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The U.S. National Arboretum is an enchanting setting in which to host a memorable wedding ceremony and reception or simply to take beautiful wedding photography. If you wish to have just photography done at the National Capitol Columns or a site other than the Dogwood Collection, refer to the photography page or contact the administrative technician at (202) 245-4544 for more information. For information about having your ceremony or reception here, contact the events office at (202) 245-2708 and read more information about ceremonies below.

Learn more about wedding photography

NOTE - Effective December 3rd, 2008
The National Arboretum is in the process of rewriting our facilities rental policy in order to expand our program. We plan to make more sites available and to offer a wider range of choices for your event. During this time of transition, we will not be able to take any new bookings. We expect to begin taking new bookings April 1, 2010, so please check back with us then for information on booking your event. Thank you for your interest in our facilities rental program.

Ceremonies and Receptions
Host your wedding and reception against the backdrop of the beautiful Dogwood Collection at the U.S. National Arboretum.

The collection slopes down to the Anacostia River, which can be seen from two overlooks. A long grassy alleé that leads to a fountain at the far end of the collection is lined with scores of mature dogwoods that bloom throughout the spring. The show starts in March with the yellow flowers of the cornelian cherry. Flowering dogwoods grace the collection in mid-spring, and the Chinese dogwoods bloom heavily as late as early June. Red fruits follow in summer, and leaves turn to coral, burgundy, and red in September and October. 

The arboretum's special events coordinator will assist you in booking your wedding event. You may bring tents, tables, chairs, trash receptacles, or other property as you require for your event. The special events coordinator will provide you with a list of pre-approved vendors and caterers you may contract with to provide event equipment and fare. Music and bands are permitted to make your special day complete. Champagne, beer and wine may be consumed after hours with the approval of the director of the arboretum. The special events coordinator will be happy to assist you with processing this request when you book your reservation. If you wish to work with a vendor that has not been pre-approved at the time you are making your reservation, please let the special events coordinator know when you reserve your site to determine if the vendor may be added to our existing list.  Allow 30 days for a new vendor to be approved to operate on the arboretum’s grounds. 

You may bring your own wedding photographer to capture every moment as you celebrate and enjoy your day amid the delightful scenery of the Dogwood Collection. Don't forget to take additional wedding photographs at the historic National Capitol Columns and reflecting pool. Situated adjacent to the National Herb Garden Meadow, in the heart of the arboretum, the columns preside gracefully over the sweep of space, creating an elegant and unique setting with which to remember your day. This site is available for an additional fee of $250 per half-day. Reservations are required to photograph at the columns. Reservations for this additional photography may be made by contacting the administrative technician.

• Learn more about the Dogwood Collection


• Learn more about the National Capitol Columns

Fees and Policies
The cost to use the Dogwood Collection for wedding ceremonies and receptions is $3,000 per day, with half-day usage available. This includes use of the space, water, parking, and public restroom facilities adjacent to the Dogwood Collection. A half-day usage is defined as four hours or less; a whole day usage is defined as more than four hours in a day. In all cases, usage includes all time during which a venue is committed, including time used to set up before and clean up after an event. In addition to the rental fee you will be asked to provide a $500 refundable security deposit when you make your reservation. The arboretum will also schedule security officers to assist with your event at an additional rate of $40.00 per hour, per officer, for the duration of your event.

Reservations for weddings should be made with the arboretum's special events coordinator. To ensure consideration, reservation requests should be made as far in advance as possible with a minimum of 15 calendar days prior to the date of use required for all reservations. The arboretum accepts payment as cash, check, or money order. Reservations to have your wedding photographs taken at the National Capitol Columns may be made with the administrative technician. The cost is $250 per half-day.

View the complete rules from the Federal Register (PDF: 73 K)

Booking Your Event
For more information and to book your event, contact the arboretum's events office at 202-245-2708.