IslandWood

My August 2022 wedding at IslandWood couldn't have been more perfect. I am almost two years delinquent in posting a review and friends and family are still commenting about how great it was. We knew we wanted a nature/"summer camp" setting where all our guests could stay in one place for a whole weekend. We also wanted our guests to be comfortable and not be "roughing it" too much. IslandWood was the perfect balance. The location is so beautiful and they are absolute pros at planning and managing weddings. The communication was on point throughout the process. Guests still comment about how great the food was and we loved that we could customize the menu (taco bar, dessert buffet, late night pizza, you name it). The staff are all so friendly and competent. Lastly, it felt really good to know that the money we were going to spend on a venue no matter what was supporting a good cause. If you're dreaming of a magical wedding weekend in the woods, look no further - IslandWood will hold a special place in your heart for the rest of your life.

IslandWood was an amazing venue for our multi-day wedding. The space is amazing and we were so happy that it brought everyone together for multiple days. We had family and friends traveling from other states and countries, and it was an amazing experience for everyone to celebrate an Indian wedding in the woods. The venue, food, hikes, and events blew everyone out of the water. We had a perfect wedding weekend, it felt magical to get married at IslandWood!

A wedding at IslandWood is magical. Friends were cautioning their children to not expect future wedding experiences to be like the one at IslandWood. Everyone was exceptional from Stephanie (our planner) to John (audio person) to Jim (the head chef). Nearly everyone commented on the food, which was delicious. The rooms are comfortable. The lodges are gorgeous. Guests were able to spend time with those they knew and easily make new connections. If you want to spend the money on an experience that values connection, food and an ethic of stewardship, IslandWood is a great choice.

IslandWood hosted our wedding over a three-day weekend in September 2023, and they truly made our dreams come true. First, the staff went above and beyond. They know what they’re doing – from our experienced, communicative, and immeasurably helpful coordinator, Sarah, to the talented, creative chefs in the kitchen, to the many other welcoming and helpful folks that make IW run like clockwork. Everyone was very professional, receptive, and kind from the moment we began planning. Each idea and hope we presented was executed with fine attention to detail (we had a picture-perfect outdoor dinner under a canopy of lights), and coordination with the few additional vendors we needed was handled easily. That’s one of the best things about IW, they take care of so much of the planning and execution, so you can just enjoy yourself and the moment. All of our guests remarked on how delicious the food was – the best wedding meals they’d ever had! Second, the venue is an absolutely enchanting destination, and traveling to Bainbridge via ferry was fun for our guests. The forest is full of delights to explore (and incredible photo spots), like the suspension bridge, treehouses, and canopy tower, and is home to plenty of wildlife (we saw a barred owl and deer family the morning of our wedding, and our guests spotted a pileated woodpecker that evening!). The campus buildings and guest rooms are comfortable, warm, cozy, and rustic yet elegant. And the Friendship Circle served as a really unique space to share stories. Our ceremony in Creaky Tree Meadow was magical and intimate. We really could not be happier with our wedding at IslandWood, and can’t recommend it enough as a venue.

We had our wedding in Islandwood in the summer of 2023 and it exceeded all of our expectations! The venue is absolutely stunning and we loved having it all to ourselves and our guests who came from far away for the entire weekend. Working with the venue was very easy and fun. They have the process nailed down perfectly. All you need to do is trust your Islandoowd event planner and follow their lead. A few things to note that made this place EXTRA special: 1. The service of the entire staff 2. The Chef and the food!!! All of our guests raved about it! 3. How accommodating the venue was and how you can customize many things to your liking (bar location and hours, Saturday activities for guests, table arrangement, etc.) We would definitely recommend Islandwood for any event!

We got married here in August 2023. It was such an amazing experience, particularly because most of our guests were from out of town - it was so fantastic to have everyone stay with us onsite for the entire weekend if they wanted! The campus was beautiful and everyone loved being able to go on hikes (guided or not), play lawn games, and relax in the woods. The staff were so helpful, well organized, and just overall lovely. Our IW coordinator was Tori and she was amazing. The food was fantastic and they really worked with us to create the menus we wanted for the whole weekend. Now I just need someone I know to get married here so I can experience it as a guest!

