if the words “farm wedding” immediately make you picture mason jars, burlap, and a dark rustic barn, i need you to forget all of that for a minute. while carnation farms is technically a farm, yes, but it feels much more like a sprawling private estate surrounded by manicured gardens, historic buildings, open fields, and cascade mountain views.

the property sits on more than 800 acres in the squalmie valley, and one of my favorite things about photographing a wedding here is how much variety there is without ever needing to leave the grounds. it gives you the natural beauty people want from a washington wedding venue, but without feeling like a stereotypical barn wedding.

bride and groom surrounded by lush green landscapes of carnation farms wedding day

where is carnation farms?

carnation farms is located in carnation, wa, in snoqualmie valley east of seattle.

the setting is one of the biggest reasons this venue stands out from others. you have open farmland in the foreground with the cascade mountains stretching across the horizon, and the property itself is also landscaped and well maintained. here you’ll find mature trees, gardens, fountains, historic buildings, and large open lawns throughout. for photography, that variety of backdrops is fantastic!

carnation farms is not your typical barn wedding venue

“farm wedding venue” can create a VERY specific image in people’s minds. and while carnation farms does have a historic agricultural architecture, but it does not feel overly rustic.

the reception space has these beautiful exposed wood rafters and original character, but the open sides let in tons of natural light and frame the surrounding landscape. draping, chandeliers, beautiful florals, and classic tables and chairs can take it in a much more refined direction very easily.

outside, the gardens are beautifully manicured and you’ll see clipped hedges, formal pathways, fountains, established landscaping, and really lovely greenery surrounding the historic buildings. so if you like the idea of having mountains, nature, and an open-air celebration but you do not want your wedding to read as rustic or country, carnation farms is a really interesting option.

p.s. nelliena moetului manages weddings at carnation farms and is also behind One Boss Hospitality. she was an excellent wedding planner to work with!

ceremony locations at carnation farms

carnation farms has multiple locations that can accommodate different wedding sizes, and the venue can host events ranging from smaller celebrations all the way up to several hundred guests.

the garden ceremony space lena and sam used was surrounded by mature greenery with a simple wooden arbor at the end of the aisle. It photographs beautifully because you have layers of landscaping behind you, and the greenery gives the ceremony a very classic garden feel.

carnation farms outdoor wedding ceremony space

romantic outdoor wedding ceremony in carnation farms, wa

the reception pavilion

the large covered pavilion is probably one of my favorite spaces at carnation farms, and it is such a practical reception option for washington. it is open-air, so you still get views and fresh air, but you have a roof overhead in case our famously reliable PNW weather decides to participate.

the wood beams give the space character, while white draping, chandeliers, florals, linens, and other design choices can shift the look considerably. lena and sam kept theirs very clean with white florals, greenery, gold chairs, and white linens, which made the architecture feel much more elevated than rustic.

carnation farms wedding reception pavilion

elegant wedding reception set up at carnation farms in washington

you can have a full wedding weekend here

this is another perk of having your wedding at carnation farms. you can book the property for a standard 12-hour wedding day, but there are also full weekend rental options. for couples with lots of guests traveling in, or anyone who wants their wedding to feel more like a weekend away than one very fast day, i think this is a huge selling point.

carnation farms has lodging available for up to 75 guests across several on-site homes. lodging is booked separately from the venue fee, but having your closest friends and family stay right on the property opens up so many possibilities. you could have a welcome dinner friday evening, breakfast together saturday morning, the wedding itself, and then a relaxed brunch before everyone leaves sunday.

carnation farms wedding photos

there are so many gorgeous photo locations here. the gardens around the historic homes are perfect for classic portraits, while the forested areas are great for something moodier. the architecture gives us clean lines and structure, and then you have those enormous snoqualmie valley and cascade mountain views.

and because the property is so large, we can make very different photographs without needing to leave your wedding for an hour-long portrait excursion. i want you to have beautiful portraits, obviously, but I also want you back with your guests. a venue where we can walk five minutes, take gorgeous photos, and return to the party is always a win.

bride and groom portaits in washington with mountain views

what happens if it rains?

washington wedding question number one, right? carnation farms has covered spaces and weather contingency plans built into its wedding offerings, so you know your wedding day is taken care of.

catering at carnation farms

carnation farms offers its own farm-to-table catering, with menus built around seasonal ingredients and farm-sourced products. they also allow outside licensed caterers with prior approval, so couples have some flexibility depending on what they want for their wedding.

their current catering options include everything from plated meals and mains to appetizers, grazing boards, breakfasts, and staffed stations. if you are planning a full wedding weekend, having breakfast and other food options available on site can also make the whole weekend much easier.

how much does a carnation farms wedding cost?

venue pricing can change, so I would always recommend contacting carnation farms directly for an exact proposal based on your date, guest count, and whether you want a one-day or weekend rental.

at the time of writing in 2026, wedding site fees are generally starting around the $10,000 to $12,500 range depending on the type of rental and package selected. lodging is separate, as are additional services and catering depending on what you choose.

you can see current carnation farms wedding information and inquire directly here.

lena + sam’s carnation farms wedding

lena and sam had such a gorgeous wedding here, and their day really showed off how versatile the property is. lena and sam got ready separately on the property with their friends and family before we headed into the gardens for a first look and portraits.

their ceremony took place outside beneath a greenery-covered arbor. the gardens looked incredible, and the weather gave us everything from bright blue skies to big dramatic clouds throughout the day.

afterward, we wandered around the property for portraits, including the gardens, wooded areas, and the overlook above the farm. dinner and dancing moved into the open-air pavilion, where white draping, gold chairs, greenery, and white florals kept everything clean and classic.

i absolutely loved photographing lena and sam’s wedding here! and if you are planning your own wedding at carnation farms,and are still on the lookout for your washington wedding photographer, you can learn more about our packages here!