Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium

Raw space venue

The venue will provide just the space. You’ll bring in your own caterer and vendors.

Full wedding (ceremony and reception) pricing

Starting at $50,000

Guest capacity

Up to 690 seated guests

About this venue

The Andrew Mellon Auditorium stands, without question, among the very finest classical buildings in America. The gilded auditorium and lobbies are among the nation's most magnificent interiors. With its stunning columns and classic styling, over 10,000 square feet of indoor space, and a gorgeous balcony with impressive views of the city, the Andrew Mellon Auditorium is a premier location for weddings, conferences, galas and receptions. Ridgewells Catering actively manages events at the Mellon Auditorium. Our team is uniquely equipped to guide you through every step of the planning process. When you host your event at the Mellon, you also have the opportunity to also book catering, design, and planning services through Ridgewells. From detailed timelines and custom menus to full-service design, staffing, and vendor coordination, we help simplify every detail so that you may relax and enjoy a truly effortless event experience.

Seated guest capacity

  • 150-690

Venue type

  • Ballrooms, Banquet Halls
  • Historic Estates, Mansions

Venue setting

  • Covered Outdoor
  • Indoor
1301 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20240

Our event spaces

Main Auditorium

The most memorable D.C. experience you could give your guests.

The Andrew Mellon Auditorium stands, without question, among the very finest classical buildings in America. The gilded auditorium and lobbies are among the nation's most magnificent interiors. Inside the ballroom, with a built-in stage as the main focal point, anywhere from 30 to 690 guests can fit comfortably for a seated dinner and program, or up to 1,000 guests can mingle for a standing reception.

Guest capacity

Up to 690 Seated

Up to 1000 Standing

Square footage

8,000

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Wedding shower, Engagement party, Welcome party, After party, Baraat, Cocktail hour

Guests often feel this space is

“Luxurious and chic”

Included in this room:

When renting the space, you will have full access to the entire Mellon building which includes the Foyer, the Main Auditorium, the three Green Rooms, the 3rd Floor Lobbies and Portico, the Balcony, and the lower-level restrooms.

Room cost

Venue fee is $50,000 on Saturday and $45,000 on Sunday-Friday.

Foyer

The most memorable D.C. experience you could give your guests

The Andrew Mellon Auditorium stands, without question, among the very finest classical buildings in America. The gilded auditorium and lobbies are among the nation's most magnificent interiors. The marble lobby welcomes guests into the majestic building with space for registration, drinks and coat check.

Guest capacity

Up to 200 Seated

Up to 400 Standing

Square footage

4,116

Ideal for

After party, Cocktail hour

Guests often feel this space is

“Luxurious and chic”

Room cost

This space is included in the rental fee

Green Rooms

The most memorable D.C. experience you could give your guests.

The Andrew Mellon Auditorium stands, without question, among the very finest classical buildings in America. The gilded auditorium and lobbies are among the nation's most magnificent interiors. The Green Rooms are ideal for a ceremony, an upscale cocktail reception, or after party space.

Guest capacity

Up to 200 Seated

Up to 400 Standing

Square footage

4,878

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Rehearsal dinner, Wedding shower, Welcome party, After party, Cocktail hour

Guests often feel this space is

“Luxurious and chic”

Included in this room:

Included in the rental rate.

Room cost

Included in the rental fee

3rd Floor Space

The most memorable D.C. experience you could give your guests.

The Andrew Mellon Auditorium stands, without question, among the very finest classical buildings in America. The gilded auditorium and lobbies are among the nation's most magnificent interiors. Our 3rd floor exterior balcony is a private getaway for VIP’s or guests who want to take in the views of the Washington Monument, Constitution Avenue museums and the Capitol Building.

Guest capacity

Up to 100 Seated

Up to 300 Standing

Ideal for

After party, Cocktail hour

Guests often feel this space is

“Luxurious and chic”

Included in this room:

Access to our outdoor Portico.

Room cost

Included in the rental fee

Portico

The Portico features one of the most beautiful hidden views of DC with an expansive view of the National Mall and Monument!

This outdoor space is perfect for VIP guests to mingle or for the couple to hide away for a moment of privacy. The backdrop of the National Mall is a photographer's dream!

Guest capacity

Up to 75 Seated

Up to 200 Standing

Ideal for

Wedding reception, After party, Cocktail hour

Guests often feel this space is

“Surprised and delighted”

Room cost

Included in the rental fee

Main Auditorium

The most memorable D.C. experience you could give your guests.

The Andrew Mellon Auditorium stands, without question, among the very finest classical buildings in America. The gilded auditorium and lobbies are among the nation's most magnificent interiors. Inside the ballroom, with a built-in stage as the main focal point, anywhere from 30 to 690 guests can fit comfortably for a seated dinner and program, or up to 1,000 guests can mingle for a standing reception.

