Chuckanut Bay Distillery Wedding: Romantic Indoor Wedding in Bellingham
About an hour and a half north of Seattle is Bellingham, Washington, home of Western Washington University, proximity to Mt. Baker, and tons of spots to get out in nature, relax, and even sometimes see orcas. It also houses Chuckanut Bay Distillery on Cornwall Ave, a distillery founded in 2011 with out 18,000 sq ft of space. A perfect spot for an indoor wedding, rich with warm tones, wood floors, and elaborate chandeliers.
Our day began with getting ready at the nearby Hotel Leo, where Tessa finished up hair and makeup while I photographed her details, and then she got into her dress before heading over to Chuckanut. Thankfully, the hotel was just a block away, so getting to the venue was a breeze. While Tessa walked over, I photographed Weston getting into his suit and placed him downstairs in the cellar for their first look. With whiskey barrels lining the walls and the ambiance of low light, the cellar became one of my favorite spots for moody and romantic portraits.
After their first look, we headed to Fairhaven Park to get some family photos outside, and then came back to the venue for some portraits upstairs as guests began to arrive at the ceremony space below. Guests took their seats, and the ceremony was underway. Their arch was comprised of white flowers which stood against a white background for a clean, uninterrupted view of the couple. After vows and their first kiss, they walked back down the aisle pausing for a dip kiss before heading out of sight.
Cocktail hour began, followed by a meal, toasts, and then the dance floor opened. I made sure to capture one of my favorite messy table reception detail photos, as Tessa had told me in our initial conversation that she loved my messy table photos (I was so flattered)! As my coverage came to a close, I said goodbye to Tessa & Weston and began my drive back to Seattle, so excited to begin editing my work.
My photography tips for a Chuckanut Bay Distillery Wedding: The lighting is low inside, either use flash/lights or if you want a romantic look, use natural light and fix the grain later. Take advantage of the window light for dramatic shadows, but space is tight so ensure you have a 24-35mm range. Don’t forget to get some portraits in the cellar. Take advantage of the outdoors with a nearby park, the street in front, or a nearby dock (like Zuanich Point Park).
Venue & Catering: Chuckanut Bay Distillery // Photography: Erin Witt Photography
