Luna Restaurant: Spokane Wedding Venue

Luna is one of Spokane’s most reputable restaurants, and the brides of Spokane will be delighted to hear that they can also hold wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners. Yes, you can rent out the beautiful South Hill wedding venue for your very own event! With fresh local ingredients Luna specializes in fine dining cuisine, and would be perfect for an intimate wedding or big rehearsal dinner. And if you are having a larger Spokane wedding reception then Luna offers reasonably priced catering services too!

I e-mailed Kara from Luna for more information:

“We are best suited to small, intimate weddings that are simple. Our private room would make a stunning place to have a ceremony, and in the summer, our kitchen garden would be perfect for guest to have cocktails while we transition the private room from ceremony to reception. We have 2 patios that are off of the Garden room that would also work well for that cocktail hour before the reception.”

Price:  Prices quoted are minimum spends (including food and beverage) and depend on the day and how much of the restaurant you rent out. Sunday through Thursday to rent out half the Garden Room is $500, the whole room is $1,000. Friday and Saturday it’s $1,200 for half and $2,500 for the whole.  (prices correct at time of publishing, but should always be verified)

Capacity: 50 guests sit down,75 for cocktail reception

Ceremony location: Yes.

Outside Catering: No.

Web: www.lunaspokane.com

Luna is also listed as one of my top 5 Spokane rehearsal dinner spots!

Top Winter Wedding Venues in the Spokane area

I am sucker for a good “Top” list no matter if it’s ‘”Top 5 Diseases in Europe between 1755-1976″ or “Top 10 Things He’s Not Telling You” (one of my personal “Top 10” Top 10s), I can’t help but look. So today I have the Top Winter Wedding Venues in the Spokane area. It should be said that by “Top” , I mean MY top, but I have spent the last couple months researching venues and would like to think my opinion is somewhat educated at this point.  The criteria were simple.

• Will the venue accommodate a winter wedding?
• What is the atmosphere like in winter?
• And how easy is it to get there?

Patsy Clark Mansion

Patsy Clark’s open log fires, dark wood and classical decor make it feel cozy and comfy for those cold winter nights. And because it’s one of Spokane’s most historic venues, it can’t help but have character in every nook and cranny.  If you still aren’t convinced then check out this amazing Patsy Clark wedding featured previously on Apple Brides!

Bryan Aulick Photography

The Davenport Hotel

If you’ve always dreamt of a city wedding in winter, then The Davenport is the perfect place! The Christmas decorations are famous in Spokane and would create the MOST amazing backdrop for a wedding. Head to the rooftop to get photos of the snowy views of the city and then enjoy a mulled wine by the fire in the lobby (another great photo opp!)

The Davenport Hotel

Elkins Resort

Elkins Lodge on Priest Lake gets my vote because nothing says winter wonderland like a cabin in the woods! And even though it may slightly break the rules, because it isn’t the easiest place to get to, it makes up for it because your guests can spend the night in their very own luxurious cabin or lodge.

Elkins Resort

Glover Mansion

I know there’s already another mansion on the list, but the old mansions are some of Spokane’s wedding gems, especially in winter! The reason I like Glover Mansion so much is that it looks like something you might see in the English countryside, and what’s not to like about that?! It was built in 1888 and if it’s ‘enchanting-European- winter-wonderland’ you’re after…it’s definitely a top spot!

Glover Mansion

Pine River Ranch

There are some who say Leavenworth is the birthplace of romance (ok…no… no one says that, but they would be justified if they did!) which is why Pine River Ranch makes the list. Not only is it very near the adorable Bavarian town of Leavenworth and great ski slopes, it is also a little winter paradise with luxurious cabins and a rustic barn venue for wedding receptions (which is heated and open year round). I realize is may break a couple of rules too, but it makes up for it because it’s perfect in every other way!

Pine River Ranch

Ok, so those are MY top winter venues, I am sure there are plenty of others so let me know if I missed any!

Spokane Convention Center: Wedding Venue Review

Location, location, location. Put anywhere else and the Spokane Convention Center’s wedding facilities would be pretty standard. But it just so happens to be located smack dab in downtown Spokane with some of the best views the city has to offer. From what I can gather the packages and facilities are pretty basic, but the potential is huge and the white marquee and outdoor BBQ area provide the perfect blank canvas for whatever type of wedding you want.  And seriously…you can’t beat the views and photo potential!

Byron Vasecka Photography

Green Gables Photography

Spokane Convention Center

Obviously the outdoor facilities are seasonal, the Convention Center does have some indoor facilities if needed. I e-mailed Becca from the Center for more information:

“Complimentary inclement weather plan options provided for Roof Deck Wedding and/or Reception Packages.  Rest assured if mother nature does not cooperate your day will go off without a hitch for we can transition you into an indoor space.

Special incentives and discounts on rent for June 25-27, 2011 or August 27-29, 2011.  Lowest Roof Deck price of the season.

All rental packages include four hours of set-up, six hours of event time and one hour of move-out.   A bridal ready room with a light lunch is also included with all Wedding Ceremony and Reception Packages.”

