WEDDING BLOG

Hannah and Andrew wanted their wedding to feel like a cozy dinner party at home. They aimed for it to be relaxed, comfortable, and full of purpose, focusing on good food, wine, and meaningful connections. They kept saying it would be a dinner party where two people just happened to get married, and that’s exactly what they created at their RubyJune Inn wedding.

With the inspiration for their wedding design built around the Monet painting “The Artist’s Garden in Argenteuil,” which they viewed at The National Art Gallery shortly after their engagement, the couple playfully described the atmosphere of their big day as “pastoral chic.” For their intimate ceremony on the venue’s veranda, they promised a lifetime of love surrounded by their loved ones. This was followed by a backyard reception that continued the theme, creating a warm and charming celebration.

To make it even more special, the couple ensured that everything was sustainable—from the florals to the countless candles. Their commitment and creativity truly shone on their big day. Luckily, Junebug vendor Elissa Deline captured all the memorable details for everyone to see.

The Couple:

Hannah and Andrew

The Wedding:

RubyJune Inn, Washington, United States

Bringing Monet’s Garden to Life at Their RubyJune Inn Wedding

The inspiration for the design was built around the Monet painting “The Artist’s Garden in Argenteuil,” which we viewed at The National Art Gallery shortly after our engagement. The impressionist garden in the foreground of a small white house reminded me of our venue, RubyJune Inn, which we had already decided on, and the ethereal, pastoral feel of Monet paintings is the vibe I wanted to create for our wedding day. I landed on the term “pastoral chic” (half-jokingly) to describe the mood we were going for. I was inspired by the combination of light blue with pops of dark red. The light blue felt angelic and ethereal, while including pops of dark red felt romantic and powerful. The color inspiration was best represented on the day through the florals selected and picked up from a local farm and the bow detail on my bouquet. A local company, Madre Linen, became the perfect choice for linens, given their signature red hem.

A Poetic Morning Before the Big Day

It was really important to have a relaxing and restful morning to soak it all in before getting caught up in the rush of the day. Andrew and I slept in and shared private vows over breakfast in RubyJune Inn’s icehouse, an old icehouse converted into a cozy lounge. There was something poetic about having a private moment within the ice house, where hours later, we would marry in front of our family and friends just outside the icehouse’s external frame. It was important for us to go about the entire day in a way that felt organic, so leading up to our first look, we talked about how the moment could be the most authentic for us. Our first look was cute because it took place right outside our room where I was getting ready, and it felt like I was getting picked up for Prom. Andrew knocked on the door, and we could see each other through the little window as I walked out to him. Our breakfast cake also made it feel special. After our vows, my friend Ellery taught a yoga class in the field, and it was grounding but kept me present. I had such a great day so far that I delayed getting ready to join a few friends in a spontaneous jump into the Husum River just across the street from the property.

The Sacred Ritual of Getting Ready with Friends

Getting ready for a big event with my friends is always a special and sacred time. I did my hair and makeup and drank champagne leisurely until I wore my dress. My friends Ellery and Jojo were there to help me get dressed and do the last touches. Andrew only had to wait around 15 minutes past the curtain call for our first look.

Adding Personal Touches to Their Ceremony

The ceremony was very special. I was anti-walking down an aisle because of stage fright. We both came out from the suite I got ready in; then, we casually and joyfully walked over to where our guests were waiting. Our guests stood staggered in two rows on either side, with our officiant beside us. It was short and sweet; each of us shared a poem we had written to the other in the first weeks of dating, exchanged a few vows, and sealed it with a special champagne toast in coupe glasses (my favorite glassware by far).

Reducing Footprint Through Sustainable Wedding Decor

I work in sustainability and strive to be a responsible consumer, so our wedding was no different. I made all possible efforts to source second-hand and local goods for all the details. Florals were picked up from a local farm called Vibrant Valley Farm and turned into arrangements by our officiant/florist, one of our closest friends. They sat in thrifted vessels along our tablescapes. The too-many-to-count candles were bought from Facebook Marketplace and Goodwill over time. Our ceremony featured an old bell positioned like mistletoe, which Andrew grabbed from an antique store just down the street from the venue the day before our wedding. The tablecloth and napkin linens were rented from Madre Linen, a Portland company and one of my favorite brands.

Why They Chose to Have a RubyJune Inn Wedding

We briefly looked at renting a house or an estate somewhere near the ocean but soon were struck with memories from a birthday trip to a little inn on the Columbia River Gorge. We contacted Chris and Gretchen of RubyJune Inn about hosting our wedding before we were officially engaged. Serendipitously, they had just reopened their books to host weddings the following year after a pandemic break. RubyJune Inn is a cozy inn and wine lounge with six bedrooms on the property, lovely gardens, and a fantastic chef’s kitchen. Most importantly, it is run and hosted by the loveliest couple. It is the perfect location to gather with a small group and celebrate something special.

Congratulations to Hannah and Andrew on their intimate RubyJune Inn wedding. And a big thank you goes out to Junebug vendor Elissa Deline for skillfully capturing every special moment of their joyous day. To see more beautiful celebrations, check out her profile in our directory of talented photographers from around the world.

More couples now say they want “smaller, more meaningful” celebrations like this one. Planning a sustainable wedding doesn’t have to be more complicated than a traditional one. Check out our guide to help you navigate green wedding planning and create the sustainable wedding of your dreams.