Guest capacity

Up to 690 Seated

Up to 1000 Standing

Square footage

8,000

Ideal for

Wedding ceremony, Wedding reception, Wedding shower, Engagement party, Welcome party, After party, Baraat, Cocktail hour

Guests often feel this space is

“Luxurious and chic”

Included in this room:

When renting the space, you will have full access to the entire Mellon building which includes the Foyer, the Main Auditorium, the three Green Rooms, the 3rd Floor Lobbies and Portico, the Balcony, and the lower-level restrooms.

Room cost

Venue fee is $50,000 on Saturday and $45,000 on Sunday-Friday.

Available services that can be provided by Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium

Services & amenities

  • Clean up
  • Event staff
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Wifi

Transportation & access

  • Valet - paid
  • Wheelchair accessible

Reviews

Write a review

5.0 out of 5

4 reviews

Write a review

  • Wedding at the Mellon

    •Verified review
    •Maggie C.•May 27, 2025

    We had our entire wedding night at the Mellon Auditorium- ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and after party. It is the most gorgeous venue in D.C. hands down and the team matches the space. They are exceptional, warm, welcoming, helpful etc. We had our family come in multiple trips to the venue and they were accommodating and lovely every time. It is the perfect venue.

  • Andrew Mellon Auditorium - a magical place!

    •Verified review
    •B R.•Aug 31, 2020

    We had our son’s Wedding Reception in Andrew Mellon Auditorium in September, 2019. When we wanted to look at the venue, we contacted Jaime Ward of Event Emissary, who manages the venue, and she was so professional and helpful. She kindly agreed to be the event coordinator for our son’s Wedding Reception. We couldn’t have asked for a better venue! Having looked at a few hotel ballrooms, when we first looked at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium, we were awestruck! Even the pretty photos we had seen didn’t prepare us to visualize how magnificent it is! This venue is just magical. Not only are the inside of the venue, the exquisite foyers, and the great hall, also, the surroundings - a photographers’ dream. During the months leading up to the Reception, we were in contact with Jaime. She always answered our e-mails promptly and patiently answered our countless questions about logistics and such. Jaime’s supreme organizational skills took the stress out of everything! 0ur 450 plus guests were raving as to what a beautiful setting Andrew Mellon is. They were also all praise for the event itself – how thoughtfully organized and coordinated. Jaime was just brilliant at handling every aspect of the event, took care of every detail. Our son and daughter-in-law loved every second of their special event. It was so gratifying to see it all come together so beautifully on the day of the Reception. Our heartfelt and sincere thanks to Jaime for helping to make the wedding reception – the one to remember for our lifetime! Our advice to any bride and groom considering this venue – just do it and you will love it! Jaime and staff will go over and above to make sure your dream day will be a memorable one!

  • Beautiful venue - great wedding experience

    •Verified review
    •Danielle S.•Aug 16, 2020

    I have had the pleasure of working with the team at the Mellon professionally, so when it was time for my wedding I knew I would have a great experience in this space. The venue is one of the most gorgeous in DC -- the columns, balcony overlook, green rooms, and stage make this a really perfect venue for a wedding. We had our ceremony at a church, but if needed we could have held it in the two green rooms toward the rear of the building (look up photos, its gorg.) The venue itself just absorbs color, lighting and sound, so its easy to add some simple or even over the top decor to make this space fit for your vision. You can have a number of different floorplans and seating arrangements, so its uniquely versatile for such a large venue in DC The team was very easy to work with - the information that they have is very detailed, and they're happy to talk through the details, schedule walkthroughs, and answer questions as it relates to the contracts and requirements to host an event there. Since it is such a well oiled machine, the paperwork and details that the team shares is very straightforward and to the point, and they're always ready to help answer questions as it comes to suppliers, insurance, and general operations. They have vast experience with different suppliers, including caterers and wedding planners who are in the space all the time -- they really want to simplify the process -- which with this type of property can be quite challenging! The venue is absolutely gorgeous, and every single one of our guests were in awe of the size and scope of the space. Two things to remember - you'll have to get your dance floor through their team (which is easy because the install and dismantle is efficient) and the restrooms are on a separate level from the mail hall - but there are elevators and two beautiful staircases that make this not a big deal. We loved our day and wish we could relive it again!

  • Sales Executive

    •Verified review
    •Joel Wolke•Jul 29, 2020

    An elegant setting with the capability of hosting various sizes and style of events. The openness of the space allows great flexibility for set -up and the lobby, third floor terrace and green rooms offer great options for Pre-function Cocktails, VIP meet and greets and speaking holding areas. Unusual for Washington the space is available at any time and any day which allows for great flexibility for set up and actual event time. The Mellon is nicely situated -Located near many of DC"s attractions and hotels and access is easy from all DC areas as well as Suburban Virginia and Maryland.

Preferred vendors of Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium

Caterer
Ridgewells Catering
Bethesda, MD

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