welcome to our home
God’s love can spark ideas! After purchasing 36 acres of untouched, serene land in Ponder, Tx, LaWanna & Chris knew their purchase was destined for something special. Their original intention for the land was to build housing subdivisions and employ their family to manage and run the operation. Shortly after their purchase, her youngest daughter suggested building a wedding and event venue, and it was an idea they could not part from – so with the celebrated purpose of bringing people together to showcase Jesus’s love for us and each other, and families uniting under His banner becoming one, The Nest was born. Now, we have the privilege of being in the housing business in a different way by hosting the most special day in someones life, where they are ultimately choosing to start their new family! It is an amazing honor and privilege to know what we feel God has called us to, and cannot wait to share our love for The Nest with you!
venue director
Calla
venue owner
chris
venue owner
lawanna
Chris leads fearlessly with passion and thoughtful vision at The Nest. With a background in sales and leadership Chris’ unique strength in unifying people to a vision while meeting the needs of others is apart of The Nest’s foundation and is felt throughout guests experience here at The Nest.
LaWanna inspires innovation with a fresh perspective in design and beauty here at The Nest. Her distinct style and extensive background in interior design shows through in all her thoughtful selections made inside and outside the venue. She continues to contribute inspiring designs for couples and guests and makes it her goal to provide an unmatched experience through timeless design married with a standard of excellence.
Creative Director
whitney
Whitney’s passion for excellent service matched with an awareness of diligent leadership, naturally brings people together and calls forth the best in all. As she stewards The Nest with kindness and grace, she pursues innovative ideas with inspiring vision to bring couples and guests a one-of-a-kind experience, with the hopes they will encounter something greater than themselves during their time at The Nest.
Meet the Family
A native Texan, and in love with all things wedding, Calla has a heart for service, a mind for business, and a passion for innovation here at The Nest. Her desire and intention is to curate a personalized and memorable experience for our couples, guests, and vendors. She expresses her creativity best through thoughtful business strategy, and bringing creative solutions to the people we love & serve.
VENUE
MANAGER
Melinda
Manager of the josephine
PEYTON
Owner of
The Josephine
greg
With a huge heart and infectious smile, Melinda is a beloved and engaging manager who’s desire is to make people feel as though they are valued and special on their wedding day!
A natural leader, Peyton will have your reception flipped in no time! He is driven with passion and ambition to provide people with the best experience and will make sure that the big picture and all details of your reception are perfect.
Taking pride in making the outside of our venue the best for you Greg also enjoys owning and taking care of The Josephine. A detailed problem solver, Greg is a helpful guide to our land and friend to anyone he meets.
Social Media
Courtney
Detail orientated & lover of all things lovely, Courtney is passionate about telling stories through beautiful images and bringing to life couples love stories here at The Nest. A friend to anyone she meets, Courtney strives to always look for the gold in everyone and places a spotlight on it for the world to see.
our partnership
with Compassion
At The Nest, we desire for our business to have an impact with ripple affects beyond our beautiful white walls. Because of this desire, we have chosen to partner with a non-profit international ministry called Compassion International. Compassion International, is a non-profit Christ centered ministry that focuses on eliminating poverty and bringing hope to a child living in poverty through one-to-one child sponsorship here in the US and across the world. The Nest currently sponsors two children in Ecuador with hope of sponsoring a Compassion project soon! A Compassion project will
be located in one of Compassions 25 underdeveloped countries it serves, and will bring life into the community it serves. A project could be anywhere from building a playground in the jungles of Ecuador, to building a safe classroom in the Philippines where children will have the opportunity to have an education and become all God has created them to be. Transforming lives through meeting simple physical and spiritual needs of others is large part of the heart beat of The Nest. And now our couples get to play a role in changing the life of a child!
At The Nest, we desire for our business to have an impact with ripple affects beyond our beautiful white walls. Because of this desire, we have chosen to partner with a non-profit international ministry called Compassion International. Compassion International, is a non-profit Christ centered ministry that focuses on eliminating poverty and bringing hope to a child living in poverty through one-to-one child sponsorship here in the US and across the world. The Nest currently sponsors two children in Ecuador with hope of sponsoring a Compassion project soon! A Compassion project will be located in one of Compassions 25 underdeveloped countries it serves, and will bring life into the community it serves. A project could be anywhere from building a playground in the jungles of Ecuador, to building a safe classroom in the Philippines where children will have the opportunity to have an education and become all God has created them to be. Transforming lives through meeting simple physical and spiritual needs of others is large part of the heart beat of The Nest. And now our couples get to play a role in changing the life of a child!
Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.
-henry ward beecher, reverend and social activist
"
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1910
Grandma Ruth Was Born in Arkansas
1913
She moved to the Panhandle of Texas with her family and married Elmer Ledbetter at 21 years old. (Fun fact, they spent their honey moon at her parents house!)
1942
Their second daughter was born named Zuanna Ruth and Elmer built their first homestead on property he bought from being a sharecropper
1961
Elmer Passed Away & Zuanna married her High school sweetheart Alford
1962
Alford & Zuanna moved to Irving, TX and had their first daughter LaWanna
Our History
1986
LaWanna graduated from college with a fashion design degree
1988-90
LaWanna had 2 daughters, Whitney & Courtney
1993
Inspired by Grandma Ruth, LaWanna started her own interior design company in Dallas
2005
Grandma Ruth Passed
2011
LaWanna met Chris, who would soon be the love of her life!
2012
Her daughter Courtney joined her interior design business
2015
Her daughter Whitney joined the family in her interior design business
2016
LaWanna & Chris purchase 36 acres in Ponder, TX and begin plans to build The Nest at Ruth Farms
2017
The Nest officially opens and hosts its first wedding that July!
We highly value beauty, peace, simplicity, people over profit,
clarity, and integrity.
We reject the idea that one has to go financially into debt by
having a wedding, and believe that all things are possible!
We are dedicated to you and your guests safety and overall experience by thinking ahead and being proactive instead of reactive.
We believe in honoring and protecting all decisions made by our clients that comply within our values and contract.
We believe that setting boundaries is a good thing.
They lead to more opportunities for growth and allow people to flourish.
We believe faith & family come first and are precious gifts.
We will create margin for both.
Our Core Values
2015
Her daughter Whitney joined the family in her interior design business
2016
LaWanna & Chris purchase 36 acres in Ponder, TX and begin plans to build The Nest at Ruth Farms
2017
The Nest officially opens and hosts its first wedding that July!
We believe in the unity of celebrating life’s greatest moments and value the freedom in coming together as friends & family in response to another’s joy and happiness.
We believe The Nest is purposed to strengthen relationships through genuine hospitality and awaken souls through its timeless beauty and intentional design.
We believe in serving with a sincere heart of love and integrity, and take great pleasure in meeting and exceeding the needs, desires, and wishes of our clients, guests, vendors, and associates.
Our Core Beliefs
2015
Her daughter Whitney joined the family in her interior design business
2016
LaWanna & Chris purchase 36 acres in Ponder, TX and begin plans to build The Nest at Ruth Farms
2017
The Nest officially opens and hosts its first wedding that July!
Our mission at The Nest at Ruth Farms is to celebrate and champion each new season in an individual or couple’s life. We dedicate our self to this good work through creating a kingdom culture foundation based upon integrity, honor, and respect, while prioritizing service through genuine connection and hospitality.
Our Mission
Statement
