We stumbled upon the Atrium by chance. My aunt went to a birthday party there earlier in the year and commented on how beautiful it was. While the party was in a smaller room, she said it wouldn't hurt to check if they had a larger space for weddings.

I emailed Gary, the Director of Hospitality, not expecting much. Given my experiences with people who work full-time in the wedding industry, I was a bit jaded by this point. However, not only was the space available on a Saturday during our fall break, but they had three different wedding packages that we could choose from.
Jeremy and I decided to go with the Platinum Package that includes: a 6-hour facility rental with 2 extra hours for personal set-up, gourmet catering, upgraded linens (personalized aisle runner, tablecloths and overlays, coordinating napkins, and chair diapers with bows), centerpiece elements (mirrors, votives, and Eiffel tower vases), a lobby canopy to complete the office building-to-wedding venue transformation, and a fully-stocked candy bar for $10,500 for 100 guests.

Did I get your attention on that one?

Well, what if I told you that the price also includes a photographer (with an engagement session and 4 hours of coverage the day of the wedding), DJ, a cake that looks like whatever Lu and I dream up, a bartender (and Lu and I can bring in our own alcohol instead of paying a ridiculous price per person), a hostess, setup and cleanup, and all taxes and labor charges?

The grand total for our wedding package for 150 guests and a plated dinner is $11,900... on a Saturday... in the DC-area... 5 months away. Don't you just love all-inclusives?


Okay, so what's the catch? Does the place really look like garbage, is it in the middle of nowhere, are there hidden fees and up-charges, are the vendors lame and inexperienced?... What is the Atrium hiding??

So far, nothing... and I've been looking. The only negative point is that it only holds 200 people -- 150 for a seated dinner. However, that's more of a problem for our guest list than anything else!

I've asked Gary almost every question in the book and have received nothing but direct, prompt, and courteous responses. They've just done a great job negotiating with vendors to put together an amazing package at a great price. The Atrium gets booked, the vendors get a consistent stream of clients, and the bride and groom are happy.

Enough of my rambling. Here are some of the Atrium's highlights, beyond being budget-friendly:

• The venue is gorgeous. It's all windows and skylights, and it fits our elegant, vintage theme perfectly.

• The location is great. It's walking distance from the New Carrollton metro station, so our guests are a short ride away from Washington, D.C. The hotels that we've booked also have shuttles to the station, so no parking -- or car, for that matter -- is required.

• Gary is amazing to work with. Like I said, I've been bombarding him with every question I can think of to ask, and he's been personable, professional, and responsive. He's even invited us to the venue on Sunday to see a wedding set up in action. On top of that, Gary's great by email or phone, and he isn't afraid to put what he says in writing -- SO important!

• The vendors are accommodating and also transparent. They all have detailed, professional websites with examples of their work. Instead of getting push-back or hearing about what they "typically don't do, but...", I've been stunned more than once by their willingness to really make this day about Lu and me. (Isn't that how it's supposed to be after all?) I'll go into individual detail about them in future posts, but here are some comments they've made:
• From the baker, "The cakes you've suggested are beautiful, but they're all pretty simple to make. If that's your style, then that's totally fine with me. But you do realize that you can make it as detailed and elaborate as you want, right? Feel free to go crazy!"
• From the photographer, "I can't wait to meet you and your fiance. I've done so many weddings, but each is unique. This is your once-in-a-lifetime day. Just let me know what I can do to make it perfect."
• From the caterer, "I normally do tastings right in my home, so you're totally relaxed and don't feel rushed. They can last 30 minutes, or we can chat and eat the whole afternoon!"
• From the DJ, "I have a document that I'd like you to fill out going over the mood of the day, the songs you want to hear, the ones you don't.... Just let me know what your vibe is. I can play anything."
• From the décor person (my favorite quote), "I really like the Harlem Renaissance theme. We can do some fun things with that. I can't wait to meet you guys on Sunday to pick out your linens and candy!"

• Most importantly, our wedding will truly be a reflection of Lu and me. From the color of the linen overlays, to the design of the cake, to the food that's enjoyed, to the wine that we choose to serve, to the music that we play, to the way that the photographer captures it all... We will have a customized wedding that screams Lu Valentine.

My advice to any bride and/or groom? Get creative, and go corporate!