Spring Haven Mansion Elopement Guide

Spring Haven Mansion is the kind of Nashville-area venue that feels like it should be in a film — a white-columned antebellum estate set back from the road on a carpet of green lawn, with the kind of soft southern light that makes every photograph feel timeless. For couples who want the grandeur of a historic Southern mansion without the formality of a 200-guest plantation wedding, Spring Haven delivers exactly that.

The Setting

Spring Haven Mansion features Greek Revival architecture with full-height white columns, a wraparound porch, manicured lawns, mature shade trees, and surrounding gardens. Ceremonies take place on the front lawn under the columned facade, in the garden, on the porch, or inside in the parlor, which is the usual choice for winter.

The grounds are private and well-tended. Unlike public-park venues, you'll have the space entirely to yourselves for your ceremony window, with no passersby and no parallel events. That privacy is one of the strongest reasons couples pick Spring Haven over Nashville's other historic options.

How old is Spring Haven Mansion?

Spring Haven is a privately-restored historic Tennessee home built in the mid-19th century. The Greek Revival style — symmetric facade, triangular pediment, monumental columns — was the architectural language of wealth and permanence in the antebellum South. The home has been carefully preserved and continues to operate as a private estate that hosts limited ceremony bookings throughout the year.

The mansion's setting on raised ground, surrounded by old-growth trees, gives it the kind of natural drama you can't recreate with newer venues. Photographs taken from the lawn looking up at the columned facade often look like they could be from any era over the last 150 years.

Photo Opportunities

• The columned front portico — the iconic Spring Haven photograph, with the couple framed between the white columns.
• The full estate front shot — taken from the far edge of the lawn looking back, showing the mansion in its setting.
• The wraparound porch — intimate portraits with the architectural detail as backdrop.
• The garden walking shots — natural movement portraits between the planted beds.
• Under the old-growth trees — golden-hour portraits with dappled light through the leaves.

Nearby Attractions

Spring Haven is a short drive from downtown Nashville and nearby points of interest:

• The Hermitage — Andrew Jackson's plantation home, open for tours.
• Cheekwood Estate & Gardens — 55-acre historic estate with botanical gardens and art galleries.
• Belle Meade Historic Site — 1853 Greek Revival mansion and winery.
• Downtown Nashville — the honky-tonks, the Ryman, the Country Music Hall of Fame.
• Music Row & the Bluebird Cafe — for a quintessentially Nashville evening after the ceremony.

Where to Stay & Eat

The Hermitage Hotel downtown for grand historic luxury. Noelle for boutique modern with strong restaurant on-site. 506 Lofts in 12 South for a more residential elopement experience. For dinner: Husk Nashville, Catbird Seat, or Henrietta Red for elevated seafood in Germantown.

When does the Spring Haven estate look its best?

The estate is most beautiful in April through early June when surrounding trees are fully leafed and gardens are in bloom. Octoberis a strong second choice with warm afternoon light and fall foliage. Avoid midday summer slots for outdoor ceremonies — the lawn can be hot — and book either morning or early evening instead. Winter ceremonies (December through February) are quiet and atmospheric, with the bare trees giving the architecture even more dramatic prominence.

Marriage License

Spring Haven Mansion is in the greater Nashville area, so your marriage license comes from the relevant county clerk's office — $99.50 in cash in Davidson County, no waiting period, valid 30 days. See our complete marriage license guide for full details.

What to Expect on Ceremony Day

• 2 hours before: Hair, makeup, and getting dressed wrap up at your hotel.
• 45 minutes before: Arrive at Spring Haven Mansion. Your photographer and officiant meet you for a walk-through.
• 15 minutes before: Detail shots — rings, attire close-ups, a quiet moment on the wraparound porch.
• Ceremony time: 15–30 minutes on the lawn, in the garden, on the porch or in the parlor, whichever you chose when you booked.
• Immediately after: Family hugs, signing the license, group photos beneath the columned portico.
• 30–90 minutes after: Portrait session walking the grounds — the front facade, the porch, the garden, and the old-growth trees.
• End of package: Photographer wraps. Most couples head into Nashville for dinner.

Your edited gallery arrives after the ceremony. The Tennessee marriage certificate arrives by mail 4–8 weeks later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ceremony inside or outside?

Either. Spring Haven has the garden and lawn, the wraparound porch and the parlor, and couples usually pick by season: outdoors from spring to fall, the parlor in winter. Every ceremony goes ahead rain or shine.

Are guests of all ages welcome?

Yes. The estate's grounds use a mix of paved walkways and gravel paths, accessible for most mobility levels including elderly grandparents and young children. The wraparound porch provides seating and shade as needed.

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.

What about florals?

We don't sell florals, so the bouquet and boutonniere come from a florist you book. Budget $150–$400 for the package level Spring Haven typically hosts; several Nashville florists know the estate well, and your coordinator can recommend the right one for your style and budget.

Plan Your Spring Haven Day

Browse Spring Haven Mansion packages from $575 (15-minute Just Married) up to $2,375 (2-hour Friends and Family for up to 20 guests). All packages include photography, a licensed officiant, ceremony coordination, and venue access — you arrive, you say your vows, you leave with photos. Spring and fall Saturdays book out 4–6 months ahead; weekday slots offer the most flexibility.

See every venue, guest limit and price on the Nashville elopement packages page.