Welcome to The Venue Series! We love helping couples find the best fitting venue for their ideal budget via our standalone Venue Hunt Consultation or Venue Hunt add-on for wedding planning packages. As PNW Planners, we've planned and designed in hundreds of Oregon and Washington venues, and we're sharing some of our favorites and why we love them. All photos featured are from weddings we've coordinated, planned, and/or designed.
Many couples come to us wanting a specific venue look and feel. One common request we get is for a venue that has a bit of charm, elegance, and timeless allure - in other words, a historic wedding venue.
We love historic venues because they are rich with stories, and usually have timeless features that you just don’t get with newer wedding venues or even venues that were designed to be venues. At Your Perfect Bridesmaid, we’ve had the privilege of orchestrating countless celebrations at historic wedding venues in Washington and Seattle
From stately mansions exuding old-world glamour, to regal buildings that offer a sophisticated atmosphere, Washington's historic wedding venues cater to a diverse array of tastes and preferences.
As part of our Venue Series, we’re sharing some of Washington's most captivating historic wedding venues and why we love them. All the venues featured are ones we’ve been to and loved, and the photos featured are all from weddings we’ve planned and coordinated.
Photographers: Matthew Land Studios (1-5), Marcella Laine (6-9) & Wiley Putnam (10-14)
Why we love them:
The Admiral's House is a historical landmark that offers stunning views of the Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier and downtown Seattle in total privacy. It was originally built in 1944 and has since been a residence to over 30 U.S. Naval Admirals and their families, making it a meaningful spot for anyone with a partner or family in the Navy. This place screams sophistication, with a charming and bright interior and a peaceful, well landscaped exterior.. It's one of our favorite and most frequented luxury wedding venues in Seattle! We love the ceremony garden that has the intimate feel of a backyard wedding and beautiful blooming hydrangeas. The reception space is also spacious, lending plenty of room for a clear or white top tent to provide shade, protection, or opportunities for installations.
Insider Tip:
There is minimal parking onsite, so butler service and/or transportation is a must for this venue - good thing that service from our friends Butler Seattle is included for 8 hours! The venue also has an exclusive catering list, but we love all the caters listed and you won't be disappointed.
Both the garden and the space outside of the Admiral’s house can be tented for a covered reception! If you are getting married on a hot day, however, be aware that a clear tent will leave you with beautiful views but will feel similar to a greenhouse (warm and humid).
Photographer: Sophie Lin Berard
Why We Love Them:
If you’re looking for an alluring space with historical charm and elevated dinner experience in Seattle, The Corson Building is perfect. Day to day, it’s a spot for fine-dining in Eastlake, featuring an ever changing menu served in plated courses for a different experience each time you visit. For events, it’s a private and intimate spot for your wedding of up to 80 guests outside and 20-30 guests inside, with the same elevated dining experience. It’s perfect for those who have food as a high priority on their list. This venue was originally constructed as a home in 1926, so it features homey details like a fireplace in the middle of the indoor space, a whimsical patio featuring draping ivy and beautiful stone pavers, and cozy nooks. The owners have really made this a magical and comfortable space, maintaining the charm of the home.
Insider Tip:
Since this venue is smaller, you will need to plan for additional rentals beyond 30 people, which is typically how many people the restaurant can serve at a time. We like to work with CORT to deliver and set up rentals here.
This venue also requires a full buyout of the restaurant if you are wanting to utilize more than their upstairs private dining room, and includes food and beverage minimums that vary depending on the day and time of your event. That also means that this space is wonderful for welcome events and rehearsal dinners on off days.
Photographers: Alder and Pine Photography (1-5) & Kestrel Bailey Photography (6-11)
Why We Love Them:
Just north of Seattle in Bellingham lies the enchanting Lairmont Manor, just inland from Bellingham Bay With its chateau-style architecture inspired by Italian Renaissance and picturesque surroundings, this venue is made for a romantic fairytale wedding. Lairmont Manor is rich with history, dating back to the 1940’s (we highly recommend reading through the venue’s history!) This venue is incredibly well landscaped, with clean but native gardens, romantic corners to tuck away in, tree coverage and a well designed layout. The interior is also frozen in time, with ornate wooden details, charming paned windows, antique chandeliers.
We love this venue for quite a few reasons. For one, the venue offers much appreciated flexibility, with a full day rental (10am - 10pm) so your day won’t feel rushed and the option to choose the vendors of your liking (with some requirements). This venue also offers a Grand Marquee tent for an outdoor reception, and includes chairs, tables and place settings, tent heaters and onsite parking!
Insider Tip:
This venue is secluded in a neighborhood, so it’s surrounded by residential homes. For your event, that means there is no amplified music or dancing music outside. The venue does provide a speaker and microphone to use to amplify your ceremony and allow amplified music inside for dancing. We always recommend hiring a string duo, trio or quartet to match the atmosphere for ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner. However, keep in mind that any music must end by 9:00 pm and by 10:00pm inside. If you’re looking to party past that, we recommend hosting an after party!
Photographer: Brooks and Pine
Why We Love Them:
Laurel Creek Manor offers a historical space that many of our outdoorsy couples love. It’s got that vintage charm with a romantic, centerpiece stone fountain and hedge walls, but with modern touches. This venue’s origin dates back to 1917, and has always been family owned and loved. The couple that owns this space is always working to improve the space for people to enjoy. They have built a patio, added a playground, created a larger parking lot, upgraded the getting ready rooms - it just keeps getting better and better!
We love how the space is laid out - it’s large enough to have each part of your wedding spread out into different, beautifully landscaped spaces and wander around the grounds if you want to tuck away. The ceremony lawn features a paved walkway (great for heels!) and a traditional, permanent white arbor. The reception is typically held under the permanent white tent with a romantic draped ceiling, and dancing and cocktail hour can be on the open air patio.
