When a couple inquires with you and lets you know that they’re envisioning a romantic, island getaway-type wedding weekend at one of your favorite venues, you know you’re in for a real treat. We spent two years collaborating with Martha and Charlie on their dream wedding weekend at the Captain Whidbey, developing the weekend concept around a high-end PNW island getaway—and my goodness, was it the pleasure of our careers watching it all come together, seeing these two laugh their way through the weekend alongside the people they love most. We are so proud to share this charming island celebration with you, and for you to see the stunning design and vibe we all worked so hard to bring to fruition!

The couple: Martha + Charlie

Martha and Charlie originally reached out in October 2021 for their October 2023 event—which we were stoked about, as we love a long-term relationship here at Tapestry! They knew they wanted a weekend-long affair with music, dancing, and silliness against the backdrop of the PNW, to which we said say less. Right off the bat we discovered that this is a pair who loves a good hang with the people they love, thrives when exploring the great outdoors, and finds meaning in making life into one big adventure.

Over the course of the next two years, we used our full weekend planning services to develop their weekend concept around a romantic, PNW island getaway, and we could not be more thrilled with how it all came to life. During that time, we also witnessed them buy a house, adopt a puppy, make big career moves, go on fantastic trips with their robust friend group, and lean on each other for support during some of life’s toughest challenges; it’s safe to say that their multi-day celebration was well-deserved by the time it finally rolled around.

It’s always important to us to get to know our couples on more than just a client-vendor basis; to develop a deeper relationship with them that allows us to design a celebration reflective of their truest desires, most authentic personalities, and one-of-a-kind love story. Throughout our collaboration, we came to know Martha as the organized and analytic half of the relationship; she shows her dedication by caring for things (and people) in a complete and holistic manner. To have Martha in your corner is a fierce and wonderful gift, and one that we did not take for granted. Charlie brings clarity and play to the relationship, showing his love by going out of his way to make you feel heard, seen, and included. We are so grateful to have had two years in these humans’ lives, because they are damn good people who are eager to do right by their community in every aspect of their lives.

The vision: a coastal-inspired, high-end PNW island getaway

When asked to describe their wedding vision, Martha and Charlie had a clear picture of what they wanted; they just needed the support, guidance, and perspective to breathe life into it. Their ideal wedding looked like a weekend-long affair, with the welcome party on Friday and a relaxed ceremony and reception on Saturday, located somewhere that embodied the natural beauty of the PNW. It was important to them to have everyone staying on the same property; somewhere they could simply have a big party that could go late into the night without having to worry about turning off the music at a certain time, or making sure everyone safely got to their hotels. The idea of all their favorite people being together and being able to really settle into the weekend was a dream come true for Martha and Charlie; their top priority was hosting a celebration that allowed their loved ones to come connect, and have the “silliest, giggliest, best time” (in Martha’s words). 

After delving deep into their visions, desires, and must-haves for their event, we stepped into our role and began designing a coastal-style, high-end PNW wedding that would reflect the charming vibe Martha and Charlie were going for. We married thoughtful design elements with fantastic entertainment, making sure that every element enhanced the stunning setting and fostered an atmosphere where every guest could create memories to last a lifetime. We embraced the Filson-style historical lodge vibes at Captain Whidbey, and brought a contemporary indie-chic design perspective to our selection of rentals, florals, and outfits. Color sense really drove the design, and complemented the beautiful nature setting so well.

A few of our personal favorite elements of the day included:

—The food: Fantastic beyond words.

—The ceremony under the Madronas: Romantic AF.

—Digging up a bottle of Mezcal: An iconic tradition.

—The live shucked oysters at cocktail hour: A hit.

—The ten-piece reception band: Flawless.

—The squad of humans supporting these two fun folks: Couldn’t be better.

—The groom DJ’ing his after party over espresso martinis: A vision.

—The disco balls and dynamic lighting: The perfect ambiance.

We are truly over the moon with how this unforgettable weekend played out, and are so thankful to each and every vendor that helped make Martha and Charlie’s dreams into reality!

If you love the idea of a full wedding weekend just as much as we do, we’d love to share Talia and Chaise’s Personalized PNW Destination Wedding Weekend, which took place at Oregon’s stunning Loloma Lodge.

The venue: Captain Whidbey Hotel

As soon as Martha and Charlie mentioned their vision involving a romantic weekend getaway with quintessential PNW views and experiences, we knew the Captain Whidbey would be their perfect venue. This charming Whidbey Island wedding venue is nestled right on the island shores, among lush old growth fir forests with spectacular views of Penn Cove. The Captain Whidbey embodies everything wild and rugged, yet at the same time quaint and romantic; we’d say it’s the dream island retreat for any couples who are envisioning a celebration inspired by nature, infused with adventure, and overflowing with a sense of community + connection, both among visitors and island locals. 

While you can absolutely celebrate here for just a day, one of our favorite aspects of Captain Whidbey is that you have the option to extend your event across an entire weekend, with a full property buy-out! The venue is perfect for hosting groups of up to 125 guests, with 30 guest rooms and cabins for overnight stays, as well as 6 acres of sprawling grounds, manicured lawns, and even an on-site restaurant. We love what they say on their website—

“Think ‘Camp Wedding,’ bringing all of your friends & family together for a private weekend adventure, showcasing a quintessential PNW experience.”

If that doesn’t sound like a dream come true, we don’t know what does! Having your guests stay on the property with you removes all the hassle and stress of coordinating transportation for everyone between the venue and outside hotels/accommodations, and really fosters the ideal atmosphere for a weekend where you can be so wholly present with the people you love. 

Wedding rental fees at the Captain Whidbey start at $15,000, with a $15,000 food & beverage minimum requirement. Guest room pricing will be added on separately, depending on how long you’ll be staying at the hotel and with how big a group. If you’re looking to celebrate all weekend long with a guest count of 75-125 people, we recommend a budget of $100,000 or more to comfortably host and entertain your people for an unforgettable getaway. We simply can’t recommend this venue enough for any couples searching for the perfect PNW island escape with all of their most loved humans!

Still on the hunt for your perfect PNW wedding venue? We’ve got you covered! Take a peek at the list we compiled for you of Our Tried And True Favorite Venues, where we’ve featured a variety of breathtaking, versatile venues that we adore in the greater Seattle area. 

The vendor team

Photo + Video: Weiss Photo & Film // @weissphotoandfilm

Planning: Tapestry Event Co. // @tapestryeventco

Florist: Goldenrod Floral // @goldenrodfloral

Band: New Design (Dart Collective) // @dartcollective

Beauty: Anne Timss Makeup & Hair // @mstimssmakeupartist

Stationery: Arzberger Stationers // @arzbergerstationers

Dog Sitter: To Wag & To Hold // @towagandtohold

Cocktail Oyster Bar: Pop-Up Oyster Bar Co. // @popupoysterbar

Venue + Catering: The Captain Whidbey // @thecaptainwhidbey

Event Rentals: CORT Party Rental // @cortpartyrental

Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola // @bbjlatavola

Restroom: Ideal Rent-All

Transportation: Whidbey Shuttle // @whidbeyshuttle

Curious where the cost responsibilities lie for a wedding weekend like this? We wrote a full blog about What Hosts Pay for + What Guests Pay for in a Weekend-Long Wedding to answer all of your burning questions.