We got married at IslandWood in July of this year. We couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect weekend! The food was unbelievable (some of our guests are still talking about it!), the accommodations were comfortable, and most of all, the entire staff was so supportive and organized. We worked primarily with Tori, she is the best!! It was an unforgettable experience and we are so grateful everything IslandWood did for us and our guests.

We got married at Islandwood the third weekend of September and was an amazing experience. The Islandwood staff went above and beyond in assuring us and our guests had a celebratory and relaxing weekend. We heard so many of our guests raving about the food and the daytime activities. It was such a unique experience, being able to stay onsite for the whole weekend. We feel so lucky!

I have so many amazing things to say about the venue and the people that work there. Stephanie Jones helped deliver the most seamless and exciting weekend possible. While we are super excited to be married now, we are sad at the same time because that means we don't get to have our check-in's with Stephanie and the team anymore. THE FOOD was so delicious and it was super fun getting to curate a menu that was specific to us and our backgrounds. 1000/10 for all of the meals that we had that weekend. IslandWood was the most beautiful place to get married at. Getting to gather friends and family here as well made it that much more special. As the first grandkids/cousins in our families to get married, IslandWood helped us set the bar really high for the rest of everyone, and that would not have been possible again without the amazing team that they have.

Our wedding weekend at IslandWood in the summer of 2022 truly was one of the most magical experiences of our lives, and we've heard from more than one guest that it was by far the best wedding that they've ever been to (we feel the same way, but then we're a little biased)--and while we'd love to be able to take credit for that, it was almost entirely because our coordinator Sarah and all of the venue support staff are so good at what they do. Your food will be the best wedding food that your guests have ever had; the fact that everyone can stay in the on-site lodging will make the whole weekend feel like a professionally staffed cabin getaway with 150 of your closest friends; the entire campus (not to mention the ferry ride in) is a perfect way to show off the beauty of the Pacific Northwest to your out-of-town guests; you'll love being able to arrive at the venue Friday afternoon and leave all the stress of wedding planning behind as you get to focus solely on enjoying yourselves and spending time with your friends and family; and you'll be well supported by Sarah and the team from your first Zoom call to your check-out after saying good-bye to the last of your guests when your post-wedding Sunday brunch finally wraps up. If you're fortunate enough to have the ability to hold your wedding at IslandWood, you should absolutely do it. We can't imagine having gotten married anywhere else.

We held our wedding at Islandwood in July 2022, and we were absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the professionalism, kindness, and warmth from all the staff, as well as the all-around gorgeous vibe of the venue itself. Throughout the planning process, our coordinator Tori gave us helpful advice on the best order of operations, while supporting our own vision and plans, and when we arrived on-site for the weekend we instantly felt comforted by how organized and knowledgable Tori and the staff were about our needs. They were immediately on top of things when our chair/arbor rental folks oriented the ceremony chairs in the wrong direction, and anticipated almost all of our needs -- right down to the playlists, which we had expected to need to set up. They checked in with us just enough throughout the weekend to let us know what was happening, who was supporting where, and if any action or decisions needed to happen -- such a dream for someone on the anxious side :-) The venue itself is absolutely beautiful, and the ability to have everyone on-site for a whole weekend was truly the best part of the experience (closely followed by whizzing around on golf carts in full wedding garb to take photos!). Our guests loved exploring the campus and partaking in the EXCELLENT food; more than one person told us that it was the best wedding food they've ever had. All the rooms and lodges were clean and comfortable. Overall, we HIGHLY recommend Islandwood for anyone, especially for folks who want a PNW wedding that always feels intimate, no matter how many guests you have. We loved it and wouldn't do a thing differently.

We were married at IslandWood over Labor Day weekend. The entire weekend exceeded our expectations. For us, this was a true destination wedding as we live in Oklahoma City and our guests came from all over the U.S. Our provided planner Sarah made arranging all of the details very easy. The staff were gracious, and welcoming and could not have been more accommodating. Our guests raved about the food over the course of the entire weekend. The meals were crafted to our taste and were delicious. Our dessert bar at our reception was not only lovely to look at but also to eat! IslandWood truly is a special and beautiful place. The PNW is special to us and we were so happy to have found a place where we could be together with all of our guests for the weekend while sharing the natural beauty of the area. We spent Friday night with our guests at the friendship circle having s'mores, drinks, and speeches. Our guests were able to go on hikes the morning of our wedding and I know this was a highlight for many of them. We cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience with IslandWood and its staff. If you are looking for a unique, fun and beautiful wedding venue look no further.

