Spring in Seattle brought more than cherry blossoms this year. At The Ruins, a private club known for its decadent interiors and theatrical flair, Joycie and Cody hosted a wedding that blurred the line between celebration and performance. With a love rooted in laughter and imagination, their day unfolded more like a dream sequence than a traditional timeline and that was exactly the point. Thoughtfully captured in motion by videographer Diana Gas, the celebration brought together fantasy, surprise, and emotion in the most unexpected ways.
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
Style: Whimsical, Extraordinary, Eclectic
Time of planning: 1 year
Setting: Club
Season: Spring
Joycie and Cody met in Seattle in late 2021, their connection sparked by a dating app and sealed by their shared sense of humor. Their relationship quickly became a joyful chaos of inside jokes, creative energy, and an ease that turned even daily routines into something memorable. It’s no wonder that their wedding bands are engraved with the phrase “Gotcha, bitch <3″—a nod to the playful foundation of their love.
Concept & Inspiration
Their wedding concept came together as a blend of interactive theater and whimsical storytelling. Inspired by the art of Meow Wolf, the quirky elegance of Alice in Wonderland, and the over-the-top fashion of The Hunger Games’ Capitol, the couple designed their celebration to surprise and delight at every turn. From the Polaroid-invitation packets filled with paper butterflies to a full-scale “Who Knows the Bride Best?” game show at the ceremony, this was a wedding that asked guests not just to attend, but to engage.
Costumes played a major role. Guests were encouraged to dress to impress and they did. Crowned heads, feathered shoulders, and bold hues transformed the room into a surreal, high-fashion masquerade. Cody and his groomsmen took their own path by leaning into Fallout TV-show cosplay, donning structured, post-apocalyptic gear that felt both niche and editorial.
Wedding Day
Bridal Fashion
Joycie’s entrance was nothing short of theatrical. Wearing a cathedral-length emerald cloak that she removed halfway down the aisle, she revealed a romantic tulle gown by Essense of Australia, which was both soft and sculptural at once.
Her look was completed with a delicate crown and statement earrings, along with hair and makeup by Beauty by Apphia that amplified her natural glow without competing with the drama of her styling. She looked like the heroine of a fantasy novel stepping into her final chapter.
Groom's Fashion
Cody wore a sleek tux from The Black Tux, modern with just the right amount of edge. Instead of a floral boutonniere, he chose a sculptural brooch, paired with his signature eyewear.
First Look
Joycie and Cody chose to share a first look before the ceremony, and it was every bit as cinematic as the rest of their day. They met in a softly lit space, embracing by a textured glass window. Outside, her bridesmaids gathered to watch through the panes of a nearby door, giddy and giggling like a scene out of the sweetest romantic comedy.
Ceremony
The ceremony was designed as part performance, part emotion. Set inside The Ruins’ opulent main hall, where velvet curtains and moody chandeliers set the tone, it opened with a procession that felt like a scene from a fantastical play. Bridesmaids in layered gowns and capes entered one by one, each carrying glowing crystal orbs that softly lit their faces. The room was dark except for the flicker of candlelight and the soft hum of string instruments.
The atmosphere built slowly, dramatically.
Then came the fog. A low cloud of smoke curled through the aisle as the doors opened and Joycie appeared—veiled in lace, holding a single lily. It was bold, surreal, and deeply moving. Diana Gas documented every second, capturing the hush, the awe, and the complete theatricality of it all.
Halfway through the vows, an actor planted in the audience “objected” to the wedding. Instead of stopping the ceremony, it launched an interactive game show hosted by the couple themselves, complete with buzzers and a spinning wheel with Joycie’s face. It was bizarre, hilarious, and completely them.
Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony, guests moved into a lighter space where whimsical floral sculptures and cocktails set the stage for mingling. Herban Feast served signature drinks, while Michelle Lassaline painted personalized animal portraits for guests as wedding favors.
But the true showstopper came when an aerialist from Maison de V appeared. Suspended in a sparkling hoop above the crowd, she descended upside down to fill guests’ glasses one by one, adding a burst of theatrical magic and delight. It was a moment of shared awe, and the room practically erupted with applause and laughter.
"As people who love planning surprises and gift giving, seeing our guests’ reactions to the surprises and different details was our favorite part of the wedding!"
Dinner & Decor
The dinner space, beautifully brought to life with the help of 3Eleven Events, felt like a Versailles-meets-Wonderland salon, with ornate chandeliers, hand-painted mural walls, and candlelit tables forming a surrealist backdrop for the evening.
The floral work throughout, largely designed by Joycie herself, blended faux poppies with fresh ranunculus and baby’s breath. The result was immersive, not overly polished, and all the more enchanting for it. It was less about symmetry and more about storytelling—a philosophy that touched every detail of the day.
The dessert table was a nostalgic dream: layered cakes by DERU Market in classic American flavors, surrounded by loose florals and handwritten signs. There was no official “cake cutting”, just shared bites, laughter, and the occasional sparkler.
It was joyful and exactly how they wanted to end the night — with just enough sweetness and hearts that felt completely full.
Advice from the couple:
• Do whatever you want! There are no rules! The best weddings are ones that reflect your relationship.
VIDEOGRAPHER Diana Gas | PHOTOGRAPHER Sola Lee | PLANNER 3Eleven Events | MUAH Beauty by Apphia | DRESS Essense of Australia | SUIT The Black Tux | CATERING Herban Feast | DESSERTS DERU Market | ENTERTAINMENT Maison de V | DJ Waylon Dungan | FAVORS You As An Animal | STATIONERY Zazzle, Newspaper Club | LIGHTING & FOG Crimson Haze
