HOWDY
If you are planning a destination wedding in Nashville or have recently been invited to a wedding in Music City, buckle up!
We've carefully curated the perfect guide, from where to eat and where to wed, and we promise you'll want to write this down. Although Nashville is known for its live music and honky tonk nature, there is so much more to this Tennessee city.
So get out your planner and keep scrolling! For more ideas & advice, stay tuned each month to see what’s next.
1. WHERE TO STAY
No matter your destination, finding the perfect place to stay should be at the top of your agenda. And lucky for you, we know some good spots!
If you wish to stay in a downtown location with historic attraction, consider The Hermitage Hotel or The Union Station. These top notch spots are architectural landmarks with breathtaking designs, both inside and out.
However, if you prefer a more modern style with sophisticated design, still located downtown, then we absolutely recommend Noelle or the Omni. Noelle is located in front of the famed Printers Alley and has a secret hidden bar in the basement with seasonal themes.
The Omni is attached to the Country Music Hall of Fame with a rooftop pool, steakhouse, and bar with live music inside— and it’s located just feet away from The Bell Tower, one of our wedding venues!
And if downtown isn’t your vibe but a unique experience is, then The Graduate is calling your name. Filled with so much color and character you won’t believe your eyes. It has an on-site coffee shop, Cross-Eyed Critters karaoke bar, and Dolly Parton’s White Limozeen rooftop bar.
Photos by Andrew Morton, John Myers and Details Nashville
2. WHERE TO DINE
We understand it might be a challenge to hit all of these must-go restaurants, but you’ll want to do your best. Trust us!
You can’t come to Nashville without trying Prince's Hot Chicken Shack or a taco from Mas Tacos Por Favor, and you definitely need to grab a monkey mocha coffee from Frothy Monkey with a 100-layer donut from Five Daughters Bakery or an old fashioned pastry from Fox's Donut Den.
Not to be dramatic, but it would be a crime to miss out.
And when you’re ready to dine on some Southern comforts, make a pitstop at Martin’s BBQ, Arnold’s Country Kitchen, or the famous Loveless Cafe with biscuits to die for.
If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience, we recommend checking out Merchants on Broadway, Virago for a top-notch sushi experience, the one and only Urban Grub in 12South, or Pinewood Social for upscale bowling and cocktails.
3. WHAT TO DO
It would be a shame if you came all the way to Nashville and didn’t make an appearance on Broadway! So while you’re there, make sure to stop into Nudie's Honky Tonk, Robert’s Western World, and the newly-finished Fifth + Broadway, which is full of shops and a massive food hall with tons of local eats.
And if the live music on Broadway has inspired your vocal chords, you’ll want to try out some of the best holein-the-wall karaoke bars, such as Ms. Kelli’s, Santa’s Pub, and Lipstick Lounge. Or buy a ticket to the Listening Room Cafe to hear up-and-coming singers and songwriters in a more laid-back environment.
Once you have that covered, learn about our famed music history at the Country Music Hall of Fame or the Grand Ole Opry, and take a tour to see all of the spectacular murals for photo ops across the city. And while you’re exploring, try some of our best Tennessee brews at Bearded Iris, Jackalope, or Tennessee Brew Works.
If you get really lucky, there might even be a Predators game, a concert at the Ascend Amphitheater, or your favorite comedian might be at Zanies Comedy Club. All of these places are in central locations with tons to do nearby.
Photos by Rebecca Denton and Rebecca Renee
4. WHAT TO GIVE
We know party favors are making a slow exit in modern wedding trends, but here are a few ideas that you might want to hold onto!
The number one favor to greet your guests with for a destination wedding is, of course, a guide or map to where they will be spending their time with a list of recommended local restaurants or attractions. It will help them get around and easily find things to do outside of your wedding activities!
Now if you expect your wedding party or guests will be spending most of their time celebrating on Broadway, then there’s truly no better gift to give than a recovery kit. Include things like Advil, water, electrolytes, local snacks, and even fruit for an extra vitamin boost.
And if you don’t have time to create special favors, consider using locally-sourced gift boxes created by Batch Nashville. Their pre-made gift sets feature local favorites like Thistle Farms lotion, Loveless Cafe’s biscuit mix, or Daily Crunch’s amazing flavored almonds.
Photo by Molly Peach
5. WHERE TO WED
We might be biased, but you can’t beat a Nashville wedding at one of these venues!
Both The Bell Tower and The Bridge Building are located in prime areas of downtown Nashville. The Bell Tower, once a historic church dating back to the 1870s, has been transformed into a modern, spacious event venue. Abundant natural light, exposed beams, and an upper level mezzanine make this one of the most sought after venues in all of Nashville.
And located on the riverfront, The Bridge Building is a historic downtown landmark and the top event venue in Nashville for any special occasion with many customizable areas, riverfront and rooftop patios, and an exceptional view of the city. Seriously, the view is unreal!
The Estate at Cherokee Dock is an award-winning estate just outside of Nashville with ample lush green landscapes on 15 acres of land. With various entertaining spaces, both inside and out, you can turn your vision of a perfect wedding into a reality.
The Cordelle offers historic charm and the largest downtown Nashville greenspace. Located just outside of downtown Nashville, the late Victorian home features both indoor and outdoor event space with thousands of square feet to make your own.
The Tennessee State Museum is a modern awe-inspiring venue with a spacious Grand Hall, second floor rotunda, and wrap-around veranda— all offer stunning views of downtown Nashville. Conveniently located, the Museum connects North Nashville, Germantown, and downtown, and it is easily accessible to downtown lodging and Interstate 65.
Originally built in the early 1900s, Marathon Music Works has been restored and adapted as an ideal blank space for your custom event. The versatile, open floor design is accented with exposed brick walls, a lofty steel beam ceiling, polished concrete bars, and metal chandeliers your guests will love.
Photos by Rebecca Renee, Hannah Leigh Imagery, John Myers, and Sara Bill.
