N° 86 — February 2nd, 2022
Stay in touch as we celebrate Washington Youth Garden's 50th Anniversary. Enjoy our updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and WYG.
Award Winning Weddings
The U.S. National Arboretum was recently named a "2022 Best of Weddings" award winner by The Knot.

This award is given to the top 5% of wedding vendors in the United States, and is based on reviews and ratings from couples, families, and wedding guests. We are honored to be considered one of the best reception venues in the United States!
Weddings and private events at the National Arboretum are run by FONA in partnership with MTG Hospitality. Our venue rental program offers an array of wedding packages that allow couples to choose between a number of catering partners and location options.

Our wedding program makes it easy for couples to seamlessly celebrate their big day.

Photo by: H'ART SPEAX
Mission Driven
Our venue rental program helps people connect to nature in Washington, DC both during the event and long after. A portion of this program's revenue directly supports the Arboretum's mission of horticulture research and open greenspace. It also supports FONA's mission and other programs like Washington Youth Garden.

There are a very limited number of 2022 summer and fall dates still available for weddings and events.

Vendor Corner
Spilled Milk Catering is a long-time catering partner with our venue rental program and is a South Asian-owned business run by chef Amit Gulati.

Spilled Milk's bold and exotic flavors bring an "eclectic and international approach" to event catering. They work closely with each client to create fresh and flavorful menus that reflect their personalities.

Photo by: Anna Peters
GetPlated Catering is a Black-owned business run by husband and wife team Keyon and Alexandria Hammond. We're excited to welcome GetPlated Catering as one of our catering partners for the first time this year!

As the "home of cultured, hip, and refined food", GetPlated's menus are custom-made for each client and inspired by the seasons.

From the Couples
One of our 2021 wedding couples remarked:

"We searched for a venue for more than a year, both in and out of DC. Although other venues met the cookie-cutter criteria, we were searching for "magical" and were never quite able to find it... until we visited the National Arboretum. DC is a bustling place, which is why we live here and love it. But for our wedding, we wanted to feel transported to some place truly special, unique, and connected with nature.
The Arboretum IS that place...The Arboretum represents the best of both worlds. It encompasses the natural untamed beauty you want to lose yourself in, but is within the city and conveniently co-located among top wedding vendors and services. You really can have it all.

Furthermore, top notch ratings go to Natalie and her team for running a tight ship. Highly responsive, highly professional, and will do whatever they can to make sure your special day is exactly that. The National Arboretum exceeded our expectations. We couldn't have asked for a better day."

About our Partner
Natalie Thomas, founder of MTG Hospitality, first learned the fundamentals of customized VIP service while working as a staffer in both Senate and House Congressional offices. Natalie grew up in Texas and graduated from Boise State University and currently resides in Washington, D.C. Her favorite hobbies are reality TV and plant-based cuisine.

The Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM except December 25th. Some buildings and collections remain closed to ensure visitor and staff safety.
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