Mother Nature really showed up and showed out for my couples last fall, with multiple weekends in a row of crispy, beautiful fall sunshine for some stunning celebrations. Melissa & Sam’s October wedding was my first time at Chateau Lill and let me tell you: I had to remind myself that I was not in Italy. Such a stunning property in Woodinville for a sunshine-drenched celebration ✨
Nothing is more glorious than a sunny October day in the Seattle area, I’ll tell you that much right now. Every couple I work with is fabulous at going with the flow and embracing whatever comes their way, but let me say one thing: nobody ever complains about sunshine, especially in the unpredictable months of autumn. Arriving at Chateau Lill to celebrate with Melissa and Sam, and seeing the way the warm sunlight hit every little detail of the venue, was such an unreal experience—I knew my job would be abundantly easy right away. This was quickly confirmed when I got to spend a little time with Melissa and Sam in their separate getting ready rooms, each surrounded by their most loved people and a collection of beautifully-curated details to represent the day. Talk about a photographer’s dream come true!
I couldn’t make it out of the getting ready space without stopping to admire (and snap endless photos of) those breathtaking bud vases sitting on the mantle, being prepped to find their home on the reception tables for later in the evening. The dreamiest autumn colors filled each vase to match the season’s shades here in Washington, bursting with rich tangerine tones, deep burgundies, rich corals, vibrant whites, and dainty touches of pale pinks & purples. A color palette for the ages, if I do say so myself—especially with the delicate hints of baby’s breath spread throughout. All to complement Melissa’s stunner of a bridal bouquet, which featured even deeper shades of purple, red, and muted green, allowing the landscapes to truly shine around her!
Is there anything better than a sun-soaked outdoor cocktail hour during October in Washington State? I’ll wait.
After tying the knot beneath the bright autumn sun in front of their friends and family, Melissa and Sam partied the night away with the most magical cocktail hour, the sun beginning to set slowly over the vineyards around them. Pure perfection is what this entire night was—the golden glow of the setting sun, the whimsical atmosphere of the reception under strands of twinkle lights, the dance floor where they let loose with their loved ones. . . what a JOY of a day to be a part of!
I wouldn’t blame you if you’re already whipping up a vision board for your own enchanted evening at Chateau Lill—after all, it is the closest you can get to an Italian villa wedding without leaving the greater Seattle area. Really feels like a little slice of Europe right here in Washington State!
Chateau Lill has been hosting weddings for longer than you’ve likely been together (since 1994!), boasting a gorgeous array of flexible spaces to customize your event, a phenomenal team of in-house planners, and lush gardens that will transport you right into the middle of the European countryside—without the costly plane ticket. In fact, Chateau Lill is just 30 minutes outside of Seattle, making it easy as pie for you and your loved ones to travel for your special day.
This fabulous venue is totally yours to customize once you arrive, with flexible sites that each offer one-of-a-kind charms. Pairing modern amenities and contemporary comforts with the charm of classic European architecture, Chateau Lill offers a variety of venue spaces for you and your guests to explore.
From the delightful open-air terrace to the quaint pond-side gazebo, and the Barrel Room to the sophisticated ballroom, every corner of this 10-acre property has been designed with the utmost care in mind for every guest who visits.
A personal favorite spot of mine is the farmland that’s home to both alpacas and goats—because why not have a gorgeous French-style garden just steps away from a few adorable creatures?
P.S. The seasonal wine collections are absolutely delectable—you won’t want to go easy on the bottles you purchase!
Doesn’t it sound magical to transport yourselves and your guests to the south of France for a day, and to tie the knot beneath the cedar trees of the chateau’s lush lawns? Wedding packages at Chateau Lill vary by season and group size, so you’ll want to reach out to the venue here for a custom quote.
And to top it all off, the team at Chateau Lill are longtime supporters of many local organizations—including Seattle Children’s and the Woodland Park Zoo–with a focus on giving back to the local Seattle area community. Isn’t it such a gift to know that your money is going to not only crafting the most memorable day of your lives, but also to a group of really great humans?
Documenting sun-drenched days like this, with delightful couples like Melissa & Sam, at enchanting venues like Chateau Lill. . . it will never get old. The energy of a wedding day never fails to draw me in and invite a beautifully one-of-a-kind story to be told; simultaneously capturing the start of a new journey and the end of an old one.
It’s such an unimaginable gift to be able to celebrate you and your love in this way, and would be my honor to be the one to tell your Seattle or Woodinville wedding story through intentional, artistic imagery—get in touch now to create that first spark of connection, and let’s see where this thing takes us, shall we?
Craving more Seattle-area wedding inspiration just like this? Lucky for you, my couples are all absolute stunners—so I’ve got plenty of gorgeous inspo you’ll want to save to your Pinterest board:
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