Nashville Wedding Photographers | Jen & Chris Creed

You’ve finally found it! That perfect location for your intimate Nashville Wedding is likely on this list!

Intimate weddings are typically smaller events with a smaller guest list. But that is not the only thing that makes a wedding “intimate.” It’s all about space and how you use it. You could easily have a 100-150 person wedding and still have it feel intimate. You’ll find on this list everything from elopement locations to a 300+ person intimate wedding location that can fell just as close. It’s all in how you build your wedding at the location you choose.

So here it is: Our top 8 Amazing Intimate Wedding Locations In Nashville

1. CJ’s Off The Square – Franklin, TN

CJ’s venue located just off the square in Franklin, Tn (about a 30 min drive from downtown Nashville) is tailor made for intimate weddings. This historic home venue packs a ton of charm and is home to the most amazing garden where couples usually say “I Do.” CJ’s (an all-inclusive venue) also has a perfect pavilion for your guests to enjoy cocktails, dinner (or brunch!) and dancing. Especially if you’re coming in from out of town and looking to have a great team to get all the details lined up, this is the perfect spot for you.

Click here to see more images from CJ’s Off The Square Weddings.

2. St. Augustine’s Chapel on the campus of Vanderbilt University – Nashville, TN (West End)

This beautiful, A-frame chapel located on the campus of Vanderbilt University is as charming as it is absolutely stunning. Completed in 1958, this mid-century dream of a chapel can seat up to 150 people, making it the perfect chapel for intimate weddings! If you’re thinking of having a reception, we recommend doing what Katie & Joe did after their wedding at the chapel and having it at one of the many nearby local restaurants. We recommend looking into Park Cafe in Sylvan Park or Adele’s in The Gulch.

Click here to see the full wedding at St. Augustine’s and reception at Park Cafe.

3. Riverwood Mansion – Nashville, TN (East Side)

Built in the late 1790′s among its original 2,500 acres, Riverwood is one of Nashville’s oldest homes. And you can feel the history when you drive through those gates. Another all-inclusive venue (again, perfect for destination weddings!), they have packages for elopements, intimate weddings, and weddings up to 300+. Want to have your wedding in an epic, magical garden that backs up to one of Nashville’s Oldest homes? But also want options for if it rains? This is your place. They are built to accommodate – rain or shine – with a beautiful tented pavilion and a perfect indoor space in the mansion that can serve as “plan-b” 🙂

Click here to see more Riverwood Mansion Weddings

4. Arrington Vineyards – Arrington, TN

Wine. We love it. Arrington is such a gem of a spot that not a lot of folks make it out to when they visit. Situated on beautiful hillside in Arrington, Tn (about 35 minutes from downtown Nashville), the vineyard is perfect for intimate weddings and elopements. Go buy a couple bottles of (fantastic!) wine, pop them open in the vines, and say I do! Or if you’d like a bit more structure (or have a larger group) they do have a sister property called Lilac Farms that includes a picturesque barn and house for your event. But either way, you shouldn’t miss this beautiful Nashville winery.

Click here to see more Arrington Vineyard Weddings

5. Air BnB/VRBO/HomeAway Rentals

Alright, This one sticks out from the pack but I want you to have a couple “out-of-the-box” options here as well. More and more of our couples are renting Air BnBs and the like to host guests, themselves, or even their events. One of our clients, rented an EPIC cabin in Leiper’s Fork just outside of Nashville to have their wedding. They cooked lunch for the family, got married under a tree in the front yard to the sound of absolutely nothing, and it was awesome! If you’re having trouble deciding on something that would be a fit for your needs, consider looking for rentals in the Nashville area. Definitely search for “Leiper’s Fork” area homes if you want to get a more secluded cabin feel or “12 South for a more upscale, modern feel.

Click here to see a full Air BnB Wedding In Nashville.

6. Cheekwood Botanical Gardens – Nashville, TN (Belle Meade)

Cheekwood is a must see when you’re in Nashville. A 55-acre botanical garden and art museum, it would be tough to see it all on a single visit. But the good news is, the wedding location spots are planned out. You just have to pick one 🙂 Cheekwood makes for a beautiful backdrop in any season and has fantastic options for receptions as well. Definitely one of our favorites as it’s impossible not fall in love with the immense beauty of the grounds, the architecture on the home, and the incredible views from the top of the estate. Absolutely perfect!

Click here to see more Cheekwood Weddings

7. Scarritt Bennett Center – Nashville, TN (West End)

Located near the campus of Vanderbilt and just minutes from Downtown Nashville, Scarritt Bennett is a great location for those wanting a more intimate church wedding with convenience to pretty much everything Nashville is known for.  Whitman Hall (“One of the Best Places to Get Married” by the Toast of Nashville’s annual survey.) has beautiful stained glass windows that allow the afternoon light to stream through, creates a warm, inviting, and unforgettable environment for your ceremony. Even though it can fit several hundred, this is one venue that feels intimate no matter the guest count. Other options for ceremonies on the historic campus are: Skinner Chapel (for very small weddings) , and The International Garden/Labyrinth for a unique outdoor ceremony.

Click here to see more Scarritt Bennett Weddings

8. Fall Creek Falls State Park – Spencer, TN

Alright, to be perfectly clear, this isn’t in Nashville. Some might say it’s not even close. But, it’s so worth it. Especially if you’re like us and you’re always up for a hike and an epic waterfall. It’s located about two hours outside of Nashville towards Chattanooga. It’s a beautiful drive and once you’re there, oh man. It. Is. Amazing. Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. (side note: The main falls are not always rushing. It’s best to go in a rainier season like April or October to see them in their full glory.) Other attractions include an epic rope bridge and other water falls to make a perfect backdrop to your big day! Also, this a great place to look for cabins and such as well. Or, venture down to Chattanooga! Lots of fun down there too.

Click here to see a full Fall Creek Falls Adventure Elopement

This should get you started as you search for that perfect place to have your intimate wedding in Nashville. Just remember that you get to decide how your wedding feels and the experience you want it to be for your guests and for you. If you want it to feel intimate even with a slightly larger guest count, you can make that happen! All it takes is a bit of intentionality and strategic place picking 🙂

And also, that the most important thing is that you two are getting married and that’s awesome!! So enjoy the process, soak it all in, and have fun!

Cheers to you!

Jen and Chris Creed