We have a confession to make: outdoor weddings and unique venues get us going in the morning. Â We don’t feature many modern city weddings, but when we do they are usually pretty special. When I saw this wedding at the Seattle Aquarium, I just couldn’t help but jump at the opportunity to showcase it. Although I am not a huge supporter of aquariums anymore, I was very fond of them as a child and had memorable trips to Sea World in California.
The wedding guests had free reign of the aquarium throughout the evening, and got quite the treat after the ceremony during cocktail hour watching the sea otters and babies eat their dinner. To top it off the bride wore an absolutely stunning Jenny Packham Eden gown in platinum that was adorned with gorgeous beading and texture. A top notch unique wedding venue in my opinion!
Their Story
Wedding coordinator comments: “The day before their wedding it poured rain, and the forecast for the wedding day was 90% chance of rain. We rehearsed the ceremony inside, thinking there was no way we would end up on Seattle Aquariums gorgeous pier over-looking the Puget Sound for the ceremony.
“However, their wedding day dawned sunny and clear without a raindrop all day. So we ended up on the pier after all, which was a fun surprise because it was an absolutely stunning view for both their out-of-town and local guests alike.”
About This Wedding
Overall theme for the Ceremony and Reception
We wanted something offbeat in the city, but still a fancy evening event. We are animal and nature lovers, so getting married on the pier at sunset over Puget Sound, followed by cocktails and dinner reception and dancing in the aquarium was perfect. It had an urban evening feel, with a quirky and fun atmosphere, and the magic that the nature and animals were right there!
Which pieces of music did you use during the ceremony?
We hired a guitarist, who played a slowed-down, acoustic version of Such Great Heights by the Postal Service for my entrance. He played other acoustic stuff from his repertoire for the processional (just parents).
Highlights from the Ceremony and Reception
Definitely cocktail hour in the “tide pool” room, where everyone got to traipse outside with their drinks to watch the otter feeding.
Wedding Favors
Our dog, Ruddy, plays a special role in our lives and unfortunately wasn’t able to attend the ceremony.  We worked with our favorite local brewery, Epic Ales, to prepare a custom brew and label: Ruddy Brew, which included a special wedding toast written from Rudy on the label:
“As a Canine Person, I am regrettably unable to attend tonight’s festivities, despite my great fondness for seafood sea life. However, as Best Dog, it is my duty and pleasure to welcome you and offer a toast. Ahem. What is love? Love is sharing your kibble even when you’re very hungry. It is feeling your spirits fly like a tennis ball over a big grassy field. It is happiness on long walks together. Love is an adventurous romp as much as a safe den. It is sometimes depending on another, and other times being a brave guardian. Love is loyalty, if not always obedience. Love is a familiar smell far from home. Being a dog, I know love. Please drink this brew in celebration of the love between my humans, Chris and Renata. May they, and all of you, know such love until your muzzles are grizzled and gray.”
Where did you go on your Honeymoon?
“Dinner at Willows Inn on Lummi Island. WOW. Then, a road trip through the Canadian Rockies. Months later, the real honeymoon was a tour of the Galapagos Islands!”
Ashley Burbank
January 12, 2015 at 11:15 pmSomeone please take me to Seattle to get married!
Perfection!
An aquarium? That’s the most unique wedding venue that I’ve seen yet! We need an aquarium here in Central Kansas. I’m now completely sure of it!
Helpful ReviewVendor
January 15, 2015 at 8:50 amhaha Too funny Ashley…Perhaps for an extra fee they would let the bride and groom make their grand exit on Shamoo? jkjk 😛
Agreed though, such a neat idea and what a place to have a reception.
Helpful ReviewStacy {Woodsy Weddings}
January 16, 2015 at 1:36 pmAnother stunning dress! I love how the color palette works so well with the blue water in the aquarium, especially the darker pink/maroon color.
Helpful Review