Introduction and a venue question

reebsreebs

Hi all. I've been lurking for the two weeks since I got engaged, but thought I should take the leap to post.

Seattle bride, planning a "Big Fat Jewish Wedding" for March or May. My guy proposed on Tu'B'Av (the Jewish Valentines Day) at the water tower in Volunteer Park. I was surprised by the timing, but not surprised as we've been together 4.5 years. 

Now we are working on a venue.

We need to bring in our own (Kosher) caterer to any venue we choose, so all the places with in-house caterers are out. Ceremony may be at the Synagague (not sure yet) but would like the reception to be somewhere else. Though we are open to a ceremony and reception in the same venue.

Total guest list right now we are estimating inviting 250 and having 180-200. Would like to pare it back to 150 attending, but not sure about the politics of that.

Anyway, other than the Urban Hortocultural Center and Pickering Barn in Isaquah, any suggestions?? Our favorite resturant is in Renton, and so we'd be open to a place on the South side so they could cater, but then it would have to be a ceremony site too.

We are low key folks in our late 30's so our desired effect is big family friendly  party.

jennlin

hi!

i wish i had suggestions for you, but i don't...that is a BIG party! i'm very excited to see pictures 9 months from now....it sounds like an awesome time! welcome! and happy planning!

jamers22

first off: welcome!!!
i dont want this to come off weird, but that is so cool that you're having a big fat jewish wedding. i want to go to a jewish wedding so bad... i heard they're nothing but a total blast. haha.
the president of my company is jewish, and when he got remarried a couple years ago, they had the whole jewish shebang at the arctic room/hotel in seattle. from what i heard about it, it was amazing. the food was great (i doubt they were completely kosher, but i'm sure they would work with you on that), and the party lasted all night.
sorry i'm not more help... but congrats!!!! sounds like it will be an awesome wedding!!!

reebsreebs

Jammers, thanks for the venue tip. I just emailed them to see if they work with kosher caterers.

maple11

hey there.  i'm jewish, but not having a kosher wedding.  i did a little searching and found a couple of kosher caterers in the seattle area.  check these out (if you haven't already):

http://www.noshaway.com/

http://www.leahscatering.com/

 www.fairmont.com/FA/en/CDA/Home/Hotels/AboutHotel/CDHotelHomePage/0,2993,code%25255Ftype%253DMEET%2526property%25255Fseq%253D100142,00.html">The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle 
411 University Street
Seattle, Washington
United States
98101 
Contact: Daniel Murray 
(206) 287-4040 
Only Kosher upon request.www.starwood.com/sheraton/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=460">Seattle Sheraton Hotel 
Contact: Jay Sardeson 
(206) 447-55234 
Only Kosher upon request.
i hope that helps!

mgoss228

Congrats and welcome!  I don't have any suggestions, but it sounds like you will be having an amazing wedding, can't wait to hear more about it

niq24601

Congratulations and welcome!  I highly recommend taking a look at my wedding venues map:

http://www.donkeylicious.com/2009/08/map-of-seattle-wedding-venues.html

If you have a particular part of town you're interested in that would help narrow things down. Here are all the low-key places with no vendor lock-in I can find above 150 in seating.

300 Cenutry Ballroom (weird availability)
270 Genesis Farm
400 Hidden Meadows
200 Everett Floral Hall
200 Mt Baker Community Club (I've seen several people on the boards rave about this place)
175 Brown's Point Improvement Club

The only one I actually looked at was Everett Floral Hall. It's very pretty and a nice place for a low-key reception.

reebsreebs

That google map ROCKS!!! My FI will totally geek out on it. You should make it a wiki so folks can modify it. Thanks!

Tygirljojo

Welcome!  Don't know of kosher caterers, but if you speak with some and they are unable to do it, while you're on the phone (or email) with them I would just ask if they know of a catering company that does kosher that they would recommend.  That might help direct you towards some options.