Venue Spotlight: Gray Bridge Wedding Venue

June 22, 2020

It’s time for another venue spotlight! Today we are sharing one of our favorite Sky Valley venues, Gray Bridge Wedding Venue! We sat down with owner Stacy to learn more about this incredible venue. We also got the scoop on some exciting 2020 wedding packages they are offering. Let’s dive in!

The Space

Gray Bridge is a 16-acre outdoor garden estate that was previously a private residence until 2018. There are many things we love about this venue, but the big one has to be their private big water features. While many venues offer small water features, Gray Bridge has large private ponds that are exclusively theirs, making for the most gorgeous water backdrop for photos.

Their pond-side ceremony site includes a picturesque dock and a built-in amphitheater with seating for 250+ people.

Photo by Lisa Girvens Photography

Their namesake feature is a gorgeous gray bridge that spans the west pond. It’s the perfect location for a first look, processional arrival, or final send-off!

Other venue highlights include a large grass reception wedding tent, a built-in bar, a fire pit with S’mores bar, and a pool deck perfect for appetizers and dancing. They also have a 1200 square foot swanky suite and stag shack for the wedding parties to get ready in.

What’s Included

Another thing we absolutely love about this venue is that everything is included! Pricing gives you access to all of the unique spaces and features of the Gray Bridge Venue. From farm tables and cross-back chairs to the tent and clean up, absolutely everything is included. The owners even do the initial furniture set-up for you!

COVID-19 Small Event Packages

Gray Bridge has put together unique wedding packages for intimate 50-person small ceremonies for 2020. This is perfect for couples who have had to reschedule their event but still want to have a small ceremony this year, or anyone experiencing planning fatigue! The package includes amazing pre-vetted vendors for all of the open 2020 dates, with additional discounts available for July events.

The venue covers over 3 acres and is designed to allow for social distancing during the ceremony and reception. Over 100 guests can be seated for dinner with social distancing under the tent and still have space for dancing and entertainment during inclement weather. The pool deck dance floor can be configured with plenty of space for social-distance dancing and lawn games.

Visit their website to learn more about the special small event packages!

Venue Spotlight: Twin Willow Gardens

May 4, 2020

We are proud to be part of the community of wedding vendors in Snohomish and the greater Seattle area. From the couples who have had to postpone weddings, to the venues, planners, and wedding vendors that have pressed “pause” on business for the time being, all of us in the event space are navigating this uncertain time together. It hasn’t been easy, but a bright spot has been the tremendous sense of community that we have felt throughout it.

We want to continue building up this amazing support system of local businesses, and we are excited to do that by sharing some of our favorite venues and vendors over the coming weeks with you all.

Today we are thrilled to highlight Twin Willow Gardens, one of our favorite wedding venues in Snohomish County. We sat down to talk with new owner Rebecca to learn more about this incredible venue.

Rebecca and her husband Brian are the new owners of Twin Willow Gardens, which has been a staple wedding venue in the community for the last 12 years. They are no strangers to hosting weddings and events though, as Rebecca has been a wedding planner for 16 years and is the owner of New Creations Weddings. After searching for a property for three years, Twin Willow Gardens was just the venue that they were looking for. The previous owners made some upgrades before selling, and Rebecca was excited to take these upgrades to the next level by leveraging her insight as a wedding planner.

Ceremony Space

This garden wedding venue sits on six acres in Snohomish County. Twin Willow Gardens is located just a few minutes from downtown, but you would never know it once you enter this beautiful forest and garden oasis.

The venue is most well-known for their outdoor ceremony space that is tucked away in the woods. Ceremonies are surrounded by old-growth cedars and pine trees and housed under the enchanting tree canopy. It provides a gorgeous wedding backdrop and is very protected from rain. It is truly a dream come true for a pacific northwest woodland-inspired wedding!

