The answer up front
Every Centennial Park elopement is held in the Sunken Garden, and the portraits afterward move to the full-scale Parthenon replica, Lake Watauga and the lawns of the 132-acre park. A one-hour Getaway Plus costs $1,275 and a two-hour Friends and Family for up to 20 guests $1,675. Keeping each ceremony at 20 guests or fewer means no park permit is needed. The park stays public throughout, so morning slots have the fewest passers-by.
Centennial Park is the most photographed park in Nashville, and there's a reason: the city built a full-scale replica of the Athenian Parthenon at its center in 1897 and never took it down. Today the park is 132 acres of lawns, lakes, gardens, and that astonishing white temple — and it's one of the most distinctive elopement settings anywhere in the South.
The Setting
Centennial Park gives you something almost no other elopement venue can: a permanent ancient temple as backdrop. The Parthenon dominates the park's east side, with Lake Watauga curling around its base. Every ceremony is held in the Sunken Garden, and the temple, the lake and the lawns are where you go for photos afterward.
The park is fully public, so other walkers, joggers, and photographers will be present — but Centennial is large enough that you'll have your immediate ceremony space to yourselves. Many couples like the gentle background life of the park; it makes the photos feel like real Nashville moments instead of curated stagings.
Why does Nashville have a Parthenon?
The Parthenon was built in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition — a plaster-and-wood replica meant to celebrate the state's 100th anniversary and to embody Nashville's nickname “the Athens of the South.” The original was supposed to be temporary, but Nashvillians refused to let it come down. In 1925 the city rebuilt it in concrete with full-scale accuracy, including a 42-foot gilded statue of Athena Parthenos inside.
The park itself was created from the exposition grounds and gradually expanded to its current 132 acres. The rose garden was added in the 1930s, Lake Watauga was reshaped over decades, and various memorials and statues have been added since. Couples who elope here say their vows a short walk from a structure that has shaped Nashville's identity for over 125 years.
Photo Opportunities
- The Parthenon facade — the most iconic Nashville elopement photograph, taken from the lawn looking up at the columned temple.
- Lake Watauga reflection — golden-hour shots of the temple reflected in the water, with the couple in the foreground.
- Inside the Parthenon's columns — portraits framed between massive Doric columns.
- The rose garden — peak bloom is May and September, with hundreds of varieties in colored beds.
- The grand lawn — wide-angle landscape shots with the temple visible in the distance.
- The bandshell and walking paths — variety shots for the gallery after the ceremony.
Nearby Attractions
- The Parthenon Museum — inside the temple itself. Worth a 30-minute tour before your ceremony if you're curious about the construction.
- Vanderbilt University campus (walking distance) — beautiful grounds for additional portraits.
- Hillsboro Village (5 min) — coffee shops, bookstores, and the famous Pancake Pantry for breakfast.
- Music Row (5 min) — record labels and recording studios.
- Belmont Mansion (10 min) — another iconic Nashville landmark worth visiting.
Where to Stay & Eat
Hutton Hotel (8 min) — Nashville's music-industry favorite, near Music Row. Loews Vanderbilt Hotel (3 min) — closest to the park, polished and reliable. For dinner: Pancake Pantry for breakfast classics, Sunda for Asian fusion, Etchfor upscale modern, or Henley for steakhouse vibes. After the ceremony, a walk through the Vanderbilt campus is free and beautiful.
When is Centennial Park in bloom?
April through May for cherry blossoms, dogwoods, and roses coming into bloom. September through mid-October for soft fall light and the second wave of roses. Avoid July afternoons — Nashville summer humidity is real and there's limited shade on the lawn surrounding the Parthenon. Morning ceremonies (8–10 AM) work in any season and tend to have the park largely to yourselves before the lunchtime crowd arrives.
Marriage License
Apply at the Davidson County Clerk's Office before your ceremony date — $99.50 in cash or $101.49 by card, no waiting period, valid for 30 days. Both partners must appear with government ID. Read the full marriage license guide for state-by-state details if you're comparing destinations.
What to Expect on Ceremony Day
- 2 hours before: Hair, makeup, and getting dressed at your hotel.
- 45 minutes before: Arrive at Centennial Park. Your photographer and officiant meet you near the ceremony spot.
- 15 minutes before: Detail shots — rings, attire close-ups, quiet moments beneath the Parthenon columns.
- Ceremony time: 15–30 minutes in the Sunken Garden.
- Immediately after: Family hugs, signing the license, group photos in the Sunken Garden.
- 30–90 minutes after: Portrait session walking the park — Parthenon facade, Lake Watauga reflection, rose garden, and tree-lined paths.
- End of package: Photographer wraps. Many couples walk over to Hillsboro Village or Music Row for dinner.
Your edited gallery arrives after the ceremony. The Tennessee marriage certificate arrives by mail 4–8 weeks later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the ceremony?
In the Sunken Garden, for every Centennial Park elopement, rain or shine. The Parthenon is part of the portraits afterward rather than the ceremony spot.
Will other park visitors be around?
Yes — Centennial Park is fully public and there will be walkers, joggers, and casual visitors during your ceremony. The park is large enough that your immediate ceremony space is essentially private, and most couples actually like the gentle ambient life in the photographs. Morning ceremonies (8–10 AM) tend to have the fewest passers-by.
Are guests of all ages welcome?
Yes. The park is fully accessible via paved paths throughout — well-suited for elderly grandparents and guests of any mobility level.
Can we bring our own officiant?
Our packages include the location, officiant and photographer, with an add-on for a videographer. In some cases we do allow clients to bring their own vendor. These are case by case, and we'd be happy to review your request.
Plan Your Centennial Park Day
Browse Centennial Park packages from $1,275 (Getaway Plus, 1-hour ceremony) up to $1,675 (Friends and Family, 2 hours, up to 20 guests). We keep every Centennial ceremony at 20 guests or fewer, so no park permit is needed, and every package includes photography, a licensed officiant, and coordination. Saturdays in spring and fall fill up fast — start the conversation 4+ months ahead for those dates.
See every venue, guest limit and price on the Nashville elopement packages page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to elope at Centennial Park in Nashville?
Centennial Park elopement packages from Elopements Inc. run from $1,275 for the one-hour Getaway Plus to $1,675 for Friends and Family, a two-hour ceremony for up to 20 guests. Every package includes professional photography, a licensed officiant, and ceremony coordination, so there are no required add-on fees.
When is the best time of year to elope at Centennial Park?
April through May is ideal, when cherry blossoms, dogwoods, and the rose garden come into bloom, and September through mid-October brings soft fall light and a second wave of roses. Avoid July afternoons because of Nashville humidity and limited shade around the Parthenon. Morning ceremonies work in any season and have the fewest passers-by.
Do you need a permit to get married at Centennial Park?
Not with Elopements Inc. We keep every Centennial Park ceremony at 20 guests or fewer, which is why no park permit is needed. The park stays fully public during your ceremony, but it is large enough that your immediate ceremony space is essentially private.
Where in Centennial Park can you have your elopement ceremony?
In the Sunken Garden. Every Elopements Inc. ceremony at Centennial Park is held there, and the photos afterward are taken in other places around the park, the Parthenon and Lake Watauga among them. Paved paths make it easy going for guests of any mobility level.
How do we get a marriage license for a Centennial Park elopement?
Both partners apply in person at the Davidson County Clerk's Office in Nashville with government-issued photo ID and Social Security numbers. The Tennessee license costs $99.50 in cash ($101.49 by card), paid directly to the county clerk, with no waiting period, so you can marry the same day. Elopements Inc. guides you through the process but cannot obtain the license for you.