Frequently Asked Questions about Gray Bridge Wedding Venue
What is the average cost of a Gray Bridge wedding?
According to surveys of real weddings by The Knot, Wedding Wire, and Brides Magazine, a Seattle-area wedding averages around $40,000 with 30% of the budget going towards your venue cost. While the cost of a renting Gray Bridge is closer to 25% of this budget, based on feedback from couples who have gotten married here over the past few years, $40,000 is in line with what it costs to get married here. Gray Bridge weddings typically range from $35,000-100,000+ with catering (including bar, dessert, and rentals) at about 40%, and photography (~15%) being the other significant expenses.
How far in advance should we book?
We are a very popular wedding venue and tend to be fully booked about a year and a half in advance and open our calendar the fall two years before. We have fully booked since 2021 and anticipate this trend continuing. July and August Saturdays tend to book within a few months of opening our calendar (typically booked by Halloween two years prior) and all Saturdays are booked by Valentine's Day two years prior. We rarely have cancellations but put them on our website as soon as they are available.
Are there hotels and accommodations nearby?
Yes! There are several Best Western-quality hotels 8 miles away in Monroe that will reserve blocks of rooms. There are numerous AirBnB’s and other lodging options that sleep up to 42 guests within 6 miles of the venue as well as several campgrounds in the area. The wedding venue is centrally located between Seattle (45 minutes), Stevens Pass (45 minutes), Everett (30 minutes), and Tacoma (90 minutes).
What if it rains on my wedding day?
Sultan is in a river valley with its own local microclimate. Compared to Seattle, we get less rain in the summer and more rain in the winter. We tend to be 3-5 degrees warmer than Seattle in the summer.. If it rains on your wedding day, we have a 2700 sf tent that can comfortable fit all your guests for ceremony and reception. We covered our dance floor in 2022 with a clear, domed pergola so all spaces can be used if it rains. We also have ~100 clear dome umbrellas and will set them out around the venue for your guests' use. We have designed the venue to flex with the weather and have features such as very fast drying hardwood ceremony benches, a wedding arbor in the tent that matches the style and scale of the amphitheater arbor for your ceremony flowers, market umbrellas around the cocktail area, and we are prepared to be all-hands-on-deck and flex the spaces as desired if last-minute weather requires a change of plans.
How many guests can you accommodate?
The venue is set up for up to 226 guests including tented space for ceremony and reception under the tent for all your guests. We have parking for 75+ cars.
Do you have a list of recommended caterers and vendors?
Yes! We maintain a list of vendors who have worked here successfully and who we would like to work with again. Beyond just taking care of all the details within their realm of responsibilities, success for us means a vendor who is a team-player who sees the entire event's success important; a vendor who is pleasant to work with, responsive, and collaborative. A wedding is like a choreographed dance with each vendor playing the part of a dancer with moves and roles that impact everyone else both on and off the stage--if a vendor can't dance well with others, can't improvise when necessary and recognize that the couple and no one else is the star of the day, they will not earn a place on our recommended list. We favor vendors who are local, small-business owners, and people we want to spend our summers with. The quickest way to not make our list is for a vendor to say "that is not my job" when a task needs to get done (other ways include poor service, a "me-first" attitude, or potentially dangerous or damaging action.
Herban Feast provides our catering and bartending and we require your DJ come from our list of vendors.
Do you provide a day-of coordinator?
Gray Bridge Staff serves as your facilities coordinator throughout your event. We will be responsible for your initial furniture set up according to your plan, we will direct your guests on where to park, and we will keep the restrooms clean and the trash can liners changed. We will also provide and maintain your coffee and water service at multiple locations based on your layout. We are here to assist your vendors so they are successful. At the end of your event, you’re responsible for removing your personal items and décor. We will handle the heavy clean-up and furniture movement. We support the service of a day-of coordinator who will also handle timeline creation, décor setup and breakdown, event management and the one-on-one support of the bride and groom.
Experiencing the value of a good day-of coordinator, our contracts now require a professional day-of to manage your event!
Can we use a vendor not on the list?
Yes, for the most part! After seeing too many vendors that do not provide a professional, fantastic guest experience, we are now requiring DJ's from our vetted list. Many of the vendors on our required list provide discounts for working at Gray Bridge.
If your vendor is not on our recommended vendor list, reach out to us first to ensure they aren't on our (non-published) naughty list. If they haven't worked here before, we would love to have them out, show them the facilities we provide for them, and ensure they will be successful for you when they are here.
Many vendors in the wedding industry are not licensed and insured. You are responsible for your vendor’s actions and your event insurance does not cover their actions (but insured vendors have coverage). Gray Bridge recommends only hiring licensed and insured vendors.
