Blackwall Hitch Alexandria Wedding: Dylan and Christina
Updated: 12 hours ago
Updated November 2026
By Mantas Kubilinskas, Washington, DC wedding photographer
Is Blackwall Hitch a good wedding venue in Alexandria? For the right couple, yes. It sits at 5 Cameron Street on the Old Town waterfront. Its private spaces range from a 35-seat room to a patio for 130 seated guests. Dylan and Christina's day shows how the glass-roofed rooms, brick streets and dance floor come together.
Getting ready
The morning was busy and relaxed at once. Christina got ready in a dark lace robe. Two friends laughed in the bathroom mirror while doing makeup. Others sat on the bed in robes, glasses in hand. Someone lifted the gown on its hanger like a trophy.
Across the way, the guys were in waistcoats, checking their phones. One poured a drink from a decanter by the window. Another stood in his tuxedo beside an ivy wall.
I don't stage these moments. I watch for them. A friend kneeling to fix Christina's shoe tells you more about the day than a posed shot ever could.
Portraits
Before the ceremony, Dylan and Christina shared a kiss on the cheek on a tufted sofa. Then we made portraits under the sloped glass roof, where the light is soft and even. They held hands in front of a colorful painting on a blue wall.
Umbrellas and Old Town streets
The groomsmen carried black umbrellas, and Christina had a white one. We walked the wedding party down an Alexandria street with bouquets and umbrellas. Christina and her friends in teal laughed by a hedge. The couple stood in front of a gabled wooden building and by a lamppost with pink flowers.
The venue is in Old Town, so a short walk gives you brick sidewalks and old facades. If you like that look, see Old Town Alexandria waterfront engagement photos and Paul and Kristin in Old Town.
The ceremony
The ceremony took place outside on brick paving, with guests in rows on both sides. A young guest in a striped tie sat very straight. Christina walked arm in arm toward Dylan. They kissed between the rows as people cheered.
Afterward, guests gathered around a man in a wheelchair. I love photos like that. They show who mattered to the couple.
Ceremony timing at Blackwall Hitch
The venue's wedding page says ceremony spaces are booked for one hour. That's 30 minutes before the ceremony and a 30-minute ceremony. Plan your arrival, music and family photos with that window in mind.
The reception
The grand entrance was loud. One guy raised both hands as guests cheered. During the first dance, Dylan and Christina moved forehead to forehead. A guest in blue clasped her hands as she watched.
Then the dance floor filled. A guest swung a child by the hands. A little girl in pink rode on someone's shoulders. A man in a bow tie danced with bent elbows. Christina kissed the hand of a seated guest by a lettered brick wall.
Toasts brought out the phones and glasses. The night ended with a group hug, Dylan and Christina in the middle.
Rooms and capacities
Blackwall Hitch lists several private spaces on its wedding page. These numbers come from that page as of November 2026.
| Space | Seated | Standing | Notes from the venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain's Quarters | 35 | 45 | Floor-to-ceiling windows over the Dockside Patio |
| Crow's Nest | 60 | 75 | Full bar, river views |
| The Bridge | 50 | 65 | |
| King's Room | 100 | 150 | |
| Potomac Patio | 130 | 200 | Fire-pit tables |
| Dockside Patio | 30 | 50 | |
Ask the events team to confirm the layout for your guest count. That includes ceremony chairs, dinner tables, the bar and a dance floor.
Planning notes from a photographer
Food, drinks and vendors
The venue offers plated, buffet or station menus. Outside catering and outside alcohol aren't allowed. You can bring your own licensed vendors. Microphones and TVs are available for toasts or slideshows.
Weather and portraits
Have an indoor plan for portraits. A bright spot under the glass roof works well. Umbrellas also make good photos, as Dylan and Christina's wedding party showed.
Getting there
The venue lists street and garage parking. Call (703) 739-6090 to confirm details for your date.
Timeline tips
Build in a short buffer between the ceremony and the grand entrance. It gives you time for family photos and a few minutes alone. Tell me who must be in the family photos before the day, so the list moves fast.
What I photograph at a reception like this
I keep an eye on the edges of the room as much as the dance floor. Grandparents at a table, kids running between chairs, a friend wiping away a tear during the toasts. At Dylan and Christina's wedding, some of my favorite frames came from those small corners. Good light helps, but the people make the photos.
More Alexandria and Virginia weddings
For another Old Town venue, see this Morrison House wedding in Alexandria. For gardens by the river, read about a River Farm wedding. Comparing places? My guide to Washington, DC wedding venues helps. So does this page on Virginia wedding photography.
How I work
I'm Mantas Kubilinskas. I've photographed weddings for 15 years, based in Washington, DC. My style is documentary, with calm direction during portraits. See more on my wedding photography page.
Blackwall Hitch wedding questions
How many guests fit at Blackwall Hitch?
It depends on the space. The venue lists the Potomac Patio for 130 seated or 200 standing, and the King's Room for 100 seated or 150 standing. Smaller rooms start at 35 seated. Ask the events team to confirm the layout for your guest count.
How long is a ceremony booking?
One hour. The venue's page lists 30 minutes before the ceremony plus a 30-minute ceremony. Plan your arrival, music and family photos with that window in mind so the schedule stays calm and nobody feels rushed at the end of it.
Can we bring our own caterer or alcohol?
No. Blackwall Hitch doesn't allow outside catering or outside alcohol on the wedding day. You can bring your own licensed vendors, such as a photographer or DJ. Microphones and TVs are available for toasts or slideshows if you want to use them.
Where can we take portraits nearby?
The glass-roofed rooms give soft light indoors. Old Town's brick streets are a short walk away for portraits. Ask the venue which areas you can use on your date, and keep an indoor backup ready if the weather turns against you.
How do I check your availability?
Send your date and venue through my contact page. I'll reply with availability and how I usually cover getting ready, portraits, the ceremony and the reception at a Blackwall Hitch wedding, from the first look of the day to the last dance.
