so glad we decided to have our wedding at the Torpedo Factory Art Center. While we looked at a lot of nice, more generic venues before the Torpedo Factory, we knew that TFAC was THE perfect match after touring the space with Deri (who manages the space). Unlike the other venues, we liked that we would have the entire venue - which really is THE prime location in Old Town - to ourselves. We also liked that, while the space had lots of character, it was easy to dress it up and make it our own. And while it was initially hard to imagine how the quirky, artist-filled space could transform into a wedding venue, Deri (with the help of her handy-dandy iPad) does a great job showing you pictures of how other couples used the space. We had the cocktail hour on the third floor overlooking the water, we used the second floor catwalk for our string trio during the ceremony and for a confetti shower at the end of the night, and we took full advantage of the first floor for the ceremony, then dinner and dance floor. Our guests really enjoyed being able to explore the entire building and said that moving between all the spaces made the event feel like it was unfolding (with lots of surprises) over the course of the night. We would highly recommend TFAC!
Caitlin V
5.0
5/25/2023
We held our wedding at TFAC and it was INCREDIBLE! Event staff were so helpful and easy to work with, and we loved that it was a unique location that was special to us. We got SO many compliments on the space! Highly recommend if you're looking for a venue with art, history, and lots of charm!
Jaylen S
5.0
5/09/2023
I am never the type of person to write reviews but I totally feel inclined to do so after having my wedding at TFAC. From the day we toured the building, we knew we could mold the space into what we imagined for the big day. All workers at TFAC were so helpful and kind and made everything so easy leading up to our wedding day as well as the day of and subsequently the day after to pick up our items. Our guests loved how unique the space was and its proximity to everything in Old Town Alexandria. Any time any of my friends get engaged, the first thing I do is recommend TFAC. The space was absolutely perfect and everything I imaged plus more.
Heather B
5.0
4/22/2023
We really loved Torpedo Factory Art Center. It was the perfect venue for our wedding. The staff was phenomenal and just made the entire process wonderful from the beginning to the end.
Crystal W
5.0
4/18/2023
Deri was amazing! My guests are still talking about my wedding! Deri is professional, fun and just an awesome person! Everything w
I wanted she made it happen! No stress at all!
Tracy C
5.0
4/17/2023
Deri and her team are unparalleled!! Our wedding was an unforgettable event because the Torpedo Factory team went above and beyond to ensure a flawless ceremony and reception. Only rave rewards from our family and friends. Could not recommend this venue and team enough.
Samuel L
5.0
1/16/2023
We loved having our wedding at the Torpedo Factory. It's such a unique space and was gorgeous when lit up at night. Deri is super enthusiastic and has plenty of ideas to share with you from previous weddings, especially on how to save money. She also somehow made my dream of displaying basketball highlights during our cocktail hour possible. The team knows what they are doing. Important to know that the art center is open until 5pm every day, so weddings start 630pm at earliest, and good to have vendors who know the space and can work quickly to turn it around.
Rebecca B
5.0
12/13/2022
We had a holiday party here and it was just fantastic! Although our event wasn't a wedding, I can only imagine how beautiful it would be. The venue is amazing and the staff was even better. Attention to detail and the help they provided was the best ever! I cannot say enough good things about them. If you choose the Torpedo Factory you will not be disappointed!
Laura O
5.0
11/14/2022
The Torpedo Factory gave us the wedding venue of our dreams, and in particular we loved working with Deri Collingwood. We were already big fans of the Torpedo Factory as a reclaimed art center, but from the day Deri gave us our tour, we knew it would be perfect for our wedding. TFAC is modern and artsy; different and cool; spacious and impressive (as our guests told us many times!). It was exactly what we were looking for, and Deri provided us so much help in our 1.5 years of planning - not only helping us feel comfortable when we were getting overwhelmed with planning, but also coming up with so many great ideas for how we could DIY things to save money. We loved having our wedding at TFAC, and our guests did too. Its story as a former torpedo factory that has been reclaimed by artists is something you won’t find anywhere else, and very special. The location is ideal - on the waterfront (at a great price!), walking distance to tons of cute Old Town restaurants and hotels, close to DC and the airport. We also really appreciated being able to drop off wedding items the night before and pick them up the day after the wedding. We highly recommend working with Deri - who was just an absolute pleasure to work with, endlessly positive - as well as Richard, Jocelyn, and the whole TFAC team.
