Salty's on Alki Wedding: Liz & Kelvin's Seattle Waterfront Brunch
Salty's on Alki Wedding: Liz & Kelvin's Seattle Waterfront Brunch
Liz and Kelvin's Salty's on Alki wedding happened on a classic Seattle day in June. It poured rain all morning, and by their 11 AM ceremony the sky had turned luminously, almost smugly, sunny. As their photographer, I got a front-row seat to a dock ceremony with the whole Seattle skyline as a backdrop, followed by one of the best brunches I've ever eaten at a wedding.
If you're dreaming about a small, laid-back, absolutely gorgeous waterfront wedding in Seattle, keep reading. I'm sharing their day, their real brunch wedding timeline, and everything I know about planning a wedding at Salty's on Alki.
A Love Story That Started With a Text
Liz and Kelvin have been together four years, and they owe it all to Liz's best friend. Her friend introduced them, and it all kicked off with a text: "Your future husband started today." Reader, she was right. That same friend stood beside Liz as her maid of honor.
These two are self-described homebodies and a proud Netflix couple, but they'll leave the couch for a good adventure. Their favorite trips are the ones that get them away from people, like Alaska, where they saw the northern lights during a solar storm. And Maui, where Kelvin proposed at the very first spot they ever visited together, with sea turtles hanging out on the beach like tiny witnesses.
Getting Ready and Portraits in West Seattle
Salty's doesn't have a getting-ready suite, so Liz and Kelvin rented a West Seattle Airbnb a few minutes from the venue. It had sweeping water views, a dramatic spiral staircase and a balcony that basically begged for portraits. They got ready together, shared a first look on the balcony, and read private vows to each other before anyone else arrived.
Liz told me early on that she feels awkward in front of the camera and never knows what to do with her arms. Totally normal, and totally my department. I direct everything, from where to look to what to do with your hands, so you never have to figure it out on your own. By the time we wrapped couples portraits and bridal party photos on that balcony, she was laughing and leaning in like a pro.
Doing portraits before the ceremony is my secret weapon for a brunch wedding. You get gorgeous, relaxed photos before the day starts moving, and then you get to actually enjoy your guests.
Salty's on Alki Wedding Ceremony on the Dock
Their Salty's on Alki wedding ceremony took place out on the waterfront dock, with Elliott Bay and the downtown skyline stretched out behind them. Liz walked down the aisle to the sound of lapping waves and live violin from Trevor Owens Music. About 35 guests filled the chairs, many of them family who flew in from the Midwest and East Coast to see the Emerald City show off. And show off it did.
Their good friend Brian officiated, and he gave one of my favorite ceremony metaphors ever. Liz and Kelvin share a nostalgic love of postcards, so Brian compared love to a postcard. The picture on the front is what everyone sees first. But the important stuff, the part that really matters, is what's written on the back.
I'm now tempted to mail my husband a postcard at work just to be extra cute. I'm not sure how amused he'd be, but I stand by it as a romantic idea.
After vows, the couple signed their marriage license inside, and we knocked out a handful of family photos back on the dock. They kept the list to five couple-approved groupings, so everyone was back to the mimosas in no time.
A Salty's on Alki Brunch Reception
The reception was in Salty's Duwamish Room, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the skyline so every seat has a view. Cocktail hour was a mimosa bar, because of course it was. Mimosas and apple spritzes flowed all through brunch.
And the food. Salty's catered a Pacific Northwest brunch spread that I'm still thinking about: eggs Benedict, bacon, prime rib, salmon, grilled asparagus, fresh rolls and a fruit platter the size of a small boat. I have a long list of food allergies and usually pack my own lunch for weddings, but Salty's made me a special plate that worked around every one of them. That almost never happens, and I was genuinely touched.
They wrapped up with cake cutting out on the dock, the bay sparkling behind them, followed by a heartfelt thank-you speech from the couple. Honestly? I hope the brunch wedding trend catches on everywhere. It's amazing.
Peonies on the Waterfront
Flora Nova Design created the florals in soft blush and white, a timeless palette that looks incredible against blue water. Liz was really hoping for peonies, and even at the tail end of PNW peony season, Flora Nova came through. Two towering floral columns framed the skyline at the ceremony, and the centerpieces and bouquets were bursting with lush blooms.
