The Ruston Chapel

My husband and I wanted a small ceremony for a few friends and family. We had around 30 people. It was the perfect size and it was a very adorable location close to Point Defiance. I had a dessert reception in the main hall. I would recommend this location for anyone who wants a small intimate wedding.

First: let me start by saying that although this venue is wonderful, what you’re really paying for is Jan, the owner and operator, who is completely amazing. She does so much work that the venue normally wouldn’t do. She really takes away a lot of the stress of planning a wedding ceremony and reception and makes sure your day runs smoothly.
The best value that Jan provides is accessibility and flexibility. If you send a question, she gets back to you right away. She’s flexible in changing plans as well. She works with you beforehand and day of to make sure everything happens on time. She’s constantly scanning the room making sure everything’s going smoothly. In addition, she provides additional services like providing drinks service and serving the cake.
The chapel itself is lovely. The main room is beautiful and has great acoustics. Jan has her own decorations that you can use, but you can also bring your own. In addition, there is ample (separate) rooms for the bride and groom to get ready and a small kitchen where drinks and cakes can be prepared.
Make no mistake, this is a modest space. It’s beautiful, but it’s not immaculate. It has a «country church» feel, which was perfect for us. If you plan on having your ceremony and reception here, plan on keeping your guest list under 50. We did that and had a great time. It was exactly what we were looking for for our modest but nice wedding.
We’d highly recommend the Ruston Chapel both for the space and for the service you’ll receive. Thanks to Jan, our day was exactly what we wanted.

Emailed the owner twice. Got one short response. Never heard from her again.

My review of my not so great experience was deleted. It is a nice place if you can lower your standards and if you don’t mind being yelled at by the assistant on you’re wedding day. Also, they have AC but make sure you ask them to turn it on. I failed to ask and my wedding night was about 80 degrees, guests had to go stand outside for the majority of our event because it was too hot inside.

I am so excited about this place!!! We will be getting married August 4^th, 2013 and I can’t wait!!! The outside scares you a little because it looks so small. But what the owner has done, and how she sets everything up, really makes it seem so much bigger. I will update my review once we actually get married but this has been our experience so far…
The inside is beautiful. The wood flooring is new and just so pretty. The bridal dressing room is perfect and really big. The grooms «room» is small but the room really isn’t necessary since the groom usually comes in his tux already unlike the bride who actually has to Change into her dress there.
Marquel (I might have spelled that wrong) the owner is the BEST! She is so sweet, so laid back. She gives a military and public service (like fire fighter and police) discount of 10%. She has always replied back to my emails within hours and my phone calls even quicker. She’s helpful and has everything there. She has the tables the chairs. She has the table linen and the chair linens. Napkins, table runners, center pieces, the dinnerware, the silverware cups glasses. She even has the traditional wedding music. She just makes this really easy. I just couldn’t be happier with her!!!
I was a little worried about the posed photos because the chapel doesn’t really have a lot of opportunities or places outside for them. But once I saw point defiance park my worries of that went away!!! It’s literally less than two blocks from the park that has a rosé garden, a lake, bridges, a Japanese garden, the ocean, the zoo, the aquarium, the awesome moss covered WA trees… It’s seriously a wedding photographers dream!!! So many opportunities! I will be sharing the photos and experience with you all in August!!!