My husband and I got married at Islandwood in September 2022, and we could not have selected a more perfect place to tie the knot. If you want a quintessentially PNW wedding weekend, with all of your family and friends in one spot, don't think, don't hesitate—just book Islandwood immediately!! I honestly could not have imagined a more perfect venue. Our #1 priority was an outdoor venue where everyone could stay onsite, and I imagined that we would have to go further into the mountains to achieve that. I was surprised and SO happy to find a place so much more accessible to make that vision a reality. Guests loved the ferry, and with a little carpooling, access to the venue was a breeze. After arrival, out of town guests really appreciated the fact that they could spend the whole weekend in one spot without being shuttled around. In addition to the venue being awesome, the food was absolutely off the charts. I knew the food would be great, but I did not expect it to be exceptional. People were raving about how fantastic every single meal was. Awesome beer selection too! No want wanted to leave "adult summer camp" because they were so well taken care of. (Tip: pay extra for the "brunch" on Sunday—it is well worth the nominal extra cost!) If I had to pick again, I would select Islandwood 100 times over with absolutely no regrets! The only downside I will mention to this venue is that you cannot bring any outside alcohol at all. This means that you are paying bar pricing ($7 beers) for any alcohol your guests consume from Friday afternoon till Sunday noon. I get it, it's part of their policy/license, but it is an expense that you wouldn't normally have if you could source your own alcohol at least for Friday evening and Saturday daytime, as is often the case for wedding weekends I've attended. That being said, the extra cost was well worth it for how fantastic the entire event was. Like I said: don't think, just book Islandwood today!

Picking a wedding venue can be a tricky process filled with indecision. You'll see so many beautiful places and wonderful people. When we saw IslandWood, however, that was just it. The attentiveness to the environment, the level of compassion and joy from the staff, and the opportunity to spend extra time with the people we love due to their unique wedding model sealed the deal instantly. Throughout our whole wedding weekend the staff were beyond incredible and supportive. As someone who is a nervous wreck and has a hard time being the center of attention, this was the most beautiful and loving weekend of my life, and IslandWood was the perfect place to make that happen, with the perfect people to prop us up along the way. We cannot recommend the venue enough. The raw beauty and love of this place go beyond anything we ever could have expected.

My partner and I held our weekend wedding event at IslandWood in October 2021 and worked with Tori as our venue coordinator. We absolutely loved IslandWood for the indoor/outdoor spaces, the beauty of it all, and the equity and environmental values embedded in the design and practice of the space. However, our favorite part of the entire experience was Tori and the rest of the IslandWood staff! They were all so attentive and responsive to our individual needs. As a small example, one of our guests was several lactose intolerant. When she mentioned this to a kitchen staff member on the first day, the staff would create lactose-free versions of many of the food items just for her, and would actually seek her out during the weekend to give her those items. I cannot say just how amazing everyone was - I highly recommend IslandWood!

From a photographers perspective, Islandwood and their team was such a dream to work with! There is a never ending amount of epic photo locations for the woodland lovers paradise. Can’t wait to explore here more with future couples!

As a professional wedding & event planner, I value the relationship between venue and planner, as we collaborate for the client. It’s so important to be in sync, and deliver the wedding day envisioned. Amanda and her team at Islandwood are top notch, and truly work as a team to make sure every detail is covered and need is met. Islandwood is the quintessential PNW wedding destination - especially for large or intimate, lodgy-upscale, outdoor experiences. From food to lodging to activity, your guests will be dazzled and you’ll actually have time to connect with them. Each weekend wedding I’ve worked with Islandwood on has been met with logistical finesse, event expertise and proactive client care- from welcome to check out. Love working with them and being in a place that values relationship building and connecting.

