Thornewood Castle

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

View their website

Average Base Cost: $18,000

Our average base cost for a Thornewood Castle wedding is calculated by figuring a 100-person guest list for a Saturday ceremony/reception in June using a food/beverage cost of $100/pp plus. Entertainment, flowers, furniture, additional decorations and rentals, transportation, and photography are NOT included. Price is rounded up to the nearest thousand. Gratuity and sales tax is included.

*Prices subject to change

How it breaks down:

Facility Rental Fee: The venue rental fees for Thornewood Castle are broken down by month and day of the week:

Jan-May

  • Monday-Thursday: $2,950
  • Friday: $3,450
  • Saturday: $4,950
  • Sunday: $3,950

June & Sept

  • Monday-Thursday: $3,200
  • Friday:$3,950
  • Saturday:$5,950
  • Sunday:$4,450

July & Aug

  • Monday-Thursday: $3,450
  • Friday: $4,450
  • Saturday: $6,950
  • Sunday: $4,950

Oct & Nov

  • Monday-Thursday: $3,200
  • Friday: $3,450
  • Saturday: $4,950
  • Sunday: $3,950

December

  • Monday-Thursday: $3,450
  • Friday: $4,450
  • Saturday: $5,950
  • Sunday: $4,950
washington wedding venues
Photo by RcMEDIA

Note: Prices listed are for 6 hours for the first 100 guests. Additional guests over 100 can be purchased in blocks of 25 guests for $547.00 per block (after tax). Additional hours over your 6-hour rental can also be purchased at $547/ hour (after tax). All set up in clean up must be completed in your selected 6 hours unless additional hours added.

washington wedding venues
Photo by Jason Comerford Photography

What’s Included: 

  • 2 changing rooms for Bridal Party (Chester’s Suite with full bathroom and Library)
  • 3 restrooms for guests in the Great Hall
  • Gate and/or parking attendant and use of on-site parking area (100 guests worth of parking inside gate. Additional 50 guests worth of parking outside of the gate). Over 150 you need to arrange for carpool or shuttle.
  • Chairs for the ceremony (white folding chairs outside. Dark wooden Chiavari chairs inside)
  • Labor for setup/cleanup
  • Tables and chairs for reception (white folding chairs and 60″ round tables (seats 8-10) outside/Dark wooden Chiavari chairs inside. (5) 40″x104″ tables in the ballroom (seats 12-14) . 60″ round tables inside (seats 8-10). 48″ or 60″ round table for cake
  • White table linens for guest and cake tables
  • Crystal centerpieces for use on indoor tables
  • Professional sound system inside the Great Hall and Ballroom (AUX cord to plug in an iPod/laptop; CD player; Wired and wireless microphone).
  • 12ft drop-down projection screen in the Ballroom (they do not have the projector)
  • Walk-through meeting within the month of the event date to coordinate with vendors, answer questions and decide on Plan A and Plan B event layout.
washington wedding venues
Photo by Sarah Christine Photography

Extras: A rehearsal is not included in your venue rental fee. A one-hour rehearsal can be scheduled for an additional cost of $300 (plus tax). Most rehearsals take place on Wednesday’s since that is the most common day the venue does not have a wedding, but scheduling is based on availability. Rehearsals not being held on a Wednesday can be booked within 30 days of the event date.

washington wedding venues
Photo by Kispix Photography

Food and Beverage: You may bring in your own caterer (as long as they meet Pierce County health code requirements). You may also BYOB (except for hard liquor. Only beer/wine/champagne is allowed). To BYOB you must obtain a banquet permit through the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. All alcohol must be served by a WA State licensed alcohol server (i.e. no self-service or wine/champagne bottles on tables).

Other Vendors: Outside vendors are allowed.

washington wedding venues
Photo by Sarah Christine Photography

Important Notes: No amplified sound is allowed outside with the exception of during the ceremony.

More Stats:

Space Type: Inside/Outside

Size: Indoor max guest count is 125. Outdoor max guest count is 200.

The venue only holds one event per day so you get access to all of the following areas:

  • Sunken English Garden (Outdoor Ceremony, 200 guest max)
  • Lakeside Lawn (Outdoor Ceremony/Reception, 200 guest max)
  • Front Castle Lawn (Outdoor Ceremony/Reception, 200 guest max)
  • Loggia (Large covered porch)
  • Ballroom (Indoor Reception, 125 guest max)
  • Great Hall (Indoor Ceremony 125 guest max/ Dance floor)
washington wedding venues
Photo by Jerome Tso Photography

Bridal Suite: Yes

Parking: Yes

How Will Grandma Get There? Grandma can actually stay at Thornewood Castle! In addition to being a wedding venue it is also a B&B, with 12 overnight rooms available to you and your guests. On your wedding night you and your guests have the option of either a 25% discount that includes breakfast in the morning or a 40% discount that does not include breakfast. Pricing starts around $175+. Note that some rooms have bathrooms located in the hall, so be sure to discuss all your lodging options before your guests book. Other out of town guests would most likely want to stay in nearby Tacoma (about 20 minutes away). The Seattle-Tacoma airport is about 40 minutes away from the venue.

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Party On! 10:00pm is the latest any event may end by (including clean up). Popular chosen wedding times times are 12 p.m.-6 p.m., 2 p.m.-8 p.m., 4 p.m.-10 p.m.

The Report: 

Built in 1908 by Chester A. Thorne, the 27,000 square foot Gothic Tudor style manor sits on over 4 acres on Amerian Lake and is the only one of its kind on the west coast. Originally built as a single family residence (which has housed actual Presidents in it’s Presidential Suite, including Presidents William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt) the home was restored as a venue and B&B.

Woman Getting Married Says:

We love this wedding venue because it’s super unique and you can BYOB (you know that’s our fave)! However the only two things I don’t love are the event end times and the no hard liquor rule, which I know is a bummer for a lot of brides (including me). Also keep in mind that vendor setup and breakdown would have to be completed within your 6-hour rental timeframe, so you are most likely going to need to purchase another hour or two. With that said if you don’t mind having beer/wine only and would be open to an earlier wedding (my recommendation given the 10 p.m. curfew), I would definitely add this venue to your list, Seattle/Tacoma brides!

Click here to learn more about my wedding venue review process.

Discover more wedding venues here, or ask about our custom wedding venue search.

All products featured on Woman Getting Married are independently selected by our editors. However, we may earn affiliate revenue on this article and commission when you buy something. Learn more.

Amenities/What’s Included 8
Convenient for Grandma 9
Layout 9
Location 8
Overall Charm 9
Venue Value 9

WGM Rating

8.7
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