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I was recently at the Hillsborough Winery out in the Purcellville Virginia and it just happens to be a great place for a wedding. I chatted a bit with the owner Bora Baki for some information. The first thing to note is they are building a large extension to the current dining area as well as a large back patio. I can't recall when it will be done but I am sure it should be completed by March 2007 (I recall he has weddings booked for April 2007). 

So why a wedding at Hillsborough? Well the views are spectacular and you really feel like you are far from any fast-paced city. The second is that they do weddings well. They are a family run business that take great pride in their property and wines. They only work with one caterer that does a great job and they will go above and beyond to create the wedding of your dreams. You can have an outdoor ceremony, a tented dinner, dancing inside — however you want. The bottom line is they have a great reputation for weddings for a reason. Give them a call or just go on a casual Saturday afternoon for a glass of wine (my favorite is Opal, a classic white) and check out the property. It's stunning.

 I hope you don't mind the family photos!

 http://www.hillsboroughwine.com/weddingTour.htm 

I recently had the pleasure of going to the Embassy Suites which is located in the West End of Downtown (close to Dupont and Georgetown) and meeting with their new catering manager Kalyani Rogers to tour their facility. From the second you walk into the hotel, you feel like you are in a tropical garden. The lobby is filled with foliage and a huge waterfall that has a calming and soothing sound. You experience this throughout the hotel because each floor is open to the hotel and you can overlook the lobby from all floors.

This hotel is a good choice for weddings because it is much more than ‘just a hotel’ and has a lot of options for weddings. First of all the attractive ballroom boasts beautiful chandeliers, can accommodate 170 for a seated dinner and they are very flexible on the menu. Some of the signature items you can choose from include Soy and Miso Marinated Tuna and Pepper Crusted Petite Filet of Beef but if there is something specific you want to serve, they are more than happy to work with you.
The second reason is there is no additional fee for the ballroom. There is a minimum to spend on food and alcohol depending on season however it is very reasonable. Also, there are several places to have a cocktail hour – there are is a large raised area in the lobby that is perfect as well as an outdoor patio to get the festivities started.

What else is really cool? Well, to start, the bride and groom’s wedding night suite is on the house and the hotel offers group discounts. Also, every morning there is a free breakfast buffet for all guests and a free full bar happy hour from 5:30 – 7:30 as well. The bride and groom get a suite on the night of their wedding on the house and they offer room block discounts for your guests. Oh, the fish in the ‘lobby stream’ by the waterfall are pretty cool too — I think they are koi fish but not sure. They just look cool!

They also have a room with a large TV for videos, a pool, fitness room, game room and Nicola’s restaurant is located on the first floor. The hotel has recently been renovated and rooms are generous.

What is not to love? It’s not the traditional Washington D.C. hotel but after your guests tour the monuments during the day, they’ll love to come back to the relaxed tropical feeling of this hotel.

Contact Kalyani Rogers for more information.
202.857.3388
Kalyani_rogers@hilton.com
www.washingtondc.embassysuites.com

Ballroom Pictures:

Hotel Lobby:

A Suite: