Kiana's Rising Instagram Star

Everyone meet our mascot, Graycee. This 7-pound bundle of grey adopted us one dark and cold night in December. Hungry and wet, she quickly warmed up and became a part of the Kiana family. While she typically remains scarce for events, you may perhaps catch a glimpse of her making her rounds of the property, or riding around in the golf cart with the gardeners. You may even be lucky enough to be graced by her appearance at your event if she so chooses; as she’s a very choosy girl. She has quickly become an Instagram sensation, and has casually worked her way into more than a few wedding and guest photos as well as those of many of our staff. Her piercing yellow eyes and her petite stature steal the show and your heart. She can suck the stress out of any situation, and turn most people into baby-talking ooher-goohers! She’s marvelous with kids too! If you see her, be sure to say hello!

A moment in time, a moment for years to come

A moment in time, a moment for years to come

Kiana had the pleasure of working with H2R for an updated photoshoot of our grounds and food, sans wedding. So much has changed over the years, as it has been a few since our last, so it was a very much-needed update for us to share with our clients. A venue photoshoot sounds like such a simple concept: hire a photographer and let them go to town, but it there is so much more that goes on behind the scenes. It took weeks of preparation actually, nearly a month of behind the scenes work. From deep cleans, to fresh stains, our staff worked around the clock and events too. Floors were waxed and buffed, cobwebs constantly being swept away, lights of all different shapes and sizes constantly being moved and replaced to find the perfect wattage…you name it, and it was done. The week before and the day of, tides had to be watched around the clock to get the perfect beach shots. We did not want the tides to be too high, or we would not be able to fully see the infamous “Laura’s Log”, but we did not want them to be too low either. The grounds crew constantly had to keep the flowers deadheaded, the lawn watered and mowed, bricks washed and moss free. We do a lot of this work in our general upkeep anyway, but extra hours were worked to ensure no detail was overlooked.

When the day finally came, we had the perfect Seattle weather; overcast and 70. We had a full kitchen, and a full menu of our bestselling dishes. We had staff there to set the rooms in a variety of different styles. We shot rooms/buildings for wedding and corporate setups in a variety of styles. Tables and buffets were set with food, beverages were poured, appetizers were tabled and passed. Overall, it was a full workday for everyone that was involved. Shots took hours to complete, tables and food were moved around all day long. Chairs were set, torn down, and moved, both indoors and out. The setups took nearly as much time as the photos did. With two buildings and the outdoors, it was a huge undertaking, but it was very successful. We’ve gained some really great photographs for use in menu making, marketing, and to provide our future and present clients with a fresh new perspective on this beautiful space we call Kiana.

Just a few of our favorites

A few of our staff here briefly recounts a few of their favorite wedding stories

Working in the wedding industry, you see a ton of weddings. Each and every one is different in it’s own way. Even if you have the exact same setup and decorations; no two are alike. Industry professionals who have done hundreds, if not thousands of weddings, will remember something from each one, whether it be a person, a colour, or some sort of minute detail. The memories come flooding back with the particular link that binds them together, and there are just some that will stick with you forever. Here are a few of our favorite wedding memories that will stick with us here at Kiana:  

My most favorite wedding memory comes from quite a few years ago. I was bar-tending a wedding for an older couple from the LGBTQ community. It was a relaxed morning crowd of about 60 people who had come out to celebrate their commitment to each other (prior to the legalization of gay marriage). It had just been a quiet and relaxed day. They went through their first dance as a couple and at the end, they took off their tuxedo jackets to reveal matching flame shirts, and suddenly broke into a group flash mob dance to the YMCA. I was almost in tears because it was so adorable, fun, and exciting for their guests. Everyone absolutely loved the element of surprise. It was as exciting and fun for the staff to watch as it was for everyone else. -Lynnette, Banquet Captain

My favorite themed wedding memory is one that I will never forget. The bride and groom were very big Twin Peaks fans and decided to recreate a scene from the premier episode of Twin Peaks TV show. The bride wrapped herself in plastic head to toe with her beautiful white wedding dress on and laid next to “Laura’s Log” on the beach of Kiana. They also had cherry pie, donuts for desserts and little touches of Twin Peaks throughout the décor. It is always fun to experience weddings that are non- traditional. -Sonya, Office Manager (previous Event Manager)