Reception Space

The amazing thing about this venue is the combination of forested wonder and gorgeous lush gardens. Receptions are held on the large lawn, which is made of synthetic grass that is always pristine and perfect! There are two large tents that house the reception and a bar/lounge area, and guests can stroll through the winding paths through the gardens. There are also two tiny homes which offer the perfect dressing rooms for couples to get ready in.

If you are looking for a romantic and magical wedding venue in the Snohomish area, Twin Willow Gardens just might be for you! This outdoor venue is available from May through October. We are so excited to see how Rebecca and Brian take this incredible venue to the next level in the years to come! Contact them to learn more about this incredible space.

Celebrating Community Over Competition

March 13, 2020

When we started Party On The Rocks, there were so many unknowns that we had to face as new business owners. One thing that we certainly didn’t expect is the sense of community that came along with starting a business in the event and wedding industry.

At first glance, it may seem like venues, caterers, bar services and the like would have fierce competition among them. Instead, we’ve found a great deal of support for everyone working in the event industry in Washington. Today we want to talk a little bit about the idea of community over competition, and what it means to us.

As a business, our primary goal is to make sure that our clients have the best experience possible. This means we not only need to offer superb service, but we also need to know how to profitably run a business and keep up with evolving trends and policies.

We are so thankful to be a part of organizations like the Snohomish Wedding Guild, ILEA, Seattle Wedding Network, and others that help make it possible for us all to share in the wealth of knowledge out there and help each other to tackle obstacles.

By taking the time to learn from others in the industry and have open dialogs about challenges and trends, we are all able to grow and serve our clients better.

We’ve also learned that we have a lot to gain by banding together. Events like the Snohomish Wedding Tour and Sky Valley Celebrates Tour brings together groups of venues and vendors for one big open house. With joint marketing and organization, ALL of the vendors can meet potential clients and grow their businesses.

We also recognize that not every client is right for every service. We love being able to refer clients to other services if we are not available or are not the right fit for an event.

Entrepreneurship can feel like a lonely journey at times. But it doesn’t mean that you have to go through it alone. We are so grateful to have a community of other business owners who are going through the same process to learn from and bounce ideas off.

What does community over competition mean to you? Comment below or join the conversation on social media. Let’s all keep supporting and lifting each other up!

Bottles vs. Kegs

September 12, 2019

If you are planning a wedding or event, chances are you have beer on the brain! It’s the number one question our clients ask us when planning their bar menu, and we’re here to settle the age-old debate: bottles, or kegs?

Well…. it depends!

We know. Not what you were looking for. But the truth is, bottles and kegs both deserve a spot in the beverage lineup. What is important is determining what will work best for YOUR EVENT by considering a few key factors.

Before we get into the nitty gritty details, take a moment to think about the amount of beer to serve at your event. Things like time of day, season, and guest preferences all factor in. Our rule of thumb is to plan for 60% wine and 40% beer. If you will also be serving spirits, we suggest 30% spirits, 30% beer, and 40% wine. We dive into this topic when planning your perfect bar menu, read it here if you haven’t yet!

Bottles

Here are the key reasons that bottles might be the right choice for your event.

Variety

With beer variety on the rise – it can be hard to decide on just one flavor that your guests will like. Bottles allow you to purchase different types of beer in smaller quantities, all the way down to six at a time if you like. If you go with bottles, we suggest offering no more than four types of beer in order to avoid decision-paralysis, for both you and your guests!

Leftovers

Another great perk of beer in bottles is that they stay fresh for about a year when unopened. Kegs on the other hand, last less than 24 hours unless they are stored in a kegerator. If you want to avoid wasting any unused beer, bottles are the way to go.

Ease of Service

The number one reason to choose bottles, in our opinion, is ease of service. Bottles are fast to open and serve, whether they are given to guests directly in the bottle or taken a step further and poured in a glass. For a quick and happy bar line, bottles beat kegs every time. If you only take away one thing from the bottles vs kegs debate, it should be this: Kegs take 4x longer to serve than bottles. We repeat, four times!! This is a big factor to keep in mind when you are envisioning your event, as we all know that long bar lines can throw off your schedule and cause frustration among guests.

