Planning a Seattle wedding means thinking about a lot of things:
- What’s the plan in case of rain?
- Do we hike up to a dramatic view of Mt. Ranier or do we book a hotel overlooking the Puget Sound?
- Should we serve local wild-caught salmon?
- Will our venue allow our dog to be the ring bearer?
- What are the must-have shots for my Seattle wedding?
Luckily, I’m going to give you the answer to that last question below. ( Sorry to say, you are on your own for the pet policy and menu.)
University Of Washington
The University of Washington is a favorite spot for engagement photos and Seattle wedding photos alike. The Suzzalo Library is not only home to a Hogwarts-style reading room, but some amazing gothic windows that make a breathtaking backdrop. Combine this with the cherry trees, Red Square, lovely archways, door frames, and pocket gardens, and you’ve got a photographer’s paradise.
Pioneer Square/Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is probably the most iconic spot in the city and can make for some fun photo opportunities. I prefer the market after dark when the crowds are gone and the neon is glowing brilliantly. I also avoid the gum wall (ewe) in favor of heading just a little bit farther down Post Alley where the streets are less crowded.
4th Ave After Dark
This photo was shot outside The Hotel Monaco at the very end of Laura and Dan’s wedding. If possible, every wedding should include a night shot. It’s a great way to capture the romance of the day and end a wedding album.
Seattle Center
Another fun spot to visit day and night is Seattle Center. For Claire and Tristan’s wedding, we jumped out of the car in the loop next to MoPoP to capture this shot. All in all, we probably spent 10 minutes at the Seattle Center but those 10 minutes were worth fighting through traffic for on a busy summer Saturday!
Lake Washington at Sunset
There are so many great spots to capture the ocean and waterways that are apart of the Seattle lifestyle. This spot is on private property at the north end of the Lake. Seattle has great sunsets nearly year-round. If you can’t get access to a private dock, Kerry Park also has some stunning sunset views with the Space Needle and Mt. Ranier visible on a clear day.
Seattle Wedding Venues
While including all of these spots might require some careful planning on your wedding day, it’s worth the time and energy to at least include one in your Seattle wedding. If you haven’t found a wedding venue yet but are interested in an insider’s perspective on the best venues for a Downtown Seattle Wedding email me and I’ll send you a link to weddings I’ve photographed in beautiful venues I bet you’ll love!