GREATER NASHVILLE TENNESSEE WEDDING RESOURCES, INFORMATION AND REVIEWS

New Stuff:

Williamson County Weddings & Events now has a blog

Ashley's Bride Guide is an information-rich resource for Nashville brides. I've spoken with Ashley, and she tells me that when she married she had trouble finding the information she needed. So, she has created a resource to provide the information you need for your wedding. She is not a wedding planner, but provides up-to-date info on the Nashville wedding scene and resources. You can sign up free. Best way to see what she is doing is to check out her website.

NASHVILLE BRIDAL CONSULTANTS, WEDDING PLANNERS, WEDDING DIRECTORS:

You've probably already found out there are a zillion details to your wedding.  If that's not enough, who knows how to pull off a wedding! A good wedding planner does. You may feel overwhelmed because you've never done a wedding before, but these directors have successfully directed many. As the wedding minister, I am always excited to see someone like the people listed below in charge because I know I can relax and focus on what I need to do. And you'll be able to relax too and just enjoy the day.    

A Delightful Day Event Planning  /   A Magical Affair  /  Elegant Weddings by Angela    /  

One Grand Affair  /  Randi Events - Laurie Hardman  /  Something Blue Weddings & Events  /  Treasured Weddings by Tonya 

Weddings By Helen  /  Weddings by Jess  /  Williamson County Weddings & Events

Simply Exquisite

NASHVILLE DISC JOCKEYS:

Ralph's Review: I've seen all these DJ's at weddings. They all know their stuff and will give you a lot of personal attention. Each is very friendly and pleasant to work with. I stress that quality in all vendors that couples use... someone can have the best equipment & skill, but if they have no personality, it won't be any fun. I don't believe you will be disappointed with any of these Nashville DJ's.

Choice Disc Jockey - Bart Hanchey

Spangler Entertainment - Creating Memories with Music

Select Sound - Blake Chaffin

NASHVILLE FORMAL WEAR:

Ambassadors Formalwear - Rivergate @ McHenry Center - (615) 865-4640

Ralph's Review: You can't go wrong by giving Gilda at Ambassadors Formalwear a call. There are some wedding vendors that have been doing it so long that it has turned into a boring job for them. Not so for Gilda. She has a great sense of humor, and puts the fun back into weddings that some people take out. Gilda has a genuine interest in helping couples. She also periodically teaches a class for couples to help them plan their weddings. So she knows more than clothes, and can help you fit it all together. Gilda is very active in the Tennessee Weddings & Events Specialist Association (TWESA) and knows all about weddings in middle Tennessee.

NASHVILLE MUSICIANS:

Going to the Chapel - James Arthur Weinberg

Ralph's Review: I've seen James at weddings and he does a very good job. Check out his website for extensive information about what all he does. James has two degrees from Belmont and 20 yrs. of experience working with wedding music.

Nashville Chamber Players - Classical Elegance of Chamber Music

Ralph's Review: I've heard the Nashville Chamber Players many times and their experience shows. They have over  1,000 events under their belts. They've worked with some big names like Princess Anne, Johnny Cash, James Garner, and Governor Phil Bredesen -  but you don't have to be famous. Diane Davich (the director of the Nashville Chamber Players) will treat you like you are. She has put together a great website where you can listen to samples of wedding music. How about a little Edelweiss or Ave Maria!

Nashville Wedding Guitarist - Rob Higginbotham

Ralph's Review: I keep running across Rob Higginbotham at weddings . There must be some reason people keep choosing him for their weddings. Mostly I've heard his soft style guitar music, but he does other things as well. Check out his website to learn more, including info about duets.

Nashville Wedding Violin - Rebecca Baumbach

Ralph's Review: Bach...that sound musical doesn't it! Rebecca is another musician I've started seeing a lot at weddings. Rebecca has played the violin for 20 years, including internationally for weddings and events. You can listen to some selections at her website. 

The Harpeth Trio

Ralph Review: I see this group a lot at weddings around town. As I've said before, it someone (or group) is being used a lot, that says something. They are worth checking out to see if they meet your needs. You can listen to numerous selections on their website.

NASHVILLE PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Ralph's Review: I don't often see the finished product, so as you would do anyway, you'll look at samples of the work of the photographer you choose for your wedding. Photographers have different styles too. But from my perspective, a key to getting a good result is the personality of the photographer. A photographer must be well-mannered (some aren't) & be able to put you and your family at ease. If your photographer has little tact, it doesn't matter if they have the latest equipment and photographic expertise. If people aren't happy, they aren't going to smile....and when you see your pictures, their unhappiness will show. Listed below are some of the photographers I've seen who have both photographic skill and the ability to help everyone enjoy getting their pictures made.

A1Photos4U.com  /  Ace Photography  /  David Wright Photography  /   Dream Land Pictures

Harmony Designs Photography  /   Infinite Images - Brandi Lynn Adkins  /  Kevin Wimpy Photography   

McLellan Studio - Sean & Melanie  /  Njaal Helle  /  The Photographix  /  Gray Photography

NASHVILLE VIDEOGRAPHERS

Marko Visual Weddings

Ralph's Review: I just saw one of Marko Visual's trailer for the wedding video of a couple I helped out at Historic Cedarwood recently. They do the video-story format and I think you'd be very impressed with the quality of work they do. As always, check of the site for the details.

