Last summer I had the pleasure of photographing at The Lodge at St. Edward Park, a new wedding venue in the Seattle/Puget Sound area. The Lodge at St. Edward Park is located on Lake Washington in Kenmore, just northeast of Seattle. I’ve visited St. Edward Park many times for the trails and beautiful scenery. But this was my first time at the Lodge itself. The beautifully restored architecture and gorgeous interiors are amazing, as were the extensive grounds that are maintained by Washington State Parks.
A Historical PNW Venue | The Lodge at St. Edward Park
The historic building began its life in the 1930s as a seminary. Subsequently, the building and land became a state park in the 1970s. Starting in 2017, an investor partnered with Washington State parks to restore the building. It now serves as a hotel with 84 guestrooms, a restaurant, bar, and ballroom for events and receptions. If you’re a lover of history, art, and architecture like me, the beautiful Lodge and grounds are worth a visit!
Inside the Venue
It’s rare to find a venue where the indoor options are equally as good as the outdoor scenery. But the Lodge at St. Edward might be it! I loved the long windowed hallway on the main floor that serves as an art gallery. The tall windows along the west wall allow beautiful natural light to come streaming in, while the white walls create a lovely backdrop for photography. The guest rooms are all decorated beautifully, and even the restaurants could be a great option for stylish portraits! Whenever I visit a new venue, I’m thinking about what options I would have for photos on a rainy day. The Lodge at St. Edward would provide plenty of spaces to work with if it wasn’t pleasant to be outdoors.
Weddings at the Lodge at St. Edward Park
There are several options for weddings and receptions at the Lodge at St. Edward. Your ceremony takes place outdoors on the Great Lawn, inside in the Remington Ballroom, or at the beautiful Grotto, tucked into the trees at the edge of the forest. Receptions can be held in the Remington Ballroom and adjacent Tonsorium Bar.
Large wedding ceremonies can be held on the expansive lawn, and smaller ceremonies can use the intimate forest Grotto. There are nearly innumerable options for beautiful portraits throughout the grounds.
Forested trails wonder throughout St. Edward State Park; many of them descend steeply to the lakeshore. But several wind throughout the woods adjacent to the Lodge. A short stroll to the south is a beautiful orchard.
Grotto Ceremony Site
The Grotto is a beautiful ceremony site located a short stroll from the Lodge itself. A few steps down a stone staircase takes you into a secluded lawn surrounded by an arching canopy of trees. Whether you opt for a ceremony at the Grotto or elsewhere on The Lodge at St. Edward property, it’s a beautiful location for romantic portraits!
Patio Reception Area
For an intimate reception, the patio area received a beautiful dinner table. The bride and her family created gorgeous florals and a layered tablescape. Additionally, the venue’s wooden chairs added the perfect warm complement to the white linens and greenery. As the sun set towards the west, the fading sunlight cast a warm glow on the stone facade of the Lodge, creating a luminous and romantic scene for dinner. So lanterns and candles set the perfect atmosphere, and as the light faded the lights on the exterior of the Lodge at St. Edward illuminated the patio.
The Lodge at St. Edward Park
If you’re looking for a sophisticated venue for your Washington State wedding or elopement, the Lodge at St. Edward park would be a great choice! St. Edward Park hides close to the airport and metropolitan areas of Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, and Everett, while providing the stunning forest scenery for which Washington State is renowned. With historic detail, modern style and amenities, incredible cuisine, as well as a luxurious atmosphere, the Lodge at St. Edward is an ideal setting for a stylish wedding day.
Does this look like the perfect venue for you? Get in touch with them today, and then book me to photograph your wedding day!
Photos from Rebecca & TJ’s stunning & intimate Lodge at St. Edward Wedding!
Rebecca & TJ had the loveliest, sunny, summer Seattle wedding day at the Lodge at St. Edward Park! Their venue, The Lodge at St. Edwards Park, is relatively new, although it’s housed in an historic building that used to serve as a seminary. Rebecca got ready in one of the Lodge’s beautifully appointed suites. I’m always so happy when the bride’s getting-ready area is chic and stylish, and the Lodge at St. Edwards did not disappoint! Their decor is heavily influenced by the history of the building. The guestrooms and public areas are decorated in a subtle neutral, black, and white palette. Here and there you’ll find historical photos and antiques. There were so many options for great portraits, and the candid and documentary images always benefit from a stylish backdrop.
