Rainier Chapter House

This was the perfect venue for our June 14^th wedding. Right up the street from our apartment, and super close to the after party at our neighborhood bar, we couldn’t have asked for a more local experience. The space itself is absolutely charming, inside and out. The front lawn and neighborhood were ideal for photos, and the circle drive out front made our vendors’ lives that much easier.
Peter was instrumental in our event planning, and was readily accessible throughout the planning process. He was very straightforward, but cool as a cucumber as our anxiety levels climbed closer to the big day.
Logistics-​wise, this venue came at a very competitive price (no sales tax) that included all the tables, chairs, silver, plates, glasses, LINENS, etc. This is pretty unheard of around Seattle, it turns out. Icing on the low-​stress cake: only one event per day means the DAR is flexible to YOUR needs and YOUR schedule.
We recommend this venue to anyone looking for a local experience in their Capitol Hill neighborhood. It was a perfect fit for the DIY route, and was a great opportunity for our guests to see where we’ve lived for the last 5+ years.

I’ve worked at the Rainier Chapter House several times as a professional Wedding DJ/​MC. Kay has always been a pleasure to work with and the venue is lovely. When doing uplighting their, featuring my client’s wedding colors, the place looks amazing. I haven’t worked with Tanya yet, but I’m sure she will be be of the same dignity and class.
With respect,
Robert Bonham
Wedding DJ/​MC
Music De-​Lite
(360) 456‑1578

I just wanted to say that we couldn’t be more pleased with this venue. Both the price and the professional help made our sons wedding worry free and wonderful. The staff helped us stay on task, kept youngsters from drinking what they ought not, and just made it so all I had to do was wander about and be charming, It was beautiful, and perfect, due in very large part to the staff. From the time I met Tanya, the manager until we packed up and said good bye, it was amazing. I will always strongly recommend this venue to anyone who asks

I attended a wedding here and thought it was a really nice venue. The upstairs banquet room was plenty big for a ceremony and dinner reception for ~200 guests, and there is even a stage area at the back of the room for the band to set up. Lots of windows provide good natural light and there are plenty of options to decorate the room to your taste. The main floor downstairs worked well for a buffet line (set up in the dining room adjacent to the kitchen), and also had a sizable living room that was a great spot for the rehearsal dinner. Basement was cool and had plenty of space for the wedding party to get ready. There was adequate street parking in the surrounding neighborhood if you look a little.
One side comment: It did get pretty toasty upstairs during the wedding, but considering it was 90+ degrees in Seattle the entire week, it was definitely manageable (and open windows with fans helped cool it down in the evening). The patio area out front of the house was a great place to cool off and socialize.

Kay, the manager, changed the conditions of the use agreement three months before the wedding. She expected the party to adhere to her contractual conditions but didn’t feel obliged to uphold her agreement wanting more money for her staff and expecting us to simply «understand.» She was not supportive of the event and we went elsewhere, leaving our deposit.

We had our wedding reception here (Sept 2008)
This was the first venue we looked at and as soon as we walked in the door we knew this was the perfect place for us. We were looking for a venue with history and character. The Rainier House has it all. There is so much included in the price such as table linens, blue willow china, silver and even champagne glasses. The house includes servers and a hostess. the House is so beautiful inside and out that there is really no decorating needed. We bought flowers from Pikes Market and used the tea lights in the house holders. The tables were beautiful! Kaye the house manager is easy to work with and since they have wedding celebrations here all year long she can answer all of your questions and let you know what will work and what may not. However, noone is bossing you around, the final decisions on how you want your event to be is up to you and the house team here is full of support.
Our guests were so impressed with the venue. We had a wonderful time and would recommend the Rainier Chapter House to all of our friends!
Also the staff at the house really took care of us and the entire event was STRESS FREE. Now that is something every bride should be looking for!
Thank you Rainier Chapter House for helping us have a fabulous wedding reception!
Krista and Bob
Also, Blue Willow Catering is familiar with the Rainier House and we loved them! Our cake was from Blackbird Bakery on Bainbridge Island and it was Amazing! Check out Libby Lewis Photography too! She rocks!

It’s really hard for me to rate the DAR in a number of stars. I agree with Carrie H. We recently held our wedding there (March 2008). I chose the venue for the awesome historical aspects and architecture along with the great in-​city Cap Hill local. Inside was a great size for our event for about 75 guests We had our ceremony downstairs in the library and reception upstairs, which worked great for set up logistics.
But I have to say, the venue is overpriced for the level of service you get from the manager there (yes, still Kay). I expected way more than just one meeting to sign the contract and a lot more help and information from the manager in general. (let alone less attitude) We had to work around her limited schedule to be able to do any planning at the venue. We also had to do a lot of sweet talking to get the venue to help us with our dinner that wasn’t buffet style like they are used to handling. Also the contract they provide is not a good contract at all, its full of holes and unclear in places.
In summary — I would recommend the venue for looks and location, but would not recommend it for ease of use and price.

I just went there for a wedding. It’s in a cute part of town. with places to eat and shop. Not much for parking, unless you park on the street, which was fine.
Rich in history, which I liked. 2 story Colonial style house, second story had a neat little stage and a big dance floor or banquet hall.
If you are into weddings, and Martha Stewart or Martha Washington, then this is the place you should rent.

Okay, so maybe I’m a bit bias when it comes to this place… Hubby and I got married here 3 years ago. When it came time to pick a place, I knew exactly where I wanted to get married. My mom and I would drive by here a lot, especially on the weekends when there was the hustle and bustle of things. So soon after I got engaged, I called mom and told her to make an appointment to go «check it out.»
We go there originally and the lady who takes care of the place (I think her name is Kay) shows us around. Honestly if there was chickens and donkeys running through the place I probably still would have said yes. That’s how much I wanted it to be here.
So we promptly put a down payment for May 30^th (a Sunday), and a few months later, there we are! Being the bride, I have the luxury of actually parking in the driveway. Everyone else has to trek it, but so what, it’s my day!
It’s an absolutely great space for a wedding, and the upstairs is great for the reception! They made sure everything was in working order, and they also provide a lot of amenities: tables, chairs, GORGEOUS plates, silverware, etc…
If you’re gettin’ hitched, consider this place. Just get your name in early, or fugetaboutit.

This is the charming colonial place across from the Harvard Exit Theater that draws attention each summer with it’s weddings EVERY weekend. Seems the perfect and affordable solution for a fête in the city. Parking is always lacking but offered a few blocks away at the Lowell Elementary School lot. The phone book will provide the number of the kind woman who schedules events. She will promptly return your call and arrange for a visit. Available for rental year round.