Kegs

If you are feeling like bottles are the way to go – keep reading! Kegs still pack a punch when it comes to adding value to an event. Here are the key reasons why kegs might be right for you.

Cost

Kegs allow you to buy in bulk in a way that bottles never can because you can skip the individual packaging and labels. In some cases, kegs can be 40-60% cheaper than bottles. If you are planning to serve a large portion of your guests beer, kegs are the most economical option.

Waste

What makes bottles easy to serve is also one of their downfalls—waste. Bottles are resource-intensive to manufacture and distribute, and can end up in landfills if not properly recycled. On top of eliminating packaging, kegs are reusable. If reducing the impact of your event and bar is important to you, kegs are the way to go.

Variety (again)

While bottles won over based on the number of beer options you can offer at your event, kegs can expand the brands of beer at your disposal. Many local microbreweries don’t can or bottle their beer, but they do fill kegs. If you have a particular brewery or a specific beer that you want to share with your guests, getting a keg for your event may be the only way to serve it! While we recommend serving a maximum of four types of bottled beer, for kegs we recommend a maximum of two.

There you have it folks, our thoughts on the bottles vs kegs debate! When it comes to serving beer, bottles and kegs both have their pros and cons. Consider the factors that are most important to you when it comes to cost, variety, waste, and servability. Whichever route you end up taking will ultimately support an amazing event!

Tell us, do you have a preference between bottles and kegs? Tag us on Instagram with your thoughts!

Spotlight on Craven Farm

May 31, 2019

Wedding season is here, and we’re kicking off our first wedding venue feature to celebrate! Last month we took you behind the scenes of one of the newest venues in Seattle, and today we’re taking you to one of the oldest—Craven Farm in Snohomish County!

History

They are one of our favorite venues for so many reasons, starting with their history. Originally a family-run dairy farm, followed by a berry-picking venue, and eventually the first pumpkin patch in the Snohomish Valley, Craven Farm has been a staple in the community for generations.

Today, Craven Farm continues to be a working farm and wedding venue. Husband and wife team Kimi and Brian Chadwick purchased the farm just last December, and are excited to both continue and build on the great traditions of this historic venue.

Type of Events

Craven Farm specializes in weddings from January through mid-September, and they have some of the most amazing space options (see below!). They are open for the annual pumpkin patch and fall festival through October each year, and starting this year, they will also be open all of December for holiday parties and events. We are so excited to see new events happening in this lovely venue!

The Space

Our absolute favorite aspect of Craven Farm is the unique and diverse space options that they provide. Away from the main roads, the farm is peaceful and quiet, with room to explore. The 70-acre property boasts multiple barns, indoor and outdoor wedding ceremony sites, and spectacular views. They have the perfect kitchen set up for catering, ample parking, and just finished some amazing renovations.

You have to visit in person (of course!), but to get you started, here are some of our favorite aspects of Craven Farm.

Reception Barn

Holds up to 200 people, has indoor restrooms, and a recently renovated bridal suite!

2 Outdoor Ceremony Sites

The first ceremony option is a lovely, small secret garden. Perfect for intimate ceremonies, you hardly even know that you are on a farm at this location! The second option is their Corn Room, equally as unique! By planting corn early in the season in a large field, ceremonies in the Corn Room are tucked away and private while having big beautiful views of the nearby mountains.

Open-air Pole Barn

Perfect for cocktail hour or dancing the night away. Seats 200.

Lawn & Fire Pit

Every wedding needs space for activities! You can have yard games on the lawn, and a HUGE fire pit for s’mores.

Kids Play Area

Large play area perfect for kids with antique tractors, trucks, and room to play!

On-site Floral Design

Another unique aspect of Craven Farm is that they now offer on-site floral design with Chadwick Flower Company (Kimi’s first business venture!). Combination vendors make set-up and coordination a breeze!

