Venue Recap: The Lorien Hotel + Spa
After years of photographing some of the most amazing weddings in the DMV, our team has decided to look back at some of our favorite photos from our favorite venues. Next up in this series is the charming Lorien Hotel + Spa in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.
With close proximity to DC, the Lorien Hotel is the perfect getaway for your wedding weekend. Located in historic Alexandria, this Kimpton property is laid-back elegance without a big city feel. Their event and catering staff are a treat to work with and will help you to customize their spaces and menus to fit all your wedding needs. Exclusive catering by their on-site restaurant Brabo, helmed by executive chef Sebastien Rondier, guarantees a delicious meal for you and your guests. The guest rooms are beautiful and make it easy to minimize travel for everyone attending the wedding, and as a bonus, they offer a complimentary room for the newlyweds.
With space for seated receptions of up to 100 guests or cocktail receptions of up to 125 guests, multiple ceremony spaces and cocktail hour options, this venue is truly versatile. And we love that you can say “I Do” on the rooftop with stunning views of the city!
It’s a smaller venue compared to others in the DC area, so grand locations are hard to find, but there is no shortage of great spots for intimate portraits. The private, outdoor terrace spaces are a great spot for a first look or bridal party photos with amazing textured brick as a backdrop. And we love to do a few nighttime portraits under the bistro lights!
The Freedom Terrace features a large ivy-covered trellis, oversized mirrors, and a contemporary in-ground fire feature. Perfect for banquets up to 20 guests or receptions up to 45 guests, and a great spot for portraits.
We recommend one of the hotel’s suites for getting ready photos. The Presidential Suite in particular is quite nice, and the natural light there is great. It’s nice if makeup can be done facing the door to the outside, and if the bride can put on her dress in the living area of the suite, to maximize the natural light in your photos.
Pro tip: Be sure to bring a step ladder/stool for a rooftop ceremony. Another nice shot, but a little hard to get, is a long lens shot from the other rooftop area, and it’s one of the few ways to get a tight, establishing shot.
The rooftop terraces are perfect for ceremonies up to 80 guests, or a cocktail hour up to 60 guests and offer sweeping views of Old Town.
Being in the heart of Old Town, you can easily pop out of the hotel for some fun portraits on the cobblestone streets or head a block away to the King Street Gardens Park.
Donna Vaughn, Director of Catering + Convention Services, shared with us the 3 Best Reasons to have your wedding at the Lorien Hotel + Spa:
Kimpton Lorien Hotel & Spa’s modern, but elegant feel fits right into the classic Old Town aesthetic, but feels like a calming spa retreat tucked away on King Street – the perfect calming vibe for any high-style couple on their wedding day!
Our outdoor spaces are truly one of the best things about the hotel. From our terraces that hang above King Street that can be set for a ceremony overlooking Old Town Alexandria in the background, to a private outdoor courtyard great for cocktail hours or engagement parties, to Old Town’s signature historic brickwork that makes the perfect outdoor photo op, these outdoor venues shine at Kimpton Lorien Hotel & Spa.
The food and beverage at Kimpton Lorien Hotel & Spa is sourced directly from the award-winning team at BRABO with our executive chef Sebastien Rondier at the helm. Couples can enjoy delicious restaurant-quality food straight from BRABO’s kitchen at their wedding events with flexible menus featuring French and Belgian classics, creative station options and inventive signature cocktails all without worrying about hiring an outside caterer.