There are a few wedding venues in my past experiences that could be voted most likely to want to shoot at again, Trump National Golf Club is definitely in the top 5! And these photos will soon show you why.
Let’s face it: I’m a sucker for a luxurious country club. Northern Virginia has some of the most stunning country clubs on the East Coast. And it’s hard to deny that Trump facilities drip with beauty and architectural genius. This Trump National Golf Club wedding was a dream and I would LOVE to shoot there again.
Venue Details
This venue has it all. Gorgeously detailed stone lion fountains greet you in the roundabout valet drive. A quaint tennis house makes for a beautiful, naturally lit bridal suite off to the left of the lot. Then there’s the bold, white pillars hold up a charming balcony, where I’m kicking myself for not pulling the bride into for a photo the day I was there.
Then inside, the little ornate gold details and stunning moldings and trimmings make you feel as though you waltzed into an era of American royalty. Mahogany wood and comfortable but formal furnishings only reinstate the masterful design of the interiors. Any bride getting married here will feel like a princess!
The reception space is, to this day, my favorite to have photographed. The large floor-to-ceiling windows let in glorious, golden light all day long. Also, the creamy walls only made the crystal chandeliers glisten all the more.
Trump National Golf Club Wedding: Cost & Pricing
Always consider getting a quote directly from Trump National Golf Club wedding staff. That said, hopefully this gives you enough information to either rule out or rule in this gorgeous venue for your wedding plans.
According to Here Comes the Guide, three things determine the overall bill a couple will get to book this venue for their wedding: Rental Fee, Guest Count, and Food & Beverage Minimums.
Rental Fee
Approximately $2000-$5000, depending upon the time of year. Be sure to call for an exact quote.
Guest Count
Assume you’ll pay somewhere around $160/guest or more to secure your wedding package. Their collections include food, alcohol, wait staff, an on-site wedding coordinator, dance floor, parking, and more.
Food & Beverage Minimums
Depending on what day of the week your wedding takes place, you could be expected to meet a food and beverage minimum of $10,000-$20,000.
Trump National Golf Club Wedding: Capacity
If you are hoping to have a larger event, this is a great venue option for you! The venue does not accommodate weddings with less than 75 people, and can host a party of up to 250. And trust me, those grand halls and spacious dance floor are begging for more pairs of feet to really make the event feel extra special.
Trump National Golf Club Wedding: Peak Season vs. Off-Season
If you are looking to save a little, consider hosting your event in the off-season. You may be able to score a lower rate. Wedding Wire estimates this venue charges for peak season rates between April and October. November through March are considered off-season.
Catering and Bar Services
If you have your heart set on third-party catering or bartending, you may have those hopes dashed. This venue exclusively offers its in-house catering and bar services. But don’t be too disappointed, because their food is amazing and their bar is well-stocked. They even offer signature drinks at your request.
Ceremony Spot and Other On-Site Locations
For your Trump National Golf Club wedding, you’ll get acquainted with five spaces:
- The outdoor ceremony platform, nested on top of the impressive waterfall sculpture overlooking the golf course.
- The stone-laiden patio, which provided a beautifully shaded and reflective area to get this bride and groom’s First Look photos. Also great for cocktail hour in warmer, sunny months.
- The clubhouse, which I largely described at the top of this post. A stunner inside and out!
- The grand ballroom, a truly Cinderella-worthy space to dance the night away.
- The bridal suite, situated next to the tennis courts.
See photos of these locations on their website, HERE.
Insider Knowledge From a Wedding Photographer for Your Wedding at Trump National Golf Club
You can read their whole website and talk to their event specialist, but sometimes it takes insider knowledge to learn the ins and outs of a venue. After serving as a wedding photographer at Trump National Golf Club, there are some things I learned you may want to keep in mind before dreaming up your photos:
- Make sure you reserve golf carts from the venue. We actually had a hard time working with their golf staff to give the bride and groom the ability to go out into the course for photos. Luckily, the planner they hired came to the rescue and provided shuttle transportation down the steep hill, but beyond that we were largely stuck to fend for ourselves for a cart or walk by foot around the course.
- Do NOT try to get photos in front of the waterfall sculpture while there are still golfers on the premises. They will yell at you for this. We were escorted away from the sculpture for fear of flying golf balls. It was embarrassing, a little frustrating, but the photos and light at that spot wasn’t much worth it anyway.
- Definitely don’t miss out on getting down to the golf course for photos. As you’ll see, there are a LOT of gorgeous spots, particularly with golden hour light, that you won’t want to miss.
- The gorgeous ceremony spot sits in harsh sunlight, even in the cooler winter months of the year. If you are getting married in the summer, this is the one time I recommend providing wedding favors like fans to your guests. Definitely have water available. Visit the venue at the time of day you hope to have the ceremony to check out the lighting. Photos will likely show harsher shadows unless it is an overcast day, just fair warning.
- The best place for a First Look, in my opinion is the Stone Patio. For Sparklers during your Fake Exit, Controlled Exit, or Faux Exit, use the front entrance!
- If you want indoor photos, the staircases are gorgeous backdrops! There is also some beautiful natural light in the west hallway upstairs.
I served Adam and Erica as their second shooter alongside Julia Summers Photography.
For more weddings in my portfolio, check out some of my faves below!
