A true “destination within reach,” Roche Harbor is a historic Pacific Northwest venue in Friday Harbor, Washington. Couples rave that Roche Harbor weddings are like a dream come true with stunning grounds (especially during sunset!) and a fantastic team of skilled event planning staff ready to make their wishes come alive. Finding a beautiful venue is one task – but finding a qualified, friendly team of wedding planners can be even more difficult! Roche Harbor wedding couples are well taken care of so that the big day goes exactly as planned. This venue is an incredible place to have a wedding!
About Roche Harbor Weddings
248 Reuben Memorial Drive
Roche Harbor, WA 98250
A beloved historical monument of the Pacific Northwest, Roche Harbor Resort is a venue with unparalleled charm and beauty. This 130-year-old property sits along the edge of a sparkling blue marina in the San Juan Islands, just a few short hours from Seattle, Washington.
Couples can choose from the many unique vendors on the island or choose to DIY aspects of the celebration. The Roche Harbor events team is always available to promptly answer any questions or concerns, making the wedding day as stress-free as possible.
This property hosts large-scale weddings and small, intimate gatherings. First-class amenities and an all-star event planning staff make this venue the ideal location for a wedding. Couples fall in love with this majestic spot and often return to celebrate their anniversaries in the coming years.
Details of the Grounds
All weddings at Roche Harbor include a planning team, staff set up and service, heaters and fuel, a dance floor, outdoor furniture, and a room block based on availability.
There are currently four venues to choose from: Sunken Garden, Chapel, Pavilion and Courtyard, and Seaside Lawn.
The Sunken Garden
The Sunken Garden can host up to 300 guests in a gorgeous flower garden with colorful blooms peaking from April through October. This spot is the perfect outdoor space for small, intimate gatherings or large-scale weddings. This quaint, elegant garden, located next to the bustling marina, features a variety of blooms and green foliage.
Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel
The Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel can hold up to 120 guests and sits on the hillside overlooking the harbor. This unique, historic gem is perfect for the ceremony or as a backup space in the event of rainy weather. The building is more than a century old and still used for non-denominational services during summer.
Pavilion and Courtyard
The Pavilion and Courtyard can hold up to 250 guests. This outdoor courtyard is perfect for cocktail hour before guests transition to the reception area in the Pavilion. An oversized, wood-burning fireplace will illuminate the evening. The Pavilion features a custom-made bar, natural light, wood floors, air conditioning and heating, a cozy indoor fireplace, and a buffet room. This space is perfect for blending the indoors and outdoors as the glass doors in the Pavilion can be opened to let in the fresh air and light.
Seaside Lawn
The Seaside Lawn is perfect for large gatherings (able to hold over 250 people) and is the ideal spot to celebrate in style. This lawn area sits next to the shoreline and is a great place to see some of the island’s most beautiful sunsets. This is a wonderful place to hold cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing – a unique experience no one will forget.
Photography Opportunities
For couples that enjoy natural settings, this wedding venue is an excellent place for photos you’ll cherish forever. Natural elements such as stone, wood, water, flowers, trees, grass, and vines work together to create astounding backdrops.
Roche Harbor is a beautiful venue to hold a wedding. Many spaces around the property’s grounds are a perfect backdrop for wedding day photography. Indoor venue spaces boasting substantial glass windows fill the venue with natural light. The seaside location allows for waterfront photos throughout the day, sunset, and evening. Firepits create a welcoming ambiance and make an attractive focal point for pictures. The vibrant colors of fresh blooms in the Sunken Garden make a beautiful location for wedding day photos, especially if your wedding is in May or June.
Wedding Details
The venue booking rate changes throughout the year, but the service fees remain the same no matter your wedding time. Services include:
- a menu,
- layout,
- linen selection,
- venue set up and break down,
- a reception banquet captain,
- a rehearsal and ceremony event concierge,
- food servers,
- bartenders,
- a fantastic culinary staff,
- and facility cleaning.
The ceremony can take place in the Garden or Chapel and includes guest seating, set up and break down, and a rehearsal the day before the wedding with an event planner. The reception includes cocktail hour, cocktail tables, dinner tables, vineyard chairs, china, glassware, bar supplies, catering equipment, fireplaces and firewood, outdoor patio furniture with heating umbrellas, a buffet station or plated dinners, a projector, event staff, and cake cutting services.
Couples can host a welcome dinner the night before the wedding at Shipwreck Beach. Friends and family can enjoy a laid-back seaside barbecue with gourmet eats. This welcome dinner venue is casual but includes:
- Tents.
- An outdoor display kitchen.
- A fire pit.
- A phone-ready music system – everything you’ll need to greet your wedding guests and begin the festivities.
The events catering team selects only the best local ingredients to source the menus, including seafood from the Salish Sea, beef from eastern Washington, locally-raised lamb, or produce from the Skagit Valley. Wedding menus focus on seafood, shellfish, beef, chicken, vegetables, and salads. At Roche Harbor, dining is part of the entertainment, so the culinary team is visible, preparing many dishes in front of the guests. The sights, smells, and sounds of fresh seafood cooking are an experience that wedding guests will discuss for years to come.
Roche Harbor Weddings
With its many unique ceremony and reception spaces, Roche Harbor is a beautiful venue for the wedding of your dreams. With plenty of natural light, seaside views, and luxurious amenities, it’s no surprise that Roche Garden is one of Washington’s most popular wedding venues.
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