Aspen Grove at Mountain Springs Lodge

Rehearsal + Bridal Party Happy Hour

The Meadow at Mountain Springs Lodge

Welcome Party

Wedding Ceremony & Reception

Ponderosa Lodge at Mountain Springs Lodge

Farewell Brunch

A note on kids

Although we love your kids, this is an adults-only weekend. If you are still nursing and not able to travel without your child, please reach out to Peter or Alex to discuss some options. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Our Wedding

Our Story

Getting to Plain

Plain, Washington is a gorgeous (and very small) town in the Cascade Mountains, about two hours east of Seattle on Highway 2. For those coming from out of state, we recognize this isn't the simplest place to get to—and we appreciate you coming on this adventure with us! If you're flying in, you'll want to arrive at SeaTac and rent a car. And no, you shouldn't rely on an Uber to get you to and from the mountains :) To help guests coordinate rides to and from Plain, we've set up this <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HfSvUd8OVVttfW-9UByLFmIItA_jommvrLDj-8lD20Y/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wedding Carpool Sign-up Sheet. </a>Whether you’re driving and have seats to offer, or looking for a ride, add your info to this Google Doc and use it to coordinate with fellow guests. A note on navigation: Plain is an unincorporated community, which means that the address for the venue or for your lodging may show up as Leavenworth (the closest municipality) in Google Maps or other apps. Don't worry: as long as the street address is correct, you're going to the right place! If you're making the trek to the Pacific Northwest for the first time, we highly recommend making a week of it. Please check out our "Travel Recs" page or reach out to Peter and Alex for tips on where to go before or after the wedding!

The only hotel in Plain, Beaver Valley Lodge is charming and located a two minute drive (or 20 minute walk) from the wedding venue. Rooms are limited and are first-come, first-served, so we recommend booking ASAP!

Beaver Valley Lodge

There are plenty of vacation rentals available in and around Plain on Airbnb, VRBO, Vacasa, and other websites. Especially if you're traveling with a large group, you can find some gorgeous properties! Make sure to check back frequently—most listings come online 9-12 months out, but some don't open up until closer to the date. We'll have shuttle service to the wedding venue from centrally located vacation rentals.

Vacation Rentals

Tamarack Vacation Rentals offers a number of beautiful cabins in Plain—many of which are less than 5 minutes drive from the wedding venue.

Tamarack Vacation Rentals

If you're looking for more lodging options, Leavenworth, WA has plenty to choose from. We particularly love Sleeping Lady Resort! It's about a 25 minute drive from Plain via mountain road or 30-35 minutes via Highway 2. We do not plan to offer shuttle service to and from Leavenworth for the wedding, but will have plenty of parking on site at the venue for those who choose to drive.

Hotels in Leavenworth

Arrivals & Lodging

If you're joining us in Washington from outside the Pacific Northwest, we highly recommend making a trip of it! Whether you're adding on an extra day or an extra week, we have plenty of tips and favorite places. A word of warning: June in Western Washington (i.e. west of the Cascade Mountains) can be a bit dreary—locals will refer to it as "June Gloom" or "June-uary." Since the wedding itself is east of the mountains, we're anticipating sunnier skies and warmer temperatures in Plain. But if you're planning to spend some time on the west side, pack your raincoat just in case!

If you have one day...

LeavenworthIf you only have one extra day, we recommend driving 30 minutes from Plain into Leavenworth. This charming Bavarian-themed town can be a little touristy, but is well worth it. Stroll down the main drag, grab a beer at Icicle Brewing, eat overlooking the river at Yodelin Broth Company, and soak in the kitsch. Leavenworth's real strength, however, is its access to the outdoors. <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/icicle-ridge-trail-overlook" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Icicle Ridge Trail </a>is a great day hike that's very close to town. If you don't mind a crowd, <a href="https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/colchuck-lake" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Colchuck Lake</a> (also known as the gateway to The Enchantments) is popular for a reason—the aqua blue lake framed by giant peaks is a true Washington experience. For lodging in Leavenworth, we like <a href="https://www.sleepinglady.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sleeping Lady Resort.</a>

If you have two days...

