Weddings

A Beautiful Setting for Your Wedding

Thank you for your interest in the rental of the Wagner House at Lakewold Gardens.
Lakewold is the property of The Friends of Lakewold, a non-profit corporation. The Friends of Lakewold is responsible for preserving Lakewold and the Wagner House in perpetuity. Lakewold Gardens is located approximately ten miles south of Tacoma in Pierce County, Washington on the west shore of Gravelly Lake. It is the former private residence of the late Eulalie and Corydon Wagner and is available to the public for rent. The Wagner House is a beautiful Georgian style house which is situated amidst the ten-acre gardens. Lakewold Gardens is registered as a historic site, with the State of Washington and City of Lakewood  and is recognized as one of the outstanding gardens in America.

When planning your wedding/reception consider what Lakewold Gardens has to offer:

• The lower Wagner House along with separate bride and groom changing rooms.
• Close Proximity to I-5 freeway; easy access for guests/attendees (map)
• Incredible setting lends itself to beautiful event photographs.
• Quality lodging facilities nearby for overnight stays.
• Five exclusive caterers are available for your event.

We have a unique relationship with our exclusive caterers who will meet many of your planning needs in an elegant and professional manner. Please view our calendar to determine if your wedding day is available. You may contact caterer directly to arrange the booking of Lakewold Gardens and for all of your planning/catering needs. Rental of Lakewold Gardens varies by day and time but generally costs: $1800-$2500.

For facility questions, please contact Amanda Wood at 253.584.4106 ext. 108.

Rules and Regulations

Hours Available for Rental
Lakewold Gardens is open for public tours year-round. Your event must be scheduled on days or hours when the gardens are closed to the general public. From April-September your event must be scheduled from 4:30-10:30 p.m. The bridal party may access the gardens at 4:00 p.m. For fall and winter rentals, please contact Amanda Wood at 253.584.4106 ext. 108 for your options. Lakewold Gardens is located in a residential area. To maintain the environment of our neighborly community, your event must end at the time indicated in your rental contract and prior to 10:30 p.m.

Early arrivals will result in an additional charge of $75 per quarter hour.

Parking
Onsite parking is limited at Lakewold Gardens. For small events, up to 50 people, your guests may self-park in front of the Wagner House and in the tour parking lot.

For larger events you are required to contract parking services through Valet Parking Systems  at 253-927-6986.
                51-80 Guests - Directional Parking is required
                81+ Guests - Valet Parking is required

Alcoholic Beverages
The dispensing and consumption of alcoholic beverages at Lakewold Gardens is subject to the rules established by the Pierce County Office of the Washington State Liquor Control Board and Lakewold Gardens. You will be required to indicate your intentions for alcohol dispensing and consumption during your event. In addition, please stop by your local liquor store to obtain a banquet permit for your event. You will need to provide a copy of this permit to your caterer prior to your event. Transport any alcohol (in and out) through the kitchen door at the South end of the Wagner Mansion. Beer kegs and champagne fountains are not permitted. Bar service is to be attended by a member of the catering staff and open bottles or carafes may not be left unattended. Bar service must end thirty minutes prior to the event end time specified in your rental contract.
 
PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONSUME ALCOHOL AT LAKEWOLD GARDENS. If persons under the age of 21 are observed consuming alcohol, the Pierce County Sheriff will be summoned to handle the situation according to state law and your event will immediately end.

Music
Lakewold Gardens is located in a quiet residential neighborhood. You and your music provider will be required to complete, sign and submit a Music Service Agreement to your caterer. One form will be required for each music service provider you intend to contract with. City of Lakewood codes have established the following limitation for music at the estate: Amplified music is allowed only inside the Wagner House and may not exceed 60 dBA in volume as measured ten feet from the sound source. Speakers may not be positioned at a door and directed outward. All music service must end thirty minutes prior to the event end time specified in your rental contract.

Cleaning
It will be your responsibility to return the Wagner House and Lakewold Gardens to the condition in which it was found. For example, this may include light cleaning and garbage removal (cigarette butts, cups and bottles). Nothing may be tossed or strewn, e.g., birdseed, rice, flower petals, etc. Please be sure to check in with your caterer prior to event departure.

Decorations
Lakewold Gardens  is registered as a historic site. For this reason, no one is permitted to alter or customize any part of the property for his or her event. No material may be attached, affixed, tacked, stapled or taped on the walls, doors, or any part of the interior or exterior of the Wagner House, including but not limited to the Gazebo or other structures, pool, plants, etc. The artwork may not be removed from the walls. The piano may be moved by your caterer, however,  nothing may be placed on it.

No Smoking
The Wagner House is designated as a No Smoking Area. Guests may smoke in the outside patio areas. Please place cigarette butts in appropriate disposal containers. When you arrive at Lakewold Gardens, you will notice the gardens and the house are free of cigarette butts.

Children
Children are welcome at Lakewold Gardens; however, it is your responsibility to see that they are supervised at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Event Deposits/Cancellations
Weddings at Lakewold Gardens are booked through our exclusive caterers. Please contact the caterer designated for your wedding date for details regarding their deposit/cancellation procedures.

Guest Count
How many people can Lakewold Gardens accommodate? During our summer months, we can easily hold a wedding and reception for up to 350 guests. This would involve full use of the grounds. The Wagner House is a perfect setting for a full indoor wedding which would accommodate approximately 80 guests; Up to 150 guests can be accommodated with tenting around the beautiful patio areas.

Catering
Can we use a caterer that is not on the “exclusive caterer” list? We have found that events run smoothly with caterers who consistently work here. With that in mind, we have pre-contracted many of our wedding dates with caterers who have met our standards and expectations. Please contact the caterer designated for your wedding date.

Inclement Weather
What if it rains? Unfortunately, this is an area over which we have no control. Your caterer can help you make a contingency plan in advance.

Tables and Chairs
Are they available for my use?  Please arrange the rental of round tables and chairs with your caterer. Please note: the caterer is responsible for table and chair set-up under all circumstances.

Restrooms
Are there ample restrooms on site? Lakewold Gardens has a total of six restrooms available for use during your event. Two are located on the second story of the Wagner House, one on the main floor of the Wagner House and three in the gazebo area. The restrooms located on the second story of the Wagner House are a part of the wedding party changing rooms.

Staffing
How is my wedding staffed? An event manager provided by your caterer will be on-site during your event to coordinate vendor arrivals, assist with set-up, monitor event and assure that rules are being followed.

Event End-Time
How do I make sure my event does not go beyond 10:30pm? Speak to your music provider and caterer in advance and ensure that they understand that music and bar service must, without exception, end thirty minutes before the end-time specified in the rental contract you sign.

Dress Rehearsal
When can the dress rehearsal of my wedding ceremony take place? When you book your wedding, you will be given your dress rehearsal time slot. You will have one hour to complete your rehearsal. Please keep in mind that Lakewold Gardens events and touring visitors take precedence over dress rehearsals.

Accommodations
Are there pleasant and comfortable accommodations nearby for our out of town guests? Yes. The City of Lakewood offers The Best Western Lakewood Motor Inn 253.584.2212.

12317 Gravelly Lake Drive S.W.  Lakewood WA 98499 ● Mailing Address: P.O. Box 39780 Lakewood WA 98496-3780
                                                                                                                                                                                     

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