When your mom is a veteran wedding planner and pulls together her favorite vendors, you know the day is going to be nothing short of spectacular.

Courtney and Jake’s wedding at The Nest at Ruth Farms was the perfect celebration of love, family, and fun. With a colorful garden party theme, stunning florals, and plenty of personal touches, their wedding was truly unforgettable.

How It All Began

Courtney and Jake’s story started in high school, but it wasn’t until their college years at Texas A&M that things went from being friends to being a thing. If there is anything that can bring two people together, it’s music. Both were part of a band called The Thirteenth Hour Band and kind of rocked. Jake was also roommates with Courtney’s twin sister Chrissa’s fiancé, Nate. Their friendships made for a tight-knit group that definitely helped them grow closer.

You know how in movies the main character comes up with a little pet name for someone they love? (Looking at you Katniss Everdeen – who calls their sister “Duck”?)

Well, Jake affectionately calls Courtney “Bird.” Which, let’s be real…it’s super sweet.

From their shared history to their fun-loving personalities, this wedding at the Nest at Ruth Farms was a beautiful reflection of who they are as a couple.

The Nest at Ruth Farms

The Nest at Ruth Farms is a favorite for couples looking for a venue that combines modern elegance with rustic charm. Its bright white interiors, high ceilings, and expansive spaces provided the perfect spect for Courtney and Jake’s very colorful vision. White really makes color pop!

The venue’s indoor chapel was ideal for their ceremony, while the reception hall allowed the garden-party theme to blossom (pun intended).

Courtney’s mother, Kari, (super star wedding planner) described The Nest as the ideal choice for a large wedding that still feels intimate. With 280 guests in attendance, the venue’s versatility made every moment—from the ceremony to the MANY late-night quesadilla snacks—awesome.

A Day Full of Joy and Color

If there’s one word to describe Courtney and Jake’s wedding, it’s “fun.”

The couple’s vision came to life with the help of Millie May Blooms, whose stunning floral designs included colorful trees on the reception tables. The pinks, oranges, and yellows paired beautifully with the white interiors of The Nest.

The day began with a first look, which Courtney highly recommends for couples planning their wedding. (And we do to!) “It got the nerves out,” she shared. “We were able to take all of our photos beforehand and actually enjoy cocktail hour.”

We also recommend a first look because it really does remove the stress of the day! Plus, not having a first look falls into the category of wedding traditions that may not be as special as you may realize.

Wedding aside, it was also amazing to see the closeness between Courtney, her twin sister Chrissa, and their fiancés. Planning weddings at the same time and being engaged together might sound overwhelming, but it definitely gave them something else to bond over!

Who better to share wedding wins and woes than with your sister that’s in the same boat as you?

Memorable Moments

The reception was filled with incredible music, delicious food, and heartfelt moments. Courtney and her dad shared a father-daughter dance to an acoustic version of “Sweet Child of Mine.” Why would anyone choose that song? Well, for Courtney and her dad, it was a nod to the Guns N’ Roses concert they attended together when she was younger.

The dance floor stayed packed all night thanks to Intensity Band, who brought a rock-concert vibe to the party.

Guests enjoyed a photo booth by Meraki Light Booth, signature drinks like Courtney’s Ranch Water from HD Liquid Catering, and a late-night snack of quesadillas. The evening ended with an Aggie War Hymn and a bubble send-off, complete with horn players from the band.

While Zoey and I handled the photos, video was handled by Fansler Media, and Southern Bash Content Creation managed the content creation of the day. I’m pretty sure it was impossible for any detail to be missed by how much AWESOME coverage this wedding had!

Wedding Photos at the Nest at Ruth Farms

The Perfect Team

With Courtney’s mom at the helm of planning, the couple was able to bring together an incredible team of vendors:

• Planner: Kari with Southern Bash
• Venue: The Nest at Ruth Farms
• Florals: Millie May Blooms
• Band: Intensity Band
• Catering: Blue Mesa
• Hair & Makeup: She is Art Beauty
• Photo Booth: Meraki Light Booth
• Signature Drinks: HD Liquid Catering

Looking Ahead

As photographers, we’ve been lucky to capture many special moments, but this one was extra meaningful because we’ll be back with this family next year for Chrissa and Nate’s wedding. (WOOP WOOP!)

Seeing the closeness of this family and how much they pour into their celebrations is such a privilege, and we can’t wait to continue documenting their story.

Wrapping It Up

Courtney and Jake’s wedding at The Nest at Ruth Farms was everything a wedding should be: colorful, vibrant, and full of love. From the ceremony to the rocking reception, it was a day that truly showed off who they are as a couple.

If you’re looking for a venue that can host a wedding filled with personal touches and unforgettable moments, The Nest at Ruth Farms is a fantastic choice.

Congratulations, Courtney and Jake—we’re so happy to have been part of your incredible day!