The Ruins

The Best Venue for Amazing Wedding Photos

The Ruins is like someone took all the cool bits of Seattle, threw in a dash of vintage Europe, and turned it into a wedding venue. From the get-go, the place just oozes personality. You've got walls with hand-painted murals that could have been lifted from a storybook – I’m talking vibrant colors, whimsical scenes, the works. And antlers. And trees indoors. Each room in The Ruins has its own thing going on. One feels like a swanky 1920s lounge, another like a secret garden. We had space to spare, so people could either kick back in a cozy corner or hit the dance floor without stepping on toes. The décor is this wild combo of eclectic and classic – it's like your great aunt’s house if she had more money than cigarettes and if she collected stuff from around the globe and had a killer eye for design. The library is amazing – shelves lined with books, a fireplace that makes you want to curl up with a novel, and this epic swooning couch. So, I might’ve taken inspiration from George Costanza – yep, I did a topless photo shoot on that couch. It was all in good fun, and the photos are a riot – a keepsake that breaks the mold of typical wedding seriousness, just like The Ruins itself. The food was great (but they let you bring in your own desserts so do so if you wanna save some money). The only, minor issue, is the bridal suite's location. It’s right by the kitchen, so it’s kinda like Grand Central at rush hour with the staff buzzing through. Note to brides: Swap it out for the library. Trust me, it’s much less busy (if darker) and you won’t have the kitchen hustle messing with your pre-walk-down-the-aisle zen. Honestly, The Ruins is the kind of place that’s perfect if you want a wedding that's a bit left of center but still super heartfelt. It’s quirky without trying too hard and intimate without being cramped. The whole day felt like us – not stuffy, just a big, fun, love-filled party. The Ruins has many nooks crammed with curiosities and corners begging for a photo op, it’s a place that feels alive. The mix of odd and elegant, the hand-painted walls that seem to whisper tales, the stuff like the enormous elephant (sadly, only in the back back room so only good for wedding photos not the guests) and the patterned horse and much more all adds up to a vibe that’s as unique as your weird cousin, the cool one, not the other one. The Ruins is like that one weird friend who's always got a story to tell and makes everything more fun. Having our wedding there was like a non-stop highlight reel – even with the bridal suite hiccup. It's a place for good vibes, great times, and amazing photos to start your weirdly ever after.