Some of the logical criteria for selection or elimination would be geographic location, and setting – outdoor venues would not be practical during cold weather or in sweltering heat. Keep in mind, it does rain often, but many facilities offer tents and other coverings for the reception. Other criteria to use would be if you want a church wedding or not. Do you want to be on the water? Overlooking a golf course? What about in a garden setting or a luxurious ballroom locale? Asking these and few other general questions will help you narrow down the choices of best wedding locations in Seattle for your wedding.
Before selecting a venue, the couple should determine how many guests – include immediate family and their spouses, and children if you decide to have a child-friendly affair. Next, make a list of the friends you want to invite and their spouses, along with their children (if applicable). Then decide the theme you want for the wedding. The decision about wedding venues in Seattle is also incumbent upon your budget. How much cash is available to pay for the wedding, the reception, the dress, the tuxedo, the honeymoon?
Several web sites are available to help you get a general idea of how to break down your budget, once a total dollar amount is determined (e.g., what percentage is generally spent on the dress, what percentage for the reception, etc.) One of the best all-purpose wedding planning sites is theknot.com. It includes a wedding budgeter, wedding couple’s personalized web site, and other helpful resources for the couple and their friends.
Once all these lists have been compiled and a budget is in place, you will have a better answer to the question of the best wedding locations in Seattle. Available wedding venues in Seattle include everything from outdoor parks, (www.seattle.gov/parks/), yacht clubs, hotels, conference and convention centers, mansions and museums.
The Woodside, located on the shores of Lake Washington, offers a variety of wedding/reception packages including accommodations for your out-of-town guests. Situated in a picturesque setting and affording an outstanding cuisine, the Woodside is a great option for those wanting both a waterside setting and the elegance and distinction afforded by their meeting and banquet halls.
If your taste runs a bit more understated and traditional Fauntleroy Church has a large Fellowship Hall that holds approximately 225 people. They do allow simple decorations and offer the services of two Reception Coordinators, to give you detailed information about their wedding chapel and reception facilities. While food may not be prepared on-site, their large, well-equipped kitchen affords caterers the option of reheating prepared foods, and use of the refrigerator and other kitchen facilities. This option would be ideal for those on a more limited budget, with a large family and circle of friends, looking for a moderately priced setting for their wedding and reception.
Other viable wedding locations is Seattle include The Stimson-Green Mansion, Residence Inn Seattle Downtown/Lake Union. These venues in Seattle represent opposite ends of the spectrum, but both offer attractive options and settings. The Stimson-Green Mansion, built in 1901 offers gourmet food served on antique silver, with a reception choice of their formal dining room, library, or three other reception areas, each displaying a different architectural style. The mansion would be an idyllic setting for those desiring a step back in time, with up to 200 invited guests.
Residence Inn Seattle Downtown/Lake Union offers a very modern, water view setting for a smaller group. Their maximum capacity is 70, with several meeting/event spaces that have slighter smaller capacity. This is another very doable of the venues in Seattle for those on a budget, desiring a modern, intimate, and more casual atmosphere for their celebration.
The choice of wedding locations in Seattle is seemingly endless! Visiting websites, making phone calls, and assessing all the who’s and the when’s and cost issues make the task of selecting one of the venues in Seattle less daunting. The most important thing to remember is that this is your day and you want to remember it as one of the happiest in your life. No matter where you have your wedding, the facility managers want you to feel you selected one of the best wedding locations in Seattle. Ask for what you want, and decide which requests are non-negotiable. When it’s all said and done, flexibility in the planning process assures less stress as you plan your wedding and reception and sets the tone for a great start to your life together.