When public figures capture the spotlight, fans naturally grow curious about their personal milestones, past engagements, and creative collaborations. One pairing that generated massive interest across the alternative and tattoo communities was the multi-year relationship between acclaimed tattoo artist Ryan Ashley Malarkey and musician Josh Balz. While internet rumors and nostalgic posts sometimes circulate about an "enchanting wedding" or elaborate ceremonies in whimsical settings like Tweedland, the reality of their shared history involves a high-profile engagement, business ventures, and subsequent paths that led them in separate directions.
To understand what actually happened between Ryan Ashley and Josh Balz—and why fans often search for details about their wedding status—it helps to look past the internet lore and examine their actual timeline. They were never legally married to each other, but their partnership helped shape the early days of their respective public platforms in the tattoo and oddities industries.
The Origin Story: How Ryan Ashley and Josh Balz Met
Ryan Ashley Malarkey rose to mainstream prominence after making history as the first female winner of Spike's Ink Master (Season 8). Long before her television success and her subsequent marriage to fellow tattoo artist Arlo DiCristina, she established deep roots in the northeastern art and fashion scene. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2007 before turning her focus fully toward tattooing.
Josh Balz built his own following as the keyboardist and synthesizer player for the metalcore band Motionless In White. When their paths crossed, both were immersed in subcultures that celebrated the dark, unusual, and artistic. They began dating around 2013, quickly becoming a fixture in alternative media and lifestyle features.
Business Ventures and The Strange and Unusual Oddities Parlor
The couple didn't just share a romantic life; they also pooled their creative and entrepreneurial energies. Together, they founded The Strange & Unusual Oddities Parlor in Kingston, Pennsylvania. The storefront functioned as an eclectic boutique housing taxidermy, antiques, medical oddities, and rare collectibles, alongside a private, appointment-only tattoo studio where Ryan worked.
This physical space served as a physical manifestation of their shared aesthetic. Fans flocked to the shop not only for high-end tattoos but also to experience the cabinet-of-curiosities atmosphere they curated. Their collaborative business model proved that alternative aesthetics could thrive in mainstream retail and service spaces, paving the way for Ryan's later studio ventures in Colorado.
The Engagement and Separation
After several years of dating, Josh Balz proposed to Ryan Ashley, and the couple became engaged. During their engagement, media coverage frequently speculated on what an alternative wedding for the pair might look like, often linking their gothic and vintage tastes to hypothetical fairytale settings.
However, life and career trajectories shifted. In 2017, Josh announced his departure from Motionless In White after a decade with the band, and later that year, he and Ryan amicably ended their relationship and engagement. Both parties transitioned into new chapters of their personal and professional lives without a wedding ever taking place.
Where Are They Now?
Following the end of their relationship, both individuals found distinct paths forward:
- Ryan Ashley: She continued her television career on Ink Master: Angels, moved to Colorado, and met fellow tattoo artist Arlo DiCristina. The two married in a private ceremony in late 2019 and welcomed their son, Atheus, in May 2020. Together, they own and operate Elysium Studios in Grand Junction, Colorado. You can read more about her career trajectory on Wikipedia's Ryan Ashley Page.
- Josh Balz: He transitioned further into entrepreneurship, focusing on local business ventures, real estate, and creative projects in Pennsylvania, staying connected to the alternative community that first embraced his music. Additional background on his music career can be found via Billboard.
Common Misconceptions About the Relationship
Internet culture often distorts past timelines, creating myths about secret ceremonies or unfulfilled romances. Here are a few clarifications regarding common fan questions:
- Did they ever get married? No. Despite widespread rumors and fan fiction online regarding an "enchanting wedding," Ryan Ashley and Josh Balz never married.
- Where does the "Tweedland" wedding rumor come from? Content scrapers and automated blog networks frequently generate speculative or auto-generated articles pairing popular alternative figures with whimsical location names to capture search traffic. These pages often conflate general lifestyle aesthetics with real-life events.
- Are they still in touch? Both moved on professionally and personally long ago, closing the chapter on their joint business and romantic endeavors to focus on their respective families and studios.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were Ryan Ashley and Josh Balz engaged?
They were engaged in 2016 after dating for approximately three years. They split up in 2017 before any wedding ceremony took place.
What was The Strange & Unusual Oddities Parlor?
It was an antique and oddities boutique combined with a private tattoo studio, co-owned by Ryan Ashley and Josh Balz in Pennsylvania.
Who is Ryan Ashley currently married to?
Ryan Ashley married fellow tattoo artist Arlo DiCristina in late 2019. They live in Colorado with their son.
Did Josh Balz leave Motionless In White?
Yes, Josh Balz officially left the band in January 2017 after spending ten years as their keyboardist and synthesizer player.