Can we have a potluck meal, or can family provide the food?
We love home cooked meals and family recipes! We have also learned from our experience in this business that a wedding is not the best time to host a self-catered event. We will gladly entertain a discussion about self-catered desserts and sometimes appetizers.
Can we provide our own alcohol?
Yes! We have numerous beverage packages available through Herban Feast from non-alcoholic to full bar options. A corkage fee applies to alcohol brought in or Heban Feast will provide your bar options.
Is there a service fee for using my own vendors?
No! Our pricing includes ALL fees and we do not charge service fees to our renters or vendors nor do we accept a “kick-back” from vendors for recommending them.
What additional fees, taxes, and/or rental costs will we be charged by you beyond the stated price?
None! The stated price covers the venue rental and our included décor and furniture. We also will not charge you extra to use something we have available from our “What’s Included” page on our website. We truly are a fixed-price/flat rate venue!
Do I need to provide event insurance or a damage deposit?
Yes! Event insurance policies vary wildly so we have vetted approved policies and will provide you with the contracts to obtain a policy. Gray Bridge Event Venue, LLC shall be named as an additional insured of said policy and a waiver of subrogation is required. Expect event insurance for your wedding and rehearsal dinner to cost approximately $225 with alcohol service.
What form of payments do you accept and when are payments due?
Your date is reserved for you with your initial retainer payment of $1000 of your contract value. The remained of your balance is due over 3 payments.
How will my guests know where to park?
We provide a parking attendant and/or directional signs to direct guests to the appropriate location.
What types of restrooms are available for our guests?
A luxury restroom trailer with 3 private stalls and a separate single-stall ADA restroom with a baby changing station is part of your venue rental. Each stall includes air conditioning, hot and cold running water and lights.
Is smoking allowed on the property?
Yes, we have two designated smoking areas—one near the wedding tents and one near the pool deck. Smoking is allowed in those designated areas.
Are pets allowed to be a part of our event?
With some stipulations, approved pets may be included in your ceremony. Please be sure to ask and we will include the specifics in your contract.
Do you have handicapped parking available?
We do not have ADA parking, but we will gladly reserve the parking spaces closest to the restrooms and paved areas for guests with mobility challenges.
Can we decorate?
Absolutely! You and your vendors are responsible for the setting up and taking down of decorations you or they provide or borrow from us for your event. Restrictions apply to affixing décor to our buildings, furniture and spaces. If you would like to add decoration, please ask us for prior approval. Generally, zip-ties are the preferred option for attaching décor to the facility. Please provide your own zip-ties!
Can I drop off decorations, food or rented items to the property in preparation for the event?
Yes! Drop-offs are within the rental period outlined in the agreement. We have storage sheds exclusive to each wedding day available to you Thursday through Tuesday of your wedding weekend to accept rentals, drop of decor early, and schedule deliveries outside of your wedding day.
Can we have access to the venue prior to the time our rental period begins?
We are committed to having the facility properly cleaned and prepared for your event. This preparation takes place the evening before and the morning of your event. Additional time the morning of your event or rental of the entire house are available options.
Do you provide flowers, linens, plates/tableware/silverware in the Event Package?
Your package from Herban Feast includes dish, glass, and flatware. The only rental item you need is linens. We will help you source linen rentals and can manage the pickup and delivery for you.
Is there a dance floor?
Yes! The paved pool deck makes an ideal dance floor. In the event of rain, the 20'x24' pergola is covered with a clear cover so you can see the stars when its clear and stay dry if it rains!
Can I use candles?
We are governed by our insurance guidelines to allow only battery-operated candles for events. We have an extensive collection of battery operated votives in multiple heights and fairy lights available in our something borrowed closet.
What is allowed for our celebratory send-off?
Please reach out to us with your ideas. We ask you to be respectful of the property and future weddings and refrain from using items that are hard to clean up and/or may cause slip hazards and/or may be a fire hazard. Examples of prohibited items include glitter, confetti, birdseed, rice, artificial petals, sparklers, and sky lanterns. Suggestions for allowed items include herbs such as lavender, ribbon sticks, sparkler apps on smart phones, bubbles, real flower petals, and pom poms. If you have other ideas, please reach out to us!
When can I schedule my wedding ceremony rehearsal?
Your rehearsal can be scheduled any time after you book for a one-hour time the week before your wedding. We have some local restaurant options that you can reserve for a rehearsal dinner. Some couples choose to do off-site rehearsals or rehearsals the morning of their event.
Will there be other events at the venue during my rental period?
You have exclusive use of the wedding venue during your rental period.
Can I take engagement photos or bridal portraits at the venue?
Yes! This is a service available only for booked couples.