A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting with Ashton Depot and got to tour the venue and hear all about its unique backstory and everything this Fort Worth wedding venue offers.
Ashton Depot is a historic wedding venue located in downtown Fort Worth. It was originally a train station called “Santa Fe Depot,” that opened its doors in 1899. At the time it served as a relief for nearby stations and served several lines until 1960. Ashton Depots tall ceilings and historical characteristics make it a perfect wedding venue for the classic bride or history buff.
THE ASHTON DEPOt - main ballroom
When you walk through Ashton Depot’s front doors, you enter right into its grand ballroom. It's original stained glass windows, barrel-vaulted ceilings, and marble floors make this venue truly unique to Dallas Fort Worth! Ashton Depot’s large interior allows for much variety in the floor plan and can hold up to 300+ guests with a dance floor, but it is also perfect for smaller weddings of 50.
THE ASHTON DEPOT - courtyard
As you walk outside, there is a large courtyard that can serve as a ceremony or cocktail option. It can even be tented in case of rain and offers a great alternative to doing the ceremony at a different location.
THE ASHTON DEPOT - CATERING
Ashton Depot also houses one of the best catering services in Fort Worth, TX. If you are a foodie this might be the perfect venue for you! They are famous for their synchronized service and unique take on dishes. Cesar Gallegos, the Executive Chef, prides himself on creating fresh, authentic cuisine colored by different international traditions, and he even offers off-site catering
THE ASHTON DEPOT - RENTAL INCLUSIONS
1 Hr Rehearsal Included (For ceremonies that are held onsite)
5 Hr Rental of the Entire Building (If ceremony & reception are held on property)
4 Hr Rental of the Entire Building (If Reception only held on property)
Outdoor Ceremony Option
Tables
Gold Chivari Chairs
Specialty Linens & Napkins
China/Glassware/Silverware
Valet Parking
Security Officer
Cake Cutting Services
Butler for Bride & Groom
All Servers and Bartenders
Set up & Breakdown of chairs and tables
Venue Cleaning Services
THE ASHTON DEPOT - INTERVIEW
Shannon Rose Events: How did you get started?
The Ashton Depot: “I always had a passion for history, and wanted in some way to keep the history of Fort Worth alive.”
Shannon Rose Events: What was your favorite client this year?
The Ashton Depot: “We honestly love all of our clients; however, we especially love it when we get to work with unique events that have the food included in the execution of the overall theme because it allows the chef to get creative and it is fun to see what he comes up with.”
Shannon Rose Events: What is something unique about the Ashton Depot?
The Ashton Depot: “We have a very large garden that is just beyond the courtyard gate – it actually grows in the old train track that no longer operates which makes it even more unique! Our Chef grows tons of fresh herbs, some fruits & some vegetables – he will use what he can in the kitchen when preparing the menu items, and we also use them in our signature cocktails. You can really taste the difference when using fresh garden ingredients!”
Shannon Rose Events: What is one interesting fact about the Ashton Depot?
The Ashton Depot: “The City of Fort Worth originally planned to tear the building down so they removed the stained glass windows from the building. When our owner, Shirlee J. Gandy, purchased the property in 1998, she wanted to preserve as much of the building as possible so she went on a hunt to find the original stained glass windows. She ended up finding them in an old warehouse in town – they had been there for 30+ years so they were in terrible condition, if you can imagine. She purchased them and brought them back to the Depot – it took 18 months to restore them, piece by piece, and now they are back in their original setting.
To see more Fort Worth wedding venues check out our past blog post here!