A Woodmark Hotel Wedding

Kayla and Jacob’s wedding at the Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa in Kirkland was the perfect blend of modern, romantic, and fun—exactly what Kayla had envisioned from the very beginning. Their love story started years ago in high school in Bellingham, WA, and watching that teenage story turn into a lakeside Woodmark Hotel wedding felt so full-circle and special.

The Woodmark Hotel & Still Spa sits right on the shores of Lake Washington at Carillon Point, with stunning views of the water and the Olympic Mountains in the distance. It’s known as one of the best waterfront venues in Washington, and for good reason—everywhere you look, there’s something beautiful, from the marina and landscaped grounds to the lakeside terraces and tented spaces designed specifically with weddings in mind. A Woodmark Hotel wedding feels like a little escape while still being so close to Seattle.

One of my favorite parts about Kayla and Jacob’s Woodmark Hotel wedding was how intentionally they built in time. So often, wedding days feel rushed, but they really prioritized photos and breathing room in their timeline. Because of that, we were able to wander the property, explore different corners of the hotel and marina, and take our time creating portraits that actually felt like them. We didn’t have to sprint from one location to the next—we could pause, get them laughing, let them soak in the moment, and enjoy the views of Lake Washington as we went.

They chose to have both their ceremony and reception under the gorgeous lakeside tent the Woodmark is known for. The tent overlooks Lake Washington and is elegantly draped with white fabric and crystal chandeliers, with optional side walls and heaters that make it an all-weather space. For their Woodmark Hotel wedding, Kayla and Jacob said their vows under the tent surrounded by their closest friends and family, with the glow of natural light filtering through and the water just beyond. After the ceremony, the team did a quick flip of the space to transform it for the reception—seamless and efficient, while guests mingled and enjoyed the lakeside setting.

Right after the ceremony, before the reception officially kicked off, Kayla and Jacob did something I absolutely loved—they slipped away for a private boat ride on Lake Washington. One of the perks of a Woodmark Hotel wedding is having direct access to the marina and the water, and they took full advantage of that. They boarded a boat, popped some champagne, and had a few quiet moments together, just the two of them, to reflect on the day and really let it sink in: they were married. Those little pockets of privacy on a wedding day are priceless, and photographing them out on the lake with the Woodmark and mountains behind them.

When they returned from the boat, it was time for their grand entrance back into the tent. I love the flow they chose for their Woodmark Hotel wedding reception: grand entrance straight into first dances. It creates such a smooth transition—everyone is already focused on the couple, the energy is high, and moving right into the first dance keeps that emotional momentum going. Kayla and Jacob’s first dance, followed by parent dances, set such a sweet tone for the rest of the evening. From there, guests settled in for heartfelt toasts, a fun cake cutting, and then lots of dancing.

Before the sun slipped behind the horizon, we snuck out again for sunset portraits on the pier. The Woodmark’s lakeside setting gives you those soft, glowy sunset views over Lake Washington, and we took full advantage of it. We walked out onto the dock, let them cuddle in close as the sky turned golden, and created some of my favorite images from their Woodmark Hotel wedding—romantic, relaxed, and full of that “we really did it” feeling.

We also had one extra star of the show to photograph: Jacob’s soft yellow Thunderbird. Before the night ended, we brought them over to the car for some portraits—her dress draped alongside the classic lines of the car, his arm around her, the lake and hotel behind them. They planned to make their exit in that Thunderbird later that night, and it was such a fun nod to their personality and story. It added this playful, slightly retro touch to their modern Woodmark Hotel wedding.

And then there were the cats. Instead of a standard bar setup, Kayla and Jacob added one of my favorite personal details of the entire day: custom drink cans featuring illustrations of their cats in the yellow Thunderbird, labeled “just meowied.” It was adorable, clever, and such a hit with their guests. Those little details are what make a Woodmark Hotel wedding feel uniquely “you,” and this one had their names written all over it.

From start to finish, Kayla and Jacob’s Woodmark Hotel wedding felt exactly like them—modern, romantic, and fun. High school sweethearts from Bellingham, now married on the shores of Lake Washington, celebrating with the people who have watched their story unfold over the years. If you’re dreaming of a waterfront celebration with incredible views, a flexible tented space, and room in your timeline to truly enjoy your day, a Woodmark Hotel wedding in Kirkland is such a beautiful place to start.

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