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Experience Timeless Elegance At Your Cheekwood Estate Wedding
March 28, 2024
Tucked into the countryside of Nashville, Cheekwood Estate takes you out of the rush of the city straight into the pages of a Regency romance. With sprawling gardens and a lavish mansion, your wedding will be nothing short of a dream! As a Georgia intimate wedding photographer, I get the chance to travel all across the area and view the best venues around. Here is what you can expect from a Cheekwood Estate wedding!
About The Cheekwood Estate Wedding Venue
1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37205
Cheekwood Estate is a Nashville staple that has lived many lives over the past century. The mansion was first built in 1929 as a family estate for Leslie and Mabel Cheek. Following the sale of his family grocery store, Leslie decided he wanted to build a dream home. He purchased 100 acres and hired a New York architect, Bryant Fleming, to make a luxurious mansion unlike any other. Fleming rose to the challenge, creating a limestone manor inspired by the centuries-old homes across Europe.
Sadly, Leslie died young, only living in the house for two years following its completion. For several decades, Mabel remained here with her daughter until the family decided to sell it to the city. Over the next decades, it would become an art museum and a botanical garden that still draws in crowds to this day. Now, it continues to shine as a diamond tucked into the vibrant city!
Details of the Grounds
When you rent Cheekwood Estate for your wedding, you will be given access to the entire estate throughout your day. They will grant you access to the grounds as early as 9 AM. At this time, you will be able to go to one of the designated holding areas so you can get ready for your day. These rooms are positively exquisite, with details that will make you feel as though you’ve just stepped straight into the halls of Pemberley! Once you have finished putting on the finishing touches, you can head out and explore the grounds for your portraits.
For your ceremony, you will have your choice of indoor and outdoor locations across the 55 acres. If you would prefer an outdoor location, I think you are going to adore the Wills Perennial Garden. Nestled in the center of the property, you will have room for up to 250 guests. The lush perennials and verdant trees will serve as your backdrop as you exchange your vows.
For something a bit more stately, I think you might fall in love with The Reflecting Pool. Your guests will be seated on one side of the water while you hold your ceremony on the other in front of the lookout. This area can hold up to 100 guests. The Howe Garden offers views similar to those of the Wills Perennial Garden while giving you a bit more seclusion. This area can hold up to 135 guests. The venue also offers an herb garden as well as the Japanese Garden for micro weddings for up to 50 guests.
More About The Incredible Cheekwood Estate Wedding Grounds
For those who want to stay by the house while remaining outdoors, The Wisteria Terrace is an absolute dream! This elevated area is situated beneath a canopy of plants with a stone overlook that gives you the best views of the entire grounds. This area can hold up to 50 guests.
Inside the manor, you can use Massey Hall where you can fit up to 250 guests. This space offers chandeliers as well as white walls and white ceilings. It’s the perfect blank canvas for your unique vision! For smaller ceremonies, you can use Loggia. This room features high ceilings, cream-colored walls, and a blush-pink fountain at the front of the room. This area can hold up to 75 guests.
The venue offers several terraces around the manor where your guests can grab drinks while you take your pictures. They will get the chance to tour the property and take in the breathtaking gardens across the grounds.
For your reception, you will have several options. Outside, the venue offers the Historic Mansion and Museum. They require that you rent a tent to use this area. A clear one will let in the views while keeping you dry during the rainy days. This area can hold up to 350 guests and will keep you near the manor for indoor accommodations. If you want a reception under the stars, I think you will love the Frist Learning Center and Lawn! You will have the option of tenting the area or leaving it open. It can accommodate up to 220 guests. Inside, you can use Massey Hall or Loggia. Just know that you cannot flip a space and use it for both your wedding and your reception.
Photography Opportunities
With Cheekwood Estate, there are countless areas you can use for your wedding portraits. I adore the lawn in front of the Georgian mansion. With stone lookouts and hidden staircases, there are countless romantic spots! The Wisteria Terrace also tends to be a favorite. From first-look portraits to group pictures, it will serve as the dreamiest location! Once you are done with the house, we can head out to the yard and use the lush gardens and reflection pools for a backdrop.
Wedding Details
With Cheekwood Estate, you will be able to choose a la carte options for your wedding day. They provide all drink services in-house, and they have a list of caterers you can choose from for your reception. Throughout your celebration, you will have an Event Supervisor to act as your contact. They will supervise everything and keep your day moving smoothly. The venue requires a coordinator or planner to put together all the details. Cheekwood will provide a golf cart shuttle service as an added charge.
A Real Session at Cheekwood Estate Wedding Venue
I had the privilege of capturing Carlo and Dallas’s romantic and timeless engagement session at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, TN. Dallas described their love story as a true example of the Invisible String Theory – that there are invisible strings connecting those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. It all started back in 2007 when Dallas moved to Nashville. Basically, they met on the soccer field and what started as a friendship evolved over the years into love. Come see more of this day below to get inspired for your engagement session!
Timeless & Romantic Engagement Session
When planning their engagement session, Dallas and Carlo wanted to capture the essence of their relationship: romantic and intimate. Cheekwood, with its beautiful gardens and stunning architecture, was the perfect backdrop. It offered a tranquil and beautiful setting that mirrored the deep connection they share. As we explored the grounds, it was impossible to miss the genuine affection between them. It was a joy to capture these authentic moments of love and anticipation as they looked forward to their wedding day.
Each photograph tells a story of their journey, a journey that has taken them from friends to soulmates. The elegant beauty of Cheekwood, combined with their beautiful love for each other, resulted in a truly magical engagement session.
Nothing Compares To The Elegance Of The Cheekwood Estate Wedding Venue
If you are searching for the dreamiest space for your garden wedding, I know you will adore the Cheekwood Estate wedding venue in Nashville. Now, you just need the right photographer to help you document it. That’s where I come in! I am a Georgia intimate wedding photographer, and I adore working with couples to document every romantic detail of their day. If you think I might be the photographer to help you celebrate, I would love to connect! Send me a message today if you would like to learn more!
