GOTTA GET AWAY

TAKE YOUR CELEBRATION BEYOND THE CONCRETE JUNGLE BY CHOOSING ONE OF THESE VENUES OUTSIDE SEATTLE’S CITY LIMITS

SNOHOMISH

Looking for a little more breathing room?

Snohomish, just about 40 minutes north of the Emerald City, has it all: historic 19th-century buildings, cute chapels and barns with sweeping fields surrounding them. Representing the wedding industry in town is the Snohomish Wedding Guild (SWG), which gives nearly weds a comprehensive understanding of local vendors and venues. “The Snohomish Wedding Guild was born out of the desire to spotlight our diverse and award-winning wedding venues, and to offer an opportunity to meet some of the best professionals in the business so you can plan the event of your dreams with ease and confidence,” says Sharon St. Marie, president of SWG.

If wine country and astounding views are a must for your “I dos,” then say yes to Mongata Estate Winery, just a hop, skip and jump over the Washington border in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Mongata’s 16-acre vineyard offers endless views of both the valley and the Blue Mountains, as well as the Walla Walla River, which winds through the property. The winery’s repurposed 102-year-old barn is a wedding favorite, thanks to its chic bohemian-meets-vineyard interior. Among its winning features are views of the vineyard, reclaimed wood, and a crescent-shaped granite tasting bar, which is accented by a boho-style chandelier created with willow branches from the property. Tie the knot on the barn’s patio and continue the party there; the patio features two pergolas, room for dancing and power for the DJ. Or take the celebration inside for a cocktail hour or dinner—long farm tables are a great option for the space. And the wine is taken care of, with Mongata delivering highly rated vintages, especially its estate syrah and rosé.

If ever there were a real-life enchanted forest, IslandWood would be it. The 250-acre property is located on Bainbridge Island, and though it’s primarily an environmental education nonprofit organization, it’s also known for being a uniquely Pacific Northwest wedding venue. The team at the venue has put together a weddingweekend package that allows couples to turn their celebration into a mini destination event. Before or after the main celebration, the team at IslandWood can arrange a variety of activities for guests to participate in, including guided hikes, canopy tower climbing and a garden tour. A dedicated planner on the property will keep things running smoothly—helping to choose among the property’s indoor and outdoor spaces as well as assisting in the creation of the perfect sustainably sourced menus for the weekend, which are tailored to each couple’s specific needs and preferences.

There’s a piece of wine country just 25 miles outside of Seattle at Willows Lodge. With 5 acres in the heart of Woodinville Wine Country, this property is surrounded by the area’s stunning natural landscape—ideal for couples who want a nature-focused affair. One of the property’s outstanding features is its dining offerings. Barking Frog, which is Washington state’s only AAA five-diamond restaurant, offers unmatched catering options for weddings. Executive chef Dylan Herrick and his team source fresh, seasonal, local ingredients to craft dishes that are reflections of both the land and sea. What makes the property truly a standout for saying “I do” are the stunning Garden

Gazebo and Sammamish Ballroom, giving couples the best of both worlds with a lush outdoor setting as well as a rustic, modern-lodge indoor option.

Located in Redmond, Parties on the Terrace is an intimate venue designed for weddings with no more than 100 guests. Much as its name suggests, the property is all about terraces—four to be exact. All of them feature lush native greenery, garden benches, Adirondack chairs and bench swings. Parties on the Terrace can also accommodate indoor events in its 2,400-square-foot “Banchetto” (banquet hall), which features vaulted wood-beam ceilings, majestic mirrors and classic wainscoting. In addition, couples can take advantage of the venue’s prep suite, which has plenty of natural light to ensure they look perfect before heading down the aisle.