Price: Roof Deck with Tent  (seasonal)  $2,800.00 including tax (indoor options vary)

Capacity: 200 for ceremony and reception, 300 for reception only (indoor options can hold more)

Ceremony Location: Yes

Outside Catering: The exclusive caterer is Centerplate.

Web: www.spokanecenter.com

E-mail: sales@spokanepfd.org

Phone: 509.279.7007

Santé Restaurant & Charcuterie: Spokane Rehearsal Dinner

My sisters are foodies. Big time. Maybe it’s the fact one of them studied in one of the best culinary institues in America or that the other one lived in Paris, but there’s no Red Lobster Friday specials for their lunch dates. In Spokane they have an exclusive list of eateries they will go to and one of them is the French inspired Santé Restaurant in downtown Spokane. Whenever I am home a visit to Santé is one of the must-dos, so I have no qualms about my recommendation today! Besides having amazing food, Santé has a great city loft-like atmosphere and is in a prime spot downtown (right on Main Street). I contacted Kate Hansen from Santé to see if they ever do weddings or rehearsal dinners…and guesss what? They do! Granted, only for up to 50 people, but for a rehearsal dinner it would be perfect!

Here is some information from Kate:

“We are able to host parties up to 50 guests, each one customized with the event printed on the menus. Sunday-Tuesday we are closed at 5PM and could close down for the rest of the nights with a minimum purchase of 3,500 wed/Thurs and 5,000 Fri/sat. We are also available for off site catering.”

Belle Victorian Gardens, Spokane: Review

I’ve decided that Belle Victorian Gardens is one of Spokane’s most romantic venues. It just has to be. When you take into account the tall trees, idyllic pond, Victorian architecture and beautiful brass bed, there is just really no denying that it has romance in the bag. The Deer Park venue is only 10 minutes from Spokane, but the rural setting helps visitors feel they are miles from the bustle of the city. When you book a wedding at Belle Victorian, you get the whole place to yourself and the expertise of owners Pam and Larry Terpstra along with it. And even though it’s an outdoor venue Pam and Larry have every scenario covered, come rain or shine!

Belle Victorian Gardens

Belle Victorian Gardens

Belle Victorian Gardens

Belle Victorian Gardens

Belle Victorian Gardens

Belle Victorian Gardens

Belle Victorian Gardens

Belle Victorian Gardens

One of the best parts of Belle Victorian Gardens is the amount of photo opportunities (just check out this wedding previously featured on Apple Brides). Pam and Larry have thought of it all, from grand gazebos, antique brass beds and old clocks; you definitely won’t have a shortage of places to capture your day.

Here is a little more information from the lovely Pam:

“Our whole philosophy is to have the bride and groom simply walk in and out on their wedding, enjoying every moment in between as we oversee and do all that’s needed to accomplish that.  We want them to have a stress free day and to trust that it will be a fairy-tale.  Couples also have the house and the grounds for an 11 hour day.  The house is a 4000 square foot victorian with three bedrooms and three bathrooms upstairs for the ladies to dress in.  The men have a separate grooms cottage in the back grounds until they choose to see each other. Our grounds are over five acres of gardens, ponds, and waterfalls.  We also has a secret garden with a dressed bed in shabby chic linens for really beautiful and intimate pictures.”

Price: Medium

Capacity: 200

Ceremony Location: outdoor

Outside Caterer: Yes.

Web: www.bellegardens.com

E-mail: info@bellegardens.com

Artistic Expression: Spokane Wedding Make-up

Make-up is one of the important parts of completing you bridal look. I have been very cautious about adding make-up artists to the Apple Brides Vendor List because I know that having bad bridal make-up can be devastating on a wedding day. It may sound silly, but if your make-up and hair are right, you will feel confident, which will make you feel beautiful…which you totally need on one of the most stressful days of your life!

Alicia Smith is the artist behind Artistic Expression, and she is wonderful! Alicia is a licensed Esthetician and has worked as a make-up artist for MAC and ULTA, and has been doing photo shoots, educational application, engagement shoots and wedding make-up for the last 6 years. She knows how to do anything and everything, including airbrush application and eye lash extensions (which in my opinion every bride should invest in!)

Here is some more information from Alicia on her services:

“I use all natural, organic, and vegan make-up!  It was a long and hard process to fine sustainable make-up companies, but totally worth the hard work.  After years of working with large corporate make-up companies, it was a huge priority for me to find make-up lines that were not just good products, but also good for my clients and the earth.  I have been dubbed the “Lipstick Hippie”  with my group of friends, it’s a name that stuck, and I love it!

