As a planner, I love destination weddings in Nashville, and downtown has some of the best venues for hosting these types of weddings. However, there are some unique factors to consider that can make or break your wedding day. These are my top 2 things to checkout BEFORE you book your wedding in downtown Nashville:
Parking – Most of the downtown Nashville venues do not have their own parking or have valet parking at a cost. If you are planning a destination wedding where all of your guests are flying in and taking an Uber from the airport, then this is not a concern for you. But if you and your family are local, then you may have a lot of cars. Will there be places nearby for guests to park? If so, how much will they have to pay? If you are at a venue that offers valet, will you pay for that or will it come out of your guests’ pockets? Whatever you decide, make sure that it is included on your wedding website so that your guests expect the extra cost as well as the extra time it will take to park so that they can plan accordingly.
Event Schedules – Downtown Nashville plays host to parties of all kinds, not just your wedding. Take a moment to Google several event calendars for downtown (unfortunately I have yet to find one that is all-inclusive).
Look for events that may cause road closures, such as big parties on Broadway or bike/run races. These races will typically only close the roads during the morning but check the times to be sure. Remember that although your guests may not arrive until the evening, your vendors may be arriving all day. Your baker won’t be able to walk 4 blocks in the summer heat with a melting cake when the roads are blocked all downtown for a marathon. Check your wedding start time and make sure that there is plenty of time for set-up after the roads open again.
Then look for events that draw major crowds. I remember so clearly when Nashville hosted the NFL draft, there were so many bachelorette parties that were ruined by the complete takeover of football fans. It was more people downtown than any of us had ever seen, but other large events can take a similar toll on downtown. Avoid major holidays like 4th of July and New Year’s Eve. Check the dates for the major music festivals and consider whether you want to fight those crowds. Many couples specifically choose downtown Nashville wedding venues so that they can go out on Broadway with their crew for the afterparty, but that’s no good if you can’t walk two feet in front of you due to the insane crowds.
Additionally, many of my couples want to make a long weekend out of their wedding, so instead of asking their guests to take a day off work they try to book their wedding on a long weekend. But remember that everyone else has had the same idea. Labor Day and Memorial Day aren’t as bad as the 4th of July, but you’ll still likely face large crowds, limited parking, fewer hotel choices, and longer wait times. Check the event calendars before booking so that you know what you’re getting yourself and your guests into.
Well, those are my two tips to consider before booking a wedding in downtown Nashville. It’s not a long list, but it’s an important one. I’ve seen plans ruined too many times because of the outrageous crowds and limited parking. If you’re planning a destination wedding in Nashville, check your date to see if I can help you book the perfect downtown venue.