A simple ordinary looking wooden box arrives with the groom’s frail and elderly grandmother a little before the ceremony is to begin.  The groom extends a truly warm greeting to his grandmother, very excited she is able to be with him on his wedding day. She gently opens the box, inside lays a beautifully dried and preserved single white rose boutonniere. This boutonniere was the groom’s grandfathers that he wore on his wedding day some 50 years ago while marrying the love of his life.  The boutonniere was carefully pinned to the groom with a lot of emotions as you can probably imagine. The groom was very close to his grandparents and had lost his grandfather a few years earlier. The grandfather was most certainly present and part of the groom’s special day. -Pamela, Event Manager

Sometimes, even the smallest details make the biggest impact. What will be yours?

April Showers bring on the Wine Florals

The upcoming wine tasting dinner event for this month is going to feature wines from the Foxy Roxy Winery. Not knowing anything from this winery in particular, or more than just the basics of wine, I decided to do a little investigation into the name, the wines, and what makes the wine from this Columbia Valley winery so unique.

Located on the Royal Slope near Othello, Foxy Roxy sources their grapes from the popular StoneRidge Vineyards located in the Columbia Valley between Royal City and Othello. Columbia Valley is quickly becoming the second largest wine producing region in the United States, with its rich soils and dry sunny weather.

Dave, our Food and Beverage manager has teamed up with Frank from the Masi to bring a wine dinner that’s surely to get the wines from Foxy Roxy noticed! For more information, or to purchase tickets, be sure to visit the Current Happenings section on our website https://www.kianalodge.com/kitsap-events-facility/

 Viognier, made from a vine that was nearly extinct at one point, boasts notes of honey, stone fruits, and minerals. The finicky grapes have made a huge comeback since the 1980’s in North America, requiring precision wine making, and a desire to be consumed young. This wine is designed to be paired with sweet, spicy foods like Dave’s peppery arugula salad and apricot dressing. 

Roxy’s Rosé of Syrah: Produced using a different method than the average Rosé typically results in a much darker colour than the traditional “Pink”. This wine supports a flavour that is most definitely more savory than sweet. Pairing well with peppery meals, this one is going to be paired with grilled lamb chops- yum!

Foxy Roxy’s award winning flagship wine, Vixen Red features a blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carménère- a wine that was not recognized until 1998.  A Bordeaux wine with a “malevolent side”, this one produces a long lasting finish with it’s smooth, full bodied and balanced flavour. This one has won the label awards within the valley’s wine scene. Pair this one with a Prosciutto wrapped Chicken breast, and it’s sure to knock your socks off!

Port Style Cab Franc- Breaking all the old school winemaking rules by adding brandy, this kind of wine certainly gives credit to it’s original grape but with a whole new spin. Due to its rising popularity in the PNW, the Cab Franc grape is great for blending, adding a spiciness while smoothing out the traditional tannins that a red grape brings. Dave has a Strawberry-Rhubarb tart recipe that is to die for!

For more information on Foxy Roxy Wines visit their website:  http://www.foxyroxywines.com/

Wedding Ceremonies

Debating the “who” of your wedding ceremony

Time and culture are fluid.. Nothing ever stays the same. As time passes, cultural values change. As culture shifts, so do the defining values. As defining values change, so do traditions associated with them. As the internet has evolved, culture has changed alongside with it. It has opened up a vast new world of ideas and has had a profound effect on western culture and some of its associated values. As the “culture” of the wedding ceremony changes, couples are faced with changing values and traditions that surround it, and deciding which ones are the most important to them.

