Feature Friday: Weddings at the Loft, Russell’s Bothell

Few things speak to my heart as much as one four letter word. FOOD. When I’m pregnant, you can basically quadruple that feeling. I’m all about the food. However, a good lesson (for me) in researching your venues ahead of time was this wedding at Russell’s in Bothell. I had no idea I’d be stepping straight into food Heaven when I agreed to second shoot.

Weddings at the Loft

You may think you’ve gone completely the wrong direction when you head to Russell’s. The former dairy barn sits in the middle of a modern office complex. While you might think this would make it feel out of place, once you step into the 1927 barn, you’ll forget there was an office complex outside. (I mean: Office complex? Where?). You’re welcomed by the delicious smells wafting from Chef Russell’s kitchen and the warm feeling of your favorite speak easy.

You head up the stairs to the Loft, where you’re greeted by breathtaking cathedral ceiling and the refinished fir floor. The entire venue is impeccably taken care of, and you wouldn’t know at first glance that this is the ORIGINAL floor of the barn. With 4,000 square feet of space, you can make any dream wedding come true. The loft provides the opportunity to host your entire wedding day including the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception in one space.

At first, you might be a tiny bit worried about finding some privacy in the spacious open loft. Rest easy as there’s a hidden second loft perfect for taking a few moments as newlyweds. Stow away with a few snacks, champagne and sign your marriage license away from the celebrations. Between the delicious food and fabulous bartenders, no one will notice you’re gone.

Chef Russell’s Food

While I love a beautiful venue, I’m pretty sure 99% of the time I think about Russell’s it’s because of the food. The best food starts as a feast for the eyes, and it’s obvious the Chef knew this. The roasted veggies were laid out beautifully on wooden boards, and the smell was delightful. I’m actually incredibly sad I didn’t take more photos of the food. I remember the food as if it was yesterday. Creamy mashed potatoes, juicy chicken and brisket, and those veggies with just a tiny bit of crunch (exactly how I love them). I know I went back to the buffet more than once.

Every time we drive through Bothell, Russell’s comes to mind. One of these days I’ll stop by again and bring Jake with for dinner. Until then, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for another romantic wedding at the loft.