The MV Skansonia - Seattle, Washington

Lindsey P.

The MV Skansonia is one of the most unique and exciting wedding venues I’ve had the pleasure of photographing! This incredible space offers breathtaking views of the Seattle skyline and Lake Union, which provide such a stunning backdrop for ceremonies and portraits. It’s impossible not to be inspired by the beauty and charm of this venue.

One of my favorite things about the MV Skansonia is the endless opportunities for fun and creative portraits. Whether you’re drawn to the waterfront views, the ship’s vintage details, or the skyline in the distance, there’s a perfect spot for every couple’s style. The venue’s character is truly one-of-a-kind.

The staff here is absolutely fantastic! They’re so accommodating, professional, and easy to work with, making the day smooth and enjoyable for everyone.

Another standout feature is the two getting ready spaces, which are ideal if the couple wants to get ready at the venue together but still maintain the element of surprise before the first look. Both spaces are filled with beautiful natural light, which makes for stunning pre-ceremony photos and a calm, welcoming vibe.

The MV Skansonia has such a fun and unique atmosphere that perfectly sets the tone for an unforgettable wedding day. I always leave feeling inspired and can’t wait to go back to capture more love stories aboard this incredible venue!

Sofia E. P.

As a wedding photographer, I shoot a lot of weddings, and I can confidently say that MV Skansonia is one of the most stunning and unique venues in Seattle! I had the pleasure of both working and celebrating here, and the experience was nothing short of incredible.

Pros:

1) Stunning Views: The Seattle skyline and waterfront backdrop made for breathtaking photos and a magical ceremony setting. This venue offers some of the best natural light and scenic backgrounds for portraits!

2) Exceptional Staff: The team at MV Skansonia was professional, accommodating, and incredibly organized. They ensured everything ran smoothly, which made my job easier and created a stress-free experience for the couple.

3) Delicious Food & Drinks: The catering was outstanding—beautifully presented and full of flavor. Guests were raving about the meal and craft cocktails!

4) Beautiful Indoor & Outdoor Spaces: Whether capturing moments on the deck with panoramic water views or inside the warmly lit reception space, every corner of this venue is photogenic and charming.

5) Smooth Flow: The venue layout makes transitioning between ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception effortless, creating a seamless experience for both guests and vendors.

Cons:

1) Limited Street Parking: The only minor downside is the lack of dedicated parking, so guests may need to carpool, use rideshare services, or arrive early to find a spot. However, this is a small trade-off for such a breathtaking venue.

Overall, MV Skansonia is a dream location for weddings—perfect for couples looking for an unforgettable atmosphere, exceptional service, and a truly picturesque setting. As a photographer, I can confidently say this venue offers everything needed to create and capture magical wedding moments!

Alyssa D. (. P.

The MV Skansonia in Seattle is an absolute gem for weddings! As a wedding photographer, this is one of my absolute favorite venues to photograph. It has such a unique charm and breathtaking views of both Lake Union and the Seattle skyline. This vintage ferryboat offers a one-of-a-kind experience with its warm wood interiors, nautical details, and expansive outdoor deck, perfect for stunning sunset shots. Even on cloudy or rainy days, the photos are MAGIC here. The water backdrop is a true PNW setting for both ceremonies and receptions, you can even see the space needle from the bow. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Every corner of the MV Skansonia provides photo opportunities that are as unique as the venue itself—a true dream for any wedding photographer!

Mark O.

This is a great private party venue. The MV Skansonia is moored just west of Ivar's Salmon House and the I-5 Canal Bridge on the North end of Lake Union with fabulous views of the Seattle skyline across the lake.

The food was excellent, the service friendly and it proved to be a perfect way to spend a Tuesday evening in August.

Verity B.

This is the best wedding venue and company!! We had an amazing time planning our wedding with Sarah and the team at Landmark event co. They paid attention to every detail and followed through and executed everything beyond our imagination. The food, alcohol, ceremony and decor were so thoughtfully put together and totally personalized to our requests. They even made a special signature drink for us that is not typically on their menu. Our guests raved about the quality of everything! They are a very professional group, as the bride and groom we showed up to the venue on wedding day and we didn't have to lift a finger during setup, ceremony, and tear down. We just got to enjoy! The day of coordinator kept us moving through the day with ease, please hire their day of coordinator. We also couldn't believe the value of this venue. There were other venues we looked at that were comparable in size/capacity but were more costly and did NOT include food/catering/waitstaff, alcohol or decor. It was so nice to have the venue take care of the big items, so we could just bring our dessert, entertainment and photo/video vendors, which all worked very well with the venue. Their preferred florist also makes it easy because you don't have to set up anything.
If you work with Landmark and the MV Skansonia, you will have the best, most seamless and beautiful event!! (The venue itself is stunning but that's clear from the pictures online).

Taylor R.

Sarah and the rest of the Landmark Event Co staff were incredible to work with! Our wedding day went by without any hiccups, and the boat looked absolutely beautiful all decorated. Would not have changed a single thing - many of our guests said it was the best venue they've ever been to a wedding at and they raved about the food 🙂 Would recommend the Skansonia for anyone looking for a memorable & unique Seattle wedding.

Kimberly H. (. H.

Love the beautiful venue.
Love the vintage setting.
My dear friend had a beautiful wedding.
The staff was great.
Couple things that didn't set well... they need to clean the toilet, not just the seat they outside and around the Whole thing.
People are paying big bucks for a wedding venue. CLEAN THE BATHROOM specifically the toilet.
And please DO NOT take a hose and spray the nesting geese out of their nests, do not pick up their eggs and move them to another geese' s nest. DO NOT HOSE THE GEESE!!!
And.. visit home depot, Lowe's or whatever flower place and take the time to jazz up the flower boxes that are located around the arbor. It's a first impression as soon as you step off the ramp onto the deck. I'm not sure why that is completely neglected but it is and it didn't go unnoticed. It's a wedding venue and people are looking at photos for their special day for a lifetime.
It's a beautiful venue and it could be 5 stars if your staff never harms the water fowl ever again, cleans the nasty bathroom and gives the flower boxes some much needed help.
Other than that my friends wedding was beautiful.

Melissa B.

The MV Skansonia is a beautiful and unique venue. I've photographed weddings and events here and am always happy with the lightning and ambiance. It's dreamy. The staff are kind and helpful and the layout of the space works really well for large groups. All that and I haven't even mentioned the stunning views of downtown Seattle and Lake Union... unbeatable.