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, Courtney 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, 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 someone's life, where they are ultimately choosing to start their new family! It is an amazing honor and privilege to play a small part in the start of your love story, and we cannot wait to share our love for The Nest with you!
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
Chris and LaWanna get married
2015
The Ruth Farm is purchased
2017
- The Nest officially opens and hosts its first wedding that July!
- The oldest daughter, Whitney runs the family business
2019
The middle sister, Courtney got married at the Nest
2021
- The first grandbaby, Worth Leon is born
- The construction of the chapel began
2022
- Chapel construction is finished
- The oldest daughter, Whitney gets married in the chapel
2023
Nick, the only son, is married in the chapel
2024
Youngest daughter, Brileigh runs the Nest
2016
LaWanna & Chris purchase 36 acres in Ponder, TX and begin plans to build The Nest at Ruth Farms
venue owner
chris
venue owner & Creative Director
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.
Meet the Family
VENUE
MANAGER
Melinda
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!
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.
Creative director/ Marketing
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.
VENUE
Director
Brileigh
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!
Connect With Us @thenestatruthfarms
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