FAQs

Question

What is IslandWood?

Answer

IslandWood, our wedding venue, is an environmental education center on Bainbridge Island. Their primary mission is to provide educational overnight field trips to elementary students in the Puget Sound area. They have a graduate residency with University of Washington, which is how Laura found out about them! (She first read about the program in the book "Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv) Laura lived there, taught there, and did the first year of her M.Ed. program there. It is a magical place full of trees, mushrooms, owls, coyotes, newts, banana slugs, and more! Laura brought Peyton for a visit during the early days of their relationship, and he loves it, too. All guests will be invited to stay in the guest lodges on the IslandWood campus during the wedding weekend! Check out IslandWood's website for more information: islandwood.org

Question

Where should I stay?

Answer

We are recommending that our wedding guests stay in the guest lodges at IslandWood for Friday and Saturday nights of the wedding weekend! This is what IslandWood has to say about the accommodations: Having your wedding at IslandWood means keeping all your guests together, in one place. A true destination wedding location, your guests can park their cars, drop their bags, and never need to go anywhere else. Our four sleeping lodges combine the comfort of modern accommodations with the natural rustic beauty of the Northwest and can sleep up to 200 guests. Every lodge has a spacious great room with a fireplace and seating for gathering, game-playing, reading, and relaxing. All beds on our property are made up with organic cotton bedding for a dreamy nights sleep! All guest rooms have their own private bathrooms. Please look out for booking information in the spring when we send out our invitations (most likely digitally). Rooms will be first come, first served. Consider finding a group of three or four people to room with (each room sleeps up to 6). We can help to facilitate if needed! If you would like to have more privacy or are interested in checking out other options, there are lots of Airbnbs and VRBOs on Bainbridge Island, as well as plenty of hotels. Please let us know if you would like additional assistance finding lodging outside of IslandWood!

Question

What are the IslandWood accommodations like?

Answer

There are four lodges on the property with 12-16 rooms each. Each room has its own bathroom and shower. Examples of the room configurations: -Two sets of bunk beds with a Double Bed on the bottom -Two sets of twin bunk beds and a Queen-sized Murphy bed The loges are beautiful and cozy! Linens are provided, but items such as shampoo, conditioner, hair dryers, and other toiletries are not. We will have one hair dryer and iron/ironing board available in each lodge that you may borrow and return as needed. If staying at IslandWood isn't for you, not to worry! There are plenty of other options for places to stay on the island. Head to the "Travel, Venue, and Accommodations" page for that information. Plan ahead--booking early is recommended!

Question

Will I have my own room?

Answer

Great question! We want to make sure everyone is comfortable, and also maximize the number of guests that are able to stay at IslandWood. So, we have decided to give rooming priority to our elders and families with children! For the millennial invitees, you will be bunking up together in Ichthyology Inn (one of the four lodges). Laura and Peyton will take care of the room assignments! Please let us know if you have requests or if there's a reason you wouldn't be able to share a bedroom!

Question

How do I book and pay for my room at IslandWood?

Answer

You will receive an email with all of the information you need to book and pay for a room at IslandWood. If you have any questions, please reach out to Laura and Peyton.

Question

What is the nightly rate for a room at IslandWood?

Answer

Great question -- it depends! The rooms at IslandWood cost $150/nt for the first two people in each room. After that, each additional guest raises the total cost by $75/nt. That means, if you stay in a room with two guests, the total for the weekend is $600, so $300 per person. If six people share a room, the total per person for the weekend would be $1200, so $200 per person.

Question

What if I have questions?

Answer

Please call or text either of us, or email us at lauralovespeyton@gmail.com!

Question

What is the dress code?

Answer

Friday Welcome Dinner: Casual dress! Summer camp vibes are welcome. We will be eating in the dining hall, then transitioning to the "Friendship Circle" for a campfire, s'mores, and festivities. (Maybe a talent show?!) Saturday Ceremony and Reception: Festive/Casual We want everyone to feel comfortable and beautiful during our outdoor ceremony and for dinner in the dining hall and a reception (AKA dance party) in the "Great Hall." Please dress in something that makes you feel good. We could imagine that there will be a range of attire, including dresses, suits, pants and shirts, jumpsuits, etc. No floor length gowns or tuxes required! The Pacific Northwest is a casual region, and we will welcome you to our wedding in anything that you have on. You are also invited to bring a fun accessory or costume piece to put on during the reception--we will have plenty of selections from our costume closet to share, too!

Question

What is the schedule for the weekend?

Answer

While timing and specifics are still to be determined, here is a rough schedule of events that you can expect! Friday, August 30 5:00PM – Guest Check-in 6:00-8:00PM – Welcome Dinner 8-10:00PM – Campfire at the Friendship Circle Saturday, August 31 6:30-8:00AM – Coffee, Fruit, Tea and Pastries 8-9:30AM – Breakfast 9-11:30AM – Naturalist-Guided Activities, Exploration Time 11:30-1:00PM – Lunch Buffet (boxed lunches available) 1:30-3:00PM – Lawn Games 5-5:30PM – Wedding Ceremony 5:30-6:30PM – Appetizer Reception 6:30-8:00PM – Wedding Celebration Dinner 8-11:30PM – Reception, Dessert & Dancing! Sunday, September 1 6:30-8:00AM – Coffee, Tea, Fruit & Pastries 8-10:00AM – Breakfast 11:00AM – Guest Checkout & Departure We are also contemplating reserving some campsites at Fay Bainbridge State Park for Sunday Night for guests who would like to keep the party going! Stay tuned for more details on that.

Question

Who painted the artwork on the save the dates and the website?

Answer

Laura did!

Question

When should I RSVP?

Answer

Please RSVP as soon as you know your plans! We are hoping to hear from everyone by June 14th at the latest.