            Now back to that internet changing the world thing as I mentioned before in that dry, highly-philosophical paragraph before. The internet has become an integral part of wedding culture. It has become an important tool for resources, and has greatly facilitated many of the processes involved in planning your ceremony. In recent years, Washington State, as well as many others, have opened up the option for anyone to get ordained online and therefore, legally marry couples. With the help of Kiana’s favourite wedding officiant, Annemarie Juhlian, we’ve decided to outline the key differences for all the couples out there who are debating the “who” of their wedding ceremony. Annemarie is a seriously awesome lady --and the winner of multiple awards by many top wedding magazines might I add-- We’ve had the pleasure of working with her many times over the years, and she wouldn’t be on our preferred vendor list if we didn’t find her work to be professional yet, warm, sincere and genuine. In her own words, she writes to everyone faced with the “who” debate:

Professional vs. Amateur.  A wedding ceremony is a ‘one time major life event.’  Some couples feel comfortable entrusting the ceremony text, delivery and overall ‘feel’ to someone who has no or limited experience with officiating a ceremony.  Others want someone who has mastered the art of ceremony and who can bring perspective, calm/peace, problem-solving skills and a sense of ‘order’ to a wedding ceremony and day.

Well Written & Conversational Delivery:  Writing and crafting a heartfelt and personalized ceremony is an emotional event.  For me, it’s important that the text and delivery be conversational, easy, fun-loving, reverent and heartfelt.  Someone who has serious wedding ceremony experience can weave together words and rituals that appropriately celebrate a couple.  If someone doesn’t have this understanding and knowing, especially in front of a group, overall presentation may be lacking.

Leading a Wedding Rehearsal:  Leading a wedding rehearsal is an art.  An experienced Officiant has led many rehearsals and can bring fun and order (and calm) to a rehearsal experience. In addition, this is a serious opportunity for an Officiant to connect,  on a personal level, with family and friends so that everyone is at ease on the wedding day.

“The Hour Before” – The hour before a wedding ceremony is serious ‘go time.’  This means, in this work that I do, I become a couple’s Air Traffic Controller, taking care of all pre-ceremony details, just like a wedding planner would.  For someone who doesn’t have this ‘wedding day of’ experience, it can’t be taught – it has to come from being a part of many wedding days.

Well, there you have it. You can still choose Uncle Dan to officiate your wedding ceremony, we’re not saying you can’t.. But will the experience and the sincere, honest message of your overall journey and commitment to one another be the same?

Until next time..

Pursuing Trivial Traditions (Part two)

Last time we bought to you a few of the best wedding traditions and the meanings behind them. As I find this a very interesting subject, I’ve decided to include a few more traditions for you all to enjoy.  

Just me and a few best peeps

During the wedding ceremony, the bride, traditionally, is always on the groom’s left side, as he needed his sword hand to fend off other potential suitors or other objectors. Stemming from the days of lore, when marriage was by capture, the bride’s family other suitors would kidnap the bride and whisk her off for revenge, even at the very last minute. Nowadays, this decision is right down to personal preference. Unless, of course, you’re expecting a sword fight.. Kiana has yet to see one of those! The role of the groomsmen started during the old kidnapping days as well. They would assist the groom in the capture of his bride and protect her until the moment she was wed, and the marriage was consummated. The role of bridesmaids have nearly always been present in various roles. What gave rise to the role of the wedding party popularity, is due mostly to the requirement of ten witnesses for a wedding during the roman empire. The wedding party would dress like the bride and groom to confuse kidnappers and those who wished to do the couple harm. 

If you like it, put a ring on it

Wedding rings were invented by the Egyptians who exchanged rings made of reeds or papyrus. The circle symbolized eternity and therefore, the couples never ending love for one another. The ring was placed on the fourth finger of the left hand because they believed that it held a vein that led directly to the heart, later being named the vein of love by the Romans. The first rings of metal were made by the Romans and were given as a part of the bride’s dowry as a symbol of betrothal. Rings that included jewel settings were a part of Venetian betrothal culture in the 15th century. Traditionally, only the bride wore a wedding ring. Men wearing wedding rings did not become popular until the 1950’s in America.

