Yes, rehearsals are included at no additional cost subject to availability. 

We do not place holds on dates until a tour is completed with NSDAR staff and the Event Questionnaire has been submitted. We only accept holds on one date at a time. 

Holds are right of first refusal until the date has been contracted and deposit paid. A date can be held no longer than 2 weeks. 

If the requested date is available, then yes. 

Yes. Most of our weddings choose to host both components at our spaces. Generally, our exterior Portico facing the Washington Monument is used for ceremony and cocktail hour, with the O’Byrne Gallery for dinner, before returning to the Portico for dancing under the Rotunda. 

In the event of weather, the ceremony can be moved to the O’Byrne with the Library serving as cocktail hour. The O’Byrne would then be flipped by your caterer for dinner service with dancing occurring in our Pennsylvania Foyer. 

The Library is open everyday except Sundays from 8:30 AM to 4 PM and till 5 PM on Saturdays. Events taking place in the Library may not begin load in until the Library is closed to the public. 

Unless the Library is explicitly booked or utilized for a weather plan, it will be off limits during an event. 

When the Library closes, NSDAR staff will remove carts and signage. Tables, lamps, computers, and the reference desk remain and are not to be moved. 

The Upper Level is never included as part of usable space for an event, including photos. 

Yes. All vendors and the licensee are required to provide a COI. Exact terms are outlined in the License Agreement. 

Furthermore, all vendors are required to sign a Venue Acknowledgement that they have read and reviewed the building policies. Vendors who sign and violate the agreement will be barred from working at DAR in the future.

Yes. Food trucks may be allowed if approved by supplying the necessary health department reports and insurance information. A full service caterer is still required for the entirety of your event and provide staffing. 

DAR does not provide any parking for food trucks and the client will be required to pay for the necessary metered spaces. 

No, we do not provide any parking. The exception to the rule is the caterer ONLY who may use our loading dock on D St. 

Metered parking on C St can be reserved through DC Department of Transportation. Please contact NSDAR staff directly for this information. 

Please also know that NSDAR staff and security does not serve as your parking enforcement for these spaces. 

Yes. We have a preferred list of vendors.

During your walkthrough, we’ll customize a weather plan that best suits your event’s needs. Generally, all outdoor receptions would move to either the O’Byrne Gallery and/or Library at no additional cost, if not already included in Rental Agreement. 

Weather determination must be made no later than two days prior to the event.