About Tacoma
On the banks of Puget Sound, Tacoma is a mid-sized city in Washington known as the City of Destiny because it was chosen to be the western station of the Northern Pacific Railroad in the 1800s. The city is a major hub for business and pleasure is right on the harbor of Commencement Bay, making it the perfect place for any kind of reception.
Known for its famous Museum of Glass as well as its proximity to Mount Rainier, Tacoma has a variety of attractions both natural and manmade. No matter whether you are celebrating a grand opening, product launch, anniversary, or even a gallery reception, you will be able to find the perfect Tacoma reception venue with no trouble.
Reception Venue Options in Tacoma
Once you have found your Tacoma reception venue, it would still be good to have some help for some of the other tasks on your list. You can find a plethora of vendors who can help you get things done.
- Caterer
Whatever you are celebrating, you need to have food. But even if you are a professional chef, you do not want to be the one to cook for a large group like you will have at your reception. Whether you want something formal like steak and lobster or a casual backyard barbecue, you can find plenty of catering companies in Tacoma.
- Photographer
You will be sure to capture all the memories you need from your reception if you hire a professional photographer because that is what they do. Don’t rely on your assistant to take pictures on her smartphone. Get one of the Tacoma area photography companies to help you remember the day.
- Furniture and Equipment Rental
It is important to make sure you have all the seating you need for your Tacoma reception venue and there are several furniture rental companies in the city. Besides tables and chairs, you can also rent décor, AV equipment, staging, photo booths, and other items you may need.
- Transportation
Make sure your guests get there on time by hiring a car service to ferry them from home or the hotel to the reception venue. You can get a professional limousine company for a more formal group or just hire a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft. This is also great if you are serving adult beverages to make sure everyone gets home safely.
Reception Venue Companies in Tacoma
Is planning your reception giving you a headache? Why not hire an event planner for your Tacoma reception venue? The city has quite a variety of planners who specialize in everything from small gatherings to huge galas.
- National Event Pros
This company has been in business for over 30 years and is known for its networking, team bonding, and fun events. Some of their previous clients include Boeing, Seattle Seahawks, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. Not only do they provide planning, but they also do furniture and equipment rental, decorating, and coordination.
- Elements
Since 2012, Elements has been providing five-star award-winning service. They design their plans around you and what you need for everything from branding and business events to social gatherings. Elements goes beyond entertainment, food, planning, and décor to communicate your vision and message.
- West Coast Entertainment (WCE)
WCE has been planning events since 1978 so they are experienced in all sorts of party and event planning. Their motto is that “Nobody should be too busy planning a party to enjoy it.” They have planned events for Coca-Cola, Washington Mutual, and GM to name a few so no matter how big or small your event, WCE can do it.
Pros and Cons of Reception Venues in Tacoma
Every city has its advantages and disadvantages, and Tacoma is no different. Check out these pros and cons about having your reception venue in Tacoma.
Advantages
- The weather is great
If you like hot summers and cold winters, Tacoma is for you because summer days average at about 88 degrees and winter days are typically in the lower 30s. And they do not get much snow so don’t worry about packing those snow boots.
- Delicious foods to enjoy
Being on the waterfront, Tacoma has a plethora of fantastic eateries from casual food trucks to fancy seafood or steak dining. From burgers to lobster, you can find it all in Tacoma.
- It is a young city
Choosing Tacoma for your reception venue is fantastic if your guests are all in their 30s because the average age in the city is 35 years old.
- There is a lot to do
Whether you are staying for the weekend or the week, you will not get bored in Tacoma. They have a variety of entertainment including clubs, huge shopping malls, and parks.
- Nature is never far away
The City of Tacoma has over 250 parks to enjoy including one of the largest parks in the country, Point Defiance Park. It has 760 acres, making it the second-largest right behind Central Park.
Disadvantages
- High cost of living
Tacoma has a higher cost of living than many of the large cities in the US so you will likely pay more for everything from food to fuel.
- It rains a lot
The city gets over 40 inches of rain every year so if you have your reception venue in Tacoma, bring an umbrella.
- Traffic is awful
Going anywhere in Tacoma is difficult if you are driving. It is much easier and faster to take the bus or a cab.
- High crime rate
Tacoma is one of the most dangerous cities in the US with a crime rate of 62 per 1,000 people. More than 98% of the cities in Washington are safer than Tacoma. Stick to the safer neighborhoods of Old Tacoma, Dash Point, and Caledonia.
- It is not walkable
Wherever you are going in Tacoma, you will likely need a ride. The walking score of the city is 51, which means more than half of the businesses are not within walking distance.
Famous Locations in Tacoma
- Museum of Glass
This unique art museum boasts 75,000 square feet of glassworks that will blow your mind. From live glass blowing demonstrations to casting glass classes, you can test your own glass art skills here. Book the light-filled production space in a historic building next to the museum where you can kick back after the reception.
- Point Defiance Park
As the second-largest park in the US, Point Defiance is pretty amazing with its ferries, boathouse, rose gardens, and beaches. It is even the home of the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. You can also visit the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum where you can learn more about Tacoma.
- Mount Rainier National Park
If you have never seen a volcano up close and personal, take a trip to Mount Rainier National Park while you are in town. You can also see waterfalls, hike the Wonderland Trail, and look for elk, mountain goats, and bobcats. You can get a fantastic view of Mount Rainier from the rooftop plaza nearby where you and your guests can have fun after the reception.
