Tying the Knot in Tacoma, Washington

Tacoma's coastal location has played a huge role in its culture and its heritage over the years, and there's no better way to celebrate the city's rich maritime history than holding your wedding at the Foss Waterway Seaport. Couples have the option of arriving at the port by boat, and once there, they can exchange vows on the esplanade with the city skyline in the background.

After the ceremony, the celebration can move inside the Balfour Dock building, an incredible space with 55-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Couples can also arrange for guests to have access to museum exhibits full of fascinating maritime artifacts.

705 Dock St, Tacoma, WA 98402, Phone: 253-272-2750

A contemporary art museum dedicated to glass and its use in creating artwork, The Museum of Glass is one of the most unique venues in downtown Tacoma.

The museum's Grand Hall can be used for both ceremonies and receptions, and the building also offers three spacious outdoor terraces where guests can get some fresh air.

Guests will have access to the museum's galleries for the duration of your event, and for a truly memorable experience, couples can also arrange to have a team of glassblowers crafting beautiful pieces inside the building's cone while the festivities take place.

1801 Dock St, Tacoma, WA 98402, Phone: 253-284-4750

A historic Tudor Gothic structure assembled from pieces of a 15th-century English castle, Thornewood Castle Inn & Gardens is the perfect venue for a fairytale wedding.

Also known as "the house that love built", the castle is surrounded by three acres of beautifully landscaped grounds complete with a sunken English garden that can be used for a romantic ceremony.

Indoor ceremonies can be held in the ornate Grand Hall, and the castle's gorgeous ballroom is the perfect place for a reception. The castle also serves as a bed and breakfast, and it offers overnight accommodation for newlyweds and their guests.

8601 N Thorne Ln SW, Lakewood, WA 98498, Phone: 253-584-4393

Easily accessible from both Tacoma and South King County, the Center at Norpoint is a versatile community center with hardwood floors and large windows that let in plenty of natural light.

The center has an attached patio and can hold up to 250 seated guests, but for smaller parties, it's possible to divide the space into two separate parts for the ceremony and reception.

Couples are welcome to bring in any caterer of their choosing, and the use of a full kitchen is included in the rental fee. Liquor can be served as long as the correct permit is obtained.

4818 Nassau Ave NE, Tacoma, WA 98422, Phone: 253-404-3900

Originally the downtown post office building, Court House Square is one of the city's most beautiful historic spaces.

It now serves as a community gathering place with two indoor spaces perfect for weddings: an airy ballroom that boasts a fantastic view of Mount Rainier and a gorgeous warehouse turned banquet hall decorated with chandeliers.

Both spaces come with tables and chairs, and event staff will be available to help set up and tear down. Linens and audiovisual equipment are available for a surcharge, and couples are welcome to bring in their own alcohol with the correct permit and a licensed bartender.

1102 A St #438, Tacoma, WA 98402, Phone: 253-326-1354

Not everyone wants to celebrate their marriage with a big blow-out bash, and not many venues understand that as well as Elope 253. Tucked away in the heart of downtown Tacoma, the tiny chapel is just the right size for fun elopements and intimate weddings of up to 20 guests.

The most basic wedding package includes half an hour in the chapel and a simple ceremony, but there are also more elaborate packages that offer customized ceremonies, flowers for the couple, and doughnuts and champagne.

Professional photography services are offered with some packages, but they can also be added on for an additional fee.

700 Court A, Tacoma, WA 98402, Phone: 253-677-5606

Sitting on the waterfront in the Chinese Reconciliation Park, Fuzhou Ting is a beautiful pavilion that was donated by Tacoma's sister city Fuzhou.

It's an excellent place for wedding ceremonies, and it can accommodate up to 25 people in the pavilion itself and an additional 75 people standing around the perimeter.

Couples are permitted to decorate the space as long as they don't use anything that could damage the wood. The pavilion is only available for rent between the beginning of June and the end of September, and rental reservations can be made up to one year in advance.

1741 N Schuster Pkwy, Tacoma, WA 98403, Phone: 253-305-1090

Dating back to the 1940s, the Historic 1625 Tacoma Place is a stately building that has been carefully restored and transformed into an award-winning event venue.

There are separate spaces for the ceremony and reception, both of which feature brick walls, slate flooring, and an exposed beam ceiling.

For a unique twist to the celebration, couples can also arrange to have a cocktail hour in the Collector Car Showroom, which boasts a world-class collection of American cars. Catering must be done through one of the venue's preferred vendors, but couples can bring in their own alcohol as long as it's served by a licensed bartender.

1625 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409, Phone: 253-441-6537

Located in the city's Stadium District, the Landmark Catering & Convention Center boasts more than 36,000 square feet of event space with venues to accommodate almost every size of wedding.

Options range from an intimate reception hall that can hold up to 24 guests seated banquet-style to an impressively elegant ballroom with a 750-person capacity, but there are also plenty of spaces in between, including a unique Egyptian-style theater and a rooftop ballroom with an attached terrace. The talented team at Landmark Catering can provide either a plated or buffet dinner, and there are several alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage packages to choose from.

47 St Helens Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, Phone: 253-272-2042