Table of Contents:
- About The MV Skansonia
- Why Have Your Wedding at The MV Skansonia?
- Planning Your MV Skansonia Wedding
- MV Skansonia Wedding Packages + Pricing
- MV Skansonia Wedding Photographer
Have you ever considered getting married on a ferry?! If not, you’d be surprised at how much you’re missing out on—scenic waterfront views, rustic boat charm, all the romantic nautical vibes. . .just trust me on this one. And it only makes sense that Seattle would have a literal ferry wedding venue right on the water, right? So today I’m telling you alllll about it: the MV Skansonia, which is, without a doubt, one of the most unique waterfront wedding venues in Seattle! I’m super excited to show you this one-of-a-kind venue that I’ve absolutely fallen in love with, and I’ll be giving you all the important deets you need to know: pricing, packages, what’s included, the venue vibes, and so much more. I hope you have fun learning about this awesome venue, and I’m crossing my fingers that it might be the perfect place for your special day!
About The MV Skansonia
Located right on North Lake Union (like, literally, on the lake), the MV Skansonia is a ferry that was built wayyyy back in 1929 by the Skansie Brothers—can you tell where it got its name from? It used to be a ferry that transported both cars and people between Vashon Island and Point Defiance, and then I guess it found its forever home on Lake Union + became a premiere event venue in Seattle! I’m just so obsessed with the fact that you have the option to get married on a boat in Seattle; it’s just so quintessentially PNW🤣 The MV Skansonia is also owned and run by Landmark Event Co., which you might recognize if you’ve been researching other Seattle wedding venues recently—it’s the company that owns a collection of other top Seattle wedding venues including the Fremont Foundry and Sodo Park.
And I know what you’re probably wondering: does the boat actually move? Sadly, it doesn’t; it’s stayed permanently docked on Lake Union for a while now, and won’t be sailing anytime soon. But even without making its way down the lake for a cruise, it’s such a stunning space on its own, especially when you combine it with the spectacular waterfront views that you have such easy access to!
Capacity-wise, the MV Skansonia can accommodate up to 175 people for a seated reception, and a recommended 200 people for a standing reception. Technicallyyyy, you could fit up to 220 people for a standing reception, but it may be a little bit of a tighter fit. It’s honestly shocking how much space this venue has for being a literal boat on the water—you don’t have to worry at ALL about running out of room to celebrate with all your friends and fam!
Important venue details
—Address: 205 NE Northlake Way #6855, Seattle, WA 98105
—Nearest airport: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
—Indoor/outdoor: Both
—Maximum guest capacity: 200
—Parking: Private lot with up to 17 spots & street parking
—Overnight accommodations: No
—Available for weddings year round? Yes
—In-house catering? Yes
Why Have Your Wedding at the MV Skansonia?
Ugh I don’t even know where to begin, I just love this venue so much!! The MV Skansonia is truly SO unique compared to other venues in Seattle; we’ve got a tonnnn of beautiful woodsy venues nearby, upscale venues in the city, and luxury hotels right on the water, but there’s really nothing like this ferry. I’m obsessed with the rustic charm you get from every little nook & cranny, from the hand-carved wooden bar, to the polished wood floors, to the endless sparkling bistro lights strung across the ceilings.
One of the BEST things about the MV Skansonia, though, is the fact that it’s open for weddings year round + has both indoor and outdoor spaces available. This is obviously suuuuper important for weddings in Seattle, ya know, with our iconic rainy weather and all. . . the last thing you want is to plan for a summertime ceremony out on the deck of the ferry, only for your plans to be ruined by a spontaneous rain storm! If it ends up raining on your wedding day, you can easily move your ceremony inside to the cocktail hour/dance floor side of the boat. The staff typically makes this call about 3 hours before guest arrival, so that they have enough time to shift everything + set up the chairs accordingly. So you can trust that they’ve got you covered (literally and figuratively)!
When you get married at the MV Skansonia, you and your guests will also get to enjoy some of the best food in the Seattle area, thanks to their catering by Herban Feast. With farm-fresh produce and herbs grown at Fox Hollow Farm (another venue run by Landmark Event Co.), you’ll be served a variety of mouthwatering appetizers, exquisite dinner courses, and savory late-night snacks that’ll fill alllll your boozy, I’ve-been-dancing-for-hours cravings. Honestly, this type of farm-to-fork catering never fails to amaze couples and all of their guests, so you really won’t be able to go wrong no matter what type of menu you select🤤
And speaking of food, the MV Skansonia also offers brunch weddings!! If you and your partner don’t really want a huge celebration and would rather host an intimate morning celebration aboard the MV Skansonia, full of yummy comfort food + picturesque views, then book a brunch wedding, babes. With room to feed up to 50 guests, you’ll enjoy a beautiful morning ceremony, a customized mimosa + bloody mary hour, first dances, and a full buffet brunch perfectly timed for toasts and speeches. Uhhh sounds like the most magical morning, does it not?!
You’re also totally welcome to bring your dogs to your wedding at the MV Skansonia—the boat is pup-friendly and will love hosting your four-legged BFF’s! However, they do ask that someone takes them home at some point before the food is served, preferably during cocktail hour. So if you can assign a friend or family member to pop out of your cocktail hour for a bit + take your dog(s) back to your home/hotel/Airbnb, that would probably be the easiest way to do it! That way, you two don’t have to worry about them getting home safe, and you can stay to enjoy your yummy bites + drinks.