Turning Point Productions -

Ralph's Review: Take a look at this site. The video examples are very impressive. As many weddings as I've been a part of, I found myself wanting to watch all of these. I'll warn you though, even if you thought you might not have a wedding video, you could change your mind after watching these.

Nashville Wedding Bands and More:

Nashville Wedding Reception Bands

Nashville Wedding DJ

Nashville Wedding Violinist

Nashville Wedding Guitarist

Nashville Wedding Harpist

I will be adding more resources in various categories in the days and weeks ahead

Nashville Wedding Information:

Reviews of Nashville Wedding Locations                          Topics on Video Below:

Nashville Wedding Service Providers                                Getting Your Tennessee Marriage License

Free Bride's Name Change Guide                                      Considerations in Choosing a Nashville Wedding Minister

How to Get Your Tennessee Marriage License                 

Nashville Wedding Elopement

Nashville Wedding Locations Reviews:

Riverwood Mansion                                         C.J.'s Off the Square                               

Springhaven Mansion                                      Top O'Woodland Bed and Breakfast 

Union Station Hotel                                          Old Natchez Country Club 

Cedarvine Mansion                                          Centennial Park Sunken Garden 

Two Rivers Mansion                                         Opryland Hotel Weddings 

Buchanan Log House                                       Nashville Wedding Chapel 

Historic Cedarwood Mansion

Other locations not yet reviewed: Blackhaven Gardens,  Cheekwood Gardens,  Hermitage Hotel, Belle Meade Plantation, Belmont Mansion, Two Rivers Mansion, Cannonsburg Village, Shadowbrook, Carnton Plantation, The Cool Springs House                  

Updates:

◊ Nashville wedding planner Angela Proffitt now has a new website with videos to help couples plan their weddings. Check it out at www.elegantweddings.tv

◊ Historic Cedarwood Mansion has announced a special Nashville wedding elopement package. If you don't have time to plan, want something a little smaller and don't want to spend a fortune, this could be the deal for you. It includes a lot of extras to make the wedding truly special.

◊ The wedding venue C.J.'s Off the Square in Franklin has reopened! I was privileged to help with a wedding there that recently made it on theKnot you can get to here. Also associated with CJ's is the Williamson County Weddings Boutique. They have periodic special "shows" with treats and prizes.

◊ I officiated the wedding for Jessica Harp (of the female country duo The Wreckers) and Jason Mowery. There's a story about the wedding in the summer edition of In Style Magazine

Thank-You Notes:

<sub>◊ Hi Ralph, I wanted to write to let you know how thankful Sam and I are for you! The ceremony was perfect in every way. We received so many compliments afterwards about how wonderful it all was. The wording of the ceremony especially. It would not have been possible without you. Thank you...from the bottom of our hearts. We are truly blessed to have found you. I also wanted to give thanks to you for the promptness of our marriage certificate. When we got back from our honeymoon on Monday 10/12 it had come in the mail that day and was waiting for us. I was able to go the next day and get my name changed on my license before going back to work on Wednesday. Thank you again SO MUCH for everything!!! Sincerely, Audra & Sam

◊ Ralph, We just wanted to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being the minister at our ceremony! We loved how fun and easy the marriage counseling was. I really enjoyed being able to write our own ceremony online with you as well. I loved your style, and it wasn't your typical cookie cutter ceremony! The sand art turned out great and my favorite was when TJ and I read our vows. That was a very important day for us, and you made it so special to be the presenter of our love! God Bless you and your family. Keep up the great work in all you do for the future. You have shared a special time in our lives, and we appreciate it! We will definitely refer you to anyone we know getting married in the future! Thanks! TJ and Selina

◊ Ralph, We are running off to our honeymoon, but wanted to send you a quick photo of our BEAUTIFUL wedding. You did such a great job - we received so many compliments about your service. Literally, everyone was moved to tears by the service. And, you made the whole process easy and FUN! Thank you so much. You have a true gift and we are so pleased you could share it with us! Thanks, Nicole

◊ Just a note this morning to thank you so much for your wonderful addition to our daughter's wedding. Everyone there felt your warmth and kindness throughout the ceremony - it felt as if you had always been our pastor!  We are so happy we found you, and now you are forever a part of our cherished memories of the day... -Matt & Regina

◊ Mr. Griggs, I just want to tell you how thankful we are to have had you as a part of our special day. Everything was so easy and went smoothly. We are certainly going to tell everyone of you fantastic service. It was a pleasure to meet you. We wish you all the best in the upcoming holiday season!
Thanks a bunch, Jacqueline and Philip

◊ Dear Ralph....we cannot thank you enough for playing such an important role in our most special day. Without us knowing you very well, you really seemed to fit us as a minister. The ceremony was more than we could've ever asked for. I felt a calm spirit come over me that I'd never felt before...you didn't just marry us, you allowed our family & friends the genuine opportunity to experience what we feel in our hearts....and we thank you for that." -Bethany & Josh</sub>

Read all of our Wedding Ministers Reviews at

_{Ralph Griggs has been a member in good standing with the Tennessee Weddings and Events Specialist Association (TWESA) since 2001 and was voted best of Nashville Weddings. Click the picture below for the details.}

_{Ralph Griggs phone numbers & email}

_{Wedding Minster Q & A     At-Home Marriage Prep. Course    Contact Minister Griggs} 

_{Getting Married in Memphis?    Getting Married in Gatlinburg?    Home}