Choosing your wedding venue is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make — and around Nashville, the options are endless. From rustic barns and rolling hillsides to elegant downtown rooftops, it’s easy to fall in love with the look of a place. But before you sign that contract, slow down and ask a few key…
Author: Ralph Griggs
Wedding minister officiant serving the Nashville and middle Tennessee area for 20 plus years. Non-denominational and personalized ceremonies. At-Home marriage prep course author.
Should You Hire a Nashville Wedding Vendor That Offers Multiple Services?
It sounds tempting, right? You find a wedding vendor who can do everything — photography, DJ, flowers, maybe even officiating — all in one package. It looks convenient and often cheaper than hiring separate pros. But before you sign that all-in-one deal, it’s worth pausing to think it through. The Appeal: Convenience and Cost There’s…
What’s It Like to Have a Wedding in Downtown Nashville from Somebody Who’s Officiated A Lot
So, you’re thinking about getting married in downtown Nashville. Maybe you picture skyline views, neon lights, live music, and that unmistakable “Nashville energy.” Sounds exciting—and it is. But before you start handing out cowboy hats as wedding favors, let’s talk about what it’s really like to have your big day right in the heart of…
7 Wedding Ceremony Mishaps I See and My Fixes
After officiating more weddings around Nashville than I can count — from elegant barns in Franklin to rooftop “I do’s” downtown — I can tell you this: something could go sideways on your wedding day. And honestly, those little mishaps often become the moments you’ll laugh about for years. So, from one who’s stood front…
Getting Ready to Say “I Do”? Here’s Where to Find Premarital Counseling in Nashville!
Well, first I have to mention my online marriage prep course. It’s based on things I’ve done with couples in face-to-face premarital counseling over the years. The feedback from couples over the years has been very good – they seem to really enjoy it and find it helpful. It’s free to couples whose weddings I…
Pop the Question: Five Nashville Proposal Ideas!
So, you’ve found “the one” and you’re ready to take the plunge! Congrats! Now comes the fun (and slightly terrifying) part: planning the perfect proposal. If you’re looking to ask the biggest question of your life in Music City, you’ve come to the right place. Nashville is bursting with romance, history, and stunning backdrops. Forget…
Best Facebook Groups for Nashville Couples Planning Their Wedding
If you’re getting married anywhere around Nashville or Middle Tennessee, there’s one tool most couples overlook — Facebook groups. Sure, it’s not the newest app on your phone, but when it comes to real advice, trusted vendors, and local know-how, nothing beats it. Let’s be real: Pinterest gives you ideas. Facebook groups give you answers….
Should You Do a First Look Before the Ceremony?
A Nashville Officiant’s Take on the Pros and Cons One of the biggest decisions couples face before their wedding day isn’t just about flowers or playlists — it’s whether or not to do a first look. If you’re not familiar, a “first look” is when the couple sees each other privately before the ceremony, usually…
Wedding Music With a Nashville Twist
Boy music really adds to (or subtracts) from wedding day celebration. You can find list of wedding music anywhere, but if you are getting married in Nashville, why not take a look at wedding music with a Nashville twist? Here is a curated list of suggestions for your Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, and Reception, blending classic…
Why Nashville is The Hot Wedding Destination
Hey, future brides and grooms! If you’re currently scrolling through endless venue photos and feeling that wedding planning fatigue setting in, let me throw a new idea into the mix: Nashville, Tennessee. Well, it’s home for me but apparently something is special about this place. They say 100 new people are moving here everyday! And…