Tim H
5.0
8/19/2022
My wife and I had booked the Torpedo Factory for a 2020 wedding and that.....didn't happen due to world events. However, we got married anyway via official signatures and 2 years later decided we still wanted to throw a "wedding"/anniversary party with our family and friends. Luckily there were open dates with the Torpedo Factory, and we jumped right back to where we were two years previous. Deri, the event manager, made everything so easy for us and was a great help in managing and contacting the other vendors needed for the event. The space itself is obviously great, and with the right lighting touches and caterer setup can really transform into an amazing wedding space. Deri again was fantastic in providing examples and helping us envision how we were going to set up the wedding. It was a great night, and went so smoothly knowing the venue had it all under control. We highly recommend for weddings OR two-years-later anniversary parties.
Stephanie D
5.0
8/10/2022
Choosing the Torpedo Factory Art Center as our venue may have been one of our best decisions throughout the wedding planning process! First, let me give a HUGE shout-out to Deri, the venue's private event manager. Deri was a true joy to work with - she went above & beyond at every step of the process. Her optimism and creativity (and her handy iPad!) energized us, and her professionalism and experience prevented anything from falling through the cracks. The venue itself is absolutely beautiful, and unique in all the right ways. TFAC is a blank slate that we were able to customize in whichever way we liked, and is in an incredible location at the bottom of King Street in Old Town; hotels, bars & restaurants, and other attractions are all nearby. We had an amazing wedding at TFAC and could not recommend the venue more highly!
Matt H
5.0
7/02/2022
We loved our wedding at the Torpedo Factory! Working with Deri was awesome. She is creative, fun, a problem solver, and has a great eye for detail. Deri made coordinating with the other vendors feel organized and smooth, so everyone was on the same page for the big day. The venue is awesome and Deri has a great sense of how the day can flow to utilize different parts of the space. Highly recommend both the venue and Deri as your day-of planner.
Emily B
5.0
6/23/2022
Wow what a great experience it was working with Deri! When we were planning our wedding we were quite overwhelmed with all of the moving parts and details and especially the day of. As a very detail-oriented person and slight control freak, I was very anxious to make sure that everything was getting done in a timely manner. Deri was always responsive to my emails and texts and emanated a calm professional energy that eased my anxiety. Deri kept all aspects of the planning process moving. She also put together a flawless timeline and floor plan while giving us recommendations to make sure we would have the most perfect day! Additionally, she had our backs in terms of finding us cost savings and working with vendors to make sure we weren't getting stiffed on any of our contracts. She was truly a lifesaver and would absolutely recommend working with her to anyone!
Lauren C
5.0
6/12/2022
Absolutely amazing! The Torpedo Factory Art Center is a unique and special venue. It provided the perfect space for my husband and I to really tailor our special day to us. It took a ton of work but Deri Collingwood always had sympathy, support and tons of ideas. She was so helpful and organized that I felt stress-free the day of and felt taken care of throughout the planning process. I cannot recommend this venue more. The Torpedo Factory became our one-stop-shop, we had an artist custom make our wedding bands, I had an artist press my bouquet and we had guests give us gifts from the artists. It was unforgettable for us and our guests.
Rosemary M
5.0
4/26/2022
Torpedo Factory was the perfect location for us. It’s always held special meaning to us and has a cool, unique vibe. Deri Collingwood and her team thought of everything for us and worked with us through rescheduling twice during Covid - lifesavers and such fun to work with through all of it! Highly recommend!
Sarah T
5.0
1/20/2022
The Torpedo Factory Art Center was the perfect venue for our October 2, 2021 wedding reception! As Alexandria natives, we definitely wanted to stay local to the city, and what better place than this historic Old Town landmark that embodies Alexandria. After postponing our wedding for a year, we went through many of the ups and downs of planning a wedding during a pandemic, but Deri, the event manager at TFAC, made the date change and planning feel effortless in a very stressful time! She was reliable, attentive, caring and responded to our every need. Her bubbly and upbeat personality was an added bonus, which kept us calm and smiling throughout the planning process. Deri was excellent in providing us with recommended vendors that had previously worked at TFAC. We stuck to the list of vendors that she recommended and were more than pleased with all of them. On our wedding day, Deri seamlessly worked with all of our vendors, including our day-of coordinator, and made sure everything went off without a hitch— at least as far as I know, and that’s the most important thing, right?! I highly recommend this beautifully unique wedding venue and can’t thank Deri enough!!