If you want to be able to spread out during your wedding, Craven Farm just might be for you. You can come visit them this Sunday during the Snohomish Wedding Tour to walk the grounds, get a sneak peek at their new renovations, and meet other great wedding vendors. Make sure to stop by and chat with Party on the Rocks! You can also find us on the Tour at Snohomish Red Barn Events, Belle Chapel, and Twin Willow Gardens.

Craven Farm has a few openings available for 2019 weddings, and is currently booking for 2020. If you are searching for your perfect venue, make sure to connect with them this weekend. We know you will love them as much as we do!

Element 79: Seattle’s Newest Swanky Event Center

April 11, 2019

There are so many amazing venues for events in and around Puget Sound. One of our favorite parts of bartending and staffing events in the area is being able to travel and get to know all of the unique venues and the people behind them.

Today we’re highlighting one of our favorite newest venues – Element 79 Seattle! Element 79 launched in November of last year, and they have quickly become a hot spot for a wide variety of events. They are conveniently located in Georgetown, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Seattle.

Decor

What we love the most about this venue is their unique and funky vibe. They marry an intimate speakeasy feel with a spacious and modern footprint. From their beautiful reclaimed wood to their gorgeous vintage bar to their live green wall – they have a ton of amazing pieces to work with that make for truly special events. On top of all of the built-in details, the space is a perfect canvas to add your own touch.

Space Options

There are two space options to pick from – Element 79 and the vault. Element 79 is the larger of the two. With 3000 square feet to play with, it’s perfect for wedding receptions, photo shoots, or large private parties. It has a fully equipped kitchen and plenty of room to customize the space to your needs.

The vault is 800 square feet and is the ideal space for smaller, intimate gatherings and business meetings. It also makes a perfect bridal suite for getting ready! You can rent each space on their own, or combine them together for a larger event.

Rates

Element 79 Seattle has superb rental rates for Seattle, we love the affordability they offer with a ton of value! And, they share their rates directly on their website, so there is no guessing involved when you book with them.

Diverse Events

Another main perk of this venue is that it suits so many different types of events. We have done corporate events, weddings, birthday parties, fundraisers, and a vow renewal with Element 79 so far – and each event was perfectly suited to the venue. They make it so easy to customize to your liking and are great at working with outside vendors to bring in unique elements.

Amazing Staff

Melissa and Kori make up the dream team for this woman-owned business, and we just love working with them! They are professional, friendly, fun, and eager to think outside of the box to help customize to the needs of different events. They have also created great relationships with other vendors, making event set up and coordination a breeze.

We are so excited to have Element 79 Seattle as a new event staple in the community. Visit their website to get to know more about them or follow them to see some of their recent events!

Photos by Tori Dickson

How to Pick Signature Cocktails

March 21, 2019

Trying to decide what “signature cocktails” to offer for a wedding or event? Signature cocktails are a fun and creative way to personalize your bar menu – and picking them should be too!

In our recent post on how to plan your perfect bar menu, we broke down the amount, type, and variety of beverages to serve at any event. Today we are taking it one step further to talk about how to pick your signature cocktails. Hint: simplicity is key!

Here are our top no-stress tips for picking signature cocktails that you, and your guests, will love.

Offer only one or two options

We suggest having one, or a maximum of two, signature cocktails at an event. The more options you give, the longer it takes your guests to choose and move through the bar line. You should spend your time drinking signature cocktails, not waiting in line for them!

Stay on theme

If your wedding or event has a theme, incorporate it into the bar! We often pair specialty cocktails based on food, such as mojitos or margaritas with Mexican food, or a Negroni with Italian. You can also pick based on your colors!

His & Hers, His & His, or Hers & Hers

If you can’t decide on just one, this is a great option for couples! Base it on each person’s favorite drink, or, just pick something that you’ll enjoy.

In honor of

A special way to memorialize someone who can’t attend your event is to serve their favorite cocktail. Your guests will love sharing in that special memory with you.

Have fun!