Finally, on the more practical side of things, the MV Skansonia does have dedicated parking for customers and guests, with access to a private lot from Waterfront Construction. This lot has up to 17 spots (so carpool where you can!), as well as plenty of street parking in the area for additional cars. And in terms of accessibility, the first floor of the MV Skansonia is ADA accessible, as is the bathroom on the first floor. The upstairs portion of the boat isn’t ADA accessible, but luckily the majority of the action will be happening on the main floor anyway!
Planning Your MV Skansonia Wedding
Now that you’re familiar with the main things this venue has to offer, let’s talk about what else you’ll need to know in order to plan your wedding at the MV Skansonia!
Ceremony + reception venue options
—Outdoor ceremony: Outdoor ceremonies will take place on the main deck, which is by far the star of this venue! You’ll have amazing views of Lake Union in the background, plus the beautiful blue water, and plenty of space to set up an arbor + chairs. Seated outdoor ceremonies can fit 150 people, plus an additional 25 up on the balcony as a “Cheering Section.” This is also by far the best outdoor spot to take wedding party, family, and couples portraits!
—Indoor ceremony: If the weather isn’t great, your ceremony will be moved indoors to the cocktail hour + dance floor side of the boat, which features polished wood floors, nautical-themed decor, and a warm, romantic ambiance. This area can fit up to 150 people for a seated ceremony!
—Indoor/outdoor reception: You can have your reception fully indoors, or you can sort of split your celebration between the indoor cocktail hour + dance floor area and the large outdoor deck! There’s space for up to 175 people for a seated reception (or 200 if you use both sides of the boat), or 220 standing.
Best time of year to have an MV Skansonia wedding
If you’re aiming to get the best weather so you can have a warm, sunny ceremony out on the deck, then summer is the way to go! While spring and fall in Seattle are both gorgeous in their own ways, summer is going to be your best bet for the warmest temperatures + the lowest chance of rain. However, keep in mind that rental fees and food/beverage pricing will be higher in the summer, and you’ll likely need to book further in advance, as the demand increases during the warmer seasons as well.
But again, remember that the MV Skansonia has a great indoor backup option—so even if it does rain on a summer day, or if you tie the knot in the wintertime, you’ll still have a really beautiful space to host your ceremony!
Where to stay near the MV Skansonia
While the MV Skansonia itself doesn’t have any on-site accommodations, luckily there are a TON of amazing places to stay nearby! Whether you’d feel most at home in a spacious townhouse overlooking the lake, or in a luxury resort right on the water with an in-house spa, there are options for everyone (including all of your guests). Below are some of the top Airbnb’s near the MV Skansonia, as well as a list of the best Seattle hotels nearby!
Airbnb’s:
- Townhouse on South Lake Union
- Lake Union View City Cabin
- Modern Townhome Above Lake Union
- Cozy Home Near Lake Union
Hotels:
- Crowne Plaza Seattle
- The Paramount Hotel
- The Edgewater Hotel
- The Graduate
- Four Seasons
- Fairmont Olympic
MV Skansonia Wedding Packages + Pricing
How much does it cost to get married at the MV Skansonia?
As of the time of writing this (February 2024), the MV Skansonia doesn’t have any pricing or packages listed on their website—but I did find some estimates on a post from Here Comes the Guide! Keep in mind that these may not be up-to-date pricing, as Here Comes the Guide doesn’t specify what year this pricing is for, but hopefully it can at least give you an idea of what to expect. You should definitely reach out to the MV Skansonia, though, to get the most accurate pricing that’s reflective of what you’re looking for!
According to Here Comes the Guide, the rental fees for weddings at the MV Skansonia range from $2,250-$8,500 depending on the day of the week, time of year, guest count, and any additional services/add-ons you select. Rental fees are going to be higher for weekend weddings (and highest for Saturday rentals), and during peak season, which is from April-October. If you want to save some money on your venue rental, consider tying the knot on a weekday in January, March, November, or December!
You’ll also need to account for food and beverage minimums, which may range from $5,000-$13,000 depending on the time of year, guest count, and your menu choices/preferences. Service charges and gratuity may apply as well.
Now if you’d rather opt for a smaller, more intimate package, check out the MV Skansonia’s Brunch Wedding Package OR their Dinghy Package! Here are the deets:
—MV Skansonia Brunch Wedding Package: Includes rental from 10am-1pm with a ceremony, mimosa/bloody mary hour, first dances, toasts, and a buffet brunch. Pricing starts at $159 per person, with a $5,000 minimum spend!
—MV Skansonia Dinghy Package: All-inclusive package including a ceremony on the bow, a photographer, tray-passed appetizers, champagne toasts, a cutting cake, florals, design, and decor! Prices aren’t listed on their website, but you can read this Instagram caption for more info.
In addition to contacting the MV Skansonia for a custom quote, I highly recommend visiting the venue in person before you book, if possible! This way, you can get a feel for the space + really start picturing your dream day, and how it might be brought to life. You can book a tour of the MV Skansonia here 🙂
MV Skansonia Wedding Photographer
Sooo are you in love with the MV Skansonia yet like I am?! It’s truly such a remarkable Seattle wedding venue, and you really can’t go wrong picking it as the destination for your special day; no matter the season, the weather, or what vibe/atmosphere you’re going for. Once you’ve picked the MV Skansonia for your wedding, you’ll also need an MV Skansonia wedding photographer to document it for ya 😉 Get in touch with me here and let’s start planning the best day of your life!
Still looking at other venues? No prob!! I’ve got plenty of guides dedicated to my other favorite Seattle venues—check out a few of ‘em below.
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