Maureen F
5.0
12/05/2021
We're a pretty unique couple ... non traditional in every way, but we have a fairly traditional family. So when it came to finding a venue that allowed us to mix traditional and non-traditional elements for our wedding, the Torpedo Factory was a no-brainer. The art is amazing, the history is incredible, the location allows for so many guests to explore, and the staff ... especially Deri ... are just perfect professionals and LOVE delighting their renters!!! Honestly, the wedding was BEYOND our wildest imagination and it was (dare I say) easy!!! That was truly because Deri and the team there went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed AND if it wasn't readily available ... they found it or found a work around for it. We could not have found a more perfect partnership AND gorgeous venue!!!! 100% recommend!!!
Kayla L
5.0
11/02/2021
Our team over at Your Plan A Events had an amazing wedding weekend at the Torpedo Factory this past weekend. This venue is so unique and truly fit our couples vision of an artistic inspired space. Deri the teams Private Event Coordinator was so easy to work with and the best at communicating through this whole wedding prep process.
John O
5.0
9/20/2021
We absolutely love the Torpedo Factory! Not only is it one of our favorite places to visit when we are in Old Town Alexandria, it was an absolutely perfect venue for our wedding. From the art, to the industrial vibe to its prime location on the Potomac River, everything about the Torpedo Factory contributed to an absolutely magical occasion. If you love art and want a truly memorable venue for your wedding this is the place for you.
We also want to shout out Deri at TFAC for going above and beyond to make our day so special. Every step of the way, including a year long postponement due to COVID, Deri was a steady hand guiding us in how to plan the best wedding possible. And on the day of, Deri was an absolute force in making everything happen without a hitch.
Charlie M
5.0
8/03/2021
Hosting our wedding at TFAC was the best decision we made. Our July 31, 2021 wedding was originally planned for May 30, 2020, and we postponed the wedding twice. Over the entire time we worked with the coordinator, Deri- over two years- Deri was super responsive, patient, and kind. She supported us through a lot of emotional and difficult decisions to postpone, etc, and was a true rockstar. She was easy to work with, and knowing she was at the helm day-of made us feel at ease because we knew we would have a stress free day- which turned out to be exactly the case! The TFAC is such a fun place to host a wedding because it is a gorgeous and fun location, and it transforms into a beautiful and lively space for a wedding. This venue does require a lot of coordination because you need to hire all of your own vendors, but TFAC has recommended vendors who can provide comprehensive services. Even as someone who sat on the executive board of my college's event planning club, I would recommend hiring a coordinator or planner to help you manage everything.
Tania H
5.0
6/14/2020
We had a great time planning a surprise proposal with the exceptional service given to us by Deri Collingwood, Private Event Rental Manager, Torpedo Factory Art Center. In fact, without Deri's help, I could not have turned a venue turn into a surprise proposal. She helped us throughout the planning the day and decorating of the venue with such confidence, that everything was kept a secret and the surprise proposal itself was as thrilling as the first day. Highly recommend my favorite venue and definitely seek out Deri's recommendations. She knows what she is doing.
Jason G
5.0
1/28/2020
Fantastic venue! It's got a great unique aesthetic, completely transforms when they set up the lights and curtains, has a great patio for a cocktail hour and lots of visually interesting spots in old town for photos.
They were completely on top of things and really easy to work with.
Most importantly, they're dog-friendly. Which is both unusual and a big deal when a key member of your wedding party is a beagle puppy. He was a good boy and a good best man.
Blerta B
5.0
3/01/2019
I am so happy we decided to get married at the TFAC. The coordinator (Shai) was absolutely amazing to work with. Very professional, accommodating, quick to respond and just overall wonderfully helpful. Waqas was there on the wedding day and was so helpful as well. Just great people to work with. The venue was perfect and it got transformed into a beautiful space for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. It was great to have everything done in one space. The fact that they have recommended vendors is such a relief. They all work together seamlessly and the wedding was just perfect because of it. Thank you again Shai and Waqas for all you did for us!
Janine H
5.0
7/22/2018
The Torpedo Factory was initially to serve as our cocktail hour and reception venue. We tented the patio through Sammy’s Rentals for cocktail hour and held the reception indoors. TFAC was wonderful every step of the way. When we needed to postpone our wedding due to personal issues, they went out of their way to make it easy for us. Ultimately, it rained heavily the week before our wedding, so we had to move our ceremony under the tent as well. Shai from TFAC was wonderful to work with and helped us work through the changes. When the wedding at TFAC on Friday night decided that they did not want the tent during their wedding, and we had to move the tent set-up to Saturday afternoon before our wedding that evening, TFAC offered to reimburse us for any fees incurred with the Saturday tent inspection. Everything went very smoothly, and we strongly recommend TFAC.
