The Ultimate Nashville Guest Guide for Your Wedding Weekend
The Ultimate Nashville Guest Guide for Your Wedding Weekend
So you're getting married in Nashville and half your guests are flying in from somewhere else. They're going to ask: "What should we do while we're there? Where should we stay? Where's good to eat?"
I've photographed 400+ weddings in Nashville since 2017, and I've watched countless couples scramble to answer these questions individually to every single out-of-town guest. Or worse—they don't provide recommendations at all, and their guests end up at tourist traps or bored in their hotel rooms.
This guide is what you should send to your out-of-town guests. It's the real Nashville—not just Broadway honky-tonks (though we'll cover those too). Copy this, personalize it, and put it on your wedding website. Your guests will actually thank you.
Where to Stay: Hotel Recommendations by Area
Downtown Nashville (Best for Walkability to Everything)
Luxury ($250-$400/night):
The Hermitage Hotel - Historic luxury, beautiful rooms, white-glove service
JW Marriott Nashville - Modern luxury, attached to convention center
Omni Nashville - Connected to Country Music Hall of Fame, great rooftop
Mid-Range ($150-$250/night):
Renaissance Nashville - Clean, modern, good location
Westin Nashville - Comfortable rooms, walking distance to Broadway
Bobby Hotel - Boutique style, fun rooftop bar
Budget-Friendly ($100-$150/night):
Hampton Inn Downtown - Reliable chain, good location
Hyatt Place Downtown - Clean rooms, free breakfast
Holiday Inn Express Downtown - Basic but solid
Why Downtown:
Walk to Broadway and honky-tonks
Easy Uber/Lyft to most wedding venues
Lots of restaurant options
Entertainment right outside your door
Potential Downsides:
Can be loud on weekends (especially near Broadway)
More expensive than suburbs
Parking costs extra ($30-$50/night)
Gulch/Midtown (Trendy, Close to Downtown)
Best Options:
Thompson Nashville - Rooftop with skyline views, trendy scene
Cambria Hotel - Modern, walkable to Gulch restaurants
Fairfield Inn & Suites Gulch - Budget option in trendy area
Why Gulch/Midtown:
Walkable to great restaurants
Slightly quieter than Broadway
Still close to downtown (5-10 minute Uber)
Hip neighborhood feel
West End/Vanderbilt Area (Near University)
Best Options:
Hilton Nashville Downtown - Near Vanderbilt, short Uber downtown
Marriott Vanderbilt - Clean, safe area, good for families
Hampton Inn Vanderbilt - Budget-friendly, reliable
Why West End:
Quieter neighborhood
Near Music Row and Vanderbilt
Good restaurants nearby
10-15 minute Uber to downtown
East Nashville (Cool, Local Vibe)
Best Options:
Urban Cowboy B&B - Boutique, Instagram-worthy
Airbnb options - Lots of cute houses/apartments
Why East Nashville:
Hip, local neighborhood
Great coffee shops and restaurants
Unique shopping
10-15 minute Uber to downtown
Not Ideal For:
Guests who want walkable entertainment
Late-night convenience
First-time Nashville visitors
Airport Area (Budget-Conscious, Early Flights)
Only Recommend If:
Guest has super early flight
Budget is very tight
They have a rental car
Why Not Ideal:
20-30 minute drive to everything
Not walkable to anything
Isolated from Nashville experience
Where to Eat: Real Nashville Food
Must-Try Nashville Specialties
Hot Chicken (You Can't Visit Nashville Without It):
Hattie B's (Multiple Locations)
Most tourist-friendly
Long lines but worth it
Start with "Medium" heat (seriously)
Order: Hot chicken tenders with mac & cheese and coleslaw
Prince's Hot Chicken Shack (Original, East Nashville)
The OG hot chicken
No-frills, authentic
Cash only
More adventurous experience
Party Fowl (Multiple Locations)
Full menu beyond hot chicken
Good for groups
Better atmosphere than Prince's
Hot Chicken Tip: Don't eat this right before the wedding. The heat is real.
Meat & Three (Southern Comfort Food):
Arnold's Country Kitchen (Downtown-Adjacent)
Cash only
Closed on weekends
Locals' favorite
Arrive by 11:30am or prepare to wait
Monell's (Germantown or Airport)
Family-style dining (sit with strangers)
All-you-can-eat Southern food
Great for groups
Open daily including weekends
Nashville BBQ:
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint (Multiple Locations)
West Tennessee-style whole hog
Excellent sides
Good for big groups
Peg Leg Porker (Gulch)
Downtown-adjacent
Bourbon bar
Good for lunch before exploring
Upscale Dining (Impress Your Parents)
The Catbird Seat
Tasting menu experience
Chef's counter seating
Reserve months ahead
$$$$ (splurge)
Husk Nashville
Elevated Southern cuisine
Farm-to-table
Beautiful historic building
Reserve ahead
Kayne Prime
Steakhouse
Special occasion spot
Great cocktails
Business casual dress code
Henrietta Red
Oyster bar
Upscale but not stuffy
Good cocktails
Germantown location
Casual But Good (Any Night of the Week)
Edley's Bar-B-Que
Great BBQ without fuss
Multiple locations
Good for groups
Reasonably priced
The Pharmacy Burger
German food and burgers
Beer garden
East Nashville
Fun, casual vibe
Adele's
Upscale comfort food
Great brunch
Gulch location
Cozy atmosphere
Bartaco
Tacos and beach bar vibes
West End location
Good for casual dinner
Can get loud/crowded
Breakfast/Brunch
Biscuit Love (Multiple Locations)
Famous for biscuits
Long waits (arrive early or late)
Must-try: "Bonuts" (biscuit donuts)
Pancake Pantry (Hillsboro Village)
Nashville institution since 1961
Always a line (it moves fast)
Cash only
Sky Blue Cafe (East Nashville)
Local favorite
More low-key than Biscuit Love
Excellent brunch menu
The Southern Steak & Oyster
Upscale brunch
Good cocktails
Gulch location
Reserve ahead for weekend brunch
What to Do: Beyond the Honky-Tonks
Broadway & Honky-Tonks (The Obvious Stuff)
What to Know:
Free live music at most bars (no cover)
Very crowded Friday/Saturday nights
Bachelorette party central
Can get rowdy
Best Honky-Tonks:
Robert's Western World
Most authentic
Recession Special: Hot dog, chips, PBR ($6)
Older crowd than most
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge
Historic (since 1960)
Multiple floors
Always packed
Acme Feed & Seed
Rooftop bar with city views
Better food than most honky-tonks
Multiple floors with different vibes
The Stage on Broadway
Classic honky-tonk
Good live music
Less chaotic than some
Honky-Tonk Tips:
Go during the day if you hate crowds (still live music)
Thursday night is less crazy than Friday/Saturday
Bring cash for tips (musicians work for tips)
Comfortable shoes (you'll be standing)
Live Music (Beyond Broadway)
Intimate songwriter rounds
Must reserve tickets online
Cash only
Magic in a tiny room
"Mother Church of Country Music"
Take the daytime tour OR catch a show
Incredible acoustics
Historic venue
Country music institution
Reserve tickets ahead
Worth doing once
About 20 minutes outside downtown
Third Man Records
Jack White's record store
Live music venue
Record pressing plant tours
Cool merch
Museums & Attractions
Even non-country fans enjoy this
2-3 hours needed
Downtown location
Great for a rainy day
Johnny Cash Museum
Smaller, focused museum
1-2 hours
Downtown, walkable
More casual than Hall of Fame
Parthenon in Centennial Park
Full-scale replica of Athens Parthenon
Art gallery inside
Beautiful park for walking
Free to walk around, $6 to go inside
Belle Meade Plantation
Historic home and grounds
Bourbon tasting
About 15 minutes from downtown
Good for 2-3 hours
The Frist Art Museum
Rotating exhibits (check what's showing)
Beautiful Art Deco building
Downtown adjacent
Good cafe
Outdoor Activities
Radnor Lake State Park
Beautiful hiking trails
15 minutes from downtown
Easy to moderate trails
Free
Shelby Bottoms Greenway
Flat walking/biking trails
East Nashville
Along Cumberland River
Good for casual walks
Pedestrian Bridge
Walk across Cumberland River
Great skyline views
Free
Best at sunset
Centennial Park
Large city park
The Parthenon
Good for picnics
Free
Neighborhoods to Explore
12 South
Boutique shopping
Cute cafes
"I Believe in Nashville" mural (Instagram spot)
Walkable area
Good for 2-3 hours
Germantown
Historic neighborhood
Great restaurants
Boutique shopping
10-minute Uber from downtown
East Nashville
Hip, local vibe
Vintage shops
Coffee shops
Murals and street art
Good for exploring
The Gulch
Trendy dining
Rooftop bars
Instagram-worthy murals
Upscale shopping
What to Skip (Save Your Time)
Honestly Not Worth It:
Most "Nashville Hot Chicken" chains
If it's a national chain, skip it
Stick to Hattie B's, Prince's, or Party Fowl
Kid Rock's Big Ass Honky Tonk
Massive tourist trap
Overpriced
Plenty of better honky-tonks
Broadway on Saturday Night After 9pm
Unless you love massive crowds
Wall-to-wall bachelorette parties
Go earlier or during the week instead
Gaylord Opryland Hotel
Way outside of downtown (20-30 minutes)
Unless staying there or seeing Opry, skip it
It's a mall inside a hotel
Getting Around Nashville
Uber/Lyft
Best For: Getting everywhere
Cost: $10-25 for most trips within city
Tips: Surge pricing on Friday/Saturday nights downtown
Rental Car
Best For: Going to suburbs, multiple stops
Not Ideal For: Downtown (parking is expensive/hard)
Tip: Only rent if leaving Nashville proper
Walking
Best For: Downtown exploration, Broadway area
Reality: Nashville is spread out beyond downtown
Don't walk: From downtown to 12 South, East Nashville, etc.
Scooters (Bird, Lime)
Best For: Short trips, nice weather
Not Ideal: Drunk riding (seriously, don't)
Reality: Everywhere downtown, easy to use
What About Public Transit?
Honest Answer: Nashville's public transit is limited
Better Option: Just use Uber/Lyft
Day-by-Day Itinerary Suggestions
If They Arrive Friday Morning:
Friday Day:
11:30am - Lunch at Arnold's or Monell's
1:00pm - Country Music Hall of Fame (2-3 hours)
4:00pm - Check into hotel, freshen up
6:00pm - Dinner in Gulch or Germantown
8:00pm - Broadway honky-tonks OR rehearsal dinner
Saturday (Wedding Day):
Sleep in if evening wedding
Brunch at Biscuit Love
Explore 12 South neighborhood
Back to hotel to get ready
Wedding!
Sunday Morning (Before Flying Out):
Breakfast at Pancake Pantry
Walk Pedestrian Bridge
Head to airport
If They Arrive Thursday:
Thursday:
Arrive, check in
Casual dinner near hotel
Early night (travel day)
Friday:
Breakfast at hotel
Visit Parthenon in Centennial Park
Lunch at Edley's
Explore East Nashville or Germantown
Dinner somewhere nicer
Honky-tonks if energy permits
Saturday:
Brunch
Relax before wedding
Wedding!
Sunday:
Breakfast/brunch
Any missed spots
Fly home
Nashville Etiquette & Tips
Tipping:
20% at restaurants (standard)
$1-2 per drink at bars
Tip the musicians in honky-tonks
Dress Code:
Nashville is casual
Boots and jeans are fine most places
Only super upscale restaurants require business casual
Hot in summer = dress accordingly
Hot Chicken Warning:
Start with medium heat (not hot)
Medium at Hattie B's is already spicy
Have milk or ranch nearby
Don't eat right before the wedding
Broadway Realities:
Free live music is real (no cover charges)
It gets VERY crowded on weekends
Bachelorette parties everywhere
Keep belongings secure
Weather:
Summer: HOT and humid (90-95°F)
Spring/Fall: Perfect (65-75°F)
Winter: Mild (40-50°F)
Rain: Unpredictable year-round
For Families with Kids
Kid-Friendly Restaurants:
Monell's (family-style, kids love it)
Edley's Bar-B-Que
Pancake Pantry
Most honky-tonks during daytime
Kid-Friendly Activities:
Centennial Park and Parthenon
Adventure Science Center
Nashville Zoo
Pedestrian Bridge walk
Cheekwood Estate (gardens)
What's Not Kid-Friendly:
Broadway honky-tonks at night
Most bars after 8pm
Late-night activities
Weekend Wellness (For the Health-Conscious Guest)
Good Coffee Shops:
Crema Coffee (multiple locations)
Barista Parlor (multiple locations)
Dose Coffee
Ugly Mugs (East Nashville)
Healthy Food Options:
The Smiling Elephant (Thai)
Nectar Urban Cantina (Healthy Mexican)
True Food Kitchen (Health-focused chain)
Green Vegetarian Cuisine
Fitness:
Most hotels have gyms
Shelby Bottoms or Radnor Lake for hiking
Bike rentals along greenways
Wedding Weekend Specific Tips
What to Bring:
Comfortable shoes (you'll walk more than expected)
Layers (AC is aggressive indoors, hot outside)
Sunscreen (if outdoor wedding elements)
Appetite (Nashville food is the point)
Don't Overdo It:
Thursday night if arriving early
Friday night before Saturday wedding
Day-of wedding (pace yourself)
Hydrate:
Nashville is humid
Drinking + heat = dehydration
Water between cocktails
Give Yourself Buffer Time:
Traffic can be unpredictable
Getting ready takes longer than expected
Build in extra time for wedding venue arrival
Nashville Quick Reference
Emergency Numbers:
911 for emergencies
Vanderbilt University Medical Center: (615) 322-5000
Non-emergency police: (615) 862-8600
Weather:
June-August: 85-95°F, humid
September-October: 70-80°F, perfect
November-March: 40-60°F, mild winters
April-May: 65-80°F, can be rainy
Airport (BNA):
15 minutes from downtown (no traffic)
30 minutes during rush hour
Uber/Lyft pickup at ground transportation
Rental cars available
Time Zone:
Central Time (CT)
Same as Chicago, Dallas, Houston
The One-Page Version (For Your Wedding Website)
Where to Stay: Downtown (walkable to everything) or Gulch (trendy, nearby)
What to Eat: Hot chicken at Hattie B's, BBQ at Martin's, Southern food at Monell's
What to Do: Broadway honky-tonks (free live music), Country Music Hall of Fame, 12 South neighborhood, walk Pedestrian Bridge
Getting Around: Uber/Lyft everywhere ($10-25 per trip)
Don't Miss: Hot chicken (start with medium heat!), live music, Broadway neon lights
Can Skip: Chain restaurants, Opryland unless staying there, driving yourself downtown
Final Thoughts for Your Guests
Nashville is a blast. The live music is real, the food is excellent, and there's genuinely something for everyone—country music fans, foodies, history buffs, nightlife lovers, outdoor enthusiasts.
Your biggest mistake would be staying in your hotel room. Get out. Explore. Try hot chicken. Listen to live music. Walk around. Talk to locals (we're friendly).
And most importantly: celebrate your friends/family getting married! That's why you're here.
Send This to Your Guests
Copy this guide, personalize it with your wedding venue location and any specific recommendations, and put it on your wedding website. Your out-of-town guests will actually use it.
Other Nashville Wedding Resources:
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About Heck Designs and Photography
We're Nashville wedding photographers who have documented 400+ weddings across Middle Tennessee since 2017. We live here, we love this city, and we've helped hundreds of couples show their out-of-town guests the real Nashville.