I got married in Port Townsend, Washington, in August 2007. Port Townsend is a lovely town on the coast of Washington state with a distinctive Victorian flair, making it a popular choice for weddings. Because it is fairly remote, however, most of the weddings that take place here are “destination weddings.” While these are exciting for the guests and those getting married, the logistics of planning can drive even the most patient of brides a little bit crazy.
I spent hours researching and visiting many different venues in Port Townsend and assessing the different options, costs and arrangements, and found that no matter what your wedding vision or budget, the wedding of your dreams is available for you in Port Townsend.
Manresa Castle (800)732-1281
Manresa Castle is a gorgeous, castle-like hotel overlooking the entire city of Port Townsend, and providing a fairy-tale view of Puget Sound. This Victorian-style hotel has an English rose garden for those that want an outdoor wedding, and the entire hotel is full of rooms full of antiques and history, such as the wood-paneled Library, that are perfect for smaller, more intimate weddings. There is an amazing restaurant on-site that can cater your reception, making it a “one-stop” wedding destination for you and your guests. The guest rooms are affordable ($90 and up) and comfortable, keeping in style with the rest of the hotel’s Victorian flavor. With years of experience in wedding preparation, planning and execution, Manresa Castle is the perfect location for those brides that want a Victorian flavor and old-word charm for the Port Townsend wedding.
Fort Worden (360)344-4400
Fort Worden is a phenomenal place. Located outside Port Townsend on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, the fort was established in 1904 as a first line of defense for the Puget Sound cities and the naval shipyard at Bremerton. The base was eventually converted into a huge state park and conference center. Though the place retains the look of a turn-of-the-century army base – “An Officer and a Gentleman” was filmed there! – it now has all the modern conveniences we’ve come to expect. In addition, it is the host center for the arts and has a series of concerts and performances throughout the year. There are lots of opportunities for to enjoy the unique history and culture.
There are several places to hold your wedding at Fort Worden. There are beautiful old Officer’s homes that you can rent; they are decorated in the Victorian style and have plenty of room for smaller weddings. For larger areas, there is a Chapel at the entrance of the Fort; with wooden floors and pine trees surrounding it, it is a truly romantic place to get married. For brides who want an outdoor wedding, Fort Worden is unrivaled. There are two areas, Battery Tolles and Battery Alexander, that are cliffs overlooking the Puget Sound. You can get married here with a large group or just the two of you, with the waves in the background as your music.
Receptions can be held at the Fort Worden Commons and have a variety of prices and fare. Accommodations can be rented right at the Fort – there are old barracks, a hostel, and a home on a bluff overlooking the sea – that can all be reserved with for your wedding party and guests. Alexander’s Castle, a “mini-castle” overlooking Puget Sound, is the perfect place for your wedding night and is a quick walk from Fort Worden Commons.
We chose to get married at Fort Worden, at the Battery Tolles. It was surrounded by the trees and the ocean, and our guests were amazed at how beautiful the location was. Being able to get married in such a location, and then have our reception and wedding night so close to our guests was a great draw for us – we had family and friends from all over the country, so we wanted to be in close proximity to them. There was also the beach and the bunkers to keep everyone busy. We saw at least 9 weddings taking place in Port Townsend that weekend, and all of them looked amazing.
No matter what your wedding vision, there is the perfect location for you in Port Townsend. My advice to you is to book your location and accommodations early, and just enjoy the planning. You will be the most beautiful bride your husband has ever seen, no matter what wedding location you choose.
