Opulent Old-Money Wedding at The Ruins, Seattle
A spring wedding at the most exceptional Seattle wedding venue, featuring old-money-inspired styling, striking mural backdrops, and thoughtful artistry down to the most minuscule of details… what a day. Zoie and Charlie’s wedding at The Ruins, an unrivaled Seattle venue, was every bit as whimsical as it was opulent—and I am beyond thrilled to finally be sharing it with you.
Zoie & Charlie’s Wedding at The Ruins
Luxury details & Louboutins
Zoie & Charlie’s wedding was the picture of a classic, old-money aesthetic: a perfect blend of refined elegance, timeless grace, and impeccable details—of which they had in abundance. Each and every element was clearly created with immense care and forethought, coming together in the end to paint an image of an opulent, luxurious day that still felt extremely personalized to them.
Starting with the attire, which was out-of-this-world stunning; Zoie looked ever the beauty in a strapless corseted gown, minimalist pearl jewelry, and a sleek upd. This bride was a stunner from head to toe—literally, from the top of the floor-length veil tucked away in her bun all the way down to her ivory Louboutin stilettos. I’m obsessed with this pair and the gorgeous crepe satin ankle tie that came with it. Quite similar, in fact, to the Paris pumps that one of my past brides, Emily, wore for her Rock ‘N’ Roll Chic Wedding in Downtown Seattle. I have THE most stylish brides around—and grooms, too! Charlie elected for a classic black tuxedo, complete with a satin bowtie, suspenders, and a pleated undershirt for a touch of added texture. Oh, and I CANNOT forget to mention his adorable little kitty cufflinks.
The two looked unbelievably fabulous throughout their wedding day, as did their florals and stationery details. Sam, of Moonflower Design Co. (whose branding photos I took a few years back!), did an incredible job matching the florals to the eclectic colors of The Ruins, with oranges, pinks, and shades of white & cream galore. Instead of fighting against the various array of colors found throughout the venue’s spaces, she helped Zoie and Charlie lean into it, embrace it, and create absolute magic.
As did Perfect Press with the stationery suite for this day; elegant serif and script fonts were the stars of the show, paired with a dreamy color combo of pale pink, dusty rose, and deep navy. My favorite elements by far were the delicate floral illustrations as well as the gold foiling details of their vow books—especially since it matched seamlessly with Zoie and Charlie’s ornate gold ring box! What a breathtaking event so far… and we haven’t even gotten to the first look.
Portraits in the courtyard, vows beneath the chandleliers
Prior to the ceremony, Zoie and Charlie shared their first look in the Courtyard, a gorgeous pocket of outdoor space at The Ruins. A truly gorgeous space to enjoy a bit of privacy before the party begins, and a total dream come true for portraits! As was the Secret Library, where the family joined us for epic group shots with the bride and groom to be.
The ceremony took place in the venue’s Dining Room, which features one of the most spectacular ceremony backdrops I’ve yet to see: beautiful artwork, vibrant colors, and dazzling chandeliers lining the ceiling. Decor is barely needed in a room like this, with so much character already built-in; the asymmetrical altar floral installations were all Zoie and Charlie needed as they became Mr. and Mrs. once and for all.
An old-money ballroom reception with a whimsical twist
The remainder of the evening continued to be lavish and delightful as can be, with an outfit change for the couple after dinner—Zoie in a pear-embellished gown and Charlie in a cream suit jacket—and an unbelievably vibrant atmosphere. Piano, saxophone, and string music played in the background as the newlyweds danced, dined, and drank with their guests; tables boasted gorgeous arrays of golden candlesticks, textured glassware, and eye-catching gold details. The night ended with sultry portraits in the library, a mouthwatering three-tier cake topped with Lenox Swans, and giant cat heads on the dance floor! I adored the way this couple wasn’t afraid to add a bit of fun and whimsy into an otherwise sophisticated, high-class day; you can absolutely have both. It’s your wedding day, after all 🥂
Looking to fill your wedding day with gorgeous details just like these two did? Peruse this guide next—8 Ways to Elevate Your Wedding Details for Effortless Luxury.
Vendor team
Stationery: Perfect Press | @perfectpressinvitations
HMU: Michelle Wight | @michellewight.hmu
Venue: The Ruins | @the_ruins
Flowers: Moonflower Design Co. | @moonflowerdesignco
Lighting: Crimson Haze | @crimson_haze_lighting
Cake: Honey Crumb Cake Studio | @honeycrumbcakes
Photographer: Alexandrae Photo | @alexandrae.photo
DJ: DJ Chardonnay | @heydjchardonnay
Ceremony Music: Innocenti Strings | @innocentistrings
Dinner Music: Danny Welsh
Content Creator: BTS by Angela | @btsbyangela
Day-Of Coordinator: Britta’s Brides | @brittasbrides
About The Ruins, an Eclectic Seattle Wedding Venue
There is no wedding venue quite like The Ruins, and that’s what makes it such a special place to set the stage for your marriage. For Zoie and Charlie, it was important to find a venue that could bring to life their vision for an opulent and unique celebration—and I’d say they certainly made the right choice! This city hideaway is maximalist, it’s magical, and it invites you into a truly unforgettable wonderland of vibrant color, creativity, and artistry.
The Ruins is an unparalleled Seattle wedding venue tucked into the hills of Queen Anne, with 5,000 square feet of private space for you to use as you please. Most known for the hand-painted murals that span its walls, as well as the antique life-size animatronic elephant from the 1931 Paris World Exhibition (insane!), this eclectic locale was made for a once-in-a-lifetime party. Almost feels like you’re getting married on the stage of a Cirque de Soleil performance, if you know what I mean?!
Wedding venue spaces at The Ruins include:
- Dining Room: Where Zoie & Charlie held their ceremony, featuring cascading fireplaces, stunning French doors, and breathtaking chandeliers. Capacity: 115
- Ballroom: An unparalleled space with hand-painted murals, a built-in stage for musical performances, and unexpected details everywhere you look. Capacity: 120 reception, 150 ceremony
- Secret Library: Precisely what it sounds like! A moody, dramatic library hidden away for the moments when you or your guests need a little escape.
- Courtyard: A dimly-lit courtyard with floor-to-ceiling windows, accents of lush greenery, and cobblestone flooring.
If this type of vibrant, elegant celebration is calling your name, you can reach out to The Ruins here to learn more about their wedding packages & venue info.
For more spectacular venues like this, browse my list of the Top 10 Luxury Wedding Venues in Seattle.
Wedding Photography at The Ruins, Seattle
Whether you and your love are dreaming up a maximalist wedding of your own at a venue like The Ruins, an intimate dinner party with just a few guests, or a romantic adventure through the big city on your own, I can’t wait to capture your vibrancy; your whimsy; your unique vision… just like I did Zoie & Charlie’s. Get in touch here, and let’s create some art, my darlings.
If you fell in love with this elegant celebration, I have a feeling you’ll also relish in the luxury of Sara and Adam’s Glitz + Glam Seattle Wedding at the Edgewater Hotel.