Signature cocktails do not need to perfectly sum up your past and future relationship in a glass – that’s a lot of pressure for one cocktail. If you DO have a drink that is meaningful to you – use it! But if not, don’t stress. Above all, signature cocktails are a fun way to share a beverage with your guests. The most important criteria, of any beverage, is that it’s delicious!

Don’t try to please everyone

Our clients often get concerned that their guests won’t like the cocktails they pick. To that we say, don’t worry about it! As long as you are providing another option like a wine or beer, your guests will be more than taken care of. Think of specialty drinks as another fun way to include your family and friends in things that you really like.

Pick a spirit that you normally drink

If you don’t know where to start, first pick a type of alcohol that you normally drink. This will help you narrow in on the types of drinks that you will probably enjoy. If you are offering two cocktails, we suggest having one clear spirit and one brown spirit. Whiskey and Vodka are the two spirits we work with the most!

Rename a classic

Make your drink feel extra special with some personalization. Instead of a vodka soda, rename it!

Sample, Sample, Sample!

Our number one tip is to sample cocktail options before you commit. Go out to your favorite bar and try out a few that you are interested in. This saves you from buying all of the ingredients that you may or may not use again, and it’s the perfect date night! You can also go on Pinterest, Etsy, or Instagram for inspiration … there are so many great options to chose from!

—————-

Still having trouble deciding? Ask your bartending service for recommendations. Here is a short list of some of our favorite tried-and-true specialty cocktails. You can’t go wrong with one of these!

Moscow Mule
Margarita
Mojito
Old Fashioned
Whiskey Rose (try this one!)

What are your favorite specialty cocktails? Leave a comment or tag us @partyontherocksseattle to let us know!

Plan your Wedding at the Seattle Wedding Show

January 4, 2019

If you feel like love is in the air, you might be right! An estimated 40% of engagements happen over the holiday season, with Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and New Year’s topping the chart. What better way to ring in 2019 and have the perfect time to celebrate with family, friends, and loved ones!

Luckily for all the newly engaged couples out there, the Seattle Wedding Show is just around the corner. It is one of the biggest gatherings of wedding vendors in the Greater Seattle and Puget Sound area, bringing together over 400 local and national vendors each year.

Whether you are in the throes of planning or are just getting started, the Seattle Wedding Show is the perfect opportunity to connect with vendors, get inspired, and check items off your planning list. Vendors include florists, venues, caterers, photographers, bartenders, musicians, boutiques, and more. There are also fashion shows throughout the event featuring a wide range of styles and brands, plus amazing deals on more than a thousand gowns.

Whoever said you can’t plan a wedding in a day, hasn’t been to the Seattle Wedding Show!

We know from our clients all of the time and energy that goes into planning a wedding. The best part about the Seattle Wedding Show is the chance to meet all of the region’s best vendors in one location. You can get tons of creative ideas for your wedding, save time, and compare offerings to find the vendors that fit with your style and budget.

The details

The Show is January 12th & 13th at the Washington State Convention Center. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 on the days of the show. Children 12 and under are free. Get your tickets now at www.weddingshow.com!

Party on the Rocks is proud to be sponsoring and exhibiting at the Show. Come find us at booth #1206!

The Space

What’s Included

COVID-19 Small Event Packages

Ceremony Space

Reception Space

Bottles

Leftovers

Ease of Service

Kegs

Cost

Waste

Variety (again)

History

Type of Events

The Space

Reception Barn

2 Outdoor Ceremony Sites

Open-air Pole Barn

Lawn & Fire Pit

Kids Play Area

On-site Floral Design

Decor

Space Options

Rates

Diverse Events

Amazing Staff

Offer only one or two options

Stay on theme

His & Hers, His & His, or Hers & Hers

In honor of

Have fun!

Don’t try to please everyone

Pick a spirit that you normally drink

Rename a classic

Sample, Sample, Sample!

Moscow Mule

Margarita

Mojito

Old Fashioned

Whiskey Rose (try this one!)

The details