Kingston House Wedding // Kingston, WA — Arizona Elopement Photographer

Jazmin and Josh’s wedding at the Kingston House on May 18, 2021 was absolutely a stunning one and just so full of love! It was a typical day in Washington, overcast with some light rain as we started off the day around noon. I met Jazmin, Josh, and their bridal party at the Manresa Castle Hotel in Port Townsend. If you haven’t been to this historic hotel, it’s a beautiful sight! The castle was is a century old! Built in 1892 as a home for Charles and Kate Eisenbeis. The castle was the largest private residence ever built in Port Townsend, consisting of 30 rooms, and became known as the “Eisenbeis Castle.” After living in their home for 10 years, Charles passed away in 1902 and Kate remarried shortly after, leaving the home empty for 20 years. It was later bought by a Seattle attorney who offered it as a vacation place for nuns teaching in Seattle schools. This plan for the castle did not turn out well and only 5 short years later, in 1927, the Jesuit priests purchased the building for use as a training college and renamed the castle to “Manresa Hall.” The Jesuits left in 1968 and Manresa Hall was converted into a hotel and renamed to “Manresa Castle Hotel,” combining both previous names of the residence. The hotel has since had three owners and has gone through many renovations while still preserving and maintaining its Victorian elegance. It’s a very unique building and made for an absolutely lovely backdrop for Jazmin and Josh’s first look and their bridal party photos!

Jazmin and Josh had their first look in the courtyard of the hotel with clear umbrellas to keep them dry as it drizzled around us, creating a very moody and intimate first look for these guys! After their first look, we hopped in front of the hotel and grabbed our bridal party portraits and some bride and groom portraits as the sun started to come out!

We all hopped in our cars and headed down to the wedding venue, the Kingston House. The Kingston House was designed by architect Anker I. Molver for Louise and Merlin Knapp then built in 1960 from timbers milled onsite. Their home was dubbed “Sycamore Hill.” 43 years later in 2003, the property was purchased by Kinam Sohn. The family bought adjacent properties, creating the “Kingston House.” Kingston House is situated on 27 acres on the Kitsap peninsula with rolling hills and a beautiful working lavender farm that can be viewed in bloom from mid-July through early September.

Jazmin and Josh held their ceremony in a grassy area shaded by a large tree. It was a short walk down a wooded trail to their ceremony site. The walk there had you submerged in Washington’s beautiful outdoors, setting the mood for their outdoor fairytale ceremony.

During their reception they had corn hole, Jenga, and other fun games for guests to play as they drank and mingled. Essence of Thymes put together an absolutely delicious meal for everyone that we all very much so enjoyed! Toasts were made by family and friends, all sharing such kind words and funny stories about Jazmin and Josh. They are so loved by all of their family and friends and it absolutely shined through on their special day!