The Perfect Winter Wedding in Nashville

With historic hotels and antebellum estates, Nashville has plenty of "picture perfect" locations for the couple planning a winter wedding. And several mentioned here, with their prime downtown locations, are within walking distance to Nashville's top tourist attractions.

When starting your hunt for a Nashville wedding location you should check out, either in person or via the Internet, the beautiful Union Station Hotel.

You'll first notice the castle-like spires as you approach the lovingly-restored landmark from the outside, but the real treat is when you take your first steps inside the Grand Lobby. You won't know what to look at first-the stone fireplaces; the elaborate winding staircases; the bas -relief angels; the 100-year old Tiffany-style glasswork; or the 65-foot, Barrel-vaulted stained glass ceiling.

The lobby at the Union Station Hotel can accommodate up to 500 guests, but the hotel has other venues available as well.

In the McKinley and Majors Rooms you will find magnificent stone archways and paneled ceilings that create a warm and welcoming wedding or reception environment. Each room accommodates between 170 and 230 guests. Smaller rooms, such as the Montfort Lewis and Louisville rooms, can accommodate more intimate gatherings from 40 guests and up.

If the Union Station Hotel sounds like it might fit the bill, a good place to start is their website dedicated to wedding planning.

Just a few steps down Broadway from the Union Station Hotel is the Frist Center. While the Union Station Hotel is a landmark of the 1900s, the Frist Center pulls us into the 1930s Art Deco era. The building originally opened in 1934 as Nashville's downtown post office. It has been exquisitely restored and today houses world-class art exhibits. One look inside and you will be awed by the towering, elaborate ceilings; sweeping marble floors; and beautifully restored art deco details.

With more than 5,00 square feet of space, an outdoor courtyard that can be tented, and fantastic in-house catering, the facility has the flexibility to handle winter wedding from 40 to 500 guests.

Commissioned by a group of Nashville residents in 1908, and opening in 1910, the Hermitage Hotel offers another elegant and historic venue for the indoor winter wedding. The builders selected only top materials: Italian sienna marble in the entrance; wall panels made from Russian walnut; a cut, stained glass ceiling in the vaulted lobby; Persian rugs; and massive, overstuffed furniture.

The Hermitage Hotel can accommodate weddings parties from 50 to 230 persons. There is an in-house culinary team, and certified wedding and catering professionals to guide couples every step of the way.

Take a quick look at the hotel's online slide show designed especially for weddings.

For couples who want a lot or charm, but are watching their budgets a little more closely, the Top O'Woodland Historic Bed and Breakfast might be just the place.

The spacious home, just five minutes from the heart of downtown Nashville, hosts weddings in true southern style for groups of just a few folks to 100 guests. Filled with period antiques, a flickering fireplace, and offering a Victorian Nashville wedding chapel, Top O'Woodland is a great place for an intimate wedding ceremony. If that isn't enough, the venue also has an on-site Tennessee chaplain available to conduct the service!

For the bride who dreams of the perfect country setting for her winter wedding, Historic Cedarwood is perfect. Only 10 minutes from downtown Nashville, the staff works hard to meet the needs of every wedding party.

The beautiful 1830s antebellum farm estate exudes romantic southern country charm. The richly decorated and beautifully restored historic Yarbrough House can be used in conjunction with adjoining terraces for up to 200 guests, or can host an intimate indoor wedding for up to 75 guests.

The Cedarwood staff is clearly making wise use of the web to stake a claim in the Nashville wedding market. As well as having a wonderful site that gives an overview of their offerings, they publish a very informative blog: check it out, you might find information on a wedding that was held the same month as you are planning to hold yours.

While the winter weather in Nashville can occasionally get a little cold, any of these wedding venues should produce nothing but warm memories.

http://www.unionstationwedding.com/
http://www.weddingwire.com/shared/VendorWebsite?vid=c3eae61f3f6d5f63
http://www.thehermitagehotel.com/fla/weddings/slideshow.html
http://www.historiccedarwood.com/
http://historiccedarwood.blogspot.com/
http://www.fristcenter.org/site/venue/