Ruthe Jackson Center - Grand Prairie, TX
We did it! We finally picked our venue! After 2 months of considering dozens of venues, the choice has been made. This venue was never on my radar as the location is the old "Food Lion" grocery store just down the street from my high school. I brushed the idea of using it off until my mother convinced me to visit during one of their bridal shows. I have been hooked since.
The outdoor garden is beautiful in spring with bright flowers, blooming trees, and a lovely creek & koi pond through out. Over the creek is a gazebo with a rod iron chandelier and large fireplace/hearth. Chiavari chairs line the aisle while twinkling lights are present throughout the garden on all trees and bushes.
The indoor facility is somewhat similar to a lodge dedicated to the namesake of the venue, Ruthe Jackson, who was a community service icon in Grand Prairie. Between another lovely fireplace, large and ornate furniture, a baby grand piano, and a copper fountain surrounded by greenery, it is a definite upgrade from the building I remember. The ballroom is roughly 6,000 sq ft of relatively blank canvas sans the carpet and single window. Black iron chandeliers hang from 3 points in the room, and there are 2 projectors/screens along the south wall corners.
The outdoor garden is beautiful in spring with bright flowers, blooming trees, and a lovely creek & koi pond through out. Over the creek is a gazebo with a rod iron chandelier and large fireplace/hearth. Chiavari chairs line the aisle while twinkling lights are present throughout the garden on all trees and bushes.
The indoor facility is somewhat similar to a lodge dedicated to the namesake of the venue, Ruthe Jackson, who was a community service icon in Grand Prairie. Between another lovely fireplace, large and ornate furniture, a baby grand piano, and a copper fountain surrounded by greenery, it is a definite upgrade from the building I remember. The ballroom is roughly 6,000 sq ft of relatively blank canvas sans the carpet and single window. Black iron chandeliers hang from 3 points in the room, and there are 2 projectors/screens along the south wall corners.
Our wedding will take place just as the sun is setting behind us. The aisle will be adorned with Boston ferns, hydrangeas, and hurricanes filled with tall pillar candles. The steps and hearth of the gazebo will be lined with additional pillars ranging from 12 to 36 inches in height. The mantle will be adorned with a mix match of single bloom and small arrangements of hydrangeas, anemones, snap dragons, etc in black lacquer, milk glass, and mercury glass vases. There will be various candles interspersed throughout.
The back of the gazebo will be draped in a soft silk chiffon material with the same coming from the center chandelier to each of the four outer posts.
Behind the guests where the bridal party will enter from the bridal chamber will be lined with the same drapery pulled back as if they were curtains. There are 9 "windows" of space. On the "window" closest to the aisle, anemones and ranunculas will be strung into a ribbon and hang softly as seen in the examples below.
The back of the gazebo will be draped in a soft silk chiffon material with the same coming from the center chandelier to each of the four outer posts.
Behind the guests where the bridal party will enter from the bridal chamber will be lined with the same drapery pulled back as if they were curtains. There are 9 "windows" of space. On the "window" closest to the aisle, anemones and ranunculas will be strung into a ribbon and hang softly as seen in the examples below.
For the reception, we will most likely drape the entire ballroom with a soft white fabric to make the space a bit more intimate. The ceiling will also receive a drapery treatment to enhance the beauty of the chandeliers. Green up lighting will bring in our pop of color and create a soft glow throughout the venue.
We will be using 120in rounds but sitting only 6 guests per table to allow for more freedom and space per guest. The tables will be adorned with black lamour clothes with black/white damask pattern runners and green napkins. The china will be white lacquer and in squared off shapes similar to the photos below (with altered colors obviously).
We will be using 2 different centerpieces: one tall and one short. The tall centerpieces will consist of 24 in pilsner glass vases filled with flowering branches, black and white Lepto flowers, and snap dragons with small votive candles hanging off the branches. Below the large centerpiece will be a collection of single bloom vases and candles. The smaller centerpiece will include the painted glass "candelabra" below surrounded by several small bunches and single bloom vases and candles.
The following items helped inspire the decor choices for our reception:
We will be using 120in rounds but sitting only 6 guests per table to allow for more freedom and space per guest. The tables will be adorned with black lamour clothes with black/white damask pattern runners and green napkins. The china will be white lacquer and in squared off shapes similar to the photos below (with altered colors obviously).
We will be using 2 different centerpieces: one tall and one short. The tall centerpieces will consist of 24 in pilsner glass vases filled with flowering branches, black and white Lepto flowers, and snap dragons with small votive candles hanging off the branches. Below the large centerpiece will be a collection of single bloom vases and candles. The smaller centerpiece will include the painted glass "candelabra" below surrounded by several small bunches and single bloom vases and candles.
The following items helped inspire the decor choices for our reception: