The Grand Willow Inn Reviews

As a wedding DJ I can say this is a lovely venue and charming house. The food is great and you can do a lot with the reception room. I recommend uplights for the white drapery and there is a spot for a monogram. The staff is friendly and everything is done on site

Darius
https://www.grooveonhydestreet.com/

From inquiry for booking to morning after our special day, this venue was a dream. Kari was so kind and had all the answers to any question we could think of. This venue took so much of the stress off, from handling all of the decor to suggesting vendors for us, we saved so much time, energy, and money with the Grand Willow. We didn't have to worry about a thing the day of. The location is beautiful and rural without being too far from the comforts of civilization. Their recommended and partner caterer is very close by in La Conner. They offered a decor planning appointment, which allowed us to come in almost a year prior to our wedding with our Pinterest boards, and Kari had set up several examples for us to review. We were able to make and change our decor choices well in advance. We also got to stay in the Honeymoon Suite of the bed and breakfast part of the hotel, which is conveniently located right next to the bridal suite! We highly recommend this, at least for the night of the wedding, if not the night prior as well. Thank you so much to you and your team, Kari!

We wanted an indoor venue that wouldn't feel huge and empty for our small COVID wedding, and The Grand Willow was a beautiful space both indoors and outdoors that fit the bill perfectly. Even in January, the setting was so beautiful! We LOVED the all-inclusive package, since we didn't want our friends/family to have to be moving chairs or setting up decorations. We started working with Kari in the height of summer COVID wedding craziness, so responses took awhile early on in the planning process. But when we went in for our decorating appointment, I was shocked at how much she was able to get checked off of the planning list - she had suggested decorations, place settings, timelines, and more ready to go over with us. It made me feel so at ease! When we got to the day of, I can't tell you how nice it was to be surrounded by such kind and competent staff. The additional day-of coordinator Grace was so on top of things that I (a notorious micro-manager) could completely trust her to take care of details that I didn't have to worry about anything. Kari and staff also handled our own COVID changes SO well - we ended up serving our dinner to-go, and the GW staff took the initiative to print little menu cards so our guests could choose which options they wanted in their box. I wouldn't have even thought to ask for that, but that's how good this staff is. (The food was also delicious and there were so many menu options when we had our tasting, so having to use their catering was actually a gift since that was one less decision we had to make!) I would highly recommend The Grand Willow if you want a cozy space that still feels special and sacred. Thank you so much Kari + GW staff!!

The Grand Willow was the perfect WA venue to get married; it is made for the unpredictable weather of Western Washington. We were able to plan our wedding without having to worry about the ever-changing moods of mother nature due to the beautiful grounds and the stunning main room and staircase. The all-inclusive packages included decorations, silverware, tables, a day of coordinator and clean up to name just a few of the perks. Additionally, since they work exclusively with La Connor Seafood and Prime Rib Catering, we had an amazing spread with no effort and absolutely outstanding! (Just ask our friends and family!!!) For us, it was a gift to have Kari and her team handle all the details while we enjoyed the day with our families and friends. I didn’t have to worry about anything, right down to our plates being made for us so we could eat right after our grand entrance. I cannot say enough good things about Kari, her venue, or her people. They worked seamlessly with our vendors, and made our day the very best day it could be. I would work with Kari over and over again. It was an amazing experience.

We are so fortunate to have found this place for our wedding! I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an all inclusive wedding venue. Not only did they provide day of planning, setting up and taking down, most of the decorations (they have a huge room full of decor to choose from) but they have 5 beautiful bedrooms to rent through Air BnB upstairs! My family, some of my bridesmaids, and my husband and I stayed there the night before wedding and night of and it was wonderful! Not having to travel to the venue the day of the wedding was perfect, all I had to do was go downstairs to start getting ready. Kari is FANTASTIC and did everything for us! She even got me flowers for the center pieces when I wasn't sure who to go with. If you're looking for an affordable and inclusive wedding venue where you don't have to do a whole lot of work for the wedding this place is it! They did all the work the day of so all I had to do was focus on glamming up and walking down the aisle! Kari even spruced up my lackluster cake without me even asking her! Amazing venue, don't hesitate to book them for your special day!!

The venue is beautiful for an inside or outside wedding and perfect for the ceremony and reception in one place. There are flowers, trees, and gardens in front and in back of the Inn that make you feel like there is nobody else around and these provide beautiful backdrops for pictures. The bride’s room is done in white and has a full large bathroom connected to it. The Groom’s room is more casual for the guys but is still great and also has a full bathroom. The Bride is upstairs and the Groom is downstairs, so no chance of running into each other accidentally. There is a Gorgeous spiral staircase for the Bride’s grand entrance. Everything was on time and professional and they are very accommodating to special requests. The staff was always on top of things and catered to us like we were royalty. The food was great. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience!

Also, They provide plenty of parking for guests. We don’t have our professional photos but have included a few from cell phones.

I was a wedding photographer for this venue on Saturday 5/25/19. The staff was super friendly and extremely helpful. Even on a day with rain, which happened on Saturday I was able to still keep the couple under cover and get some outdoor type photos using techniques I have in my big bag of tricks. The upstairs views allows for stunning photos during the ceremony, and the reception hall is easy to bounce light off to give off camera light.

The DJ was HILARIOUS. He was full of 1 liners and employed quite a few different tactics to entertain the guests and bridal party during the reception. I can not wait to go back and work this venue again.

We had a great experience at the Grand Willow Inn! Connie and Jamie were very friendly, attentive, and flexible. They made sure the day was perfect, even when our DJ stood us up. The venue was beautiful and we couldn't have asked for a better day!

From the moment my Fiance and I stepped into The Grand Willow I knew it was the perfect place for us to get married. I fell in love with the Carriage Room and all of the twinkle lights, it was just amazing! The Bed and Breakfast available to rent on the 3rd floor made it even more amazing knowing our family could rent it for the weekend and be together getting ready for the big day. Carmen is so amazing, kind, and talented. She immediately made us feel welcome and answered all of our questions. She was so accommodating when we wanted to bring our families all 10 of us to see the venue again we are quite a handful. Connie's food is absolutely AMAZING! I cannot say Thank You enough for giving us the wedding of our dreams. People are still raving about it a month later that it was the BEST wedding they had been too!! Knowing that we just had to show up and EVERYTHING was taken care of was the best feeling ever. We didn't have to worry about anything. Our wedding was MAGICAL, the flowers, the food, the tables, it was PERFECT! Carmen and Connie are AMAZING, they truly care about making your special day Wonderful!!! Just yesterday my friend was still talking about the Braised Beef Brisket, LOL and the Red Potato Gorgonzola Bacon Salad! YUMMY! My husband Paul and I cannot say THANK YOU ENOUGH!! We love The Grand Willow, best decision ever!!!

Having my wedding at The Grand Willow Inn was one of the best decisions I made when it came to my wedding. First off, this place is BEAUTIFUL and Connie and Carmen are fantastic at what they do! They made my dream wedding day become a reality! We had an absolute blast at my decoration consultation and they easily created exactly what I wanted. When my wedding day came, they had every little detail taken care of and I was stress free. Oh, and the food! It was delicious! I can't say enough great things about The Grand Willow Inn! I'm so thankful I chose it for my wedding venue. So if you are looking for an absolutely gorgeous venue for your perfect, stress free wedding day look no further, you've found it! Thank you Connie and Carmen!!!!

We loved our wedding. The venue is very beautiful and has a comfortable feeling. The photos turned out so lovely because of the well maintained grounds and beautiful foliage everywhere in the venue. The decorations that Connie and Carmen added for our special day gave the venue a really personal touch that matched the mood that we wanted. We had a few ideas for the consult and taste trial meeting and they were all executed beautifully on the wedding day. The rehearsal was also a very effective use of time, Connie and Carmen were very helpful on that stressful day. Everyone loved the dinner, and the appetizers, all of the guests said it was the best wedding dinner they had ever had. I was also thrilled to have a plate made up for me when we entered the carriage room, I don't think I would have been able to eat otherwise. My husband and I would highly recommend venue and would book our wedding here again in the future. Another nice feature was the ability to stay the night in their b&b.

The only bad experience I had was with the end of the night, my husband and I had paid for extra time with the understanding that we would be leaving the venue at 9pm. However, they started moving our guests out and starting the walkout at 8pm! With the wedding starting at 4 and guests leaving at 8 it was just heartbreakingly too short. The venue was not willing to work with us on this at all. When I realized all the guests were being moved out I spoke with the day of coordinator about why the event was ending early, when we paid for extra time and would have paid for more extra time if necessary, she said it would be 9 pm by time we were out. Keep in mind that 9 had already been the agreed upon exit time so that we would be completely out by 10. So, if I had to do it again, I would book with Grand Willow Inn, but I'd either start the wedding earlier so I'd have more time with my guests, or I'd have brought my contract with me so that I could show them the times we agreed on.

We had an amazing experience with this venue and our guests indicated the same on our big day. We did the full meal deal and used all the services available including the bed and breakfast upstairs the night before and after the ceremony for ease and comfort even though we lived locally. We used their recommendations for other vendors needed and were very pleased with all. Our only disappointment was the weather and we had to move our plan to inside and it ended up spitting the guests at dinner which didn't work as well as we had hoped having a divided party and some guests noticed some awkwardness. But----- Overall I can't think of anywhere else I would recommend, we loved the owner, manager and staff and they gave us an incredible experience that day and year in prep. Originally I thought a little pricey but so worth it in the end ! I would highly recommend to anyone for "one stop shopping" and very personal touch.