Kassie C
5.0
7/11/2018
This venue was so amazing. It was so unique and different with industrial and artistic flair! Our guests were mostly from out of town and just loved the venue! It was an added experience to be able to see the artwork and such while also attending our wedding! The staff at the Torpedo Factory was amazing as well, Shai was very responsive and accommodating through the entire process. Highly recommend this venue!
Lindsay L
4.0
10/31/2017
The Torpedo Factory was the PERFECT venue for our wedding! It's an artsy space that also feels like a blank canvas, so it's perfect if you're looking for a city chic vibe but also want your wedding theme and decor to stand out. It's right on the water with boats and a pier, which makes for beautiful photos and a nice backdrop for the cocktail hour. The third floor (where we had our Ketubah signing) is filled with artists' galleries with funky art, which was another great setting...and not a bad plan B if you need to hold your cocktail hour inside.
A few downsides... 1. You can't get in until 5pm. After booking, we quickly realized that vendors need way more time to set up. As a result, we had to pay extra for the caterer to bring additional help and our band was not able to test their sound equipment before they played. 2. The coordinator is difficult to work with. She responded quickly on email but the answers were usually short and confusing. We had to rent our own ropes for the cocktail hour (venue's requirement) and she told us we needed three times as much rope as we needed, which resulted in hundreds of dollars of unnecessary rental costs. She also couldn't find the final payments we sent, and tried to track us all down the morning after the wedding when we were still celebrating with friends and family.
Overall, I'm glad we held our wedding at The Torpedo Factory, just make sure to ask a lot of questions and make sure it works for your timeline!
Andy Z
5.0
10/25/2017
Beautiful venue on the water in Alexandria. Great if you're looking for something a little bit funky and nontraditional. Keep in mind that you need to bring in everything yourself the week of your wedding and have it out a day or two later - this can add a lot of stress when you are finishing up final details! The lighting package is basically required - it looked amazing, but did add an extra cost. You also need to rent all of the furniture, which will add additional costs. We loved our wedding there and found Shai very easy to work with. I was worried about how the sound would work, but it came out totally fine (our DJ set up on the second floor).
Gina G
5.0
9/27/2017
This venue was the perfect setting for an eclectic wedding with guests coming from all over the world. Location is perfect as it has many hotels, Old Town to walk around, metro access to air port and downtown DC. It's not like being stuck out in the middle of no where. The Torpedo Factory (TF)itself is unique, but not weird. We tented the outside as we expected nice weather but didn't want to be forced inside by a few drops of rain. No rain, but provide some privacy. If you don't want the general public watching your wedding, have it inside. We thought it was kind of nice to have extras watch our ceremony. The Torpedo Factory security keeps out non-guests, so no worry there. We got married looking at the Potomac, under the tent. PERFECT in my mind. We also had our cocktail hour out there. The tent company Rent-All-Center was recommended by TF and easy to work with as were all of the vendors that TF recommended. Once inside the TF art center was transformed into a beautiful dining room for 100+ guests, bar and band/dance floor. The lighting company John Farr did a fabulous job as did the caterer DC Cuisine (both recommended by TF) The TF Manager was precise , prompt and easy to work with. I never felt confused. I also knew she wouldn't drop the ball on anything. I highly recommend this venue and town. Of note, I'm not overly easy to please and drive a hard bargain and I was extreemly pleased by this venue.
Tanya P
5.0
9/22/2017
We looked at a lot of different types of venues but immediately dug the Torpedo Factory for its funky, nontraditional vibe, and it's really great value for how much space you get (especially compared to other venues in the DC area!). All our guests commented on how cool the space was and how easy it was to get around Old Town. (Bonus: There's actually stuff for your guests to do close by, so less coordinating for you!) Shai was basically a lifesaver — she answered all my million questions very promptly and even consulted with my parents a few times. One thing to note: You can't get into the venue until 5 pm the day of the event, so if you're having both your ceremony and reception there, it will probably have to be a later start time to give you enough time to set up (our ceremony started at 7 pm). Would highly recommend this space!
Kimberly S
5.0
5/10/2017
If you're looking for a venue that is outside of the box, impressive and unique (at an affordable price btw), look no further! Shai (the event coordinator) was phenomenal with her correspondence, friendliness and professionalism. Her assistant, Waqas, was just as great to work with and he provided support on the day of our wedding, he was wonderful!
