I got married at The Ruby Street in Highland Park last fall. I still smile when I think about it.
If you’re curious about every little detail, I unpack even more of that day in this full recap.
The place used to be a little church, and you can feel that calm. Light slid through the stained glass and fell across the floor like soft paint. It looked like a movie, but everyone felt at ease. That mix matters.
Because several relatives were scattered across time zones, we set up a laptop on a tripod and invited them to hop into InstantChat's cam-to-cam room so they could watch the vows live and chat face-to-face with guests without needing any downloads or tricky log-ins.
If you want the full origin story of how that former sanctuary became an event space, UncoverLA has a great write-up.
Why I picked it
My husband liked the clean white walls. I loved the color in the windows. My mom saw the garden patio and said, “Okay, this is it.” We wanted one place for the whole day. No bus rides. No chaos. Ceremony inside, cocktail hour outside, dinner back inside. Simple flow. Easy on our parents, and our feet.
Price-wise, it wasn’t cheap. But it wasn’t the highest we saw in L.A. either. For the look you get, it felt fair. I’ll be honest though—I had to trim a few extras to make it work.
Before we ever toured, I pored over a Dwell photo tour that shows the venue empty—seeing those bones helped me justify the splurge.
The space, in real life
We did our ceremony under the tall windows. The light hit my dress at 4:45 p.m., and my brother whispered, “Okay, wow.” It wasn’t just pretty. It felt warm, even calm. I needed that.
Cocktail hour was on the patio. They have string lights, some trees, and space for games. We set out mezcal, agua fresca, and a little chip bar. My aunt took over. She always does. Kids colored at a small table with crayons I brought. That kept the sugar chaos down.
Dinner was inside. We rented long wood tables to match the space. Their built-in bar looked clean and modern, and our bartender worked fast. Good flow. The dance floor stayed in the center so older guests could sit and still feel part of it. My grandma clapped along from a velvet chair and refused to sit out “Suavemente.” Same, Grandma. Same.
Getting-ready rooms were upstairs. Bright, big mirrors, not cramped. My hair team liked the outlets and light. A small thing, but it helped the day run smooth.
Highland Park vibes help
It’s a fun area. If you're scouting pre-wedding coffee runs or late-night bites, the neighborhood guides on To Live and Eat in LA lay out the best stops within walking distance. A few guests grabbed coffee at Cafe de Leche before the ceremony. After the sparkler send-off (we did the cold kind, venue-approved), some folks rolled to Highland Park Bowl. Others walked to tacos. It felt like the city joined our party a bit. That’s L.A.—pretty, but still casual.
If late-night energy pulls you elsewhere, you can always find a mic to grab—my own saga with the city’s scene lives here.
Staff and rules (the stuff you only learn by doing)
The venue manager kept us calm. She had a tight timeline, but not in a pushy way. We used a caterer from their list for dinner, then brought in late-night churros through a vendor fee. Worth it. DJ worked through their sound system setup, and we kept bass low outside. Music had to end at 10 p.m. because it’s a neighborhood. That’s fair. We switched to a quiet last song and then moved folks to the after-party.
Load-in was a bit tight. Our florist needed an extra 15 minutes to hang a small cloud of baby’s breath, and the team found a ladder and spotters fast.
For anyone still hunting blooms, I rounded up my favorite florists in Palms and shared a few wild stories from the planning trench.
Chairs and basic tables were included, but I loved the look of rentals. So I did both. That gave us style without wasting budget.
We had to hire one security guard after 9 p.m. and use a licensed bartender. Also, no confetti and no candles without holders. Normal stuff, but read your packet. It saves stress.
Parking and access
Street parking was okay for early guests, but it got full near start time. We suggested rideshare on the invite. Best call we made. The venue has space for vendors to unload, but it’s snug. Tell big trucks to arrive a little early.
What I loved
- The light in that room. It’s soft and kind. Your photos will be happy.
- The flow: ceremony → patio → dinner → dance. No bus shuffle.
- The look: clean, colorful windows, modern bar, a little church soul.
- Staff who knew the rhythm of a wedding and kept it warm.
- Guests could walk to fun spots after. No dead zone.
What bugged me (not deal-breakers)
- It ran warm at 3 p.m. in October until the sun dropped. We used a couple of floor fans. Fine, but plan it.
- Sound ends at 10 p.m. I knew this, but I still wanted one more song.
- Bathrooms were clean, but there aren’t many. Put up signs so folks don’t queue in one spot.
- Load-in is tight for large installs. Keep your decor plan simple and smart.
Side note: several single friends at the wedding joked that the night made them want to find their own person ASAP. I told them dating doesn’t have to drag—especially if you try speed-dating nights in Nashua. That page shares a schedule of upcoming events, ticket details, and quick-hit tips so you can meet a dozen compatible people face-to-face in one fun evening instead of swiping for weeks.
A few tips I’d pass to a friend
- Start the ceremony around 4:30–5:00 p.m. if you want the dreamy window glow.
- Ask your DJ for a “low-bass” setting outside. The neighbors will thank you.
- Put “Rideshare encouraged” on the invite. Saves time, saves stress.
- Bring water stations to the patio. People forget to drink water in L.A.
- Keep decor light. The space already has style. Let it breathe.
One real moment I can’t forget
During our vows, a beam of color from the glass landed on my husband’s hands. He looked down, laughed a little, and said, “Guess the room agrees.” It felt like the building was part of the promise. Cheesy? Maybe. True? Yes.
Final take
Would I book The Ruby Street again? Yes. It’s pretty without trying hard. It’s calm, but not stiff. The team cares. Plan for heat, mind the 10 p.m. cut, and keep things simple. If you bring your people and your joy, the room meets you there. And you know what? That’s all I wanted.