ChelanAbout an hour and a half from Plain, Lake Chelan is a stunning, 50-mile long glacial lake known for its crystal-clear waters, beautiful surroundings, and world-class wineries. And unlike Western Washington, Chelan is usually quite warm in June so you can take advantage of the water with a beach day or boat rental. The town of Chelan is located on the southern tip of the lake and offers plenty of charming places to stay. StehekinIf you're feeling adventurous, take a boat ride up the entire length of Lake Chelan to the tiny town of Stehekin. Accessible only by boat, floatplane, or foot, Stehekin is as beautiful as it is remote, located in heart of the North Cascades. There are <a href="https://stehekin.com/getting-here/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">several boat companies</a> that offer round trips from Chelan to Stehekin, so you can easily make it a day trip—or choose to stay the night in town. We recommend the <a href="https://stehekinvalleyranch.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stehekin Valley Ranch</a>! Whether you visit for a day or spend the night, you'll want to <a href="https://stehekindiscoverybikes.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rent a bike</a> (they have electric options), grab some treats at <a href="https://stehekinpastry.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stehekin Pastry Co</a> and head out to <a href="https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/rainbow-falls-mist-trail" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rainbow Falls</a>.

If you have a week...

Drive the North Cascade Loop

This is, in our humble opinion, perhaps the most perfect road trip in the Pacific Northwest. Start with stops in Leavenworth and Chelan (detailed above) and then continue on to... Methow ValleyThe Methow Valley is a favorite place for the Durland clan! It's an outdoorsy paradise, with tons of cross-country skiing in the winter and hiking/biking trails in the summer. For food, Alex recommends <a href="https://www.mezawinthrop.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Meza </a>in Winthrop (small plates and a great wine list) and Peter is a fan of the <a href="https://oldschoolhousebrewery.com/visit/mazama-public-house/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mazama Public House</a>—an outpost of the popular Old Schoolhouse Brewery. Either way, the <a href="https://www.themazamastore.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mazama Store</a> absolutely cannot be missed. Get at least two of their homemade baguettes and eat them immediately. For lodging, there are plenty of great Airbnbs throughout the valley, or you can stay at <a href="https://sunmountainlodge.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sun Mountain Lodge </a>for a real treat. North Cascades National ParkThis is one of Alex's top three National Parks in the country (and she's been to a few!). From Mazama, head west on Highway 20 right through the center of North Cascades National Park. There are many, many great hikes and viewpoints along the way, along with a few campgrounds if you're so inclined. Don't miss the Lake Diablo overlook.Note: if you're looking at Google Maps before May, this route will likely not show up, as the highway is closed for the winter. Anacortes &amp; Deception PassAfter you pass through the North Cascades, drive another hour and a half until you hit the shore. Anacortes is a quirky maritime town that serves as the jumping off point for many whale watching tours as well as the ferries to the San Juan Islands. Alex recommends grabbing a sandwich from <a href="https://gereadeli.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gere-a-deli</a> and taking it on the road to <a href="https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/deception-pass-state-park" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Deception Pass State Park</a> for a beach picnic or short hike. The park is also the gateway to Whidbey Island, and features the stunning Deception Pass Bridge. If you're not afraid of heights, make sure to park at either end of the bridge and walk out over the water! Whidbey IslandThe largest island in Washington, Whidbey is known for its idyllic farmland, dense forests, rugged coastline, and charming small towns. Don't leave without eating some of the island's famous Penn Cove Mussels (and a bunch of other seafood while you're at it). We also recommend hiking the <a href="https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ebeys-landing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ebey's Landing Bluff Trail </a>for fantastic views of the Olympic Peninsula and exploring the historic batteries at <a href="https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/fort-casey-historical-state-park" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fort Casey State Park. </a>We recommend staying near the charming towns of Coupeville or Langley. There are plenty of great Airbnbs on the island (and many on the water!) but Alex and her mom Lisa's favorite place to stay is the <a href="https://www.captainwhidbey.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Captain Whidbey Inn.</a> Ferry to SeattleEnd your roadtrip with a true Washington experience: a ferry ride. The Clinton to Mukilteo ferry departs from the southern tip of Whidbey Island and brings you back to the mainland about 30 minutes north of Seattle. Reservations are not required, but make sure to <a href="https://wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/scheduledetail.aspx?departingterm=5&amp;arrivingterm=14" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">check the schedule</a> for timing.

