I had the amazing privilege of officiating my goddaughter's wedding recently on the MV Skansonia…read moreand, yes, this is truly one of the highlight venues in the Seattle area. I'm from Indianapolis and most certainly have never had the opportunity to officiate a wedding at such a remarkable setting matched by stellar customer service and wonderful food.
The entire event was exceptional from beginning to end.
I will admit that I worried when my goddaughter announced her wedding would take place on the MV Skansonia - a retired Washington State ferry boat built in 1928 that has been beautifully refurbished and is permanently moored on Lake Union.
I wanted to say to her "You do remember I'm in a wheelchair, right?"
Of course, she did remember.
While the MV Skansonia does have a small second level that is, in fact, not accessible, for this event it was primarily only used for dressing, etc. and I was able to fully participate in every aspect of the event from wedding rehearsal to ceremony to dinner to signing certificates and to the event closing dancing and social hours.
I never struggled to get around and access to the boat has been made relatively easy with a wide ramp that goes up the venue (there is a bit of a steep lip - if you're not independent with a wheelchair, I recommend making sure you have some help).
The set-up was beautifully arranged with Lake Union and the Seattle skyline in the background. Despite the challenges of holding an event on a ferry boat in record-breaking temps and the subsequent wedding outdoors on said ship, the event team was friendly, professional, and pulled the event off quite wonderfully.
The ship itself is beautiful. The food served was tremendous and dinner arrangements were efficient and effective. I loved the woman, whose name I am completely forgetting, who helped with the rehearsal and came armed with ideas, tips, and lots of positivity.
We worried a little bit as during the rehearsal a nearby tugboat made a little more noise than expected, but the day of the wedding was perfection and we even had nearby boaters stopping to watch.
The wedding set-up allowed for great views and photography. The follow-up events were nicely organized. The main floor served as an awesome dance floor, while the dinner area was beautifully set up with tables and a picturesque setting.
The Skansonia offers an all-inclusive venue with food, drinks, tables, chairs linens, staff, a coordinator, and more! They also note that they have a dressing room, indoor event space, outdoor event space, reception area, wireless internet, accessibility, and a covered outdoor area just in case (This is Seattle, after all).
I stayed at a hotel about a mile away and was able to travel down by wheelchair largely using the Burke-Gilman Trail. There are other restaurants and sites nearby, as well.
I'd easily and enthusiastically recommend this team and this venue. While I'm from Indiana, if by some weird shot I ever get married again I'd think long and hard about going to Seattle because this is easily the best venue for a wedding I've officiated and it offers an array of services, room to party, and an entire atmosphere that screams out romance. The venue has deservedly won awards and this experience was definitely one of my favorite experiences while in Seattle.