As a Seattle wedding photographer, I’m always on the lookout for beautiful new venues, and the Lodge at St. Edward Park does not disappoint! The historic Lodge was once a religious school and retreat, and it’s been transformed into a stunning, luxury hotel and wedding venue. The spacious rooms are stylish and comfortable, and the decor gives a beautiful nod to the history of the building and grounds.
Getting Ready in a Beautiful Bridal Suite
It’s always wonderful to have a beautiful getting-ready space to photograph the bride putting on her gown and jewelry. Stylish decor, great natural light, and minimal clutter are the ingredients for beautiful getting-ready photos. The luxurious guest rooms at the Lodge at St. Edward Park are so chic and sophisticated, with light neutral walls and modern decor, interspersed with art pieces and historic elements.
Rebecca chose an incredible gown with a lace bodice with long sleeves and a jewel neckline. The full a-line tulle skirt added the perfect amount of drama while letting the detailed lace off the top to take the spotlight. I loved her choice of classic pearl earrings and bracelet to accentuate the gown! TJ’s grey three piece suit with an emerald green tie was the perfect choice for a summer wedding! Rebecca & TJ opted to have a sweet, informal first look in the hotel room before we went downstairs to take some portraits around the property!
Indoor Portraits at the Lodge at St. Edward Park
After the couple took a few minutes to connect, we went downstairs to the beautiful gallery off the lobby for some romantic portraits. I love when I can use natural light for the couple’s portraits, and this lovely hallway was absolutely perfect. Floor-to-ceiling windows along the entire west wall let the beautiful sunlight in, and the white walls and architecture of the hallway created leading lines that framed the couple in the space.
My first choice for their portraits was the beautiful art gallery in the western-facing corridor of the Lodge. The light was just spectacular — the sunshine streaming in the windows beautifully illuminated the long hallway and arching white ceilings. We also stopped outside the Tonsorium Bar for a few seated portraits to capture the classy interior and decor of the Lodge.
Grotto Ceremony at St. Edward Park
Rebecca & TJ’s ceremony took place in a secluded forest garden called the Grotto, which is part of St. Edward State Park. The Grotto requires a separate permit from Washington State Parks. The arching canopy of trees creates such an intimate and romantic atmosphere. Since the Grotto is technically part of St. Edwards State Park and requires a permit from Washington State Parks to use. The arching canopy of maples and towering Douglas fir trees creates a cathedral-like effect.I loved the stylish bamboo folding chairs that were used for the ceremony — I think they may have been borrowed from the Lodge. Having great chairs for your ceremony may not seem important, but as someone who has photographed over two hundred weddings in the PNW, I promise you the chairs make a huge difference in the look and style of your wedding ceremony!
After the ceremony and family portraits, we took a short stroll through the orchard on the southern side of the park. The sun was just beginning to sink below the treelined, creating beautiful golden glow for some romantic photos. I love to take advantage of golden hour—the hour just before the sun sets when the main source of light is coming from a low angle in the sky— whenever the weather allows for it. But it’s important to realize that the trees and landscape around an area will greatly affect the timing of golden hour! If there are hills, mountains, tall buildings, or trees surrounding your venue, the last sunlight of the day can happen significantly earlier than the official time of sunset. I’m so glad Rebecca & TJ were willing to take ten minutes before their reception to take advantage of the spectacular evening sunlight on their wedding day!
Patio Reception at Sunset
Next, the bride and groom and guests relocated to the west patio alongside the main Lodge. As the sun continued set, the reflected sunlight created the most beautiful rosy glow that illuminated the west face of the stone building. Dinner was catered by the Lodge at St. Edward Park’s restaurant – Cedar & Elm. The cuisine was fresh, creative, and had a local emphasis that I love to see. As the evening came to a close, the dinner party on the patio was a celebratory, joyful resolution to Rebecca & TJ’s beautiful intimate PNW wedding at the Lodge at Saint Edward Park.
Even more stunning PNW wedding venues:
NatureBridge at Lake Crescent
Roche Harbor Resort
Lake Quinault Lodge
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