About Seattle
Seattle is a vibrant and bustling city located in the Pacific Northwest of America. It is known for its mild, wet climate and stunning natural scenery surrounded by mountains, forests, and evergreen islands. The city is home to iconic attractions such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Chihuly Garden and Glass. Seattle has something to offer for everyone — from art galleries to trendy restaurants — making it an ideal destination for a romantic getaway or intimate wedding celebration.
Known as the Emerald City, Seattle provides a beautiful backdrop for an intimate wedding venue. Couples can enjoy spectacular views of Puget Sound while celebrating their special day with close friends and family. Venues such as indoor gardens and terraces provide guests with breathtaking scenes of the city's skyline while allowing them to feel immersed in nature's beauty. Additionally, Seattle's many outdoor activities create plenty of opportunities for wedding-related fun — such as kayaking on Lake Union or exploring downtown on foot.
Intimate Wedding Options in Seattle
- Photography
Professional photography is essential for intimate weddings, as it helps to capture the special moments between the couple and their loved ones. Photography should provide a wide variety of shots and angles, as well as creative and detailed images.
- Cake
A cake adds a special touch to an intimate wedding. Whether it's a two-tier buttercream masterpiece or an eye-catching naked cake adorned with fresh flowers, cakes can be customized to fit any theme or style.
- Florists
Florists are an important part of any wedding, but especially intimate ones. Floral arrangements can bring life to even the smallest of spaces, offering pops of color and fragrance that tie in with the overall theme.
Intimate Wedding Vendors in Seattle
- The SweetSide
The SweetSide is the Seattle area’s leader in specialty cakes, cheesecakes, and desserts. And they don't just make a few favorites like French macarons and Carrot Cake — The SweetSide has something for everyone from Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies to Lemon Bars to New York Cheesecake. For an intimate wedding, SweetSide partners with their clients for unique custom-created cake designs. The Seattle Kitchen where The SweetSide creates hundreds of wedding cakes every year is a perfect pick-up location and may surprise you with a couple of ready-to-purchase cakes if you call ahead.
- Northgate Rosegarden
Northgate Rosegarden has been responsibly serving the people of Seattle with their flower arrangements and gifts since 1985, making it a tradition in many local families. Their commitment to quality is unsurpassable; they take great care in providing only the highest caliber floral arrangements along with excellent service. Above all else, Northgate Rosegarden values their customers’ satisfaction — thus going that extra mile to ensure each gift created is nothing short of perfect! Whether you're looking for an intimate wedding bouquet or romantic flowers for Valentine's Day, Northgate Rosegarden has everything your heart desires.
- Loc Le Films
Loc Le Films prioritizes capturing moments, laughs, and love while you relish in the intimate atmosphere that you created. Loc Le Films understands that your wedding dreams don’t stop at the city limits — they will capture your story in Seattle, WA, or wherever your destination wedding may be. Loc Le Films celebrate with you as they provide you with beautiful pictures of your new beginning so that you can experience the joy of it all.
Pros and Cons of Intimate Weddings in Seattle
With the city’s vibrant culture, stunning natural beauty, and variety of eateries and accommodations, there are myriad benefits to hosting an intimate wedding in Seattle. Here is a list of advantages and disadvantages of intimate wedding venues in Seattle:
Advantages
- Intimate weddings provide a more personalized experience for guests. Couples can customize their ceremony and reception to reflect their individual personalities and style.
- Cost savings can be realized when hosting a smaller event, as you will not need to rent out large spaces or purchase as much food and beverage.
- Intimate weddings are usually held in less formal settings such as private homes or gardens, which can lend an air of intimacy and romance to the day.
Disadvantages
- Finding a reliable venue that is suitable for your number of guests may be challenging due to the limited space available on certain dates.
- If you choose to host your event at a residence or public park, you may need to obtain any necessary permits well beforehand.
- Intimate weddings often require couples to manage more details themselves than if they were hosting a larger event with professional help.
Tips on How to Organize Intimate Weddings in Seattle
Planning an intimate wedding in Seattle can be a daunting task. With so much to consider, it's easy to become overwhelmed. To help you out, here are some tips on how to plan an intimate wedding in Seattle:
- Do your research: Before you start planning your wedding, spend time researching venues and vendors that specialize in small gatherings. You'll want to make sure that the venue can accommodate smaller groups and has the amenities you need for your event.
- Get creative: Smaller weddings allow couples more flexibility when it comes to getting creative with their ceremony and reception. Consider unique arrangements such as al fresco dining under twinkle lights, hosting a cocktail hour at a hidden garden, or even exchanging vows on a boat for a truly unique experience.
- Make connections: Reach out to some of the best professionals in the area to get feedback and advice on making your special day run smoothly. Connect with local florists, caterers, bakers, DJs, photographers, and more who can all tailor their services for small weddings.
Famous Locations in Seattle
- Rainier Tower
Towering above downtown Seattle, Rainier Tower stands as a beacon of famous design. Designed by Minoru Yamasaki — whose other works include the World Trade Center and the IBM Building — this impressive 41-story, 156.67 m skyscraper lights up the Metropolitan Tract with its iconic presence. As if that wasn't enough to stand out on its own when you look across the street to the southeast corner you cannot help but be reminded of its counterpart: another of Yamasaki's famed designs, the IBM Building. With two Yamasaki masterpieces squaring off against one another, passing by Rainier Tower is a reminder of how even some of architecture’s most famous feats come in pairs.
- The Seattle Art Museum
The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is an eclectic collection of art ranging from historical to contemporary pieces. Located in downtown Seattle, this world-renowned institution is home to more than 25,000 works of art. If one hops over to Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill, the home of the Seattle Asian Art Museum also awaits exploration, allowing visitors to bask in five thousand years of Asian art. For a truly unique outdoor experience, Olympic Sculpture Park along the central Seattle waterfront is an engaging nine-acre park featuring stunning installations and breathtaking views. With so much magnificent artwork at its disposal, SAM continues its mission to provide quality experiences and programs every day since 1906.
- The National Building
Built in 1905, the National Building has experienced several changes over its impressive 133 years of existence. Originally constructed as a warehouse for incoming goods arriving at nearby Elliott Bay, the building's prime location in Seattle's commission district meant that heavy foot traffic roamed up and down its central corridor. Today, the National Building is still thriving and was recently converted into a modern workspace for the Seattle Weekly, perfect for local businesses to find office space and recognition in the vibrant downtown area. As a timeless organism that continuously evolves to satisfy the ever-evolving demands of its citizens, this classic building stands out among its towering peers, providing an authentic view into Seattle's rich history.