Let them eat cake  

Originally considered a luxury item, the tradition of the wedding cake actually started in Roman times as a loaf of bread that was broken over the bride’s head to symbolize the end of her virginity and to wish her fortune and fertility. The attending guests would then grab a piece, as it was to bring them luck as well. What eventually developed into the tiered wedding cake started as a game where the couple would have to kiss over the top of a pile of sweet rolls, without knocking them over. This type of cake, called Croquembouche, became widely popular in France in Medieval times, and still continues today. White-tiered fruitcakes developed during Victorian times, when white became a symbol of wealth and prosperity. The more tiers you had, the wealthier you were considered to be. It was the bride’s responsibility to cut and pass the cake originally, but as the cakes grew in size and shape, the groom became the assistant to the bride. They would cut the cake and serve it to their guests together.     

Friends don’t let friends drink bad wine

What began as an assurance that people weren’t drinking poisoned wine in Greek and Roman culture, friends would wish one another health as they clinked together their filled wine glasses. The wine would spill over into each others glasses, and they would drink to show that it was untainted. The Romans later developed this idea by adding a piece of stale bread, or toast, to their wine. The bread would not only taste better, but it would reduce the acidity of the wine. The person being wished health would eat the saturated piece of bread. At wedding celebrations, the father was the first to drink from the communal wine pitcher in order to ensure that it wasn’t poisoned. He would, in turn, wish the couple health and to the health of their future children. Thus, the wedding “toast” was born! Don’t worry, we won’t be putting bread in your champagne flute anytime soon.

            Wedding traditions are, to say the least, interesting. Though every wedding is different, they are largely the same in the grand scheme of things. Transitioning from past to present, most wedding traditions were born out of superstitions or a grand display of wealth. They have become such an integral part of weddings today -we just can’t imagine a wedding without. 

Pursuing Trivial Traditions (Part one)

Ever wonder why western wedding traditions are what they are? From the dress details down to the ring, everything has a reason for being included in the big day. In a two part series, I will share with you some fun wedding facts and trivia that you can use for a night at the pub or to wow your wedding crowd with.    

A Knot to remember

The phrase “tying the knot” refers to a tradition of the bride and groom having their hands or wrists tied with twine or wrapped together with linen to symbolize their commitment to each other. The earliest reference to this tradition dates back to the 13th century.

Party on

Stag parties, more commonly known as bachelor parties, started in Fifth-century Sparta. When a man was to marry, his friends would put together a raunchy party to say goodbye to his bachelor days. In contrast, the bachelorette party did not really become a tradition until 19th century America. Ladies would gather for a luncheon and an afternoon of gossip. 19th century America also gave rise to the bridal shower, as a bride no longer required a dowry in order to marry. Small gifts were wrapped up and hidden inside an umbrella or a parasol, which would “shower” the bride when she opened it up.

A Summertime Wedding

The month of June is the most popular month to get married in America. This stemmed from the Roman goddess, Juno, who is the goddess of marriage and childbearing. There’s an old folk rhyme that also dictated which days were the best to marry: “Marry on Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for crosses, Friday for losses, and Saturday for no luck at all.” (goodreads.com) This tradition has changed in the modern age however. Saturday has become the most coveted day for weddings: our Saturdays book out a year or two in advance.. We nearly never see a Wednesday wedding here at Kiana; but hey, if you’d like a wednesday night wedding, we can certainly arrange that. Our location here in Western Washington, makes August our most popular month for weddings as well because of the typical cool northwest rainy weather.

What’s a girl to wear?

In traditional western culture, wedding dresses were actually just a girls best church dress. The rich would be dressed in rare color, jewels, and beautiful furs. Queen Victoria went white for her big day, starting a new tradition in 1840. The white dress became a symbol for wealth and purity. Bleaching techniques were not very effective at the time, making white a very hard color to both achieve and maintain, naturally making the linen more costly. Traditionally, the style of the dress was just made to the style of the current period. It wasn’t until the 1960’s that the floor-length hoop-style skirt became your a-typical fashion. Dresses now come in all shapes and colors; the most popular color is still white after all.

Beware of the Evil Spirits

Veils were worn by ancient Greek and Roman brides to protect them from evil spirits. The tradition of the groom carrying the bride over the threshold of their home stemmed from the same reasoning as well. If a bride or a bridesmaid were to stumble on her way to the altar, it was believed that she would never marry. They also carried bundles of fragrant herbs with them up the aisle, to cleanse the air from the spirits. It was also much welcome in the days where hygiene standards were quite different than they are today. Carriage rides to and from the wedding were quite an event as well. Firecrackers, bells, or other loud noise-makers were used to spook the spirits, and bring luck to the wedding party. Something old, new, borrowed, and blue originated in superstition as well, and symbolized the transition from single to married life. 

