PHOTOGRAPHY

Shelly Pate

Toolbox | Washington, DC Urban Loft Wedding Venue

Couple cheers with wedding party at Toolbox DC wedding

This is not your average wedding venue. Toolbox of Dupont Circle in Washington, DC is a Pilates Art Studio by day, and an event space by night! Its urban loft style design with high ceilings, exposed brick, and twinkle lights make Toolbox such a unique Washington, DC wedding venue!

A Couple’s Urban Dream

Couple exchanges vows at Toolbox DC wedding

Whenever I picture a chic, urban wedding set in a distinct building in Washington, DC–I picture Toolbox. It is every couple’s dream if they are looking for an urban loft feel tucked away behind a line of historic DC row houses.  

Upstairs, couples will find walls of exposed brick, wooden floors, and a ceiling covered with twinkle lights–perfect for the ceremony and reception. Downstairs, this daytime Pilates studio hosts walls covered with a variety of artwork. Most couples hold cocktail hour and dancing in this space that totally has an art gallery feel. There isn’t a dull corner inside this DC wedding venue!

Bride dances with father at Toolbox DC wedding

Their Story in Two Parts

Ketrin and Dennis had to delay their wedding a year due to large gathering restrictions in 2020. On their original wedding date, they instead eloped on a rooftop in Washington, DC. They had pictures from their elopement printed and displayed throughout the space so guests could enjoy them! Ketrin had worn a more casual dress for their elopement so their day at Toolbox was still the first time Dennis saw her in THE wedding dress!

Toolbox is located right between Dupont and Logan Circle in DC, so there are a ton of places to wander around and get great wedding photos! It was a rainy day, but thankfully it held off long enough to get some great shots! We found a beautiful building in Dupont with an awning just in case it started up again. We also pulled out some cute clear umbrellas for a little bit!

Bride holds wildflower wedding bouquet at Toolbox DC wedding

I really loved all the details that these two put into their day (SEE PICS BELOW!):

  • candles and greenery on the tables
  • the bride’s amazing textured wildflower bouquet
  • a phone “guest book” where guests could leave congratulatory messages for the couple!

A Perfect Match

Couple feeds each other dessert at Toolbox DC wedding

Toolbox is a unique, open urban space that combines that classic DC exposed brick with industrial details and I could not have chosen a couple better matched to this space! There are so many options Toolbox offers to suit the style of each couple by pairing them with various partnerships. While Ketrin and Dennis chose to have a beautiful plated dinner, other couples fully embrace the food truck vibes and have Timber Pizza Company provide their portable pizza oven for dinner. Ketrin and Dennis had the best of both worlds with the Captain Cookie truck providing the dessert!

Taking advantage of Toolbox’s unique local partnerships makes dessert super fun and memorable for guests! Also…those cookie sandwiches are LIFE CHANGING. 

A Life Together, Celebrating

Couple enters reception at Toolbox DC wedding

Following a Washington, DC rooftop elopement and engagement session in DC’s Eastern Market, these two definitely wanted to embrace an urban feel for their big day! When I first started chatting with Ketrin and Dennis and asked what they envisioned for their wedding day, they said they were looking for a comfortable, fun, and memorable vibe, “We want our guests to leave feeling like they went to a great party. All that matters to us is bringing the people that we love together and having a blast. That’s how we intend to spend our life together, always celebrating.

Following their Washington, DC rooftop elopement and Toolbox DC wedding–I would say they are off to a great start!

Are you feeling these urban DC wedding vibes? Let’s chat about your own wedding plans!

The Team

Dress | Lovely Bride, Rue de Seine
Day of Coordinator | Events Full Circle
Venue | Toolbox
Dessert | Captain Cookie
DJ | Washington Talent
Florist | Good as Gold
Caterer | Catering by Seasons

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