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This week’s topics: wedding getting-ready suite, intimate wedding venue tips, Washington wedding venues, outdoor wedding planning, rainy wedding day advice, flexible ceremony layouts, personalized wedding venues, guest-focused wedding design, Amalfi Coast wedding inspiration, Pacific Northwest weddings, blank-canvas wedding venues, intimate luxury weddings, wedding venue tour, wedding hospitality ideas
On this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, Iron Diamond Media CEO Sonja Babich and Washington Wedding Day Publisher Alexis Sanabria sit down with Jeff and Patti Falconer, the husband-and-wife team behind Parties on the Terrace, an award-winning Washington wedding venue known for its intimate celebrations and lush European-inspired atmosphere. Nestled on five acres in Washington state, the venue has quickly become a standout in the Pacific Northwest wedding industry, earning multiple accolades for its personalized approach and romantic garden setting. Throughout the conversation, Jeff and Patti share how their love story, travels and entrepreneurial spirit helped shape one of Washington’s most beloved intimate wedding venues.
The couple reflects on purchasing the property in 2015 with no plans of entering the wedding industry. Patti originally envisioned a cutting garden overflowing with flowers, while Jeff transformed the property’s large outbuilding into a luxury car storage business for high-performance automobiles. Everything changed when a guest visiting the property casually suggested the space would make a beautiful wedding venue. Inspired by the idea, the pair spent evenings walking the grounds, dreaming up possibilities over glasses of wine and sketching terrace concepts onto large sheets of paper. What began as a private passion project soon evolved into a full-scale venue rooted in hospitality, creativity and meaningful experiences.
Jeff and Patti also candidly discuss the behind-the-scenes realities of building a wedding venue from the ground up, including navigating county permits, property approvals and unexpected renovation hurdles. Just as the venue was nearing completion, the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted their launch plans, forcing many couples to postpone celebrations. Despite the uncertainty, the pair used the downtime to refine the property even further, observing how sunlight moved across the grounds, expanding landscaping features and dreaming up new guest experiences. Their perseverance ultimately paid off as postponed weddings returned in full force, allowing Parties on the Terrace to quickly establish itself as a sought-after destination for intimate weddings in Washington.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Parties on the Terrace is its inspiration from Italy’s Amalfi Coast, where Jeff proposed to Patti in Ravello. The couple explains how the venue’s terraces were intentionally designed to mirror the layered beauty and romance they experienced abroad, with each terrace even named after places they visited during their travels. Throughout the property, guests encounter dreamy details including chandeliers suspended from trees, tucked-away firepit lounges, bocce ball courts and lush greenery designed in soft, neutral tones to complement any wedding palette. Patti also shares how they carefully curated the getting-ready suite by consulting real hair and makeup artists to ensure the space was both beautiful and functional for wedding mornings.
During the episode, Jeff and Patti emphasize their commitment to flexibility and personalization, something that sets Parties on the Terrace apart from many traditional wedding venues. Rather than forcing couples into a rigid event flow, the venue encourages creativity by allowing ceremonies and receptions to take place in multiple areas throughout the property. The couple explains that weddings with around 75 guests tend to best capture the intimate atmosphere they envisioned, allowing guests to fully experience the venue’s cozy nooks and layered outdoor spaces. They also discuss how they help couples visualize possibilities through curated photo galleries and real wedding examples, inspiring personalized celebrations that feel authentic to each couple’s story.
As the conversation comes to a close, Jeff and Patti reflect on the deeper purpose behind Parties on the Terrace and why hospitality remains at the heart of everything they do. Because the venue is also their home, every wedding carries an added level of care, intention and emotional investment. From anticipating guest needs throughout the evening to ensuring couples feel supported during every step of the planning process, the Falconers approach each celebration like an extension of their own family. Their story is not simply about creating a wedding venue—it’s about building a space where meaningful memories, lasting relationships and unforgettable celebrations can flourish for years to come.
This episode is powered by Dan Riggs Films, Parties on the Terrace, Grand Hyatt Seattle and Washington Wedding Day.