IYN Spotlight – The Nest At Ruth Farms

We’re back with another IYN Spotlight and this week is a gorgeous barn venue, The Nest At Ruth Farms! The Nest is a family owned and operated luxury wedding venue settled on beautiful farm land in Ponder, TX. Their mission is to serve and provide a space for couples and their families to gather on one of the most important days of their lives!

We chatted with Whitney whose family built the venue 3 years ago!

How many weddings do you host each year?

We are averaging 65-70 weddings and events per year and looking to grow!

What is your favorite fun fact or hidden feature of The Nest?

Before we laid the tile, as a family we all came out and prayed over the building and wrote prayers & scripture all over. We believe in prayer, and for us that was definitely something we felt called to do as a family from the beginning of our business.

Can you share a memorable moment that has happened at an event?

One of my favorite couples got married last summer here and I loved how they did their ceremony! The bride and her family grew up in Hawaii and in that culture, it is customary for the father of the bride to walk his daughter down the aisle wearing a lei and then take it off and put it on her to be husband, symbolizing the transfer of “Now you get to love her, as I have loved her” so-to-speak. Sadly, her father had passed away, but his presence was still there during the ceremony, so to honor him, they kept a lei on his chair, and after the ceremony was over, the bride’s mother picked it up and put the lei on her new son-in-law. It was such a beautiful, and powerful moment of honor, respect & love that I will never forget.

What is your secret for staying calm under pressure when something doesn’t quite go as planned at an event?

This may sound too easy to some, but I just have a knowing in my gut that everything is going to work out as it should. Often things don’t go as planned, which is always an opportunity to make a better plan. Also, I believe in staying organized and looking forward to preparing for peoples needs, hopefully to ensure all needs are met on a wedding day.

During these trying times of navigating wedding planning during this pandemic, what advice would you give to couples that are in the midst of planning?

Pray and don’t stop believing that it is all going to work out as it should. Also, rely on the wisdom of your wedding vendors. They are there for you and want to support you through all of the uncertainty.

What do you like to to with your free time?

I love traveling, catching up with friends & learning anything new that has to do with our business or other industries!

Because we’re in the biz, what are your favorite songs to dance to?

“You make my dreams come true” by Hall & Oats

How can couples get in contact with you?

Thank you, Whitney!