Elegant Seattle Wedding at the Washington Athletic Club
From the moment these two inquired with me I knew that their wedding day was going to be an absolute joy for all in attendance! I am so grateful I got to photograph Anny and Randy’s beautiful Seattle wedding at the Washington Athletic Club, and I know you’re going to love looking through these photos filled with so much joy, love, and light.
Anna & Randy’s Seattle Wedding at the Washington Athletic Club
A day centered around family & friends
When Anna and Randy first reached out to me, they told me that they were looking for a fun & professional photographer who could capture both posed shots and plenty of candids – a perfect blend of traditional & documentary. I told them that sounded like exactly what I aim to do with my couples, and I was so honored when they chose me to photograph their big day!
From the moment we started planning details to when I arrived at their wedding at the Washington Athletic Club, it was clear to me that Anna and Randy wanted the focus of their wedding to be on their friends & family. They didn’t care too much about the details, or the minuscule pieces of the day: they wanted their wedding to be a celebration of their love alongside all of their best friends & family members, and boy did it end up being just that! Randy’s friend officiated their ceremony, and from start to finish, they were super present with each of their guests + just enjoyed the day as it played out. The Washington Athletic Club was also just the perfect venue for their elegant & charming day – more about that later in this blog!
Some of my personal favorite photos from the day have to be the photos we took in the study – they felt very “them,” as both Anna and Randy are super academically inclined. So the shelves filled with books just felt like the perfect backdrop for some gorgeous portraits in the dim, moody lighting! They both have or will soon have a doctorate – talk about badasses.
A sweet review from the couple
I can’t thank Anna and Randy enough for allowing me to capture their big day for them, and then for writing this kind review for me afterward.
"Kielen was the perfect choice for our engagement and wedding photos. She not only captured every little moment on our special day, but she was a delight to work with (our parents and grandparents are still raving about her!). Absolutely recommend for anyone looking for a wedding photographer."
Vendor list
Shoutout to the rest of the talented Seattle wedding vendors who contributed to this day & made it so beautiful!
Hair/Makeup: Blush Strokes Beauty
Planner: Simply Planned Events
DJ: Seattle DJ Pro
Cake/Dessert: The Sweet Side
About Weddings at the Washington Athletic Club
You may not have even known that you can get married at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle, but you totally can! The Washington Athletic Club is a beautiful Seattle wedding venue located in Seattle’s Central Business District, just 5 minutes from the waterfront.
You’d be surprised at the level of charm that an athletic club can bring to life when it comes to hosting weddings & events – the Washington Athletic Club provides an elegant, stylish venue for every couple’s big day! From the moment you arrive at your on-site suite to those last few drinks at the end of the night with your loved ones in the crystal ballroom, the club offers a variety of opportunities for a stunning wedding, and should definitely be included in your hunt for the perfect Seattle wedding venue.
Highlights of the Washington Athletic Club as a wedding venue:
Fully indoor venue
A fully indoor venue means you don’t have to worry about rain impacting your big day! No need to come up with a backup plan or rent a covered tent just in case – you’ll be protected from any unpredictable PNW weather that Seattle may throw at you.
A variety of elegant spaces
I always love when venues have multiple spaces that you can use for different parts of your wedding as the day progresses. The Washington Athletic Club has four different indoor spaces available for you to use for your wedding ceremony & reception: the Crystal Ballroom, the Johnson Lobby Lounge, the Noble Room, and the Top of the WAC. My personal favorites for weddings are the Crystal Ballroom & the Johnson Lobby Lounge, while the other two spaces are best for other types of events.
If you’re dreaming of an elegant wedding reception inside a super glamorous space, you’ll love the Crystal Ballroom, which features 18-foot ceilings adorned with Czechoslovakian chandeliers. Talk about romantic – imagine having these stunning chandeliers glistening above you as you sway during your first dance, as you toast your glasses with your loved ones, and as you cut your newlywed cake!
Guest Capacity: 90-250 depending on seating arrangements
The Johnson Lobby Lounge is a private room on the main level of the club, featuring windows that overlook downtown Seattle and absolutely gorgeous displays of Chihuly glass. This space is very sophisticated and perfect for slightly smaller celebrations!
Guest Capacity: 80-130 depending on seating arrangements
On-site accommodations:
Thanks to the on-site Inn at the WAC, you & your guests won’t need to get in cars & drive to a hotel at the end of the night – just walk to your suite and you’ll be ready to hit the hay!
Spa services:
Oh, and did I mention that the WAC has an entire spa? The Spa at the WAC offers a variety of luxurious spa services that you can enjoy before your wedding day, because you deserve some R&R after all the hard work & planning you’ve been doing! Book a massage the evening before your wedding to calm your mind & body, get your hair & nails touched up before the big day, or book a rejuvenating facial with one of the on-site estheticians to go into your wedding day with your skin glowing.
On-site catering:
On-site catering is a HUGE bonus at wedding venues, because it means you won’t have to do your own search to bring in an outside caterer! Simply browse through the club’s catering menu, filled with a wide array of delicious options from decadent buffets to mouthwatering appetizers using local ingredients to a dedicated sweets & late-night snacks menu. Sliders & BLT’s at the end of the night as dancing starts to tire you out? Yes, please!
Ideal downtown location:
Finally, the central location of the Washington Athletic Club means that you and your guests will have no shortage of fun things to do before your wedding day! If you or your guests are traveling in from outside of Seattle and stay at the Inn at the WAC or at a nearby hotel, you’ll be super close to the downtown area + will have access to the waterfront. Spend the days before your wedding meandering through Pike Place Market, explore the shops & restaurants along Union Street, or go out for a drink & enjoy the city nightlife!
Washington Athletic Club wedding FAQ’s
What services does the Washington Athletic Club offer for weddings?
Your Washington Athletic Club wedding package will include:
Cake cutting
Bartender
Exclusive full-service catering
Tables, linens, & napkins
Dance floor
Table numbers
Candles
Complimentary ceremony rehearsal space
On-site banquet manager
Doorman & security team
Validated guest self-parking
Luxury overnight room at the Inn at the WAC
Setup & cleanup
Discounted room rates for your overnight guests.
What is the guest capacity for weddings at the Washington Athletic Club?
The maximum guest capacity for weddings at the Washington Athletic Club is 250. However, this depends on the space you choose for your wedding: the Crystal Ballroom can hold between 90-250 people, while the Johnson Lobby Lounge can hold between 80-130.
I’m so glad I got to be there for this beautiful day! If you want some more gorgeous inspiration for your wedding day, check out a few of my recent favorites below: