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New to WS...planning wedding

Started 8 months ago by KCBS
Latest reply from Jasperblu

KCBS
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My fiancee and I just moved to West Seattle from the midwest and want to get married this spring. Any suggestions as to unique reception venues? We've fallen in love with the West Seattle area and would love to have it there but are also open to other areas. Most guests will be coming from Ohio/Michigan area and it will be their first time in the Seattle area so we want something different than a typical hall, but at the same time have a tight budget. I can't imagine we'll have more than 50 people. Any suggestions? Also, any thoughts on the weather? Am I better to wait until May-ish if possible?

Thank you so much for your help!

Posted 8 months ago #
2 Much Whine
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Oh my, you are new aren't you? Wait until May for nice weather? ROFL! You might get lucky and have a nice weekend but odds are not in your favor. It has happened but if there happens to be a nice weekend it could just as easily be the weekend before or after your wedding. With that in mind I would suggest you plan it so nice weather is a bonus but not necessary for you to have your dream wedding. I think Camp Long is really a cool place - have you been there yet? It's got a pretty great NW feel and I don't think it is too expensive. There is also the Alki Bathouse (right on the water) and Kubota Gardens. I believe you should be able to find out more about all these places a click or two away from this link. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/ceremonies.asp Great luck and be sure to let us know where you decide to hold it!

Posted 8 months ago #
JohnM
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My daughter had her wedding/reception outdoors at SSCC arboretum. Really nice in August, not sure about April though.

Posted 8 months ago #
anotherwsmom
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Nice weather that time of year would be a miracle. I would have an indoor plan with an outdoor option if a miracle occurs. I love this space next to Hiawatha Park:
http://sanctuaryatadmiral.com/Home/

Posted 8 months ago #
westseattledood
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Give Vera Johnson a call. She own's http://www.villagegreenperennialnursery.com/index.shtml.

Beautiful wooded spaces.

Posted 8 months ago #
LisaRey
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If you're interested in unique West Seattle venues, I'd definitely recommend Sanctuary at Admiral (it's near Hiawatha). I attended a wedding there in July and kept looking for moments to explore the building and gape at the artwork. Here's their website, although the gallery does it no justice. You really have to see the space for yourself: http://sanctuaryatadmiral.com/Home/

Posted 8 months ago #
LisaRey
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Oops! Looks like I skipped anotherwsmom's comment. Well, consider my previous post as validation :)

Posted 8 months ago #
The Velvet Bulldog
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Echoing the sentiments of others: the Sanctuary is awesome, and don't plan on having nice weather. (Sorry.) Also, jumping the gun a bit, but here's a recommendation for a great West Seattle-based florist who does really nice work: http://sublimestems.com/

Posted 8 months ago #
add
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The Sanctuary is a beautiful place, but I found it to be pretty pricey and maybe a bit too large for a gathering of 50. If your budget is generous, then you might also check the Hall at Fauntleroy.

I haven't been there, but have heard good things about the Georgetown Ballroom. The website photos look like a fun and funky place!

Posted 8 months ago #
Rod Clark
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A few years ago I was walking around Kubota Gardens, climbing around on the trails up on the hill above the footbridge, when a group of miniature figures gathered in a grassy meadow far down below and proceeded to have what looked like a wedding. But from up there they looked to be about the size of leprechauns, and I couldn't be sure what they were doing.

It would be a lovely place for it, but there's no indoors there.

Posted 8 months ago #
bluenotebabe
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I work for Herban Feast and we do on and offsite catering. The Park at Sodo is probably too big for your needs, but keep us in mind for catering.

Also, if you need other help with planning, I can help you there also!

Posted 8 months ago #
EmmyJane
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We had a large reception at Salty's and my sister had a smaller wedding and reception there. The food was great for both and guests seemed to really like the views of the city (which I think is especially fun for people coming from outside the city). Off-season is cheaper there and if you meet their minimum then you don't have to pay something just to rent the room. I like the idea of that because your money goes toward food/drinks instead of just paying for a place to have it.

Posted 8 months ago #
Sybil
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We got married at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. It was a lovely space and it was really reasonable in price. Good Luck in your search!

Posted 8 months ago #
jayd
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Receptions at Salty's are pretty great. Beach weddings in the summer tend to be surrounded by / overrun with all the sunbathers and teenagers, so keep that in mind if you're considering that option. Also, while not in WS it IS close, a new venue just opened up called WithinSodo just on the other side of the bridge and it is saweeeet. Check it out!

As far as the date, my wife and I just got hitched on June 4th and definitely caught the first nice Saturday of the year, so to echo everyone else... May could be an issue if you're having it outdoors.

Oh, and this is my obligatory "if you would like an awesome West Seattle based photographer, give us a holler" comment :)

Good luck, and congrats!!!

