small restaurant wedding at il nido in west seattle
there is something timeless about a small restaurant wedding. the kind of celebration where everyone fits at one long table, the candles glow a little warmer, and the whole evening feels like being wrapped in good conversation and even better food. e and j’s december wedding at il nido in west seattle was exactly that kind of night.
from getting ready at home, to portraits at alki beach, to their intimate ceremony and dinner at il nido… this day was elegant and heartfelt, and honestly one of my favorite examples of why micro weddings are incredible.
getting ready & first look at home
e slipped into her stunning gown with the help of her mom, and j got ready just down the hall. the start of the day was super calm and intentional, as they were preparing to get married to their person.
they also made time for a sweet first look in their backyard garden, and their pup joined for a few portraits which always gets bonus points in my book.
alki beach portraits ft. ferries
from there, we drove to alki beach, which is basically the heart of west seattle. the sky was a soft winter gray, the kind that makes colors pop in the most cinematic way. the ferries moved in the distance. the water was calm. the city skyline sat quietly across the sound. it was classic seattle!
alki is a great place for your wedding portraits. i love being able to get the beachfront and city views in one frame. this is especially great for a micro wedding, because you don’t need a long timeline to get amazing photos.
why il nido is the perfect small restaurant wedding venue
il nido is tucked inside the old alki homestead building. this place is exclusive for weddings. the owner told us they only host about 3–4 weddings per year. not per month. per YEAR. which means if you snag it… you are basically royalty for the night.
e and j chose il nido because it is their neighborhood spot. if you are not from seattle, west seattle is a little world of its own. cozy streets, great food, beautiful water views, and a slower pace than downtown.
their small restaurant wedding ceremony at Il Nido
e + j gathered with their closest people around the fireplace, adorned with winter greenery and glowing candles. it felt like stepping into a cozy holiday storybook.
their small restaurant wedding reception
the best part of a december wedding at il nido is that the decorating is basically done for you. you get to simply walk in and enjoy it. greenery, candles, seasonal details and the soft glow of winter light through the windows. you can bring minimal decor and still have a space that feels rich and celebratory.
the staff and service here are impeccable! the chef studied in italy, so you already know it’s going to be next-level. if you want to spoil your people with an unforgettable dinner, this is the place.
why i love micro weddings
e and j booked my four hour micro wedding package which is quite ideal for winter ceremonies. this day is such a perfect example of what a micro wedding can be. you still get stunning portraits. you still get a heartfelt ceremony. you still get an unforgettable dinner. and you get to do it all at your own pace.
p.s. if you’d like to book a micro wedding package with me in the summer season, those require a six hour minimum.
dreaming about your own small restaurant wedding?
il nido is easily one of my favorite micro wedding venues in seattle and if you ever have the chance to be hosted by their team, you will understand exactly why.
and if you want photos that actually feel like your day, that’s where i come in. i specialize in documenting intimate weddings and elopements across seattle and the pnw, with a focus on real connection, timeless edits, and making you feel like yourself in front of the camera.
you can check out my micro wedding and elopement packages right here. can’t wait to hear what you’re planning. click here to get in touch.
if you liked this blog, you may also like: my full guide to planning a seattle micro wedding.
