Some couples tell us their guests like to dance. Ally and Matt told us, and then their guests proved it within the first hour. Their reception took place at the Hotel Monaco in Old Town Alexandria, a boutique hotel on King Street where historic brick sidewalks meet a lively restaurant and nightlife scene.
Below, we cover what makes this address a strong pick for a Northern Virginia wedding, how we approach the music and sound in its event spaces, and the story of the night Ally and Matt’s crowd refused to sit still.
Venue Spotlight: Hotel Monaco in Old Town Alexandria
Located at 480 King Street in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, The Alexandrian Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection puts couples and their guests within walking distance of King Street’s shops, restaurants, historic streets and the waterfront. The hotel is the current name of the property formerly known as Hotel Monaco Alexandria.
Why couples choose this address
- Old Town location. The hotel is located directly on King Street, putting guests close to Old Town Alexandria’s shops, restaurants and waterfront.
- Convenient for out-of-town guests. The property is about 0.8 miles from King Street Metro station and approximately 3 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The hotel also offers complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.
- Stay on site. The hotel has 241 guest rooms, including 11 suites, with accommodation options that include one-bedroom and bi-level lofts.
- Dining on site. King & Rye is the hotel’s restaurant.
Photo by Angel Kidwell
Event spaces at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event space | 9,285 sq. ft. of flexible event space |
| Old Town Ballroom | 2,352 sq. ft., with banquet capacity for up to 180 guests |
| Courtyard | 3,520 sq. ft. private outdoor space, with banquet capacity for up to 200 |
| Catering | In-house catering with customizable options and accommodations for dietary restrictions |
| Guest rooms | 241 rooms, including 11 suites |
| On-site restaurant | King & Rye |
The hotel’s wedding information specifically describes 9,285 square feet of event space for weddings of up to 180 guests. The Old Town Ballroom has a listed banquet capacity of 180, while the courtyard has a listed banquet capacity of 200.
The catering team offers customizable menus and says it can accommodate dietary restrictions
The DJ Experience at Hotel Monaco Alexandria
Every reception has its own rhythm, and part of a DJ’s job is knowing when to stick to the timeline and when the room is telling you something different. Ally and Matt’s wedding at Hotel Monaco Alexandria was a great example of that.
Reading the room
A wedding timeline gives everyone a plan, but the reception itself can change that plan. If guests are ready to start celebrating earlier than expected, we work with the couple, planner, and event team to make adjustments without losing the flow of the evening.
That is exactly what happened at Ally and Matt’s wedding. Their guests were already eager to start dancing during dinner, so the schedule was adjusted and the cake cutting was moved earlier in the evening.
Music for the crowd
The right music mix depends on the people in the room. For Ally and Matt’s reception, DJ Mike and DJ 9-Volt moved through Motown, funk, Top 40, ’90s hip hop, Michael Jackson, and Madonna.
And there was one song that made a repeat appearance: “Call Me Maybe,” which was played twice at the bride’s request.
Photo by Angel Kidwell
Featured Wedding: Ally & Matt
From the moment Ally and Matt booked with us, DJ Mike had a feeling their wedding was going to be a blast. Their reception was held at Hotel Monaco in Old Town Alexandria, and the couple had already told us that their family and friends loved to dance.
They weren’t kidding.
Guests started getting restless during dinner and were ready to get the party started, so we reshuffled the schedule and moved the cake cutting earlier in the evening. From there, DJ Mike and DJ 9-Volt kept the music moving with a mix of Motown, funk, Top 40, ’90s hip hop, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and, at the bride’s request, “Call Me Maybe” twice.
The bridesmaids were dancing in flip-flops for most of the evening, and by the final song, guests were wiping sweat from their brows.
That’s a pretty good indication of how the night went.
Photos by Michelle Lindsay
Final Thoughts & Let’s Plan Your Celebration
Hotel Monaco Alexandria gives couples a rare combination: a walkable historic neighborhood, an easy trip in from D.C. and the airport, and a ballroom sized for a packed, high-energy crowd. Ally and Matt’s night showed what happens when a lively guest list meets a team willing to toss out the script and follow the room.
If you’re planning an Old Town Alexandria celebration of your own, we’d love to hear about it. Tell us your date, your venue and the songs that get your people moving, and our Professional Wedding DJ team will shape a night that feels like yours from the first dance to the final track. Reach out today to check availability.
