River Bend Nature Center 2200 3rd St • Wichita Falls • TX 76301
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Why You'll Love This Place
A Here Comes The Guide Wedding Venue Review
- You can host an unforgettable wedding surrounded by stunning flora without blowing your budget. In fact, it's hard to beat the lush woodland setting of the new Forest Ceremony Site in the heart of this nature center's 15 acres.
- Overlooking the property, their 7,000-square-foot Pavilion features a cathedral ceiling, brick wall, and and breathtaking views through two open sides. This very popular venue offers amenities like free WiFi, private restrooms, and wind guards.
- Another option is the J.S. Bridwell Terrace, a spacious uncovered area planted with native vegetation. And the North Library in the main building can be used for getting ready, relaxing, and taking photos.
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DEALS: What discounts, special offers, or packages are available here?
Year-Round Elopement Special
Keeping it simple, meaningful, and refreshingly stress-free, just the way elopements should be.
Available Monday–Sunday
$150 per hour
1-hour minimum
Reservations may be made no more than one month in advance.
PRICES: What's this going to cost?
Rental Fee
- $300/event and up
- Rental fee varies depending on:
- Day of week
- Time of year
- Event duration
Peak Season (March–June, September–November)
- Monday–Thursday: $300 for 4 hours | $75 each additional hour
- Friday: $1,000 for 12 hours | $125 each additional hour
- Saturday: $1,600 for 12 hours | $125 each additional hour
- Sunday: $900 for 12 hours | $125 each additional hour
Off-Season (January, February, July, August)
- Monday–Thursday: $300 for 4 hours | $75 each additional hour
- Friday: $500 for 6 hours | $125 each additional hour
- Saturday: $800 for 6 hours | $125 each additional hour
- Sunday: $450 for 6 hours | $125 each additional hour
COUPLES ARE ASKING: We've got answers
Renting the Elizabeth Prothro Pavilion at River Bend Nature Center in Wichita Falls includes the J.S. Bridwell Terrace, the Forest Ceremony Site and the Rotary North Library for getting ready. You'll also get 6- and 8-foot rectangular tables, 60-inch rounds, cocktail tables, white folding chairs, picnic tables, the Pavilion's Bluetooth/aux sound system and event security. You'll bring your own catering (there's no on-site kitchen) and a TABC-certified bartender if you're serving alcohol, and a portable PA is $75 extra.
Yes. At River Bend Nature Center, you can marry at the Forest Ceremony Site, with wooden benches, a wooden walkway and a rustic arbor made of old native wood, for about 130 guests, then celebrate in the 7,000-square-foot covered Pavilion, which seats about 500, with the open-air J.S. Bridwell Terrace for about 200 more.
Bring them. River Bend Nature Center has no catering policy, so you can hire any caterer and other vendors, as long as each one provides a certificate of insurance. Alcohol is allowed, but it must be poured by a TABC-certified bartender with a current certificate. There's no kitchen on-site, so plan your menu with your caterer accordingly.
River Bend Nature Center in Wichita Falls keeps costs low. In peak season (March–June and September–November), Saturdays are $1,600 for 12 hours, Fridays $1,000 and Sundays $900, and Monday–Thursday is $300 for 4 hours. In the off-season (January, February, July and August), Saturdays are $800 for 6 hours, Fridays $500 and Sundays $450. Extra hours run $75–$125, elopements are $150 an hour, and a $300 refundable deposit holds your date.
River Bend Nature Center is a nonprofit nature center with 15 acres of bottomland forest in Wichita Falls, so your ceremony happens in the woods at the Forest Ceremony Site and your reception in a 7,000-square-foot covered Pavilion with a cathedral ceiling. You can bring your own caterer and alcohol, and a 12-hour peak-season Saturday is $1,600.
Your wedding party can get ready in the Rotary North Library at River Bend Nature Center, which comes with Pavilion rentals and includes pull-down blinds, tables, chairs, Wi-Fi and two full-length mirrors. Access starts when your rental time begins, so build getting-ready time into your booking.
GUEST COUNT: How many people can we have here? What’s the max capacity?
| Indoors | Outdoors | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremony | Seated | 0 | 500 |
| Cocktails, etc. | Standing | 0 | 500 |
| Reception | Seated | 0 | 500 |
| Meetings | Total meeting capacity for this venue is 500. | ||
Venue Info & FAQs
OPTIONS: What kinds of events can we have here?
- Outdoor Ceremony
- Ceremony
- Wedding Receptions
- Outdoor Reception
- Elopement Packages
- Small Wedding
- Rehearsal Dinner
- Special Events / Parties
- Business Functions / Meetings
- Late Night
POLICIES: What are the food, alcohol, music, and other rules here?
Price
$
Catering
BYO
Alcohol
BYO
Amplified Music
Outdoors
Wheelchair Access
Wheelchair accessible
Availability
January through the first weekend in November, 7 days a week.
STYLE: What’s the style and overall vibe of this venue?
Buildings & other settings available:
- Garden
- Patio / Deck / Terrace
- Non-Profit
- Park
VIEWS: What kind of views does this place have?
Peep the views you’ll enjoy from this venue!
- Cityscape
- Forest / Woods
- Fountain / Water Feature
- Garden
- Lagoon / Pond
- Landscaped Grounds
- Panoramic
- Park
River Bend Nature Center
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