DC Venue Spotlight: Swann House
Historic DC Mansion with Charm
If you’re on the hunt for a venue that feels like a refined home away from home then take a look at Swann House. Located in Dupont Circle, this restored 140 year old home brings all the romance of a historic mansion along with the modern upgrades. Crystal chandeliers, carved fireplaces, original plaster moldings, and those little intricate details you just don’t see in modern buildings anymore showcase the stories of the past, while the newly renovated spaces give you everything you could want when celebrating your big day.
Basically, Swann House is the kind of venue that makes your micro wedding feel personal and still stunning and polished. However, this historic mansion isn’t just a pretty setting, it’s a piece of DC history.
Built in 1883 by artist/architect Walter Paris, it is one of Dupont Circle’s oldest freestanding mansions and a listed National Historic Place. Over the years, it has hosted Washington’s elite including a 1912 society wedding attended by President Taft and J.P. Morgan all while preserving many of its original features. After a thoughtful restoration in 2023, Swann House now blends 19th century grandeur with modern boutique hospitality.
A Venue That Feels Like Home
One of the things we love most about Swann House is how it invites your guests to settle in and stay awhile. It offers a layout that is designed for mingling, moving, and making beautiful memories. The ground floor is made up of five connected spaces, each with its own personality. You can start with a sweet, seated ceremony for up to 50 guests, flow right into cocktail hour for up to 75, and then settle into a seated dinner with 45 of your closest and dearest people.
And the best part? The party doesn’t have to stay inside. There’s a hidden little courtyard by the pool that’s perfect for fresh air breaks, photoshoots, or even hosting your cocktail hour outdoors.
Whether you are planning an intimate, formal dinner or mansion party vibe, the space adapts to you.
What’s Included
Swann House gives you a beautiful foundation for your event and layers in thoughtful amenities to make planning run even smoother. With each rental, you will have access to:
All five event spaces (indoor & outdoor)
Wi-Fi for you and your guests
A kitchen prep space for the caterer
Built in sound system for music and all the toasts to you
A built in bar area
Looking for more? Well, you’re in luck. You can also add on premium touches like a baby grand piano, up to four private parking spaces, and (maybe the best part) overnight guest rooms upstairs. Just imagine having the micro wedding of your dreams and your wedding suite is just a staircase away.
Not Just for Weddings
Swann house is ideal for micro weddings, but it’s also an incredible spot for engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, or even a post wedding brunch the day after. It’s versatile and feels like you’re hosting a party in a friend’s (very fancy) home.
Plus, being in Dupont Circle means you are right in the mix of DC’s best dining, hotels, and attractions which makes it easy to make your big day a full weekend.
Your Perfect Match
For couples who are envisioning a micro wedding that feels intimate and stylish without the fuss or chaos of a huge venue then Swann House is definitely worth a tour. It isn’t just a venue, it’s a home with a story. From its 19th century beginnings to hosting high society weddings, it has always been a space for meaningful celebrations. Today, it gives couples the rare chance to create new memories in a place where history and elegance all come together.
Venue Photo Gallery
The Tiny Wedding Collective offers all-inclusive elopement and intimate wedding planning services for Chicago, Washington DC, Northern Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland. A Tiny Wedding is for couples who want to celebrate their commitment in a thoughtful, stylish way but don’t want the stress and fanfare of a big, expensive wedding. Not all couples fit inside the same traditional box and it’s time that we make space for inclusivity, diversity, and creativity. To find out more about what it’s like to work with us, please fill out our contact form here.