When is comes to an immersive wedding experience for you and your guests, nothing beats a destination wedding, but sometimes, flying 300 people to a tropical beach location is just not in the cards. Enter the MGM National Harbor Resort and Casino, a multi-experience, 23-story hotel with 308 rooms, 135,000 square feet venue that offers the excitement of a destination with the local proximity of a banquet hall. From a world-class gaming experience, to celebrity-chef driven restaurants, a full-service spa and beautifully appointed rooms, MGM National Harbor has a little bit of something for everyone on your list.
Located on the picturesque Potomac River, just off the Capital Beltway Outer Loop, the two-year old mega complex is an architectural behemoth of shining white glass designed with a centralized casino perimetered by restaurants, a food court, event space, luxury shops, outdoor terraces, a theater, parking garage and a swimming pool. Throughout the property, commissioned art pieces by local and national artists set the scene including an iron gate designed by Bob Dylan and a mural by Margaret Boozer made from the actual earth excavated during the building process.
The Wedding Details
As a wedding venue, MGM National Harbor is an experience for the senses. The main MGM Grand Ballroom is an elegant ballroom with an attached terrace that can seat up to 840 guests. The second Bellagio Ballroom can host 240 seated guests. With soaring high ceilings, soundproof insulation and stunning oval chandeliers, it doesn’t take much décor to elevate the modern elegance of the ballroom into a personalize reflection of the couple. But beyond the expected amenities of a five-star hotel like the in-house frosted glass cocktail tables, metallic champagne chairs, and modern serving stations, what makes this venue stand out for South Asian weddings is actually one thing… one man really. Chef Inder Suryawanshi is the Executive Chef of Banquets, and his culinary vocabulary is an exciting draw. With his training from the Kohinoor College of Hotel Management in Mumbai, the award-winning chef’s career has taken him to Dubai, around the US and has garnered him an invitation to participate in the James Beard house dinner in 2016. His background as a pastry chef and his culinary curiosity results in South Asian dishes enhanced with molecular gastronomy. Think a roasted, smoky cauliflower salad kissed with a spicy cilantro lime dressing and topped with cranberry caviar and edible flowers.
“I’m constantly reading books and watching food shows,” says Chef Inder. “It’s here that I get my ideas. I keep trying to create something new.” And new he does well as he plays with scale and proportion to reinvent traditional South Asian cuisine presentation. So much so that having his creative cuisine at a wedding is seen as a status symbol by some within the South Asian community.
Chef Inder is equally talented in other international cuisines and skillfully creates wedding menus that harmoniously bring together multiple global flavors together. Since MGM National Harbor is LEED gold certified and integrates environmentally responsible practices to lower its carbon footprint, Chef Inder’s kitchen naturally uses local and responsibly sourced ingredients as much as possible in the menus.
The Before and Afters
MGM National Harbor has many unique event spaces beyond the ballrooms, and couples can host pre-and post-wedding festivities around the property adding excitement and variety for their guests. For example, plan a welcome dinner at Fish by celebrity Chef José Andrés or at Voltaggio Brothers Steakhouse consider having the ceremony at sunset outdoors on the terrace with its reflecting pool and dancing fountain. The Mehndi/Sangeet can happen in the Bellagio Ballroom, and post-wedding brunch can be orchestrated poolside or at the delicious pan-Asian Ginger. Of course the after party will undoubtedly find its way onto the 24-hour casino floor where guests will find slots, poker, roulette, blackjack and more exciting games. Live music, cigars, craft beer and cocktails made by master bartenders can be had at the sexy Felt Bar and Lounge, while gamers can tuck into the Blossom Cocktail Lounge located in the middle of the casino floor. And if one feels hungry later in the night, causal dining can be found at the nine fast casual eateries at the National Market. Did we mention the 3000-seat theater that has seen performances from artists like Cher, Brittany Spears and Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan? (Not on the same night, but wouldn’t that be a collaboration?)
A dedicated Banquet Captain
Bridal ready room
Room blocks for guests
Clubroom for suite guests with complimentary drinks and snacks
Not to be missed, the Spa and Salon offer a respite of pampering for the bridal party and special guests. The Spa and Salon can create any package or service that the couple may want from a romantic couple’s massage, to a bachelorette beauty party with champagne and smoothies, just ask them. And the Fitness Center is an expansive, clean space with new machines and on-demand video classes.
With all of its offerings, MGM National Harbor delivers the vibe of a destination wedding within easy reach of those living within the DC metro. Not only will you and your guests be treated to a beautiful bridal experience, but you’ll also enjoy the unique memories and camaraderie that occur when groups of people are together over the course of a few days. And when it’s all said and done, home is simply just a drive away.
Specialized South Asian menus including pure veg menus, and Tandoori dishes
Live food stations can include Chaat Chowpathy, Desi Tacos, Desi Chinese or a Lassi Bar.
Wedding cake from the on-premise renowned Bellagio Patisserie
Complimentary one-year anniversary 6-inch cake
Complimentary tasting for up to six guests
Photos by Regeti’s Photography/MGM National Harbor
