hoosing a wedding venue downtown or on a farm is often a much larger decision that a couple appreciates at the outset.
The downtown draw
Nashvillians tend to avoid downtown at all costs. When we do go downtown to a Predators game or a concert at the Ryman, it's usually a surgical process, a quick out and back home. The mass of humanity is intimidating. Most of the restaurants cater to tourists.
But we know that guests who come to town for a corporate event or wedding will find their way downtown at some point, usually immediately after your event ends. Lower Broadway with its honky tonks, rooftop bars, and neon lights has a tremendous pull on people. And corporate events that likely have their convention downtown may find it easier staying downtown for the duration.
This is where couples and corporate planners have a big decision. Should they secure their hotel block downtown and should they choose a downtown venue?
There's no right answer, but there are things to consider. If the venue is downtown (which often means the hotel is downtown as well), the overstimulation can be intense and prolonged for guests. If you don't know what I'm talking about, go downtown in the Broadway area any day of the week and any time of the day. It's like a mini Las Vegas, it never sleeps. From the pedestrian throngs to the peddle taverns, the senses are assaulted.
In small doses, this may be stimulation or acceptable. If the venue is downtown, your guests may never leave the downtown - for as many as three days. When your guests return home, they'll need a vacation from their vacation.
From a host's perspective, the downtown also has a number of cost implications, starting with parking, valet and hotel costs. There is also the Russian Roulette factor. If there are large scale music, sporting, or convention events, think CMAs, then the crazy factor multiplies. Often Nashville will see multiple big events downtown on any weekend.
The barn draw
Another category of venues that attracts many couples are our many farms and barns. Barn venues have the exact opposite appeal of downtown venues and the opposite issues with which to contend.
The outdoors can be idyllic, but can also be a muddy or sweaty mess (read more in our article on selecting an outdoor venue). It may be quiet in the country, but so is the hotel and after party scene. Since most good hotels are in Nashville, events usually arrange for transportation to these outlying venues. Cost and logistics aside, your guests may not be thrilled with the transportation plan mainly due to the travel time and restrictions (bathroom situation and departure time chief among them). Rideshares can be scare in the countryside. After the wedding reception it's a long haul for your guests to get to the downtown to the honky tonks.
Between the two
Clementine Hall and our smaller venue, Ruby, take a third route in Nashville. Clementine and Ruby are located near downtown, but not actually downtown. How near? Well at night when events typically end, we're about a 5 minute drive away. Both venues are less than 3 miles to Bridgestone Arena.
We recognize the fact that some guests will go downtown after your event, and a couple minute Uber ride is an easy solution. And unlike in the old days when you had to go downtown for a good hotel, we're surrounded by them at our midtown location.
Every event has different needs and every host has a different personality that together dictate where the venue should be located. We like being near the energy of downtown, but not consumed by it.
