Elope in Nashville, Tennessee

Thinking about eloping for your wedding? Nashville, Tennessee is increasingly becoming a destination elopement location for weddings.

People are discovering that you don't have to be a country music fan to enjoy Nashville. If you are, of course, there's a lot to see and do on the music scene, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and a visit to the Grand Ole Opry.

But there's much more here in music, history and entertainment. Plus, Nashville was recently voted the Nicest City in America. Sorry, New York, you came in 30th.

Now I grew up in Nashville, so I'm bit biased. But as a Nashville wedding minister, I have met couples from all over the world, and everybody loves Nashville. Nashville is big enough without being too big. I sometimes think Nashville is big and the traffic bad, but then I visit a city like Atlanta and I realize how good Nashville is.

If you like the nightlife, there are a lot of interesting places along Broadway and 2nd Ave in downtown Nashville. The Wildhorse Salon seems to be the stop most want to make while here.

Like arts? There's the world-class Schermerhorn Symphony Center and the First Arts Center.

Into history? There's the Hermitage (home of President Andrew Jackson) the Belle Meade Plantation, Carnton Plantation and many more Civil War era sites.

Enjoy shopping? Check out the Opry Mills Mall (with the Bass Pro Shop for the guys) and while there see next door the Opryland Hotel with its interlinking atriums and fabulous gardens.

But back to your Nashville elopement wedding. Here are a few details that will help you plan. You must have a Tennessee marriage license. You can only get the license from a county clerk's office. Most all of them are open only Monday through Friday. There's no blood test or waiting period, but you must have a government issued document with your Social Security number to get your license.

In Tennessee, Internet ordained minister cannot legally perform ceremonies. You must have a real minister.

A location for your Nashville elopement? Depending on the weather, I often meet couples in a local park. For example, Centennial Park and its Sunken Garden is a beautiful spot that many couples love for their ceremony.

Sometimes the hotel where couples are staying have a nice area they allow couples to use for a brief, simple ceremony. A restaurant may do the same. Sometimes I even perform a ceremony for the couple in my home in front of the fireplace.

Wherever you have your ceremony, Nashville is a place you'll want to revisit and remember your special day. Check out the links for more information an elopement in Nashville.