One of the best things you can do for your wedding is to host it at a venue that can do it all like Commellini Estate. It will save you an incredible amount of time, stress, and yes – even money! Rain on your wedding day? No problem, they have multiple stunning indoor spaces! Want a caterer who makes out of this world food that your guests will talk about for years to come? The Commellini tradition dates back to rustic Italy and so do their family recipes! Not to mention the convenience of putting your beautiful wedding in the hands of experienced professionals. Learn more about Commellini Estate and their expansive event services below!
{photo courtesy Jenice Baker Photography}
What type of wedding does your venue work best for?
At Commellini Estate, we understand that every love story is unique, and therefore every wedding is an individual expression of that. Our hope is that with both indoor and outdoor venues that each have their own unique style, the capacity to accommodate large groups or a more intimate event, and the ability to exude elegance or rustic Italian charm, our venue can be the perfect fit for any type of wedding you can dream up.
What makes your venue unique?
From a legendary past speckled with local history and Italian culture, to the passion for excellence that comes with a multi-generation, family-owned business, there are many reasons why someone might consider Commellini Estate a unique venue. However, when it comes to weddings specifically, there are many reasons we are unique, not the least of which are the incredibly versatile options the expansive estate has to offer. We have gorgeous natural settings in the forest and prairie, manicured lawns and perfectly simple foliage, multiple water and lighting features throughout the property, industrial and rustic buildings for photo backdrops, and indoor locations that are both timeless and elegant.
What is the capacity of your venue?
At Commellini Estate we have six different onsite venue locations for both ceremonies and receptions, and at each location the capacity changes based on how you use it. Our largest space is located by our pond and seats up to 300 guests for a ceremony or reception.
{photo courtesy Stolen Images Photography}
Do you offer catering and if so can you tell us a bit about it?
We offer full-service onsite catering as well as customizable offsite catering packages for your wedding and rehearsal dinner needs! Our chef and team of event coordinators are here to assist in creating the best culinary experience for you and your guests. As a fourth-generation restaurant and venue, we specialize in homemade traditional rustic Italian cuisine. Menu items include the famous Chicken Cacciatore and various pasta sauces brought over from Italy, by Leda Commellini in 1918. Above all, we believe the key to Italian cuisine is using fresh, local ingredients, supporting local farmers and our community while making items in our kitchen from scratch.
We understand you offer a number of ceremony and reception spaces on the property. Can you give us an overview?
Yes! We have 4 gorgeous outdoor locations on the property, the first and most popular being Pondside. This location can accommodate up to 300 guests for a ceremony, reception, or both, and is perfect for June-September weddings. It is lit by a canopy of 1,000 bistro lights, covered with vibrant green turf, and has a 10+ ft water feature with a stunning, forested hillside backdrop.
Our second water-side location is the Creekside, which is nestled in Dartford Valley alongside Dartford Creek and can accommodate up to 185 guests for a ceremony. This location has a staircase entrance from our patio and a built-in white pergola for the ceremony. Set along Dartford creek with a canopy of trees providing ample amounts of shade, the Creekside location is secluded and perfect for a secluded ceremony.
The outdoor patio is a wonderful location for cocktail hours, rehearsal dinners, or an evening summer event. It is set with glass top patio furniture, umbrellas, and is equipped with a sound system (including a wireless microphone). As the sun sets in the evening, our twinkle lights surrounding the space and weaving their way into the overhanging willow tree, create an unforgettable ambiance.
Bridging the gap between the indoor and outdoor, The Portico location sits at the front of the Main Venue and is partially covered providing the ideal mix of the beautiful outdoor oasis, while keeping you and your guests protected from the elements or the beautiful summer sunshine. Often serving as the perfect dancefloor for your guests to celebrate the event, this space also includes our fabulous sound system and wireless microphone. The Portico can accommodate up to 120 guests for a ceremony and a total of 225 for a reception.
Our two indoor locations are the La Capanna and Main Venue. The La Capanna is a stunning and versatile location with the ability to host more intimate ceremonies for 60 guests, receptions for 30 guests, or it can even be used as a grooms’ room where the bridal party can relax and prepare for the big day. It boasts exposed beams on the ceiling, crystal chandeliers, and 90 degrees of windows with views of the pond, creek, and bridge to provide an idyllic combination of industrial elegance. This location is perfect for any time of the year but absolutely stuns in the winter months.