Wedding traditions is a vast and fascinating subject. There’s a lot more to the basics than meets the eye. From tying the knot, to something borrowed and something blue, there’s a reason why things are as they are. There’s a lot more to come so stay tuned!
 

Part two, to be continued... 

Hot Wedding Trends for 2017

     We're gearing up for wedding season here at Kiana. Soon, the room will be filled with candlelight, the fresh scent of floral bouquets lining the tables, and the sound of light-hearted conversation from guests as they dine. Every year there are trends that we try to look for to help our wedding couples plan their special day. You've already narrowed down your venue, but you still need some help with the finer details such as what color scheme to go with or what your floral arrangements are going to look like. Here’s some of the hot new trends that we’re already seeing for 2017, so you can get a sense of how to customize your day to wow your crowd.

     If I may, I’d like to add a few pointers to help you along on your planning journey. First, Pinterest is not exactly your best friend. It’s a nice resource to use to get ideas, however, proceed with caution. Haven't you ever tried to recreate something and it turned out to not be even close to what the photo? Some work is best left to the professionals; don't stress yourself out more than you already are. Next, I’d use only what works in your space... You wouldn’t design your wedding like you wouldn't design a house. Sticking with neutral table cloth colors will go a long way in making your centerpieces and tableware pop. Saving the color for the tabletops will go much further, and won't run the risk of being too much in the space, or too washed out. Third, less is more. Sure, you have all these amazing ideas floating around of how you want your wedding space to look, but remember folks, simple can be elegant too. It will help tremendously with time and budget. The better organized you are, the happier those who are there to help with your decor will be, and the less time you'll spend stressing over the look of your tables. Now here's a look at what to expect for 2017 decor.

     First, the outdoors and nature inspired decor has worked its way into the scene. Couples are tending to choose venues that are full of natural light and elements like wood and stone. We're seeing more of the outdoors coming in through tons of greenery and hanging florals. Arbors made up of or incorporating natural elements such as birch or driftwood and flowers surrounded by heavy greenery have made their way onto the scene as well. Even if you don't use them at your ceremony site, they make a beautiful addition to the backdrop of a sweetheart table.

     From shiny copper Mercury candle votives down to silver threads and beading in your dress, Metallics are huge this year. They're full of versatility, and add a sense of wow to any setting. Dressed up or down, they add the right amount of flare without being too bold. Just make sure not to use too much... Remember, everything in moderation.

     Soft is a texture that represents love. Soft petals from flowers like hydrangeas, peonies or roses, paired with the soft color of eucalyptus or ferns allow you to add even more bold color to your table, as they soften the harshness. They can allow you to add a few whimsical elements such as colored stemware or vases, a colored bread plate, or a boldly colored napkin. Smoky or slate blue hues are becoming more and more popular recently.

     Another thing we're seeing less and less of in recent years is the disappearance of a wedding cake. More and more couples are ditching the traditional three-tiered colored fondant and going bare... Yes, nearly naked cakes are on the rise, as well as dessert buffets. Many are sticking with the traditional cake cutting ceremony by having a small ceremonial cake, or even a large doughnut to cut. We've seen everything from doughnuts to mini custard tarts with fresh berries. Couples have really made it their own recently. It helps tremendously with cost also, as you don't have to have a large quantity of one thing. You can go with a wide variety of dessert options. Add some fresh fruit and berries or some chocolate milk, and it's guaranteed to be talked about!

     Late-nite snacks are on the rise too. After all that dancing and fun, your guests are guaranteed to work up another appetite. Who could resist mini tacos or even some mini hotdogs? They're the perfect addition to the late night party, and will keep the energy up and lasting till the very end. Mini Seattle dogs are, in my mind, the best thing since sliced bread, and perfect for a late night party. Ask any Seattle resident, and they'll agree with me on this!