If you're more of a city person...

Obviously we're a bit biased, but we think you can never go wrong with a few days in Seattle! If you've never been before, there are plenty of classic spots to explore: <a href="https://www.pikeplacemarket.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pike Place Market</a>, the <a href="https://www.spaceneedle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Space Needle</a>, <a href="https://www.smithtower.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Smith Tower</a> (go to the cocktail bar at the top!), the <a href="https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/olympic-sculpture-park" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Olympic Sculpture Park</a>. But if you're looking to get into the neighborhoods, here are some of our favorite spots. Phinney RidgeThis is where Alex and Peter live! A few of our favorite places include <a href="https://www.cornutopizzeria.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cornuto pizzeria</a>, <a href="https://holymountainbrewing.com/location/phinney-taproom/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Holy Mountain Phinney taproom</a>, <a href="https://www.oliverstwistseattle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Oliver's Twist cocktail bar</a>,<a href="https://www.autumnseattle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Autumn restaurant </a>(get the espresso martini), <a href="https://elchupacabraseattle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">El Chupacabra Greenwood</a>, and <a href="https://www.ridgewoodbottleandtap.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ridgewood Bottle &amp; Tap</a> (bring a burger from <a href="https://redmillburgers.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Red Mill</a> next door). <a href="https://www.mainstayprovisions.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mainstay Provisions</a> is our go-to for breakfast or lunch. BallardBreweries galore! Some of our most visited: <a href="https://www.bbycballard.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bale Breaker &amp; Yonder Cider Taproom</a>, <a href="https://www.stoupbrewing.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stoup</a>, <a href="https://reubensbrews.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reuben’s</a>, and <a href="https://cloudburstbrew.com/location/5456-shilshole-ave-nw/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cloudburst</a>. If you happen to be in town on a Sunday, don't miss the farmers market. We also recommend walking down to the Ballard Locks to check out the fish ladder. Fremont-ishIf you've ever visited Alex in Seattle, you'll know that her favorite place to take out of town guests is <a href="https://westwardseattle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Westward</a>—a foodie seafood-forward restaurant on the north shore of Lake Union. Order yourself a dozen oysters and slurp them while gazing out at the Seattle skyline. When you're done, watch the sunset at <a href="https://www.seattle.gov/parks/allparks/gas-works-park" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gasworks Park</a>. Capitol HillSome of our favorite haunts from our old neighborhood: <a href="https://www.fuelcoffeeseattle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fuel Coffee</a>, <a href="https://monsoonrestaurants.com/seattle/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Monsoon restaurant</a>, Volunteer Park, and the <a href="https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/seattle-asian-art-museum" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Seattle Asian Art Museum</a>. If you're looking for nightlife, head to the younger Pike-Pine corridor. We like <a href="https://www.ladiveseattle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">La Dive </a>and <a href="https://lifeonmarsseattle.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Life on Mars</a> for bars. Maple LeafNeighborhood of the Year 1986 (although once Peter and Matt arrived, it started going downhill). This is where Peter grew up and where his family still lives! Peter recommends dinner at <a href="https://www.themaplepub.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Maple</a> and we all love <a href="https://macrinabakery.com/maple-leaf-cafe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Macrina Bakery</a>. Maple Leaf Reservoir Park has great views of Seattle and Mount Rainier, and is also a favorite location for Pickleball.

Travel Recs

Although Plain is a (very) small town, there's still plenty to do nearby on Saturday before the ceremony! If you're looking for more detailed recommendations of activities for before/after the wedding festivities, check out the<a href="https://www.theknot.com/us/alex-gradwohl-and-peter-durland-jun-2025/travel-recs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Travel Recs </a>page.

Where to Eat

Plain Cellars is a charming winery and&nbsp;tasting room with a large covered patio, just a short walk or drive from the wedding venue. They're also home to the food truck <a href="https://www.tasteofplain.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Taste of Plain</a>, which is open Thursday 4:00-8:00 p.m, Friday 2:00-8:00 p.m., Saturday 12:00-8:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Plain Cellars, the winery in Plain

The only true restaurant in Plain, Old Mill Cafe is a charming spot for a classic diner breakfast or lunch. Open Thursday 6:30 am - 3:00 pm, Friday 6:30 am - 8:00 pm Saturday 6:30 am - 8:00 pm, and Sunday 6:30 am - 3:00 pm.

