<p>Ivar’s also has a Sunday brunch, although you’ll want reservations for a big group. They have a Bloody Mary bar (with bacon!) and both salmon and crab in every incarnation you can imagine, made-to-order omelets and crepes, and both salmon and clam chowder. Also not cheap. But very, very good. Feeling hungry…</p>
<p>Yes, Feeling hungry and also feeling like I want to visit Seattle again! I have sons so anticipate hosting rehearsal dinners someday. Doubt my kids will marry someone local to us (older son’s girlfriend is not) so also figure will have to do planning in another city. It’s great that there are local Seattle folks here to offer some guidance.</p>
<p>BunsenBurner,
I wasn’t thinking about going into the suburbs just because I thought that by picking something as “local” as possible, that would make it easiest for guests. My DH and I are acutely aware of how expensive this trip is going to be for our East Coast relatives and friends, who will comprise 98% of the people we invite. Since we don’t really know the geography well enough, I was thinking of keeping things as close together as we possibly could. We don’t know if people will rent cars at this point, or how they will get around. At some point, we will try to figure out what makes the most sense, but Ivar’s Salmon House sounds like a good possibility! Thanks again!</p>
<p>Is the location of the wedding and reception set yet? That might help narrow things down if you want to keep things close by and minimize out of town guests having to figure out navigating the city.</p>
<p>You are concerned about the travel costs of east coast friends and relatives. Some may opt to not attend because of cost and travel involved so perhaps your numbers will be lower than expected.</p>
<p>sevmom, the bride-to-be has a definite place in mind where she would like the reception-the Rainier Chapter House building (DAR). I think this will be figured out within the next month. I do think that some of our invited guests will choose not to come because of the expense involved, but I think that many will. This is just something we all do for each other if humanly possible. :)</p>