     Finally, after all the fun is wrapped up and you've eaten your fill at brunch, what better way to send off your most important friends/family than going on a local nature hike or day-after photo shoot. We've been asked by so many of our couples about local trails or natural wonders in the area, that I've comprised a list of everything within a two-hour radius of Kiana (because there are just some places I just can't leave off of it). From the not-so-outdoorsy to the avid hikers, there's something on the list for everyone's age and ability. We live in such a beautiful and scenic area, it's hard to leave. From beaches to mountains, Kiana is centered in the heart of it all.

Resting-Brunch-Face, Bloody Mary's and mimosas, oh my!

Ah, weddings -a family affair. Something traditionally held in your parents living room, has evolved into an extravagant affair held elsewhere in a beautiful ballroom or at a place with scenic setting. Planning a wedding is also planning a delicate balancing act between keeping your guests and you happy. If you're looking for a far more relaxed atmosphere on your big day, you should certainly consider a morning wedding.

There are numerous benefits to this you’ll find. First off, you’ll find that your venue will be far more available; especially on the most coveted day, Saturday -which typically books out years in advance. You will find that the perfect place for your perfect day will have a much more perfect price for your less-than perfect budget -more money to spend on the perfect dress! You may also find out that your most preferred vendors will have more availability and most likely, better rates for helping you create perhaps some of the most cherished memories of your life.

Now, back to that balancing act as I mentioned before. And, trust me, this can be stressful! The traditional work week here in America consists of the days Monday through Friday -unless you're in the memory making business, like we are.. That's when things get a little, well, non-traditional.. You'll figure most of your out-of-towners will fly in on a Thursday or Friday depending on what your plans are with rehearsal times and/or dinner. Remember, they want to be there for you, and you want them to be there for you also, but why not give them some extra time for a little sight-seeing in addition to seeing you also. Especially right here in Western Washington, there's endless things you can go see and do in one afternoon, before you head back for the daily grind. Everyone deserves a mini-vacation once in awhile.

When you're busy outside taking all those perfectly staged photos, keep your guests entertained with lawn games and activities. They make such a fun addition, and will keep your guests mingling and distracted while you get all the important stuff in. Cornhole, Ladderball, and Lawn Jenga have been very popular in recent years, and you can also throw in a little Bocci Ball or even some Croquet for the older generations to enjoy. The weather is amazing here during the summer, and trust me, your guests will want to enjoy more time outside, especially before it gets a little too hot out. Speaking of temperatures, a 10 or 11 o'clock ceremony will be considerably more comfortable for everyone involved: both guests and wedding party! One thing we typically stress to our groomsmen especially, is to not lock your knees while you're standing during the ceremony, or you will most certainly faint! I'm serious here.. Full-dress in full-sun will not only leave you hot, but it can also leave you wondering why you're lying on the ground.

So, ladies and gentlemen, get your resting-brunch-faces on, and relax a little on your big day. Everyone loves a good wedding that can be as much about them as it is about you. With a more laid-back atmosphere, you don't have to worry as much about keeping your guests as structured as you will have to be. With more outside time, comes more things to be entertained with. You also don't have to worry about offending those who wish to bring their kids, as there will be plenty of time and room to run and play. You're definitely going to save yourselfsome money, and also, some stress. Besides, who doesn't love brunch? Make your brunch-date complete, uncomplicated, and classy by offering a simple mimosa bar with different juices and fruit to choose from; or a Bloody Mary bar with different flavors of infused vodka to choose from. We have a chili-pepper vodka that'll knock your socks off! No brunch day would be complete without such classic staples. These will help save you money if you decide to host your bar as well. If Bloody Mary's or mimosas aren't your thing, you can certainly go full or limit to beer and wine. It's always five o'clock somewhere. You can continue your celebration late on into the night with a barbecue or a house party as well, so you and your guests have even more time to shake your groove thing. The kids and Granny can opt out and seek refuge when they get tired.

