There is no shortage of breathtaking spots for a Northwest destinations wedding – whether you’d like to say your “I dos” while immersed in magnificent natural scenery, or in a beautiful indoor setting, you’ll find a myriad of options to choose from, including these top considerations for the best places to get married in the Northwest.
Roche Harbor Resort, San Juan Island, Washington
The San Juan Islands are just a scenic ferry ride away from mainland Washington State, and offer the opportunity for a unique island ceremony with no passport required. The largest island in the archipelago, San Juan Island, is home to Roche Harbor Resort, a historic property perched on the edge of the glistening blue waters of the Salish Sea. Named Seattle Bride Magazine’s Best of Northwest Destination Wedding Sites in 2012, ceremonies can be held in its Lady of Good Voyage chapel on the hill or in the magnificently landscaped Sunken Garden. There are a number of beautiful indoor and outdoor reception spaces, and the menu features fresh Northwest cuisine that incorporates as many local ingredients as possible.
Hallmark Resort, Cannon Beach, Oregon
The northern Oregon coast offers the longest stretch of unbroken beaches along the state’s ruggedly beautiful coastline. Cannon Beach, located in the charming town with the same name, is one of the most scenic and most popular spots for exchanging your vows by the seashore with the sound of the surf as your wedding music. With awe-inspiring panoramic ocean and coastal mountain views as well as the iconic Haystack Rock in the background, this destination is hard to beat, especially at sunset.
There are a number of outstanding accommodation options in the area for both you and your guests, including oceanfront properties like Hallmark Resort which overlooks Haystack Rock and Tillamook Lighthouse. Rooms feature balconies for sipping your morning coffee while gazing at the glistening Pacific, a gas fireplace for cozying up next to with a glass of wine, and even a romantic two-person spa tub. The resort also features a full-service spa and heated saltwater pools.
Thornewood Castle, Lakewood, Washington
A castle wedding probably brings to mind the grand castles of England, Ireland and Scotland as well as a very high price tag, but you don’t have to travel all the way across the Atlantic or spend your life’s savings to live out this fantasy. In fact, there is an absolutely stunning English Tudor Gothic castle that hosts weddings right in Washington State. The 54-room Thornewood Castle sits on the banks of American Lake in Lakewood and serves as a luxury B&B as well as a popular wedding venue. It’s also been used as the setting for Stephen King’s TV miniseries, “Rose Red.”
The Edgewater Hotel, Seattle, Washington
If you’re looking for a city wedding in an intimate setting with amazing views, look no farther than The Edgewater Hotel. The only hotel right on the waterfront, it boasts views of the Seattle skyline, Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier and the jaw-dropping Olympic Mountain range. The main ballroom is the favorite pick for exchanging vows – its grand 16-foot ceiling is outfitted with polished fir beams and comes complete with a panoramic waterfront vista. Each and every one of the lavish rooms all include a fireplace, but for guests who are looking for more budget-friendly options, there are a multitude of other accommodations within walking distance.
Allison Inn & Spa, Newberg, Oregon
For Oregon wine country enthusiasts, there may be no better place to say your vows than the Allison Inn & Spa, located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, set among lush sprawling lawns, gardens and acres and acres of grapevines. Plus, it only tends to receive a mere fraction of the crowds that clamor for weddings in the more famous vineyards in neighboring California. In fact, it only hosts an average of about a dozen weddings each year.
In addition to a beautiful vineyard setting, the lobby features a stone fireplace and outdoor terrace, while a lovely indoor pool includes floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open up to the gardens. The in-house spa offers indulgent treatments incorporating local ingredients like berries, honey, rose and wine, while Jory, the property’s restaurant delivers tasty farm-to-table fare and an incredible selection of wines by the glass.
Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie Washington
Outdoor loving couples may want to wed with Snoqualmie Falls providing a stunning natural backdrop. Located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, just a 40-minute drive east of Seattle, the 268-foot-high waterfall is one of the state’s most popular attractions – it’s even famous around the world, thanks to its appearance in the cult TV series, “Twin Peaks.” Couples, and their guests, can take the short hike down to the base of the falls to exchange their vows, or at one of several scenic spots in the park that surrounds the waterfall.
The adjacent Salish Lodge & Spa, perched right atop the falls, also offers intimate ceremonies on its Hidden Terrace, as well as reception facilities and delicious meals if you’re looking for an unforgettable celebration afterwards.
Treehouse Point in Issaquah, Washington
If you’ve always loved taking walks through the woods or perhaps enjoyed playing in a treehouse as a kid, why not wed in a treehouse? Treehouse Point, tucked within a lush forest just 30 minutes from Seattle offers the chance to tie the knot among the trees with the sounds of the river providing beautiful natural music. Not only can your ceremony be hosted here, but you’ll be able to wake up in your very own treehouse too.
Washington State Ferry, Washington
There are few more quintessential Northwest things to do than to say your “I dos” onboard a Washington State Ferry. You’ll have your choice of scenic routes, including everything from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island, and Anacortes to the San Juan Islands. You will need to contact the ferry system to gain permission, but it’s easy to do, especially if you book during non-peak times.
Voodoo Doughnut, Portland, Oregon
Finally, for couples who are as quirky as Portland’s famous slogan “Keep Portland Weird,” VooDoo Doughnut, the renowned shop serving some of the kookiest and tastiest doughnuts you’ve ever tasted, also offers a menu of ceremony options. Choose the “Whole Shebang” and you and your beloved will get round-trip airfare, a hotel, coffee, doughnuts and a Universal Life Minister.