I happened to be an alum of Islandwood's fabulous graduate program so I knew I wanted to get married there. My husband and I couldn't have been more happier with how the staff supported us. From being on call via email for the 6 months prior the the wedding, to the way they supported us throughout the weekend, our wedding would definitely not have gone off as well as it did without the amazing event staff. I was already familiar with the food and the kitchen staff, and they did not disappoint. Many of my guests said it was hands down one of the best weddings they had ever been to.

IslandWood is the most incredible place for a wedding - and your money will be going to an amazing cause, too! I was a graduate student at IslandWood from 2013-2014, and when my now-husband and I were discussing wedding locations, IslandWood was without a doubt our top pick. It's gorgeous with meadows, trails, beautiful lodges, and so many different ecosystems. Our IslandWood event planner, Sarah, was communicative, friendly, and such a warm presence the day-of. The entire Events Team is a well-oiled machine and they know how to make your day magical. From blankets at the campfire to zipping you around in a golf cart to photo locations, you'll be well taken care of. And the food is INCREDIBLE. IslandWood is the best!

We still can't believe how lucky we were to work with the wonderful IslandWood team and to be able to spend a whole weekend at IslandWood with our friends and family. The team at IslandWood was simply the best and made wedding planning so easy for us. Amanda and Erin shared excellent vendor recommendations from Bainbridge. They also thought through so many details ahead of the wedding and we were so pleasantly surprised by the many thoughtful touches throughout the weekend. It was a lot of fun for us to meet with Chef Jim to talk about menu planning. We were blown away by the menu choices he made and so many of our friends still tell us how much they loved the food throughout the weekend. Many of our guests were visiting from out of town so we were so happy we can show them what we love most about living in the Pacific Northwest. IslandWood's campus is quiet, peaceful and beautiful so the wedding weekend itself felt like an intimate retreat with our friends and family. My husband and I can't say enough positive things about IslandWood. We've visited on other occasions and it's amazing to see their educational and community programs at work. It's an awesome organization run by warm, creative and organized people.

We could not be more excited to have our wedding at Islandwood! I couldn't wait another moment to sing the praises of Amanda who has answered every detailed question, took us on multiple tours of the campus, and made us feel confident in our decision to have our special day at Islandwood. If the amount of care that Amanda took while helping us make our decision is a testament to how our whole experience at Islandwood will be, I know we will be well taken care of and have an amazing weekend. She was flexible with scheduling tours (thanks COVID) and very personable; it felt like taking a walk with an old friend. We're excited to share the weekend with our families in a place that embodies everything we love about the PNW.

As alumni of the IslandWood graduate program, having an intimate elopement ceremony in the IslandWood garden was everything we could have wanted. Everyone we collaborated with was so wonderful and helpful! I’m from Portugal, and we wanted to incorporate my culture into our food selections for the ceremony. The chefs were very open to the idea and made us delicious food that tasted just like home! We wanted the ceremony to be relaxed and still have attention to detail, and that is exactly what we got with the help of the events and kitchen team – a beautiful garden setting with an arch adorned in seasonal plants, beautifully prepared food, nature inspired table settings and music. We took wedding photos around IslandWood’s beautiful campus before the ceremony and were able to walk the trails with our guests to visit some of our special places (including a suspension bridge and a tree house!). Gorgeous location, wonderful service, and a chance for everyone to enjoy the beauty of the PNW. Highly recommend!

I, very seriously, could not ask for a more amazing, more caring team than IslandWood. My partner and I were originally set to get married this September, but with the ongoing pandemic, it became apparent that having a wedding was just too risky. Half of our guests were coming from Australia and even if Australia opened their airports, the financial hits and risk of travel were just too great. Both Jessica and Amanda at IslandWood went so far above and beyond to help us reschedule our wedding. We were put in a tight spot with scheduling because my partner's career essentially has a year long schedule, but they somehow managed to pull a rabbit out of their hat and find a date. If IslandWood's cause isn't enough of a reason to support them, their amazing people are. We fell in love the moment we saw IslandWood, but beyond the beauty, they're such an amazing platform for kids to learn. We're so thrilled to be able to share a special day with a wonderful place, not just because of how gorgeous it is, because the people are really, legitimately wonderful and caring. Having a wedding at IslandWood is a no brainer. You'll never find people who really, genuinely care more.