We were working within a 7 month time frame (January engagement and early August wedding). Having both the wedding/reception venue and the reception food nailed down early was a great bonus. Their cake, photography and DJ recommendations also worked out great. The flexibility of being both indoors and/or outdoors as the weather would permit was also a great stress relief. Their decor selection was quite broad and they were very open to anything we wanted to add on our own. Carmen and Connie's experience and oversight gave us great confidence that we were well prepared before the big day. The day went very smoothly and we were able to fully enjoy our family and guests while Carmen and Connie worked in the background. In short, it was a wonderful day.

We loved the grand willow because they made the day of our wedding soooo easy! They set up and tear down all decorations, so no having to worry about that! They provide so much for such a great price! They were always so helpful and quick to respond when I had questions. I recommend this to anyone getting married and looking to make their day as easy and seamless as possible!

I really appreciated the lack of pressure to sign at the beginning. The Grand Willow team is really interested in making sure you're making the right decision for you and is there for any questions.

We had our wedding tasting and decorating appointment over the weekend, it was so fun! Connie & Carmen are so fun to work with!! I loved how supportive & prepared they were prior to my visit & they matched exactly what I was in- visioning. Truly Great wedding coordinators. Very processional & helped us stay right on budget! Thanks so much Connie & Carmen. See you soon for the Rehersal & big day!! #November2016

Connie and her staff provide a one of a kind, stress free, all inclusive venue. There were so many options for ceremony set ups both indoor and out. My husband and I had a few requests for the ceremony that were custom taylored gracefully to our liking by The Grand Willow Inn and staff. Great menu options, and the food was fabulous! I truly had the most beautiful day of my life at this venue, and I am truly gratedul for their experience and encouragement that made our wedding such a memorable experience. I highly recommend The Hrand Willow Inn.

Connie offers a lot of great things for the price. They're willing to accommodate to different dietary guests and work well with your budget and what you can afford. She decorated the whole place for us and it was absolutely beautiful. The only downside is Connie wasn't very present on the actual day because of an injury so there was a lot of chaos and things that didn't go as planned or that I wished would have happened. I also had about 6 vegetarians and three of them didn't get their food that I paid for so after some scrambling around my step dad eventually found someone in the kitchen to help them out, but that's something I didn't want my family to have to take care of.
I will however stay at the bed and breakfast on our first anniversary because the venue and property are so beautiful and special to us.

Oh my, the Grand Willow Inn was absolutely the best decision we made for our daughter's wedding. It was a very good value for all they do for the bride and groom. We cannot recommend them enough. You will not be disappointed. The food was exceptionally great, also a huge value! They are very delightful to work with and knowledgeable about what it takes to have a smooth running, successful event.
Thank you Connie and Carman,
Sharon Littell, mother of the bride.,

This review is long overdue. But better late than never, I suppose. With much time to reflect, I'm just as happy, if not happier, with the Grand Willow. In all honesty, I cannot think of one negative thing to say about Connie, the venue, or our wedding day. It was a magical day & I cannot sing Connie's praises enough. I am still blown away by all that she does. And she pulled it all off in a way that left me surprisingly very low stress. Connie is amazing at what she does. When it came to my ideas for decor, it's like she could read my mind. I am a very detail-oriented person & she went above & beyond! The food was so good too & we got lots of compliments on it! The whole experience from start to finish was more than I could have hoped for! I also *highly* recommend the house mc...he was fantastic! Everything was perfect & I cannot thank Connie & her team enough!

Christine and Carmen were so sweet and attentive.....had all the answers and wonderful suggestions for our wedding event.
The DJ was terrific and had a great sense of humor!
The venue itself was beautifully decorated and so many of our guests were moved by it's beauty inside and outside.
Thank you again for a beautiful memory to cherish!

Connie and staff were great. Everything was perfect for our special day. The food was real good and everyone loved martin the dj. It really was just so beautiful! Our guest had a great time even all our antiwedding friends enjoyed themselves and said it was the best wedding they have ever been to. Thank you so much connie!

It was the best place I and my wife choose for our wedding,
our guests and family were delighted ?
with the place.
It is also a good place for all kinds of events.
very friendly and attentive manager.

Our wedding was this last August at the Grand Willow. I can't say enough of how amazing it was. There was no stress or hassle for any of our family or friends. Everything was taken care of! Connie is so thoughtful and has a huge imagination. She puts so much love into everything she does. I can't brag enough about that venue and how everyone should expierence it. Thank you!!!

Absolutely an amazing place! Connie and her staff are so fabulous; she was so responsive during our planning, answering every little question I had quickly and thoroughly. Our wedding day was perfect. I wouldn't have changed a thing. The decorations were breathtaking and fit our theme beautifully. The property is so amazing as well with all the beautiful plants and flowers. The food was so fabulous; our guests were raving about it. Every little detail was totally taken care of for us, my groom and I didn't worry about a single thing (besides showing up and getting married) the entire day. Connie even made sure we had some leftovers to take with us when we departed for the night. The Grand Willow is just a great place! The price for everything that we got that night was very affordable. The DJ/MC (Martin Iverson) was awesome; he kept the events moving along at a perfect speed and was so entertaining! I can't recommend this place enough to make for the perfect wedding day.