Guemes Island Resort
Your perfect Northwest wedding venue. We have it all! A casual beachfront resort, where the forest meets the sea. Complete with mountain and island views. Onsite accommodations, wood-fired sauna and a saltwater hot tub.
Q & A with Guemes Island Resort
Tell us a little about Guemes Island Resort’s story.
Guemes Island Resort began with Charlie Townsend from Missouri, born in 1908, son of a hog farmer. He moved to Washington State when he was merely a teen and worked in the lumber mills. In 1947, Charlie purchased the property where Guemes Island Resort sits today, and opened up “Charlie’s Guemes Island Fishing Resort”. At that time, he had but one singular cabin for rent, the rustic type without electricity. (Electricity was introduced to the property in the late 50s!) Charlie grew the resort from one cabin to six, operated a fishing store and provided memorable summer vacations for loyal guests year after year. Today, Guemes Island Resort is still hosting families whose history dates back to the Charlie Townsend era. Stepping onto the property is like stepping back in time. New owners, Mark and Kelly Linnemann, have thoughtfully updated the property preserving the “old-time” charm, yet affording their guests all the comforts and conveniences of a modern age.
What is unique about your wedding venue?
Guemes Island Resort has something for everyone. The young and young at heart will delight in the bounty of offerings that this fishing resort from the 1940s has to offer; from “glamping" in our yurts to relaxing in the original beachfront cabins, soaking in the warmth of the modern deluxe cabins with hot tubs to gathering with friends and family in our large houses, everyone will find a place to call home. Our location sets us apart from other San Juan Island destinations. Conveniently located off of Anacortes, Washington, we are only a five-minute ferry ride away. And with less island development than the other San Juan Islands, Guemes Island Resort not only feels like a private location, but practically a private island!
What amenities do you have to offer?
Guests have exclusive use of our paddle boards, kayaks, rowboats, lawn games, wood-fired hot tub and wood-burning sauna. Of course, a favorite activity is always fishing and crabbing!
Tell us about the scenery at Guemes Island Resort.
Guemes Island Resort is the perfect setting for your wedding celebration. Nestled between the forest and the sea, the resort sits on 10 acres of stunning waterfront property. The resort offers breathtaking views of the Salish Sea, Mt. Baker and the surrounding San Juan Islands. Words like “magical,” “charming” and “secluded” are often used to describe our venue. Wildlife abounds! Eagle, otter, seal, owl and deer sightings are common, but never ordinary. If you're lucky, you might even see an orca or a gray whale swim by!
What is your favorite wedding memory at Guemes Island Resort?
We have had so many beautiful and memorable weddings here at Guemes Island Resort, it’s hard to choose just one! Each and every wedding is unique unto itself. However, there was an event that left a lasting impression to all who were witness to it. True to the Northwest, the weather is unpredictable. Weddings here take place rain or shine. Some ceremonies are showered with sunshine, accompanied by an array of color to make the perfect backdrop. Other times, inclement weather forces rainy day contingency plans. It was a day such as this, where the rain was relentless, yet the wedding party’s spirits were not dampened. As the rain began to fall, guests rushed into the tent where hot toddies, a seafood buffet and wood-fired pizzas were waiting. Laughter, conversation and music in the background could be heard. Then, just when you thought things couldn't get much better, the rain abated, the sky opened up and a double rainbow appeared over the Salish Sea ... a special gift, a good omen, call it what you may, but these are the unforgettable moments that await you at Guemes Island Resort.