My long-awaited dream of photographing a Saltwater Farm Wedding on San Juan Island finally came true. I had the privilege of working with Molly and Cam, who are both avid backcountry skiers. The wedding was filled with an abundance of doctors and backcountry skiers, but I lost count of their numbers.
Molly and Cam had their first look and wedding photos taken at the Cattle Point Lighthouse in Lime Kiln Park. Afterwards, we returned to Saltwater Farm for their traditional wedding ceremony, which incorporated Molly's Jewish heritage. Let me assure you, Cam was elated to stomp on the glass (you'll witness his excitement in the photos below).
This wedding radiated incredible style and an even more incredible energy. I feel immensely grateful to have been a part of it. Below, you'll find some tips for getting married on San Juan Island. Alternatively, feel free to dive right into the photos!
Having your wedding at Saltwater Farm on San Juan Island
If you're thinking about having your wedding on San Juan Island, you will want to take a few things into consideration.
The Ferry
First of all, let's talk about how the Ferry is a wild card. The ferry that goes to the San Juan Islands departs from Anacortes and requires a reservation. You can make ferry reservations here.
You will want to make sure you arrive at the ferry line least 45 minutes to an hour before your reservation, or there is a pretty good chance they may stick you in the standby line. Even still, the stinking thing is often delayed, sometimes by an hour or longer. So it's pretty important that your guests and wedding vendors especially arrive to the island the day before.
Flying
If you're not keen on taking the ferry, I highly recommend flying into Friday Harbor by seaplane with Kenmore Air. Departure points include Kenmore or Lake Union, where I often catch my flights. The journey offers breathtaking views, and if you're lucky, you might spot magnificent Orca pods since the plane flies at a low altitude over the sound. In fact, you might even get the chance to sit in the cockpit with the pilot!
The only downside is that you won't have a vehicle, but renting a car on Turo is a convenient option. Surprisingly, the San Juan Islands offer a wide variety of cars to choose from on the app.
Where to stay
Saltwater Farm is located just outside of Friday Harbor proper, so staying anywhere in town is usually a fantastic spot. Guests and vendors can find plenty of accommodations on AirBNB, VRBO or by searching for hotels in general. However, San Juan Island is quite a vacation destination. Book early! And I mean early early.
What else to do on San Juan Island during your wedding weekend
- Have dinner at Downriggers
- Visit Lime Kiln Point State Park, check out the lighthouse, and see if you can find a red fox!
- Get spooked at the "haunted" McMillin Memorial Mausoleum at Roche Harbor, which has a fascinating backstory you can hear all about on the podcast Lore's 4th episode: Dinner at the Afterglow.
And now for some photos from Molly and Cam's wedding at Saltwater Farms so you can get an idea of the space at Saltwater Farm!