My partner and I were originally set to get married at IslandWood this coming September 2020, but what with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we've had a lot of serious conversations about what might be the best way forward. Because we have a lot of guests who would be flying into Seattle (both nationally and internationally!), we didn't think it would be the best idea to send out wedding invitations at the beginning of next month like we'd hoped, knowing that there are so many unknowns going into the summer and the fall. So with heavy hearts, we asked IslandWood if it would be alright to postpone our wedding until next year (September 2021), and the staff could not have been more accommodating or helpful! Amanda in particular is a gem: she was the one who originally gave us a (very thorough) tour of the entire campus, and answered all of our questions with patience and enthusiasm. Her communications have been comforting and reaffirming during these strange times! A big part of the reason why my partner and I wanted to get married at IslandWood is because the space is built upon the idea of inclusivity, community, and discovery, which is so much what we're about as individuals and a couple. So to have the team at IslandWood provide such great support from venue tour to going through the contract to providing us with suggested vendors to the chef's menu consultation -- really put us at ease that we had made the right choice in choosing IslandWood. The fact that it's an educational nonprofit is also a huge bonus for us (my partner and I co-run a literary arts nonprofit that focuses on social issues). Knowing that what we were spending on our wedding would go back into supporting IslandWood's important education programs was just the icing on the (wedding) cake. While we obviously haven't had our wedding yet (just 17 months to go!), we have been so impressed by the professionalism and care that the staff obviously puts toward its weddings. Excited for September 2021!

I recently photographed a gorgeous outdoor wedding at Islandwood and cannot believe I've never heard about this venue in the past. Everyone working there was incredibly helpful and accommodating. The location and scenery is absolutely perfect for an outdoorsy couple wanting an earthy and romantic wedding day nestled in old growth forests and Pacific Northwest beauty. P.S. - There's an epic treehouse on the property, too! Seriously, one of the coolest weddings I've attended!

Our wedding weekend was amazing! Leading up to the wedding, the IslandWood staff helped us plan the small details so when the time came activities, speeches, food, music and truly everything went as planned. The family style meals and group activities brought our communities from different parts of our lives together. The staff helped us and our guests feel truly cared for. We felt at ease throughout the weekend knowing that our guest were having as good of a time as we were!

As a wedding photographer, IslandWood is one of my absolute favorite venues to photograph!! The entire IslandWood team is a joy to work with, and I know my couples are in good hands there. The venue has so many great locations on-site for photography, and it's a great place to show your guests the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. I love that when you have your wedding there, you are supporting their environmental education mission!

IslandWood was the absolute perfect place for our wedding! We honestly could not have asked for a more beautiful venue or stellar event team, all of whom were organized, professional, friendly and kind throughout the planning and execution of our wedding. We received compliments from so many of our guests throughout the weekend on almost every aspect of the venue - the stunning PNW setting, the cozy lodges, the DELICIOUS food, the fun Saturday activities (yoga, sustainable design tour, lawn games, and a guided nature walk), the cheeriness of the Friday bonfire, and the helpfulness of IslandWood staff who patiently answered every question and accommodated every guest request. Knowing that our guests had such a wonderful weekend experience, even outside of the ceremony and reception, really made IslandWood stand out. We hope we get a chance to visit again! A few things we particularly loved about our IslandWood experience and why it was perfect for us: - We wanted a convenient venue that would showcase the beauty of the PNW and allow for plenty of visiting time with our guests - the majority of whom would be traveling from out of town and visiting Seattle for the first time. We also wanted somewhere comfortable and accessible for our guests as we knew not everyone attending would love the idea of bunk beds and shared bathrooms for an entire weekend. IslandWood was the perfect match. - We LOVED that proceeds from our wedding go directly towards supporting environmental education for youth in the PNW. Made us feel much better about investing in our wedding weekend! - We (I) was a bit nervous about not getting to taste any of the food until the wedding weekend, however, I definitely did not need to worry! The food was some of the best we have ever had whether at a large event or not, and the ability to consult with Jim and design our own menu (Mediterranean/Lebanese inspired Friday dinner, PNW themed Saturday dinner) that incorporated our favorites across all meals was so great. We also got countless compliments from our guests on the food and overall service - everyone was seriously impressed. - Transportation / getting to the venue worked flawlessly for everyone. We had shuttles for designated ferries on Friday and Sunday which several of our guests used, and the rest had no problem with car rentals and/or the taxi services on the island. We did send a detailed email to all guests with this information a few weeks prior to the wedding, which really helped. - Jessica and the events team provided clear instructions and planning support leading up to our wedding weekend. There were a lot of little details to get nailed down to ensure the entire weekend ran smoothly, but IslandWood asked all the right questions far in advance so we had plenty of time to figure everything out. They've got weddings down to a science and know exactly what to do to make everything flow smoothly. - Event staff the weekend of was all phenomenal - attentive, friendly, and accommodating. We were especially thankful that our guests with mobility restrictions were so well taken care of - IslandWood staff with golf carts perfectly anticipated their every move. - Vendor recommendations were also great! We used day of coordinator, floral, rental, and cake vendor recommendations from IslandWood, all of whom were excellent and had experience navigating IslandWood which made the whole process from contracting to day-of delivery and setup way easier.

