On the Hiyu is a unique wedding venue based in Seattle, Washington. This fully renovated 165-foot ferry boat sails on the peaceful waters of Lake Union and Lake Washington and is ideal for couples who desire a nautical-style wedding with breathtaking views of the Seattle skyline and majestic Mt. Rainier in the background. On the Hiyu can provide you with a one-of-a-kind experience that you and your guests are sure to remember for years to come.

Facilities and Capacity

With room for 200 seated guests and 300+ guests arranged reception style, On the Hiyu allows you to tailor the event space to fit the needs of your big day. Expansive open decks and a variety of event spaces within the vessel permit couples to customize their experience even further. A state-of-the-art sound and lighting system will help to create the perfect ambience as you and your guests dance the night away.

Services Offered

On the Hiyu has a full-service team and is able to accommodate various wedding-related events, including ceremonies, receptions, bridal showers, engagement parties, elopements, and rehearsal dinners. The ferry offers a variety of event services and items to help your wedding go as smoothly as possible, including the following:

• Event planning
• Setup
• Cleanup
• Get ready rooms
• WiFi
• Audio equipment
• Tables and chairs
• Tent
• Furniture
• Decor

Cuisine

The vessel offers couples a range of options for their catering needs — a gourmet feast, buffet, or reception-style appetizers — which are made possible with On the Hiyu’s own culinary team or its preferred vendors. In addition, there are two uniquely themed bars on board: an authentic tiki bar and a Northwest Maritime whiskey bar.

History

The Hiyu was built by the Gunderson brothers of Portland, Oregon and went into service in 1967. The ferry sailed Puget Sound for almost 20 years and later took on inter-island duties, where it carried cars to and from Friday Harbor and Lopez, Orcas, and Shaw Islands. By the late 1990s, when traffic was too much for the Hiyu’s size and speed, it was taken out of service and mostly lay dormant, except for its use in several movies and commercials, including a Seattle Seahawks in 1999. In 2016, the Hiyu was official retired. Menagerie, Inc. bought the ferry in 2017, preserving the Hiyu’s legacy and providing Seattle with a premier floating event venue.