<\/p>\n
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- I have done wedding ceremonies on the deck in the middle of winter with heavy rain, and was still able to get great photos of the ceremony with a beautiful backdrop of Puget Sound. \u00a0 And the covered deck space allows for some great indoor photos with an outdoor look and feel, not something you will find in many other places.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- In addition to the main room and covered deck there is an area of deck\u00a0between the NW Room and the main restaurant that works wonderfully for outdoor ceremonies. \u00a0It also allows extra space for guests to spread out during a reception or other event. \u00a0And this outdoor space is perfect for photos of the wedding party or family groups with that great backdrop of the Sound.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
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- But as nice as the Ray’s facility is for photos, one of the best things\u00a0about this venue\u00a0is that there are several killer photo locations no more than 5 minutes away. \u00a0When I do a wedding at Ray’s, I almost always will take the couple (and sometimes the wedding party and family) to either nearby Golden Gardens or to the Chittendon Locks\u00a0for a photo session, either before or after the ceremony.\u00a0\u00a0Both locations offer tremendous photo opportunities that are worth a trip on their own merits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- And just a hundred or so yards to the north of Ray’s is a small patch of public beach that is one of my favorite places in Seattle for sunset photos. \u00a0It is an easy 2-3 minute walk from Ray’s, and with any reception that will extend after nightfall I always suggest to the couple that they set aside a few minutes to take some photos on this beach as the sun is dropping behind the Olympics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Whoa, I almost forgot something VERY important. \u00a0Ray’s serves\u00a0some of the best seafood (and other fare as well) in Seattle, and if you want great food for your event you will NOT be disappointed! \u00a0When one of my couples is having their reception at Ray’s I know that the meal service will be exceptional.<\/p>\n
Ray’s\u00a0can accommodate up to 85 people in the room itself and up to 120 if they\u00a0put tables on the deck as well. They\u00a0can do up to about 150 for a cocktail style event.<\/p>\n
Ray’s\u00a0books very far in advance, so if you think this might be the place you’d want for your wedding and\/or reception I recommend that you visit them as soon as you have your date set to give you the best chance of booking them. \u00a0Ray’s is also happy to accommodate on short notice if the room is available.<\/p>\n
![\"Ray's_004\"](\"http:\/\/www.tomellisphoto.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Rays_004.jpg\")
<\/a> ![\"Ray's_005\"](\"http:\/\/www.tomellisphoto.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Rays_005.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe outdoor deck area is covered with a tent, with sides that can be open to the outdoors or closed during bad weather. \u00a0Great place for a ceremony with an outdoors feel, even though\u00a0you are warm and dry even if the weather is poor.<\/p>\n
![\"Ray's_030\"](\"http:\/\/www.tomellisphoto.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Rays_030.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Ray's_038\"](\"http:\/\/www.tomellisphoto.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Rays_038.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe open area between the restaurant and the NW Room is perfect for outdoor ceremonies. \u00a0It also allows the guests to enjoy nice weather during the reception, and will often have cocktail tables put in place once the ceremony has finished.<\/p>\n
![\"Ray's_049\"](\"http:\/\/www.tomellisphoto.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Rays_049.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe same space is great for large group photos too! \u00a0This photo also gives a good look under\u00a0the tent with sides all removed, and some cocktail tables in place<\/p>\n
![\"Ray's_025\"](\"http:\/\/www.tomellisphoto.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Rays_025.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe main building has a built-in dance floor.<\/p>\n
![\"Ray's_031\"](\"http:\/\/www.tomellisphoto.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Rays_031.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nGood view of part of the main room, set up for a reception. \u00a0Dance floor is seen in the back right of photo.<\/p>\n
![\"Ray's_022\"](\"http:\/\/www.tomellisphoto.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Rays_022.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe tented portion of the deck is often used to hold the buffet, though it can also be set up with tables if more space is needed for guest seating.<\/p>\n
![\"Ray's_053\"](\"http:\/\/www.tomellisphoto.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Rays_053.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nOr the buffet can be placed in the main room<\/p>\n
![\"Ray's_044\"](\"http:\/\/www.tomellisphoto.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Rays_044.jpg\")
\u00a0\u00a0![\"Ray's_048\"](\"http:\/\/www.tomellisphoto.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Rays_048.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nAt the nearby “hidden” public beach, a great place for photos!<\/p>\n
- And just a hundred or so yards to the north of Ray’s is a small patch of public beach that is one of my favorite places in Seattle for sunset photos. \u00a0It is an easy 2-3 minute walk from Ray’s, and with any reception that will extend after nightfall I always suggest to the couple that they set aside a few minutes to take some photos on this beach as the sun is dropping behind the Olympics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- But as nice as the Ray’s facility is for photos, one of the best things\u00a0about this venue\u00a0is that there are several killer photo locations no more than 5 minutes away. \u00a0When I do a wedding at Ray’s, I almost always will take the couple (and sometimes the wedding party and family) to either nearby Golden Gardens or to the Chittendon Locks\u00a0for a photo session, either before or after the ceremony.\u00a0\u00a0Both locations offer tremendous photo opportunities that are worth a trip on their own merits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- In addition to the main room and covered deck there is an area of deck\u00a0between the NW Room and the main restaurant that works wonderfully for outdoor ceremonies. \u00a0It also allows extra space for guests to spread out during a reception or other event. \u00a0And this outdoor space is perfect for photos of the wedding party or family groups with that great backdrop of the Sound.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n