I say this about almost every wedding, but it was really a blessing to be there, to witness, to record. Everything about this wedding day celebrating Abby and Lauren from long-time best friends into marriage to their unique and vibrant aesthetic to the vendor team made this day pure romantic magic.
If you haven’t gotten to view The Ruins wedding venue in Seattle, you’re missing out! What used to be an old, exclusive club in Seattle is now turned into an enchanting event escape for a few hours. From the outside it looks like any other semi-abandoned old building with broken windows that have trees growing out of them.
Once you’ve stepped inside, there’s a long narrow courtyard that extends the entire length of the building and offers refreshing space during cocktail hour and reception. Once you stepped through the doors, this exquisite and unique wedding venue offers surprising twists and turns, a ballroom with chandeliers and painted walls. Needless to say, it’s a don’t miss wedding venue if you’re on the hunt in Seattle for something different!
The Love Story
Abby and Lauren met in high school and fell in love. It’s as simple and as complicated as it sounds. While they kept their relationship a secret for a long time, the two’s friendship and love for one another didn’t waver through high school, college, and coming out to their friends and family. All of the people closest to them remarked on the wedding day about how the two became enamored with each other and that obsession with each other hasn’t changed throughout the years. They like to be close, they love to be in each other’s presence and find each other’s gaze across crowded rooms.
On the morning of the wedding, they exchanged sweet notes to one another and the one that Lauren gave Abby had a drawing she’d given her in high school. To see Abby tear up that Lauren had kept it and re-gifted it after all that time brought them back to their start and how meaningful their long journey has been to get to where they are.
Bold and Vibrant Wedding Aesthetic
In their wedding questionnaire, they listed that their goal for the wedding style was wild, bold, colorful, unique and a night to remember. Several vendors made this a reality! Ohana Events planned and designed the wedding to perfection.
Iris and Fig was the florist extraordinaire that took Abby and Lauren’s vision and turned it into a yellow, orange, red, with greenery wonderland that not only executed the vibe but highlighted the space. It can be hard in a unique venue like The Ruins to make florals stand out, but they did it!
Wedding Entertainment
Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention everything that made the night so much fun! Integral DJs does such a good job at taking a wedding couple’s playlist and making it a true party. At The Ruins, one of the best recent add-ons is to partner with Maison de V Entertainment. They provide a person wearing a gown of champagne glasses and aerialists that will entertain your guests throughout the evening. It truly adds a “wow” factor to the evening.
Wouldn’t mind re-living this wedding day. As one of the first weddings I’ve gotten to shoot since returning from maternity leave (ha!) it sparked my creative mind and gave me fuel to keep going through this season. Can’t wait to show off these images of my two sweet brides, their amazing florals, and a evening to remember.
If you’re looking for any of the other vendors, here’s a full list:
Venue and Catering: The Ruins by Landmark
Planner: Ohana Events
Florist: Iris & Fig
Cake: One Third Cake
Hair and Makeup: Pacific Brides
Music: Integral DJs
Officiant: Happily Wed Ceremonies
Entertainment: Maison de V Entertainment
