Point Defiance Pagoda
Tacoma, WA
| Venue type | Other Venue |
| Location | Tacoma, WA |
| Published price | $1,320 to $1,540 |
| Capacity | Up to 130 guests |
| Setting | Indoor |
| Event type | Ceremony and reception possible |
What the venue publishes
Metro Parks Tacoma venue page (2026 rates): "$330/hour Monday-Thursday, $385/hour Friday-Sunday. Minimum rental: 4 hours." 4-hour minimum totals $1,320 (weekday) to $1,540 (weekend). Cleaning fee $185, damage deposit $500 (refundable), Pagoda Lawn add-on $450 (June-Sept only).
The source publishes a range of $1,320 to $1,540, so which end applies depends on the options the source lists.
Included per the venue's site
- black folding chairs
- round and rectangular tables
- upper level kitchen (refrigerator, freezer, warmer, sink, microwave)
- two dressing rooms
- Wi-Fi
- wireless microphone
- complimentary parking
1914 Japanese-style pagoda overlooking Point Defiance Park's Japanese Garden. Holds 130 guests with tables and chairs, up to 200 chairs-only. Alcohol service requires a licensed bartender plus $100 service fee and $250 deposit.
Published on parkstacoma.gov, checked August 2026. Fee schedules change, so confirm before booking.
Where this price sits in Seattle
$1,320 is the 24th lowest published starting price of the 25 venues listed in the Seattle metro. The metro median starting price is $313, and 1 of the 25 listings publish a higher starting price than this one.
Among the 9 other venue listings in the metro it ranks 8th lowest, against a median of $468 for that type.
What the capacity costs per guest
The source publishes a capacity of 130 guests. At $1,320, filling the space works out to $10 per guest for the site fee alone, before the license, an officiant, food, or rentals. The median published capacity across the 12 Seattle listings that publish one is 125 guests, so this space is larger than the metro median.
Cheaper published prices in Seattle metro
These listings in Seattle metro publish a starting price below $1,320.
| Venue | Published price | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Gardens BathhouseSeattle, WA · Other Venue | $1,160 to $2,320 | not published |
| Alki Beach BathhouseSeattle, WA · Other Venue | From $520 | not published |
| Mt Baker Boathouse (Discount Room)Seattle, WA · Other Venue | From $468 | not published |
Other other venue listings in Seattle
Same venue type, prices closest to this one.
| Venue | Published price | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Preston Community CenterPreston, WA · Other Venue | From $1,400 | 125 guests |
| Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center - Banquet HallFederal Way, WA · Other Venue | $313 to $1,725 | 245 guests |
| Dakota Place ShelterhouseSeattle, WA · Other Venue | From $249 | not published |
Marriage license in Pierce County, WA
The venue fee above does not include the license. Tacoma sits in Pierce County, WA, and these are the terms that county publishes. Checked September 2026.
| Issuing office | Pierce County Auditor's Office, Marriage Licensing2401 S. 35th St., Room 200, Tacoma, WA 98409 |
| License fee | $172Marriage License $172.00. Certified copies $3.00, non-certified photocopies $1.00, duplicate marriage license packet $6.00. The application fee is non-refundable. |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| License valid for | 60 days |
| Who must appear | Both parties, in person |
| ID required | picture ID with name and date of birth such as a driver's license, state ID card, military ID or passport |
| Appointment | Not required |
| Apply online | Application available online |
| Same-day issue | Issued the same visit |
| Ceremony at the office | Not offered by this office |
| Witnesses | 2 required by statute |
Source: piercecountywa.gov, piercecountywa.gov, app.leg.wa.gov
Appointments are recommended and served first; limited standby tickets go to walk-ins based on capacity. Both applicants must be present unless the application is notarized. Payment by cash, money order, check or credit or debit card, in person only. All marriage applications are public record under RCW 26.04.170 and may be published in the local newspaper. Out of state residents may apply as long as the wedding takes place in Washington.
How the metro prices out
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