Posted 8 months ago #
funkietoo
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Village Green Perennial Nursery from the south edge of West Seattle...beautiful place for a wedding and reception

Posted 8 months ago #
datamuse
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We also had our reception at Salty's and it went very well. Ours was kind of pricey, but we had 120 people and an open bar, so...you can rent a smaller room and just do beer and wine, or no booze at all. They were accommodating and easy to work with.

We had the ceremony at Seahurst Park in Burien. Bit quieter than the beach parks in West Seattle, but still nearby, and rental for the picnic shelter (we just used the grassy area right next to it) was something like $50. If you're not serving alcohol you could do the entire event there, really.

Camp Long would also work; we really liked it but it was too small (I think the hall capacity tops out at 75).

We had our wedding in late August.

Posted 8 months ago #
KCBS
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Thanks so much for all of your help! I will look into these...and I understand about the weather, I'll definately plan for indoors and cloudy/rainy weather!

Posted 8 months ago #
Mrsbui
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im helping with planning a wedding... any other cheap indoor ideas that allow alcohol?

Posted 8 months ago #
Mrsbui
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I heard about this cool place in Queen Anne... Anyone heard of it?

Posted 8 months ago #
datamuse
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KCBS: btw, our solution to the rain issue was to buy 120 umbrellas from the dollar store and hand them out. People wound up using them as sun parasols. We had some left over and passed them on to friends for their outdoor wedding the following year...

Posted 8 months ago #
bsmomma
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We went to a wedding at the building across from the Fauntleroy Church/YMCA. It has a gym/hall type area as well as outside. We got married on an old Ferry Boat called the Skansonia. June 24th was on a Thursday. It was VERY reasonalble! Included catered food, cake cutting,alcohol servers (we brought the booze), set up, take down, etc..... The ceremony was on the front of the boat (outside) but could very easily be moved inside in a pinch! I know a Thursday sounds crazy BUT you'd be amazed how much cheaper it is. Plus with enough notice, people can take Friday off. :)

Posted 8 months ago #
dhg
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I think the Fauntleroy Church followed by reception at Fauntleroy Hall is a very good option. The space is very nice.

Posted 8 months ago #
celeste17
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I was thinking of the West Seattle Golf Club. I went to a wedding there years ago.

Posted 8 months ago #
JoB
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definately not West Seattle
definately not outdoors
but very Northwest

Port Gamble, Wa

I was there recently with out of town guests and there was what looked like a modest wedding for 50 or so while we were there.

incredible setting and there are reasonable short term rentals for out of town guests... or maybe even for you:)

Port Gamble is an old restored logging town that you would swear was in New England. The company recreated the town for it's employees at the turn of the last century.

it's is all of about 4 blocks square and full of old victorian houses. The place where you get married overlooks puget sound where Hoods Canal enters the sound.

a great bbq joint has taken over the old gas station.

it's one of my favorite places and worth an afternoon's adventure simply to check it out. Anything that starts with a ferry ride is likely to be a good day:)

i described it to my friends as peaceful... like being out on a canoe..
only you are on land and there are restrooms handy ;->

Posted 8 months ago #
datamuse
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I drive through Port Gamble a few times a year. BBQ joint, eh? It is so damn hard to find good BBQ around here...

Posted 8 months ago #
Kevin
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Have you considered getting married on a boat? A VERY popular venue here in Seattle! Chartered boats come in all sizes and price ranges.

There is even one guy right here in West Seattle who is VERY reasonable who has a small fleet of lovingly restored old wooden boats. The only downside is that his boats are licensed for six people plus crew. If you chose a water front venue, he could even arrange to be waiting at the dock and whisk the newlyweds away as the guests bid them farewell at the dock. Much more classic than a limo, plus your car does not get "decorated." :)

http://www.cedarwave.com/

A number of West Seattle folks have ridden his boats. Captain Dave could probably give you some good ideas.

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How about a 125 foot wooden steamship, built in 1921 that is licensed for about 125 - 150 people. If you did not want to go out for a ride, I think they can also do dockside weddings at a much lower cost.

http://www.virginiav.org/

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Need professional help locating a boat that is just right for you?

Give Captain Ralph a call. Good guy, I have worked under him before.

http://captainralph.com/

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Posted 8 months ago #
JoB
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datmuse..

they are the smoked meat end of bbq...
and you add your own sauce...

i thought it was very good.

Posted 8 months ago #
angelm569
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I went to a wedding on the Skansonia - AMAZING! I would second that recommendation.
i also have a local bakery recommendation. Brand new business and the owner Kara is amazing!
The SweetSide
http://www.ilovethesweetside.com/index2.php#/home/
Congrats and welcome to the neighborhood!

Posted 8 months ago #
Jasperblu
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I HIGHLY recommend Village Green Perennial Nursery as well... Vera's also a great gal and her property is really, really special.

Fauntleroy Hall (across from the Fauntleroy YMCA) is also super nice, has adequate indoor AND outdoor space, just in case you get lucky and the sun comes out on that May weekend you have planned. Just don't count on it. :-)

Posted 8 months ago #