Insider Tip:
To have an event here, you’ll need to budget for one of their full service caterers (we often recommend Act 3 and Snuffins, two of our preferred caterers). However, this just ensures that no detail is left to chance for your wedding. The rest is up to you, but we recommend asking for their preferred vendor list - you’ll see Your Perfect Bridesmaid on there!
While a venue rental gets you access from 10am to 10pm, you can easily add on extra hours so you have plenty of time to get ready inside the beautiful house. It makes for great for getting ready photos since there aren’t a ton of higher-end accommodations in the area, and it will allow you extra time to relax without having to travel. Plus, you get access to their full kitchen to cook and prepare breakfast. If you are looking to stay off site and in the area, we definitely recommend looking into AirBnB’s for the best experience.
Photographer: Megan Young Photography
Why We Love Them:
Just southeast of Tacoma lies Orting, Washington, the home of the historic Orting Manor. This venue is made for a classic, sophisticated wedding, with clean green lawns and hedges and a Victorian style home built in 1901. Since then, it’s been renovated with events and guest comfortability in mind. This venue feels like a luxurious backyard wedding venue, featuring a pool (yes, you can use this!) , renovated gazebo, and well-manicured lawns. The manor is also rentable, and can be added to your venue rental package to stay onsite the night before or after your wedding for up to 16 people and enjoy the space for even longer!
This venue can accommodate up to 150 people and amenities that are nicer than your average. We love that the venue rental includes wooden farm tables and a tent that has full-ceiling drapery, string lights and chandeliers for an elevated look. The venue comes with a ton of options for table and chairs, but if you’re needing or wanting more than that, you can add-on their rental package extensive decor inventory.
Insider Tip:
You also have the option to select your vendors, however they do require at least a day-of coordinator (like our Signature or Premiere Package) and a full service caterer. One note to consider is that there is no parking onsite, but the venue is located next to a large park with lots of parking options. Otherwise, you get so much out of the venue rental fee!
The outdoor space is also only available during the months from April through October, but can accommodate 30 guests in their indoor space.
If you’re looking to tour their space, make sure to put their Spring 2024 Open House on your calendar!
Photographer: Rachel Joy
Why We Love Them:
We love a venue with a great story! The Press Room in Tacoma was originally home to the printing presses for the Tacoma Daily Ledger and Tacoma News Tribune from 1941 to 1971. It has a more industrial, rustic eclectic feel to the space than other historic venues, located in the urban Opera Alley in Tacoma. If you don’t live in the Tacoma area, you may still consider this venue because of how close it is to the Sea-Tac airport - it’s just as easy for out of town guests to fly in and get to as it would be for a Seattle venue.
We love spaces that have unique touches, and at The Press Room, every couple gets to put a new key with their names and date on their key wall, so you’re forever part of the venue’s story. They also have a ginormous chalk wall that you can customize - just ask us for our favorite lettering artists!
We think this space looks stunning paired with jewel-toned colors and eclectic decor! The Press Room features weathered wood, high ceilings, and a permanent bar made of repurposed metal from the former cargo elevator doors. It can accommodate up to 125 guests seated, with tables, chairs and linens included for that guest count. All food and beverage is offered through their exclusive caterer, Jonz Catering, who can also help you secure any additional rentals needed.
Insider Tip:
Since this venue is in downtown Tacoma, there is no designated parking for your guests - just street parking. For larger weddings, we always recommend budgeting for a shuttle bus to get guests to and from the venue. However, being in a central spot is also a plus. This venue is right next to one of the best tiki bars in Tacoma, so you can hop right over after your wedding, or have a celebratory drink the night before.
While we love that this venue has included inventory, some couples find that they want alternative chairs or linens. If that’s the case, we’re happy to connect you to our favorite local rental companies and help you design a tablescape that fits your style and budget. We offer rental coordination and design in all of our planning packages.
Photographer:
Why We Love Them:
We truly believe that The Rainier Club is a hidden gem of the venue that all couples interested in a historic venue should see. This venue makes for a grand, ornate setting that is perfect for maximalists, traditionalists and those seeking an elevated and sophisticated experience. The historic brick mansion built originally in 1904 sits nestled in between city skyscrapers in Downtown Seattle, so you get the charm of a historic venue but as central as you can get. There have been a handful of events and milestones that have taken place inside this clubhouse.
Inside is the most elegant space you’ve ever seen. For events, there are 13 event spaces to choose from that can accommodate from 12 to 250 guests. Each room, hallway, and corner is detailed and decorated from floor to ceiling, featuring granite floors in some spaces, ornate, lofted ceiling designs in others, grand fireplaces (you can use this for your event, and even roast s'mores in it!) modern traditional chandeliers and sconces, and so many other details that create a traditional, elegant look. Even their included inventory adds to the traditional elegance, with Riedel stemware sterling, Bauscher china and silver flatware. Plus, their getting ready room, or “bridal room”, makes you feel like you’re royalty
Insider Tip:
This venue will require a club member to sponsor your event and a food and beverage minimum of $15,000, so it’s better suited for medium to larger guest counts. However, you can ensure that you’re getting an elevated dining experience and included tasting if you’re interested in booking your event here.
You can rent this space for your ceremony, venue or both options, but each is priced out separately depending on the room you select.
Want to know that you've found the best venue?
We love helping couples find the best fitting venue for their ideal budget via our standalone Venue Hunt Consultation or Venue Hunt add-on for wedding planning packages. As PNW Planners, we've planned and designed in hundreds of Oregon and Washington venues, and we're sharing some of our favorites and why we love them. All photos featured are from weddings Your Perfect Bridesmaid has coordinated, planned, and/or designed. View more of our Venue Series Blogs below: