Eloping can make a wedding feel simpler, more personal, and focused on the couple. But a smaller wedding does not automatically mean there is nothing to plan.
You still need a ceremony location, someone to officiate the wedding, photography, flowers if you want them, and a plan for how the ceremony will come together. This is why many couples look for elopement packages in Nashville, TN that take care of some of the essential details while keeping the experience intimate.
If you are considering a smaller Tennessee wedding, here are some of the most important things to look for when comparing elopement packages.
Start With What the Elopement Package Actually Includes
Elopement packages can vary considerably from one venue to another.
One venue may provide only the ceremony location, while another might include seating, setup, coordination, getting-ready spaces, music, or planning assistance.
Before booking, ask for a clear list of what is included and what you will need to arrange separately.
Southall Meadows in Franklin offers an Elopement Package built around the venue and ceremony essentials. It includes exclusive use of the venue for two hours, two dressing rooms, a ceremony coordinator, one planning meeting, ceremony seating for up to 20 guests, and processional and recessional music.
Knowing exactly what a package provides makes it easier to compare venues based on the experience you actually want.
Look Beyond Downtown Nashville
If you are searching for elopement packages in Nashville, TN, you do not necessarily have to hold your ceremony downtown.
Some couples prefer to stay close to Nashville while exchanging vows somewhere quieter.
Southall Meadows is located in Franklin on more than 200 acres of Middle Tennessee countryside. The setting gives couples access to rolling hills, natural surroundings, and both historic and modern event spaces while remaining within reach of Nashville.
The venue’s guide to Nashville elopements and intimate farm weddings provides more ideas for couples considering a countryside ceremony near the city.
This can be particularly appealing if you want the Nashville-area experience without making a busy urban setting part of your wedding day.
Consider How Much Coordination Is Included
A smaller wedding still needs someone to keep the ceremony organized.
When comparing Nashville elopement packages, ask whether ceremony coordination is included and what type of planning assistance you will receive beforehand.
Southall Meadows includes a ceremony coordinator as well as one planning meeting before the wedding date.
Having these details handled can make the day easier without requiring someone in your family or wedding party to manage the ceremony.
Check the Guest Limit and Venue Time
“Elopement” can mean something different to every couple.
Some couples exchange vows with no guests, while others want parents, siblings, children, or their closest friends there.
Before choosing a package, check both the guest limit and how much time you will have at the venue.
The Southall Meadows Elopement Package provides ceremony seating for up to 20 guests and exclusive venue use for two hours. It is available Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Knowing these limits before booking helps you decide whether the package fits the celebration you have in mind.
Find Out What You Will Arrange Yourself
An elopement package does not have to include every wedding service to make planning easier.
In some cases, having the ceremony essentials handled while choosing your own outside providers gives you more control over the day.
For example, your preferred photographer may have a particular editing style. You may want specific flowers or an officiant who matches the tone you want for your ceremony.
Southall Meadows includes an Essential Elopement Planning Kit to help couples arrange these additional details. It includes planning resources, a to-do list, and recommendations for services such as officiants, florists, and photographers.
Couples can also explore Southall Meadows’ suggested wedding vendors when looking for photography, videography, florals, cakes, hair and makeup, transportation, and other wedding services.
These outside services are not automatically included in the Elopement Package, allowing couples to choose the providers that work for them.
Think About Your Photos
An elopement may be small, but the photographs can last for generations.
Look at the entire property when comparing venues rather than focusing only on the ceremony location.
A venue with several backgrounds can give your photographer more options without requiring you to spend part of your wedding day traveling between locations.
Southall Meadows combines open countryside with farm scenery, event spaces, and a historic barn. Couples can browse its planning resources and galleries to get a better sense of the property and gather ideas for their celebration.
Look for Ways to Personalize the Experience
Choosing an elopement package does not mean every wedding has to look the same.
Ask what elements you can personalize, from your ceremony music and flowers to photography and what you do after exchanging vows.
Couples who want to enjoy cake with their guests at Southall Meadows can add a Cake Service to their Elopement Package.
The add-on provides an additional hour along with a cake table, cake stand, cake server and knife, water station, and disposable cups, plates, cutlery, and napkins for up to 20 guests. Couples bring their own cake.
Small additions like this can help you create the experience you want without planning a large reception.
Plan the Legal Details
Even when a venue helps simplify your ceremony planning, couples are still responsible for making sure they meet Tennessee’s legal requirements for marriage.
If you are getting married in or around Nashville, the Davidson County Clerk provides official information about marriage licenses.
If your ceremony takes place in Williamson County, check the current requirements with the appropriate county officials as well.
Taking care of the legal details ahead of time is especially important if you are traveling to Tennessee for your wedding.
Turn Your Elopement Into a Mini Getaway
One advantage of getting married near Nashville is that your celebration does not have to end when the ceremony does.
You could explore Franklin, plan a special dinner, spend a few nights in Middle Tennessee, or head into Nashville for live music and entertainment.
Visit Franklin can help couples find restaurants, accommodations, attractions, and activities throughout Williamson County.
Southall Meadows does not offer overnight accommodations, but couples can use its contact information and local recommendations when planning their stay.
This can turn a simple elopement into a short Tennessee getaway without requiring you to organize a large destination wedding.
Choose an Elopement Package That Fits Your Wedding
The best elopement packages in Nashville, TN are not necessarily the ones with the longest list of services. What matters is whether the package provides what you need and gives you enough flexibility to create the celebration you want.
Consider the venue, amount of time included, guest capacity, ceremony coordination, seating and setup, getting-ready spaces, music, and planning resources. Then determine which additional services you would prefer to choose yourself.
For couples who want an intimate countryside ceremony while remaining close to Nashville, Southall Meadows offers a Franklin setting with many of the ceremony essentials already taken care of.
You can contact Southall Meadows to learn more about its Elopement Package, current availability, and planning an intimate celebration on the property.
A smaller wedding does not have to feel like a smaller occasion. With the right venue and the right package, you can keep the planning manageable while creating a wedding that still feels completely your own.