The Historical Main Venue is our largest indoor space and has been the focal point of the Estate since its original inception, playing host to countless events over the venue’s storied past. The Main Venue seats up to 120 guests for any type of event. Details that are seemingly indescribable include; the Italian crystal chandeliers that were brought over in Leda Commellini’s suitcase in 1918, and hand-assembled (piece by piece) here in Spokane, custom Terrazzo flooring, Corinthian columns that line the building with hand-painted gold leaf detailing, and original knotty pine interior walls. This location also includes a state-of-the-art sound system and a full-service bar. The patio sits off the north side of the Main Venue with a door from the bar to the patio, and the Portico sits right of the main entrance doors.
Each of our spaces has its own unique story to how they became what they are today, and each space provides a different ability to accommodate your event needs!
{photo courtesy Through Stories Photography}
Can you tell us a bit about the history of Commellini Estate?
Built in 1940 by brother and sister, Albert and Leda Commellini, the Estate is a fourth-generation family-owned property. At the time of its’ original construction, the Estate was intended to be a private home. However, nestled deep in the woods of the Dartford Valley, Leda felt isolated from the friends and city she loved. To combat this, she began to throw private parties, entertaining friends and family with not only her warm personality but her one-of-a-kind culinary creations based on real, old-world Italian recipes including her now famous, chicken cacciatore. It wasn’t long before people realized there was something special happening in north Spokane, and as her notoriety grew, the once private home, quickly became Commellini’s Restaurant in 1941. For decades, Commellini’s was known to serve the finest Italian food in the region and hosted many notable personalities including Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, presidents, the world’s fair delegations, and even Frankie Capone. Despite the growing fame, Leda never wavered from her tradition and treated all customers the same. Commellini’s long stood as a welcoming beacon of family, friends, and delicious food, and we aim to carry on that tradition today. Her passion for excellence and quality extended so far as to open her own chicken ranch on the property to ensure she had only the finest ingredients for her loyal customers. To this day, you can still see vestiges of that historic and magical past throughout the Estate. Rumors abound as former patrons talk of the moonshine days and mysterious underground tunnels said to criss-cross the grounds. While we can’t give away all of the venue’s secrets, we like to think that with every event, we are adding to the incredible history started so long ago by Albert and Leda.
What other wedding-related events can be hosted at Commellini?
We can host all wedding-related events including engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, and even post-wedding baby showers! Another alternative is we can host private cooking classes, which have been a fun way to start a bachelorette party or meet the parents dinner.
{photo courtesy Sagebrush Photography}
What is the price range of your venue?
Every wedding package price is different because they are custom built to meet your needs with the help of your personal event coordinator. Factors that play a big part in determining the price are the location at the Estate, day of the week, guest count, menu choice, and bar service. The typical range for a wedding at the Estate including food and bar service is $6,000-$12,000. Please note we do offer discounted pricing for non-Saturday dates.
What is included in your packages?
With our packages, we strive to be as all-inclusive as possible! We know how difficult and stressful putting together a wedding can be and it is our goal to alleviate that however possible. Included in our packages are the following:
- Event Coordinator & Day-of Coordinator: Planning Made Simple
- Complete access to our Décor catalog to create centerpieces, alter, and aisle décor. This includes 30 + varieties of centerpieces and decor
- Tables, chairs, linen (white), glassware, flatware, and plate ware for up to 120 guests
- Additional tables for the guest book, gifts, cake, and vendors.
- White Trellis Gazebo & Iron Archway
- Setup & Cleanup
- Bridal Room: Luxurious Comfort
- Access to the Commellini All-in-One Wedding Planning Program, with a list of Preferred Vendors & Discounts
- Music: No Noise Restrictions
- Inclement Weather Option
- No Cut Off Time!
- 1 Hour for Ceremony Rehearsal
- Ample Onsite Parking
- Sound System
- Exclusive use of Commellini Estate- At the Estate we only hold one event at a time, so during your event, you enjoy the Estate exclusively! This means the 200-acre Estate is entirely yours for photo opportunities on the prairie and forest.
- Onsite Catering
- Fully Stocked Bar including beer, wine, and liquor. Clients can choose to host nothing, fully host, or anywhere in between
For more information, visit Commellini Estate!
