Those looking to take their relationship to the next level this Valentine’s Day need to travel north on First Avenue to Myers Way in North Highline.
On the left hand side of the road, against the hill, sits a purple wedding chapel -- AA Vagabond’s Enchanted Chapel -- perfect for that next step.
For over 40 years, people have been taking that next step at the Enchanted Chapel, tying the knot in a not-so-old-fashioned way.
Rev. Kris Michael has performed thousands of weddings. Together with his grandmother, Rev. Zady Evans, they have performed 10,000 weddings.
Michael is a fourth-generation ordained minister, his great-grandmother being the first generation.
“My mom was a minister, my grandmother, and great-grandmother. It just seemed like the natural thing to do, growing up around it,” said Michael.
Evans started the chapel in a time when it was hard for two people of different religions to get married.
“There was no one to marry them,” said Michael. “Thought it would be a great business because of all the prejudices.”
And the business has stayed strong over the years.
What makes the chapel unique is its array of decorations and the romantic theme throughout.
It’s not the cliched romantic look of red roses and candlelight, it’s a combination of all things romantic in one place.
White twinkle lights, red heart-shaped lights, plastic pink chairs, murals of greenery painted on the walls, a trellis lined with fake flowers, a solarium filled with real plants, chimes that ring lightly in the background with the relaxing fountains, are all a part of the chapel and what makes it one-of-a-kind.
“Ours is really unique, romantic, and fun,” said Michael. “No wedding chapel is as cool as ours.”
While most of the marriages at the chapel are during the day, it’s at night when the chapel really shines.
“Night weddings here are the best,” Michael said.
It’s quiet, except for water trickling in the fountains and soft chimes, while the twinkle lights give off a romantic glow.
However this time of year, weddings are few and far between.
January, December, and November are the slowest times of the years, Michael said. And if it wasn’t for Valentine's Day, February would be slow, too.
In the summer, the chapel or the ministers average about two weddings a day.
Michael and Evans also perform weddings outside of the chapel.
Evans has done some very non-traditional weddings, one on a roller-coaster and in a hot-air balloon.
The prices for the weddings can be as low as $50 and go up depending the amount of people, the type of wedding, and the amount of time.
“A lot of people’s families come back and a lot is word of mouth,” said Michael.
People come in whose parents have been married in the chapel, and some come back to renew their vows who have been married over 10 years.
“That’s a good feeling,” Michael said. “There’s so many people that keep coming back.
“Every now and then, it’s the same people that get married,” said Michael with a laugh.
The phone number for the chapel located at 10423 Myers Way South is 206-244-6200.