Old Mill Cafe

If you'd rather cook at your cabin, stock up at the only grocery store in town!

Just Plain Grocery & Gas

A Durland family favorite, this 50s-themed diner is a great stop for milkshakes, fries, burgers, and life-sized cutouts of mid-century movie stars.

59er Diner

In Leavenworth (25-30 minute drive from Plain). Icicle is one of our favorite breweries in Leavenworth—and one of the most popular. We love their beer and Alex is also a particular fan of their grilled cheese!

Icicle Brewing Company

In Leavenworth (25-30 minute drive from Plain). Noodle soups, rice bowls, and more! One of Alex's favorite restaurants in Leavenworth.

Yodelin Broth Company and Beer Garden

In Leavenworth (25-30 minute drive from Plain). A breakfast hotspot in Leavenworth with truly fantastic biscuit sandwiches. The line is worth it.

Argonaut Coffee & Biscuits

In Leavenworth (25-30 minute drive from Plain). If you're looking for the full Leavenworth Bavarian experience, this beer garden—complete with sausages and steins—is a classic stop.

München Haus

What to Do

Obviously, Alex has many hikes to recommend! If none of the suggestions below are quite what you're looking for, feel free to text for more ideas—she might even send you her giant Hiking Bible spreadsheet.

A beautiful waterfront park just a few miles from Plain, Lake Wenatchee State Park has plenty of short, easy trails and nice beaches. You can also rent kayaks or standup paddleboards from <a href="https://parks.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/Lake%20Wenatchee%20Adventures%20Pricing.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lake Wenatchee Adventures</a> to get out on the water!

Lake Wenatchee State Park

A lovely hike, close to Leavenworth, with great views of both town and the valley. About 6 miles roundtrip, with 1,800 feet of elevation gain—steep, but doable!

Icicle Ridge Trailhead

A great stop on the way out or back, Heybrook Ridge is a (relatively) mild hike off Highway 2. About 3 miles roundtrip, with 775 feet of elevation gain.

Heybrook Ridge Trailhead

A great stop on the way out or back, Lake Serene/Bridal Veil Falls is a PNW classic. Fair warning, this is a tougher one! See the lake for about 7 miles roundtrip and 1,900 feet of elevation gain, or add on the waterfall (it's worth it!) for a total 8.2 miles and 2,000 feet of gain.

Lake Serene & Bridal Veil Falls Trailhead

Amusement park in the middle of Leavenworth featuring an alpine coaster and climbing wall. Alex and Peter have never been but it looks fun!

Leavenworth Adventure Park

Golf course near lake Wenatchee about a 10-minute drive from the venue. Durland family favorite in the woods with plenty of trees to bounce off back into the fairway.

Kahler Mountain Club, 18 Hole Golf Course, Lodging & Athletic Club

Things to Do

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

To help you get to and from the venue for the ceremony and reception, we'll have a shuttle available for wedding guests on Saturday.

We tried to accommodate all those who shared their lodging information, but please be sure to check—you may need to walk a few minutes to the nearest shuttle stop. For those arriving at Mountain Springs Lodge on the first two shuttles (which arrive 3:00 pm and 3:30 pm), we will have light refreshments available at the ceremony site (Aspen Grove)&nbsp;or&nbsp;we invite you to wander over to the Ponderosa Lodge for some lawn games and a drink while you wait for the ceremony to begin at 4:00 pm.&nbsp; From 8:00 pm to midnight, the shuttle will be available to take you back to your lodging upon request. Meet it back in the main parking lot near Beaver Creek Lodge.

Transportation Schedule

Shuttle One2:15 pm: 2264 Pine Tree Road2:35 pm: 21404 Stirrup Road2:50 pm: 12199 Bretz Road3:00 pm: Mountain Springs Lodge Shuttle Two3:10 pm: 18785 Fir Loop3:20 pm: Beaver Valley Lodge3:30 pm: Mountain Springs Lodge Shuttle Three3:40 pm: Beaver Valley Lodge3:50 pm: Mountain Springs Lodge

Alex + Peter

Alex + Peter

Photos