In summary: To elope in Nashville TN you need three things — a Tennessee marriage license from Davidson County Clerk ($100, no waiting period, no residency requirement), a ceremony venue with the appropriate permit, and a licensed TN officiant. Elopements Inc. handles all of it across four Nashville venues (Belmont Mansion, Nashville Wedding Chapel, Spring Haven Mansion, Centennial Park) starting at $575.
Step 1: Decide what kind of Nashville ceremony you want
The historic-mansion ceremony at Belmont Mansion
Venue: Belmont Mansion, the 1853 Italianate landmark and former summer estate of Adelicia Acklen. Original frescoes, cast-iron garden gazebos, marble statuary, 8 acres of formal gardens. Best for couples wanting the most architecturally significant Nashville interior and groups of 20–40. $575 Just Married to $2,975 Friends and Family.
The chapel ceremony at Nashville Wedding Chapel
Venue: Nashville Wedding Chapel (formerly Skinner Chapel), Elopements Inc.'s in-house custom chapel. Climate-controlled, stained-glass-lit. Best for weather certainty, under-16 guests, lowest entry price. Starts at $575.
The gardens ceremony at Spring Haven Mansion
Venue: Spring Haven Mansion, restored 19th-century Tennessee mansion just outside downtown. Formal garden lawn, wraparound porch, period parlor, dressing room included with Friends and Family. Best for couples wanting both interior and exterior coverage, 5–20 guests. $575 to $2,375.
The iconic Parthenon ceremony at Centennial Park
Venue: Centennial Park, 132-acre Metro Nashville park with the only full-scale Parthenon replica in the world (built 1897, rebuilt in concrete by 1931). Parthenon steps, Sunken Garden, or Lake Watauga. Best for iconic Nashville landmark in photos, 10–20 guests. $1,275 Getaway Plus to $1,675 Friends and Family.
Step 2: Get your Tennessee marriage license
- Where: Davidson County Clerk's Office, 700 2nd Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37210.
- Cost: $100 paid directly to the county.
- Waiting period: None. Apply morning, elope afternoon.
- What to bring: Photo ID for both partners, SSNs, biographical info. No blood test.
- Validity: No expiration. Valid statewide.
- Residency: None required.
Step 3: Venue permits (we handle these)
- Belmont Mansion: National Historic Landmark museum operated by Belmont University. Requires approved coordinator arrangement; we have it.
- Nashville Wedding Chapel: In-house private venue. No external permit.
- Spring Haven Mansion: Private historic venue accessed exclusively through Elopements Inc.
- Centennial Park: Metro Nashville Parks small-ceremony permit ($85 base). We file.
Step 4: Hire the right Tennessee officiant
TN recognizes ordained ministers, priests, judges, county clerks, and designated public officials. Online ordinations are generally recognized. Every Elopements Inc. Nashville package includes a licensed TN officiant.
Step 5: The day-of timeline
- 9:00am — Get ready at hotel or Spring Haven dressing room.
- 10:30am — Davidson County Clerk if not yet applied.
- 12:00pm — Photographer arrives for getting-ready or first-look.
- 1:00pm — Arrive at venue.
- 1:30pm — Ceremony. 15–30 min.
- 2:00pm — Post-ceremony portraits. 30–90 min.
- 3:00pm — Wrap. Head downtown.
Step 6: What to do in Nashville after the ceremony
- Lunch: Bastion, Pinewood, or Hattie B's Hot Chicken.
- Dinner: The Catbird Seat (book 30+ days out), Henrietta Red, or Folk.
- Where to stay: Hermitage Hotel (1910 historic), Thompson Nashville (boutique in The Gulch), or 21c Museum Hotel.
- Next day: Music Row walking tour (RCA Studio B), Centennial Park, Belle Meade Historic Site, or Country Music Hall of Fame.
- Extra day: Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, Loveless Cafe biscuits, or Cumberland River sunset cruise.
Common questions
Can we elope in Nashville without telling family?
Yes. TN licenses become public record only after filing; the application itself isn't announced.
Do we need to be TN residents?
No. No residency requirement.
How many guests can attend?
4–5 at Just Married, 8–16 at Getaway/Getaway Plus, up to 20 (Spring Haven, Centennial) or 40 (Belmont's Friends and Family).
How much does a Nashville elopement actually cost?
See the full cost breakdown. Short version: $575–$2,975 all-inclusive plus $100 license.
How soon after getting the license can we elope?
The same day. TN has no waiting period.
Is Nashville Wedding Chapel the same as Skinner Chapel?
Yes. Same in-house chapel, more descriptive name.