You don't come to Kiana, you experience Kiana

Kiana lodge is not just a place; it’s an experience. Now, I’m not trying to sound overly salesman-like here, but I need to point out that there is so much to see and do here. The Pacific Northwest is blessed with so much scenic beauty, it’s hard to find a comparison. From ribbon beaches lined with fragrant cedars and an abundance of sea life, to the snow capped Olympic Mountains shadowing valleys filled with lavender and seasonal elk herds; the peninsulas have it all. Located in the heart of it all is Kiana Lodge.

With six acres of waterfront property and over 10,000sq ft of private meeting space, it’s the perfect place to hold your corporate retreat. You’re not far from anything: 30 minute ferry ride away from Seattle, 15 minutes away from world-class golf in Kingston or shopping in historic downtown Poulsbo, an hour away from Olympic National Park, five minutes away from the quaint Suquamish museum, and less than a mile away from the Clearwater Casino Resort.

If you don’t want to commit to one space for multiple days; we’re partnered with the Clearwater Casino Resort and the White Horse Golf course. There’s endless ways to customize your meeting needs. You can enjoy a beautiful meeting space with a full breakfast or snacks here in the morning, and an afternoon of golfing at White Horse. If golfing isn’t what you need, what about a tour of the Salish Sea via boat or seaplane. If you find it hard to leave Kiana, which is a very real possibility, what about a picnic and games on the lawn? Spend the afternoon team building/bonding and rent some kayaks. Weather not cooperating? How about a ping pong or dartboard tournament? A good game of trivia, or even some breakout sessions with a good mix ice breaker questions are popular as well. Every company has a story to tell. Kiana Lodge is a place where time stands still. You can customize your timeline however you need. We'd love our story to give your company an event to remember.

Kiana Lodge 2017 Annual Showcase

Open houses are very important for both perspective and and already signed couples to get a good feel of what their venue has to offer them for their special day. As a couple, you gain a good understanding of the importance of the finer details that will make their vision a reality. From table layout to the ceremony location; it is a place for all those unasked questions, and to learn more about property characteristics. On the flip side, it is also important for the venue to showcase a perfectly staged room, the food and beverages that they do best, and to provide an opportunity for you to meet their most preferred vendors and what they will add to the atmosphere of the party.

Our annual wedding open house here at Kiana Lodge is as much fun for the staff and vendors as it is for our clients. We love a good party, and truly enjoy showcasing what our beautiful venue has to offer our wedding couples. Our team here at Kiana would like to thank each and every one our couples who made it out to our open house this past Saturday. You’re the ones who made it a success! Our sales team really enjoyed getting to know you and grab a snapshot of what your vision is for one of your most important events. We really do enjoy having our fans experience Kiana at it’s finest. Online photos cannot capture the true magic that you experience in person, but we’d love to share some of our favorites anyway. Here’s to our couples for 2017!

Pacific Northwest Winter Weddings

The winter season is a time for reflection, family, and gratitude. The cold days and long nights give us a desire for a cozy atmosphere, surrounded by a sense of togetherness and familiarity. This is a season of tea lights, crackling fires, and lanterns all of which add an essence of something quite magical amidst the nakedness of the winter landscape. A need for sharing is strong; which is one of the perfect reasons to have a winter wedding.     

Why you ask? The answer is why not? There are many reasons why winter is the perfect time to have a wedding. The need for closeness with family and friends is already strong, so why not throw in an extra reason to be together and celebrate! You can do it in style, and save room in your budget at the same time. You’ll find that it’s much easier to get your dream weekend date, your vendors will be much less busy, and your money will indubitably go farther than it will in the spring and summer. You’re already anticipating an indoor ceremony, and your guests are too, so you need not worry about obsessively checking the weather forecast for your big day. One less thing to stress about.

Lighted trees, evergreens, pine cones, rich berry tones, brick floors, exposed wooden beams, warm fires, soft armchairs, tea lights and lanterns… all things that are inviting in the winter scene and add those elegant and rustic wintery touches without making your reception feel like a holiday party. There’s endless ways to transform Kiana into the perfect winter wedding space. Go classic with white and silver touches, or go trendy with deep rich colors (yes, navy is back in!). Throw in a warm beverage bar and some cozy knit blankets, or?        

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