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Cassandra
Ricky
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Recommended by 81% of couples

About this venue

The Ruskin is a wedding venue in Dickson, Tennessee. This one-of-a-kind property has been fully renovated since its original founding in 1896 to provide guests with both modern amenities and historic charm. Throughout the property’s 160 acres, which are located just over an hour away from Nashville, couples can choose from a variety of indoor and outdoor wedding venues. Its private and gated setting provides a secluded spot nestled amongst natural wonders where couples can exchange their vows.

Facilities and Capacity

On the Ruskin property, couples can choose to experience their wedding in the quaint double-porched Ruskin College. This white college built in the 1890s offers a historic touch on your special day. Depending on which location you choose on the property, they can accommodate anywhere from smaller wedding parties or host up to 1,000 guests. The property also features an abundance of outdoor settings rich with caves, waterfalls, and gardens, such as the centuries-old Ruskin Cave. The Garden is another option, a venue filled with miniature evergreens and lit trees that add romance and sparkle to your celebration. If you are planning a more intimate wedding, the Waterfall is the perfect spot. Regardless of which location you choose, you will be able to experience the property privately with your guests since the Ruskin does not double book.

Services Offered

The dedicated team of event staff at The Raskin offers couples a wide range of services to ensure that their day runs smoothly. To begin your day, you will be invited to prepare in the comfort and luxury of the venue’s get-ready suites. These private rooms offer ample space for you and your wedding party to rest and relax before walking down the aisle. Once the celebrations have ceased, couples can choose to extend their stay at the Ruskin with a honeymoon cottage on the property. All-inclusive packages are also available to make your wedding planning easier. Additionally, this pet-friendly venue is ideal for those looking to include their furry friends in their festivities.

Features

Small team (2-10 members)

Experience

    12 years in business

    We speak English

Links

Visit website

Weddings at this venue

Mason & Paige's wedding
Mason & Paige
21 photos

FAQ

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$6,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$6,000

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$2,900

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$2,900

Which of the following are included in the starting site fee?

Bridal Suite
Chairs
Clean Up
Parking
Tables

What months are included in your peak season?

March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November

What months are included in your off-peak season?

January
February
December

Still have questions?

Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!

Wedding couple

Reviews of The Ruskin

Cassandra
Cassandra Sent on 10/01/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Better Than I Imagined It Could Be

My husband and I had a lovely wedding at The Ruskin this weekend! We had the pleasure of working with the staff for the past two and a half years as we've planned our wedding. Everyone was always more than accommodating with our extremely specific needs. Our day was more perfect than I'd ever imagined it would be due in very large part to The Ruskin! As we left the next day, we lamented that we couldn't get married there again immediately. I'd recommend anyone interested in a beautiful venue with friendly and experienced staff book The Ruskin.
Ricky
Dominique Sent on 06/08/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Fairytale!

This venue is absolutely the best venue in TN. It's a dream location for any event. Our wedding was a fairytale wedding. Not only is the venue breath taking , but they have the most thoughtful caring staff that are happy to make your dream come to life. I couldn't be happier with the entire process. It was a dream.
A
Annette Sent on 10/22/2019
5 out of 5 rating

October 6th 2019 wedding. The Ruskin Cave venue

They were awesome to work with on our day.
We had rain and Regina offered great solutions!!
The wedding was beautiful!
J
Jessika Sent on 06/27/2017
5 out of 5 rating
It's a wonderful location. I married there almost 4 years ago. So I don't remember the value, but for my husband and I working part time is was absolutely affordable. The person that showed us the location was very helpful and kind. I would very much recommend them!!!
D
Demetria Sent on 06/26/2017
5 out of 5 rating
My husband and I decided we wanted a ceremony that was private and intimate. The Ruskin was the perfect venue for our needs. We only invited immediate family and a few of our closest friends. We also opted for a more affordable weekday wedding ceremony.

We had the wedding ceremony in the garden followed by a brief reception in the cave which included finger foods and a small cake. The views are stunning and the property is well maintained. The scenic property boasts natural and historical amenities such as the cave, waterfalls, fountains, garden, bell tower, cottage and the historic Ruskin-Cave College. There are many opportunities for amazing photographs no matter the season.

I found the venue to be very affordable with added perks. The venue is private and secluded and can accommodate large weddings. The staff was extremely professional, kind, knowledgeable and accommodated all of our needs. Highly recommended!!
M
Morgan Sent on 06/26/2017
5 out of 5 rating
The Ruskin is a PREMIER venue for any and all to experience. The venues within are beautiful, the staff is humble and friendly, and price is extremely fair. The Ruskin is true to Tennessee's heritage beauty and should be a perfect spot for weddings.
J
Julia Sent on 12/20/2017
4.9 out of 5 rating
Regina was so nice and easy to work with! She was very professional, but also very warm and welcoming. My fiance and I had a blast planning our wedding there and we can't wait to get married in May! My favorite part about the venue(s) is that you get the entire property at the price of one venue, and the cave doubles as a great rainy-day plan. You also get a spacious and lovely bridal suite and a spacious and relaxed groom's quarters. There really aren't enough words I can say about how great of an experience we've had with the Ruskin!
N
Nicole Sent on 05/30/2022
4.2 out of 5 rating

Sister of The Bride

Posted on behalf of the Bride.
A
Allison Sent on 08/22/2018
3.6 out of 5 rating
The venue is absolutely stunning. The staff is the one I had issues with. We were told from the start we would be able to decorate the venue as we pleased as long as there would be no damage done to the property. We specifically asked if we could hang a Chandler from the arbor and were told that we would be allowed to. The day of the wedding comes and the staff that I had been working with the entire year left to go spend the day with her family at the campground and left us with another staff. He would not let us use anything we brought for the arbor. Hundreds of dollars were wasted on things we were previously told we were allowed to do. When my fiance at the time confronted the staff about the miscommunication, the staff then proceeded by saying he was going to kick my fiance off the grounds! Ridiculous behavior from someone who was supposed to be professional. I love our pictures and our wedding was perfect but the rudeness displayed by the ruskin staff and the money wasted disheartened me.
S
Shannon Sent on 09/20/2023
1 out of 5 rating

Please learn from my mistake

While my day was beautiful the staff at the Ruskin were rude and incredibly difficult to deal with. Rules are always changing. New rules were created on the day of the wedding as well! Please avoid- this created so much stress through planning and unfortunately a significant amount of stress day of!!!
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Regina Cathey
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