Nashville, Tennessee, is not only renowned for its rich musical heritage but also for its stunning array of churches that provide timeless settings for weddings. For couples seeking to exchange vows in a sacred and historic atmosphere, Nashville offers an array of churches that blend architectural beauty with spiritual significance. It can be challenging at first to find a church that will allow couples to book the space for their wedding. Many churches require the couple to be a member for at least 12 months. Beyond that, many churches have a venue fee of anywhere from $750 – $4000 so couples should budget accordingly. Let’s explore three of the best churches in Nashville for weddings, that allow anyone to book the space, each offering its own unique charm and elegance.
1. Vine Street Christian Church
Nestled in the heart of downtown Nashville, Vine Street Christian Church is a historic landmark that exudes timeless elegance and grace. Built in 1884, this stunning church boasts a beautiful blend of Gothic Revival and Victorian architectural styles, with its soaring spire, intricate stained glass windows, and ornate woodwork. The sanctuary, with its high ceilings and warm natural light, provides a serene and intimate setting for couples to exchange vows and begin their journey together. Whether you envision a traditional ceremony with classical music or a contemporary service with modern touches, Vine Street Christian Church offers a sacred space that is both reverent and welcoming. This sanctuary can hold up to 350 guests so it is perfect for larger weddings.
Vine Street has 2 spaces for the wedding party to stay before the ceremony. While there is a small space the bridesmaids can use for getting ready, most couples get ready off site and arrive an hour and a half before the ceremony to settle in before guests arrive.
2. Scarritt Bennett
Located on the picturesque campus of Scarritt Bennett Center, Scarritt Bennett Chapel is a breathtaking Gothic-style church that offers couples a truly enchanting setting for their wedding day. Built in 1928, this historic chapel features soaring arches, intricate stone carvings, and stunning windows, creating a sense of grandeur and majesty. The chapel’s intimate interior, with its rich wood paneling and soft candlelight, provides a romantic backdrop for exchanging vows and celebrating with loved ones. With its serene gardens and tranquil courtyards, Scarritt Bennett Center offers couples the opportunity to create a memorable wedding experience that is both sacred and serene. We often have couples get married here because their parent’s ceremony was here as well.
After getting ready off site, your wedding party typically can arrive around 3:00 or 3:30pm to do photos outside on the beautiful grounds ahead of your 5:30pm ceremony. There are separate spaces for bridesmaids and groomsmen to relax before the ceremony as well as Bennett Hall where family that will be walking down the aisle can relax ahead of the processional. The sanctuary can hold a max of 300, and this includes the balcony. Most guest counts will be comfortable under 250.
3. Cathedral of the Incarnation
As one of Nashville’s most iconic landmarks, the Cathedral of the Incarnation is a magnificent Gothic-style church that offers couples a majestic setting for their wedding ceremony. Built in 1914, this historic cathedral features soaring vaulted ceilings, intricate stone carvings, and breathtaking stained glass windows, creating a sense of awe and reverence. The cathedral’s grandeur and opulence provide a stunning backdrop for couples to exchange vows and begin their married life together. Whether you choose to host your ceremony in the main sanctuary with its impressive pipe organ or in one of the smaller chapels with their intimate atmosphere, the Cathedral of the Incarnation offers couples with a Catholic background a truly unforgettable wedding experience that is steeped in tradition and beauty.
An important thing to note about the Cathedral is their ceremony time slots. For Friday, 3:00pm is the offered time and on a Saturday the standard times are 1:00pm and 7:00pm. This leaves many couples wondering how to structure their reception time. Having an earlier ceremony time and a standard 5:00 cocktail hour start time leaves time in between for your guests to explore the town, grab a drink at one of the couple’s suggested local favorites or even change their outfit for the reception. This time is lovingly referred to as “the Catholic gap”. This shouldn’t cause any worry for you our dear brides. As long as you write your invitations appropriately and share more information on your website on how your wedding day timeline will flow, your guests will feel prepared ahead of your wedding day. The cathedral is the largest space of the churches shared on this blog and can hold over 400 guests.
In conclusion, Nashville’s churches offer couples the opportunity to exchange vows in settings that are both sacred and sublime. Whether you’re drawn to historic landmarks, Gothic-style chapels, or serene sanctuaries, there’s a church in Nashville to suit every style and vision. With their architectural beauty, spiritual significance, and timeless elegance, these three churches promise to make your wedding day a truly unforgettable and meaningful occasion. We would be delighted to send you down the aisle. Please contact us to check availability for your wedding day!
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