When you enter the venue on a business day you can see the character, culture and historic allure that the building has and they can really transform the aesthetics of the venue for weddings and special events. The location is perfect as it borders the beautiful Potomac and it is right in Old Town for after party events! Parking is available on streets and in parking structures nearby (for a fee), logistically this is a pretty decent area to have an event for out of town visiting attendees.
You can't go wrong with this venue, it will provide artwork to keep your guests entertained as well as a lovely romantic interior for events like weddings.
Jill M
4.0
11/11/2014
With the lighting, flowers and food stations that we had at the venue, it looked amazing for our wedding reception. After being to 30+ weddings, we were looking for something a little unique, and I think we found it. It was extra work and money because we had to rent or buy every little thing for the space. Overall, I'm happy we chose that venue for our wedding.
Suzanne C
5.0
6/02/2014
The Torpedo Factory is absolutely gorgeous for a wedding venue. It is a unique venue and the fact that it is on the water in Old Town Alexandria makes it even better.
Susan G
5.0
1/17/2014
I held both my ceremony and reception at this venue. The space is amazing. It's very modern and architecturally interesting, which also made it easy for me to pull off the vision that I was going for. I'm not super traditional, so this place was perfect for me. You do have to bring everything in yourself, but they're pretty flexible in letting you choose the vendors. The only required vendor is the lighting guy, and he did a great job so no complaints there.
Shai, the events coordinator, was extremely easy to work with. She was very professional and offered great suggestions and advice when we did the walk through. They were very flexible as well, allowing us to add on services later as we realized we would need them. We were able to rent out a studio for the guys to hang out in before the ceremony and to keep all our stuff in until the end of the night. They also kept the Christmas lights up for me, which I requested, as they added to the ambiance. We went with a black and white theme, with a lot of lights and candles, so it went well.
The location is great, right in the heart of Old Town and in walking distance from a number of hotels and restaurants. It's also a great value. We were able to rent out the entire venue for a very reasonable price. In comparison to other places in the area, you really get a lot for your money.
Emily B
5.0
8/21/2012
Tara is awesome to work with & the venue is so unique that your guests will leave feeling as if they had a once in a lifetime experience!
Kaleen C
5.0
11/23/2011
If you are looking for a unique wedding venue in a great location, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is a great choice. We were looking for a venue other than your traditional hotel ballroom and fell in love with the Torpedo Factory. It looks more like an elementary school during the day with the white walls and primary color lights, but the Torpedo Factory staff and John Farr Lighting crew transform the space into a really elegent, very unique venue for private events. Our guests all raved about our reception and loved that it was located in Old Town close to great bars, restaurants, and hotels for all our out of town guests. This is definitely a spot worth looking into for a wedding.
Lindsay L
5.0
4/02/2011
We held our wedding reception at the Torpedo Factory in February and loved it! We had a cocktail hour, followed by a seated dinner and dancing for 190 people. The space is a bit unconventional... it's long and narrow and very industrial-looking. It's amazing to see the space transformed from a torpedo factory, to an art gallery, to a beautiful reception hall! It can be hard to picture the transformation when you first walk in, but by working with Tara and John Farr Lighting, you will create an amazing venue that you and your guests will love. Our guests especially enjoyed the catwalk, where they had a birds-eye view of our first dance, and could mingle during cocktail hour. Tara was very helpful through the whole process, and gave us great advice on how to set things up and make the reception go smoothly. The TFAC requires that you supply your own alcohol, which saves a lot of money when compared to open-bar costs at other venues. The Torpedo Factory is in a great location, right on the waterfront, and is only a couple of blocks from hotels, restaurants, and everything else Old Town has to offer. If you're looking for a unique venue, I strongly suggest you consider the Torpedo Factory.
Brett R
5.0
11/30/2010
The Torpedo Factory is a great venue for a wedding. It's very industrial during the day, but with the proper lighting and linens, it looks amazing. The layout is great for any type of wedding, but it was ideal for our heavy hors d'oeuvres cocktail type reception. We used just the north end for the ceremony and post-ceremony cocktail hour and then the entire space for the main meal and dancing. People could dance if they wanted, but they didn't feel pressured too. Tara Z-C, the TFAC Event Coordinator, was very helpful and friendly from start to finish. She was the only venue that we visited that followed up with us after the visit, and she gave us a ton of advice on how to set things up and how we should run the event. She kept us calm regarding the details and told us honestly if she didn't agree with one of our decisions. It was great working with her, and we highly recommend the space!
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$4,450 starting price
Torpedo Factory Art Center
Deri Collingwood
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