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pirategirlpink

 Hi, I'm new to the boards and I need ideas for ceremony/reception locations around Seattle. We're planning a very small (30-40) wedding so we want something intimate and unique. Any ideas? Also very budget friendly because we're paying for it ourselves :)We've been engaged about a month and i havent done much except get some magazines and a wedding planner from the bookstore. Its a little overwhelming. I dont know where to start!

Tygirljojo

Welcome & congrats!  Budget friendly can mean different amounts to different people, so if you can share how much you have budgeted for venue or venue + food, that helps.  Off the top of my head, I would suggest Top of the Market, Palisades, Canlis (yes, tends to be pricey, but unique and for 30-40, IMO, affordable vs. a full-blown wedding with 2-3 times that guest list).  If Kirkland works for you, I would also check out Heirtage Hall - it holds up to 70 people and is very nice.

KatieFlygirl09

welcome pirategirl! you're in the right spot for questions and everything, everyone here is great and ready to help however they can.  when are u planning the wedding for? what kind of theme are u thinking of? and dont worry, its still early, so dont let yourself get overwhelmed yet, there's still plenty of time for that.

cupcakepirate

Ahoy there matey. This is the spot to be. All these girls are super helpful.

pirategirlpink

I think we're going to do next october, just because it may take a year to save up. although i'm incredibly impatient about exciting stuff... our budget is about $8500, and as for a theme i keep changing my mind. the obvious choice would be a fall themed wedding, but i'm not totally in love with that idea. I like to break the rules a little. all i really know is who i want in my party. and i really want cupcakes. yumm.

koosh ball

Welcome! I had a very small (32 total) wedding this summer. We had our ceremony on the SLUT and our reception at Daniel's broiler in a private room. There aren't a ton of locations for very small weddings but I might be able to help.

pirategirlpink

small is important, because large groups make my brain hurt. i love the victorian valley chapel on orcas island, but my fiance's mother thinks it would be rude to ask ppl to travel there. we live in redmond. i should mention that my family all lives in Missouri and would be traveling regardless. and then there's the matter of the weather in october... although if we can find something cute and affordable we could do a nice summer weddind when my smaller relatives are out of school and whatnot. i'm a terrible decision maker. but i know its my wedding and i want it to be pretty

Tygirljojo

If you're looking for a chapel type place, there's Belle Chapel in Snohomish.  If it doesn't have to be a chapel type place, Heirtage Hall in Kirkland, Antheia Ballroom in Snohomish, or Aerie Ballroom in Centralia.  Or you could also look into something on an Argosy Cruise or maybe even the Skansonia Ferry which is a ferry that has been put out of commission and is permanently docked on Lake Union.

BrandyL10

Since you're in Redmond, i would think about checking out the winery's in Woodinville. Chateau st. Michelle, Columbia Winery, or Willow's Lodge. It can get pricey for lots of people, but if you're thinking small, it may work better!Also there is the Clise Mansion in Marymoor Park. Gorgeous place. Good luck!

jennyann28

Welcome! Magazines are a good place to start to get the feel of things. I have a friend who just had a wedding of your size at Treehouse Point in Preston. The setting was GORGEOUS, and they got great pics down on the rocks by the Raging River. Additionally, at the end of their reception they were able to have a bonfire! It looked so neat! If you want to see pics, go to www.amandarichelle.com & click on "Gallery" and "Wedding 2". Hope that helps! I grew up in Redmond, so welcome fellow Redmondite!

carrieoz_76

Welcome to the board, and congrats on your engagement! You've made some of the big decisions already - you're paying you know your budget, and you know the general size you want. As for location, I recommend you get the current Seattle Bride magazine - it's got a big list inside of venues organized by general location, and it lists various costs associated with holding a wedding there. It's a good starting point. Other ideas are B&B's and small inns in different cities - Poulso, Camano Island, Bainbridge Island, even up in the San Juans. Go to yelp.com or tripadvisor.com to find the well-reviewed ones, then look at their websites to see if they do weddings. Btw, I don't think it's rude to ask ppl to drive to Orcas Island for a wedding - you're doing a really small one, so anyone who comes will really want to see you get married, and a weekend in the San Juans is fun! We haven't stayed here yet, but I love the look of this place - [url]http://www.juniperlaneguesthouse.com/index.html[/url] I also like the idea of a wedding at Farm Kitchen in Poulsbo - [url]http://www.farmkitchen.com/[/url] Oh, and someone recently posted this venue, which would be really cool - [url]http://www.youandmebythesea.com/[/url]

Tygirljojo

Ooh!  Speaking of wineries, FI and some friends and I went wine tasting last week and went to JM Cellars in Woodinville.  Seriously, if we had a smaller wedding (like the size of yours) we would do ours there in a heartbeat!  Really unique and intimate.  And from the sounds of it, their prices for place rental is reasonable and we were told you can bring in your choice of caterers.  Of course you'd have to serve wine from there, but for 30-40 people, it is affordable.  http://www.jmcellars.com/index.php.

dmw_2010

Chateau St. Michelle actually doesn't do weddings (I know!  I was suprised, too), but definitely check out JM Cellars and Januik/Novelty Hill.  Willows is a beautiful location (we're doing ours there), so you might want to see what they have for smaller groups.  I know they have a bunch of spaces besides the main ballroom there.I agree with PPs that you shouldn't feel bad about asking people to come to Orcas if that's what you want.  Find a hotel on the island and make it a whole weekend with your favorite family/friends.

dmw_2010

Also!  If you can get your hands on a copy of the September issue of Seattle Bride, they've got a huge listing/breakdown of venues in there.

sarack

Welcome!!! Good luck with planning!

KatieFlygirl09

any of the wineries would be gorgeous that time of year, and if u really want to look at Orca Island, for a smaller group like yours, i would definitely suggest the Outlook Inn.  Its beautiful, right on the water, and they have a shuttle service that picks up right from the ferry.  We were looking at Outlook too, our family coming from tx is really excited about seeing Seattle so we're keeping it in the city. 

pirategirlpink

wow you all are really helpful! i'm kind of excited now   and i love the idea of having a nice weekend with my family all on a cute little island. FI and i are going to have a romantic weekend there as a Christmas present to ourselves so we'll be able to check it all out.  i dont want my family to come all the way out here for an ordinary, nothing special ceremony.