Reception Visits

April 21st, 2006 by Jennifer

4/21

Pier 57 Bay Pavillion
http://pier57seattle.com/catering.html

Location: Downtown Seattle

Brett is out of town so I asked my brother Larry to join me for this site visit. I’m excited since this will be the first site I’ve visited!! There was a tasting and the food was pretty tasty. Being out on the Pier, it’s a very pretty ceremony site—would over look the water, islands, and Olympic Mountains. The reception room is a little dark, no great views and slightly dated.

4/23
Fairview Club
http://www.tonyscatering.com/fairviewclub.asp
Location: Downtown Seattle—Middle of city.
Upside: I’ve driven by this place a bunch of times without even noticing. The exterior is brick, and has black and white striped awnings. As you walk inside, the details of the interior of this building are elegant, yet simple. There are some colorful bright paintings, the bathrooms are modern and bright, and the hall area is open, light and spacious. There is a cozy fireplace and sitting area that is sweet.

Downside: We’ve found this site is taken for our chosen date.

4/23
Navel Reserve
http://www.seattle.gov/parks/reservations/slu.htm#rates

Location: Downtown Seattle—South Lake Union

Although a great location on the lake, and a nice exterior, this wasn’t the place for us. Our first impression was walking in the building and going up the stairs to the Officers Club. Although the room was good, and had nice views, the center of attention on the way to the room is the Gym. We decided if there was any kind of sports tournament, we might have to deal with cheering/ball bouncing, etc at the reception. Not good.

Also, the park is going under MAJOR renovation in 2007. Construction could be a problem.

4/23
Studio 116
http://www.studio116.us/
Location: Downtown Seattle—2 blocks from new SAM sculpture Garden.

Upside: A 1920’s warehouse that has been renovated, this place has some character! It’s a bit raw, but also unique and colorful. It’s used as a photography studio by day, a party place by night. There is a large glass warehouse door that could be opened to the sidewalk, and cocktail tables could be put there as well. The sun shines through the wall of glass quite nicely through the sheer curtains. This place has all kinds of potential for a creative “party-like” reception. Don’t expect ballroom style here.

Downside: Bathrooms seem a little dingy. I also am concerned if it will be tiddy enough.

4/25
Woodland Park Zoo
http://www.zoo.org/zoo_info/special/grp_sales/gs_frmst.htm
Location: North Seattle

Upside: Definitely my first choice—if we didn’t have to worry of RAIN! This place is so sweet, romantic, and intimate. You walk through a cute little gate into a garden with pathways, etc. I could definitely see a dark evening with lanterns and twinkle lights. 🙂

Downside: Did I mention Rain-out? Also, ceremony and reception in the same place so people would have to watch the take down of the ceremony.

4/25
Skansonia Ferry

Home

Location: Lake Union, North Side

Upside: It’s on the lake. Nice view (as you can see).

Downside: Well, we got there for our appointment and the lady we were to meet with was NO WHERE to be found. We wondered around the boat for quite some time and finally found her. She was not all that nice, and had failed to mention in our previous conversations that you had to have 150 people for this venue. Oh well, their menu sucked anyhow!

4/25
Pravda Studios
http://www.pravdastudios.com/site/site.html
Location: Capital Hill, Seattle

Upside: It’s a beautiful studio with natural light, lovely hardwoods, and unlimited possibilities on decorating! It’s on Capital Hill, and EVEN has parking… just a minor miricle! Bruce, our contact is really friendly, full of ideas, and seems to want events at his place to run very smoothly. His place is full of technology and we can do pretty much whatever we would like. We would also have a back up ceromony site if it rained.

Downside: Venue is a little big. Bruce left.

4/25
Lake Washington Rowing Club
http://www.lakewashingtonrowing.com/facilities.html
Location: Lake Union, Northside

Upside: LOVELY views off the deck. Fun Fremont neighborhood.

Downside: Venue is dated.

4/28
Hotel Andra
http://www.hotelandra.com/events.aspx
Location: Downtown Seattle

Upside: Very Modern, quite our style. There is a main ballroom, which is clean and modern with some nice modern art on the walls, and then a loft above where we could do the cocktail reception. My favorite restaurant in Seattle— Etta’s with the Chef Tom Douglas is the catering company! Delicious! We thought our guests could have so much fun staying the wedding night there because of the fantastic location…

Downside: A little expensive.

4/28
Library Bistro
Web address:http://www.librarybistro.com/
Location: Downtown Seattle

Downside: Ballroom is definitely not what we are looking for. Ugly. Restaurant (see above) could be very interesting site, just not what we are looking for.

4/29
Golf Club at Newcastle
Web address: http://www.newcastlegolf.com/Weddings.aspx?SecID=364
Location: Newcastle, SE of Bellevue

Upside: LOVELY views of the whole Bellevue/Seattle/Lake area.

Downside: The woman touring was sn-oooooo-tty. The room that was fit four our wedding size wasn’t all that great… kind of dark, conferencey, and not what we’re looking for.

4/29
Salish Lodge
Location: Just East of Issaquah

Upside: Lovely views of the falls.

Downside: A bit of a drive for all our guests. (BUT a great place to visit if you are in town early. Falls are nice.)