Their Real Brunch Wedding Timeline
Liz's biggest worry going in was timing. She wanted the day short and sweet, without feeling rushed. Here's the timeline we built together at her consultation and finalized a month before the wedding:
9:00 AM Getting ready together at the Airbnb
9:20 AM First look
9:30 AM Private vows and couples portraits
9:50 AM Bridal party photos
10:30 AM Depart for Salty's
11:00 AM Ceremony on the dock (15–20 minutes)
11:15 AM Mimosa bar cocktail hour, license signing, family photos
11:45 AM Brunch
12:45 PM Cake cutting
1:00 PM Thank-you speech from the couple
1:30 PM Photography coverage ends
How Much Photography Does a Brunch Wedding Need?
A brunch wedding doesn't need the traditional eight hours a big evening wedding does. For Liz and Kelvin, I created a custom collection around a 4½-hour timeline. That covered portraits, the bridal party, family photos, the ceremony and every reception moment, with zero rushing.
If you're planning a brunch wedding, 4 to 5 hours of photography is the sweet spot. A collection like this runs $3,000–$3,700. You get everything my full-day couples get, wrapped in a shorter, sweeter package:
Your full gallery delivered in 30 days or less (often sooner)
A complete black and white collection
Free high-resolution downloads for your guests
My 4x backup system, with your gallery online until I retire
A custom timeline built with you during your consultation
Bonus perk of a morning wedding: I sent Liz and Kelvin sneak peeks that same day.
Planning a Salty's on Alki Wedding: A Photographer's Venue Guide
Being at Salty's feels like being in a one-stoplight coastal town that's 100% charm. You get those trillion-dollar views of the Seattle skyline without any of the downtown bustle. Here's what I'd want you to know before you book.
Ceremony: Most couples say "I do" on the waterfront dock, with Elliott Bay and the downtown skyline behind them. If the weather doesn't cooperate, the ceremony moves indoors.
Reception rooms: Salty's has three private rooms: the Alki Room, the Duwamish Room and the intimate Admiral's Stateroom. Each has its own patio or deck on the bay. Liz and Kelvin's 35 guests fit beautifully in the Duwamish Room. For a bigger celebration, the rooms combine into the Grand Skyline Ballroom, which holds up to 300 guests reception-style or 240 seated.
Getting ready: There's no getting-ready space on site, so book a nearby hotel or Airbnb. Pick one with good light and a view, and you can do your portraits there before the ceremony, just like Liz and Kelvin.
Parking: Lots of free parking right on site. In Seattle, that's basically a unicorn. Your guests will thank you.
Catering: Food is handled in-house by Salty's, and their team customizes menus to your style and budget. Based on my plate, they take allergies seriously too.
My favorite photo spot: The waterfront dock, hands down. It's where ceremonies and group photos usually happen, and the skyline backdrop is unbeatable. Bring a planner or day-of coordinator to keep things moving. Liz and Kelvin had Claire from Bridal Bliss running the show.
Is a brunch wedding tacky?
Absolutely not. A brunch wedding is relaxed, intimate and great for guests traveling in. It also means shorter photography coverage, and everyone still has the afternoon free. And who doesn't want a mimosa bar?
Source for room names and capacity: Salty's private dining page
What Liz Had to Say
"I am not someone who feels photogenic. I've always felt awkward in front of a camera... Becca made that fear disappear almost immediately. She never expected me to magically know how to pose. Instead, she gently coached me through everything, from where to look to what to do with my hands. She was running from balcony to balcony, climbing stairs, finding every possible angle... Because we had a morning wedding, Becca sent us sneak peek photos that very same day. She doesn't just document your wedding day, she helps make it better." — Liz
Planning Your Own Salty's on Alki Wedding?
Whether you're dreaming of a 35-person brunch on the dock or a full Skyline Ballroom party, I'd love to help you build a day that feels easy and looks like a dream. Book a complimentary consultation and let's plan your timeline together. Want to see collections first? Peek at pricing here.
Salty's on Alki Wedding Vendors
Venue and catering: Salty's on Alki @saltyscateringandevents
Day-of coordinator: Bridal Bliss @bridalbliss
Florist: Flora Nova Design @floranovadesign
Ceremony music: Trevor Owens Music
Hair and makeup: Salon Maison @salonmaisoninc
Transportation: Seattle Elite Town Car
Photography: B. Jones Photography @bjonesphotos
