Everything about Ruponthi & Joe’s day was magical starting with it occurring on 2.22.2022✨From their private Rattlesnake Lake elopement ceremony to their small gathering with family & friends at a beautiful studio in Sodo, it was so special to see these two come together with their loved ones to celebrate the occasion. Days like theirs remind me why I am head over heels for intimate weddings and elopements!

Ruponthi & Joe’s Intimate Rattlesnake Lake Elopement

A private lakeside vow exchange

I’m always a big proponent for curating your elopement day to fit you and your love, and what would be most special & meaningful to you. So when Ruponthi & Joe told me they wanted to exchange their vows in private before meeting up with their guests, I knew it was going to be a beautiful day full of so much love, joy, and celebration in the way that felt most genuine to them. 

We found a scenic spot at the snowy edge of Rattlesnake Lake in front of the lush green tree-covered hills, glistening with just a sprinkling of snow, and knew it was the perfect backdrop for the big moment. They shared their vows in front of one of their closest friends who flew in from across the country, nothing but the quiet of the water & a gentle breeze accompanying them. It was an honor to be a fly on the wall for this special moment and to get to document the sweet words exchanged between these two!

The technicolor Selkie gown of my dreams

And before we move onto the evening portion of this intimate day, can we TALK about how amazing Ruponthi looked in this jaw-dropping, technicolor Selkie gown, especially in front of the gorgeous lakeside scenery?! Absolutely stunning. I’m simply obsessed with Selkies lately and the light, exuberance, and empowerment they exude on every woman they adorn. 10/10 recommend if you’re looking for a little bit of a non-traditional gown to make you feel your best on your wedding or elopement day✨

An intimate reception at a quaint Sodo venue space

After Ruponthi & Joe exchanged vows at the lake, we met up with their close family & friends at a beautifully quaint space in Sodo. I absolutely loved how this couple made time for their own, private vow exchange earlier in the day so they could enjoy that special time solely with one another, and then came together with their loved ones for a sweet, intimate celebration. 

From the yellow, pink, & periwinkle-filled floral arrangements to the twinkle lights hanging over the space to the stunning city views, this evening celebration was breathtaking. What was so special about their ceremony was how much the people around them all worked together in bringing the space to life so beautifully. Ruponthi & Joe totally thought outside of the box when it came to decor, trading in the traditional guestbook for skateboards for their guests to sign, and setting out Polaroid cameras for guests to snap photos throughout the night.

Renting a studio is a lovely way to celebrate with your closest family members & friends in a space that you can fully customize to be your own, if you don’t want to rent out an entire venue for a full day. Seattle is chock full of beautifully-curated spaces designed by extraordinarily talented artists that make for the most perfect reception spaces for couples like Ruponthi & Joe! 

They wrapped up the night by popping champagne, enjoying a variety of fresh fruit & a delicious multi-layered cake, and spending quality time with their loved ones who joined them for the occasion. It was such an honor to capture every beautiful, treasured moment of Ruponthi & Joe’s special day!

A Cozy Post-Elopement In-Home Session

I was even lucky enough to work with Ruponthi & Joe again later that year to capture an in-home session before they moved from Seattle all the way to Amsterdam, so I wanted to share some of my favorite photos from that session, as well. Photos of these two in their home, in their space. Just them doin’ them ✨ Some of my favorite types of art to capture!

Sweet words from Ruponthi

I received the kindest email from Ruponthi after delivering the images from her & Joe’s in-home session, and I just had to share! I hope this helps you get a feel for how special in-home photos could be for you and your partner, too.💛

“Allie! Wow!! Thank you so much for these!!! It’s 2am in Amsterdam and I saw this just as we were winding down for the night – what a sweet way to end the night. You’re so so talented, the light, the vision, everything came out better than we’d hoped 🙂

When we randomly had the idea to do a little in home photo shoot before we left, it almost felt silly but looking at these photos now I’m so glad we did. What a great way to remember our time in Seattle and in our favorite home. I honestly haven’t missed Seattle much since we started our travels, but seeing these photos definitely made me feel some pangs ❤️

It’s extra special knowing you were there for our wedding day too, hard to beat the pics from that day but this really comes close. Thank you for capturing these moments for us so beautifully!“

Why I Love Rattlesnake Lake as an Elopement Location

As a Seattle elopement photographer, you already know I’m obsessed with all the natural beauty we’re so fortunate to have access to in the area – and Rattlesnake Lake just so happens to be one of my personal favorites!

Rattlesnake Lake is a stunning spot located in North Bend, just 40 minutes east of Seattle. It’s an incredible elopement location for any couples searching for spectacular scenery without a ton of work, as you don’t need to commit to any sort of hike in order to witness the beauty of the lake! If you’d like a little bit of an adventure, you can explore the easy, 1.3-mile Rattlesnake Lake Trail that takes you around the water, but you can also simply drive up to the lake, park your car, and walk a couple minutes – and bam! You’ve got beautiful views with very minimal effort.

I’d highly recommend considering Rattlesnake Lake as an elopement location if you:

• Enjoy being by the water & love lakeside views
• Are eloping in the summer & want to go for a swim, or have a picnic by the lake
• Don’t want to have to worry about applying for any permits
• Want a location under an hour away from Seattle
• Want to have an evening celebration back in the city
• Want to get beautiful views without any hiking required

Rattlesnake Lake Elopement Photographer

Oh, and when the time comes to book a photographer for your Rattlesnake Lake elopement? If you’re looking for somebody who will make you feel like you belong in the center-stage, in the spotlight on your elopement day (because you do!), who will work as your personal paparazzi, who will document your love in its truest form from the moment I arrive to the moment I leave, then I may be your gal. You can get to know me more here, learn about what I offer here, and if you feel like we may be a match made in heaven, you can reach out here – I can’t wait to chat!

More Seattle Elopement & Intimate Wedding Inspiration

I hope you adored getting a peek inside of Ruponthi & Joe’s intimate Rattlesnake Lake elopement day just as much as I loved documenting it! If you’re on the hunt for more real-life inspiration or ideas for your own special day, you won’t want to miss some of my recent favorites below.

Woodland Treehouse Elopement at the Emerald Forest

Celestial Nighttime Whidbey Island Airbnb Elopement

Garden Party-Inspired Wedding at Lairmont Manor