For bridal makeup I like to work with the bride a couple of months before the wedding and do a trial run of the make-up, I encourage the bride to compile photos of make-up they like from magazines or blogs for us to look at.  My new favorite thing is to do makeup for the engagement shoot instead of a trial run, that way they really see how their make-up will photograph on the day of the wedding. “

Contact Alicia:
artisticexpressionmakeup@gmail.com
509-999-6778

Photos by Madeline James Photography

The Pavillion at the Spokesman Review: Wedding Venue

I was so excited when one of my readers let me in on the fact that the Spokesman Review is now holding weddings at their historic downtown building. Spokane brides don’t have many options when it comes to modern city venues, so it’s great to add another one to the list. The areas are called The Patio and The Pavillion, complete with breathtaking views of Spokane and gargoyles….gargoyles! It really doesn’t get much better than that. The space includes an indoor space that can hold 50 people and and outdoor space that can hold up to 100.The area would be perfect for a summer wedding or rehearsal dinner. Even though the indoor facilities are quite basic, the potential is endless, the views alone are worth it!

Price: unknown

Capacity: 150 (with The Patio and The Pavillion)

Ceremony location: Yes.

Outside Catering: Yes.

Web: www.spokesman.com/marketing/thepavilion

Elkins Resort: Review

Elkins Lodge on Priest Lake, Idaho is one of the hot spots for Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho woodsy, country weddings. And unlike many cabin or lake venues you definitely don’t have to improvise or rough it to pull together a fabulous wedding. This is country luxury at it’s best! The wedding packages are complete and give you options, which go a long way in the world of cabin weddings!

Ifong Chen Photography

Ifong Chen Photography

Ifong Chen Photography

Ifong Chen Photography

Elkins Resort

Elkins Resort

Elkins Resort

One of the best things about Elkins is that they can hold events year round. I can’t think of a better spot for a Christmas wedding!

Price: $1,500 for June-September, $1,000 for October-May (prices correct at time of publishing)

Capacity: 130 indoor, but up to 300 (if a tent is rented)

Ceremony location: Yes, seating for 130 indoors. Outdoors more.

Outside Catering: No.

Web: www.elkinsresort.com/

First 4 photos by Ifong Chen.

Agape Events: Review

Even though most of us go through our lives dreaming and scheming about our wedding day, when the proposal actually comes sometimes it’s hard to put all those dreams into reality. What you thought you “had to have” in junior high or high school has probably (I’m going to go ahead and say, hopefully…) changed, and since you don’t have experience planning a wedding it’s hard to know what to do. What should you do first? How much money will you need? Who does what? The questions are endless. That’s where a wedding coordinator comes in. It’s their job to plan weddings, so let them help you plan yours.  As I wrote in Monday’s post, a wedding coordinator is not just for the big in budget wedding, it’s for any budget and can actually save you money!

Diana Ithomitis is the owner of Agape Events, an experienced and well known events company in Spokane. Diana infuses personality and an attention to detail in all her work, and because of her experience she has very well developed packages, suiting a variety of budgets. She offers everything from full event coordination to day-of coordination.

I e-mailed Diana for more information on her services.

“My name is Diana Ithomitis, and I started Agape Events in September 2008.   Ithomitis is a very Greek last name, and so I did a little research and discovered that Agape is the Greek word for unconditional love.   What better name for a wedding planning business?!  I have a a degree in psychology, and you would be surprise how often I use it (counseling stressed out moms!).

If you are starting to plan your wedding, or are almost to the big day give me a call!  My services range from full planning to day of coordination.  I work with brides that have no idea where to start planning their wedding, as well as the brides that just need someone to take over on the wedding day. References are available upon request, or check out my website to see previous events and comments from clients.”

Agape Events

Phone: 509.994.4773

E-mail: diana@agape-events.com

Web: www.agape-events.com

La Lune Events: Review

I’ve had a couple brides asking about day-of coordination, so I thought I would do a do a focus on Spokane area wedding planners this week. I think a lot of brides immediately rule out getting a wedding planner because they think it’s only for big budget weddings, but wedding planners these days cater for every budget. Hiring a planner can actually save you money because they help you stay within your budget, know the best ways to cut costs and get great rates with other vendors.  The other thing a lot of brides don’t know, is that wedding planners have a good mix of packages, whether you just want a one hour consultation to go over your theme and colors, day-of coordination or the entire wedding coordinated from start to finish.

La Lune Events is one of the stylish Spokane vendors who really get what the modern in-the-know bride is after.  Owners, Alisa and Jessica have formed a great resource for brides, specializing in everything from custom favors and graphic design, budget planning to full wedding planning and coordination and even in-law wrangling (Jessica actually listed that in her e-mail to me!) The pictures below are from one of the events they coordinated this summer, they call it the lavender wedding, I call it lavender awesome! Photographed by Ifong Chen.

I e-mailed La Lune events and Jessica responded with a little more information about their services.

“We are located in Spokane, WA but have traveled and are willing to travel to just about anywhere! We do just about anything and also offer services like DIY workshops, in-house catering, and green/earth friendly decor options. Our primary goal is to combine felicity with function – and design and create for our clients their absolute perfect day.

More specifics on our event packages can be found on our website, however we believe that meeting with couples and drafting a custom event proposal is the best way to go. We believe that each event is unique – let’s talk about yours!”

La Lune Events
phone: 509.474.1209
e-mail:  laluneevents@gmail.com
Web:www.laluneevents.com