Expert Advice: Find the Right Nashville Wedding Venue, Based on Your Personality and Style {Part 2)
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
I was a hotel bride, primarily because when i got married, there weren't a lot of edgy, creative venue options in Nashville. But, I choose a hotel because i wanted an easy approach. If I were to plan a wedding today, I'm not sure which I would choose. You have some decisions to make and unfortunately, I can't choose for you, but i can help you get smart!
I'm back with my final advice from Sarah Willard of Music City Events. Yesterday, I shared her advice on two types of wedding venues. Today, I'm happy to share her insight into spaces that are highly customizable, such as warehouses and private farms.
Cellar One Courtyard; Photo: Mary Frances Photography
SPACE TYPE 3 – Blank Slate Event Spaces – Outdoor / Indoor
Flexibility: Maximum / Work for the bride: Maximum
These venues include LITTLE or NO standard event items but that goes you the opportunity to design it as you'd like. Instead of complaining about the chairs at a hotel or their carpet, these locations allow you to create your vision from floor to ceiling.
These venues are often among the coolest, newest options available but they are sometimes raw spaces. They require the most work, so you absolutely need a planner, but they are a blank space and perfect for brides looking for an incredibly unique space they can transform. With these spaces, you can design a wedding like no one else’s. The caterer you select can be experimental, fun and interesting – maybe even a food truck. Your planner or stylist has full reign over tenting, draping and lighting. These spaces are usually large enough to accommodate ceremony and reception for hundreds of guests.
Outdoor Options / Think: Private Farm, Centennial Park, Shelby Walking Bridge
What Brides Love: You create your own look - surrounded by gorgeous flowers, wild flowers, trees, hills - nature is your backdrop so you can cut down on expensive décor that can’t compare.
These locations offer the ultimate control. There’s usually enough space for ceremony and reception; setup can be anything you envision. For vendors, you can choose your caterer, lighting company, event designer, rental company, etc. If you want to spend more on décor than food, you could. It’s completely up to you as there are no minimums and few requirements other than making sure the venue is not ruined! If weather is great – outdoor venues are wonderful; easiest to accommodate ceremony and reception usually with no need to flip your space. What Brides Should Consider: It’s a blank slate and your wedding is outdoor. There is nothing easy about that. With a weather sensitive venue, you definitely need a rain plan, which usually consist of a tent, which is costly.
If it rains is really hot or really cold, you will need heaters, fans, dance floor (so guests don’t get muddy). And, even if it doesn’t rain, you still need a tent on standby, so you will probably lose your deposit.
With most outdoor venues, you must bring in everything – wait staff, bartenders, valet parking, chairs, tables, linens, ground protection, lighting restroom facilities. The rental costs can quickly add up.
Exception to note: Nashville Event Spaces manages several venues, including Cellar One which has a breathtaking courtyard. Nashville Event Spaces has strong team that helps brides and grooms as little or as much as needed.
Shelby Street Bridge: Photo: Chris & Adrienne Scott Photography
Private wedding at couple's home in East Nashville; Photo: Joon Powell
Marathon Village; Photos: Flameheart
Indoor Options / Think: Houston Station, Private Homes, Marathon Village
What Brides Love: Again, these venues are a blank canvas so you can make it yours. You have nearly free reign - but you have to do a lot of legwork. What Brides Should Consider: Most don’t provide anything but space. You bring your event manager, chairs, tables, linen, caterers, valet, linen – everything, down to your silverware. You will need a highly recommended planner. Together, you will hire every single company. But, it will be worth it if you are a bride who wants a completely original look.
Houston Station; Photos: Joe Hendricks Photography
Houston Station; Photo: Jessie Holloway Photography
Brides, grooms and wedding planners alike marvel at how much they 1) love working with the staff at Houston Station and 2) love to transform the space and make it theirs. Most would tell you that while coordination is needed to pull all the pieces together, the space and the service are more than worth it! I especially love how the specialty lighting from Bright Event Productions team transformed Houston Station at the open house pictured below.
About the Author:
Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide
Hey - I'm Ashley! I started AshleysBrideGuide.com to give Nashville brides, or folks planning a Nashville wedding, a local resource for inspiration and resources. Hope to see you at a bridal show soon! Happy Planning.
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Posted on February 13, 2013 |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Wedding Planners & Coordinators, Wedding Venues and Locations
