Well, I’m old enough to remember when things were a lot simpler in many ways. I’m not saying I want to go back – there are things about today I enjoy. But the old adage is still often true: Less is more. (If only I can remember that when I am eating coconut donuts in Mexico!)
If you’ve been around the Nashville wedding scene lately, you’ve probably noticed something: weddings are getting bigger, longer, and a whole lot more complicated. That’s what some folks are calling “wedding sprawl.”
Basically, it’s when your wedding day spreads out — too far.
Think: a welcome party on Thursday, a rehearsal dinner Friday, a ceremony and reception in two different parts of town Saturday, and a farewell brunch Sunday. Add in photo shoots in East Nashville, a ceremony in Franklin, and a reception up in Gallatin — and suddenly your “special day” has turned into a logistical marathon.
Now, Nashville is full of amazing wedding venues — from restored barns to downtown rooftops — and it’s tempting to pack in as many as you can. But here’s the downside of wedding sprawl:
- Guests get worn out. Out-of-towners didn’t come for a four-day itinerary. They came to celebrate you — not battle traffic on I-65 in formalwear.
- Budgets get blown up. Multiple venues mean multiple deposits, catering teams, transportation costs, and rental fees.
- The magic gets diluted. When everything is “special,” nothing really stands out. The heart of the wedding — that moment you two actually get married — can get buried under the chaos.
So what’s the fix? Keep your wedding focused and intentional.
Choose one venue that can do it all, or at least keep your ceremony and reception close together. Nashville has plenty of spots that make that easy — places like CJ’s Off the Square, Legacy Farms, Clementine Hall and The Cordelle all offer beautiful all-in-one setups that simplify the day without sacrificing style.
In short: your wedding doesn’t need to be a marathon across Middle Tennessee. Keep it simple, keep it local, and let the focus stay where it belongs — on the two of you saying “I do.”