Our wedding weekend at IslandWood was magical, truly a dream come true. We wanted an outdoor wedding venue that showcased the beauty of the Pacific Northwest without our out-of-town guests needing to drive several hours from the airport. When we found IslandWood, we were sold! I went to summer camp as a kid and loved the idea of sharing that experience with our guests and spending more time together than at a typical one-day wedding. We toured the venue in December and only managed to snag our August wedding date because another couple had canceled. Jessica, our designated event coordinator, helped make the planning go smoothly. Jessica was always friendly, prompt, responsive, and thorough in our email communications throughout the planning process. She happily accommodated our special requests for food, lodging, activities, and more. A few months before the wedding, we visited in person to tour the venue and meet with the chef to discuss menu planning. We were so impressed with Jim and the culinary team - we tossed out our ideas and he enthusiastically agreed to bring them to life! The menu was exactly what we hoped for - Friday’s welcome dinner was southern BBQ to reflect Rishi’s southern upbringing , with an Indian feast for Saturday dinner, and homemade bagels, lox and whitefish for Sunday brunch! The appetizers, breakfasts, lunches, and late-night pizzas were all delicious and had our guests raving all weekend. Some guests were unsure at first about the idea of sharing bunks in the lodges, but when they arrived everyone embraced the summer camp spirit. Friday night’s bonfire was such a fun way to kick off the weekend and get a chance to greet all of our friends and family individually. On Saturday, our friends and family loved the nature hike - where they found a giant banana slug and saw an owl - and the sustainable cooking class where they picked toppings from the garden for wood-fired pizzas. I only wish I could have joined them before getting my hair & makeup done! My now-husband Rishi and I stayed in the lovely Guest Cottage. IslandWood gave us a bottle of sparkling wine and chocolate as a welcome gift. My bridesmaids and I got ready in the cottage on Saturday morning after breakfast which was cozy and relaxing, and IslandWood brought us lunch, coffee and champagne. We had so much fun traipsing around the campus for our wedding photos! IslandWood staff drove us and the photographers to the suspension bridge and treehouse for some unforgettable photos. The meadow was a perfect venue for the ceremony, so secluded yet breezy and bright. Seeing the benches and floral canopy all set up made us cry! Jessica and the AV team made sure the microphones were all set so all our guests could hear the ceremony clearly. Even though we had been eating in the dining hall all weekend, it was beautifully transformed by the gorgeous, colorful florals and linens. After dinner, the Great Hall and Welcome Center were the perfect reception spaces. The dance floor was big enough for all our guests to join in the hora AND a Bollywood-style flash mob! The dance floor was packed all night, and guests took breaks for drinks, dessert, late-night snacks or fresh air in the Welcome Center and outdoor patio. On Sunday, we enjoyed one last delicious brunch while everyone packed up and checked out of the lodges. IslandWood staff helped ensure that everyone who needed a ride to the ferry made it onto the scheduled shuttle buses we had hired.