Nashville & Middle TN Elopements | Wes Howard Weddings

Why Elopements Are Growing

Couples are choosing meaning over tradition.

More and more couples are skipping the big production and choosing something real instead: a small ceremony, a beautiful moment, the people that matter most. Weekday elopements let you do it on your own terms, without the weekend price tags or the pressure.

If that sounds like you, you're in the right place.

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Pick your place

Browse venues we recommend, or choose one of Nashville's beautiful free public spots. The choice is entirely yours.

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Get an Officiant

Officiating elopements is my specialty, so you will be in expert hands. Grab a free 15 minute consultation and let's talk about your day.

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Say I do

You've got your date, place and officiant. All that's left is to say, "I do."

Venues We Recommend

Find the setting that feels like you.

These aren't random listings. They're venues Wes knows personally and loves for elopements. Click any card to learn more and reach out directly.

I'll Officiate, Wherever You Choose

Whichever venue you pick, one of these or somewhere else entirely, I'd love to be your ceremony officiant. I get to know your story beforehand, so when I say the words, it feels like a friend saying them, not a stranger.

Historic · Romantic · Garden

CJ's Off the Square

A private garden venue in historic downtown Franklin, with a historic home, pond terrace, and covered pavilion. Feels like a Hallmark movie.

Downtown Franklin, TN

Countryside · Elegant · All-Inclusive

Mint Springs Farm

40 acres of rolling hills, a private lake, and a ceremony pavilion with vintage pews just 30 minutes south of Nashville in Nolensville.

Nolensville, TN · 30 min from Nashville

Urban · Dramatic · Skyline Views

The Bridge Building

A LEED-certified historic landmark on the downtown riverfront. Floor-to-ceiling windows, a rooftop patio, and the Nashville skyline as your backdrop.

Downtown Nashville Riverfront

Free & Public Locations

Prefer to skip the venue entirely?

These are some of Nashville's most beautiful public spots, open to everyone at no cost. I'll be there as your officiant no matter which one you choose.

Stone Steps & City Overlook

Wooded · Dramatic · Free

Percy Warner Park

Part of the 3,100-acre Warner Parks in Belle Meade. The dramatic stone entrance steps and sweeping city overlooks make it one of Nashville's most photographed free ceremony spots.

Belle Meade / Nashville, TN

The Parthenon & Lake

Iconic · Central · Free

Centennial Park

Home to Nashville's full-scale Parthenon replica, a peaceful lake, and the Sunken Garden. One of the most recognizable backdrops in the city, right in the heart of West End.

West End / Nashville, TN

Gazebo & Iris Garden

Quiet · Pastoral · Free

Ellington Agricultural Center

A quiet, often-overlooked property with a covered gazebo, a historic antebellum mansion, and the Tennessee Iris Garden. Rarely crowded, which makes it one of the most peaceful free spots around.

Berry Hill / Nashville, TN

These are public spaces, and entry is always free. Nashville Metro Parks officially lists a permit as required for wedding ceremonies, though many couples still do quiet, undecorated elopements without one. Rules can change, so before you pick your spot, read our full guide on park permits.

Your Officiant

Not a stranger. A friend, from the first hello.

I'm Wes, and I've been officiating weddings around Nashville for over 15 years, with more than 50 ceremonies a year, each one built around the couple standing in front of me, not a script.

Before I say a word at your ceremony, I take the time to actually get to know you: your story, your relationship, what makes you two, you. So when the moment comes, it feels like a friend speaking, not a stranger reading lines. I'm not affiliated with any denomination, so whether your ceremony is religious, non-religious, or somewhere in between, it'll feel true to who you are.

"Wes was extremely kind, professional, and friendly throughout the whole process. We still rave about him to family and friends today."

Everything you need. Nothing you don't.

Wherever you get married, whether one of the venues below, a free public spot, or somewhere else entirely, booking me as your officiant is simple and direct, no separate vendor to coordinate.

Schedule Free Consultation Explore Locations

A free 15-minute consultation call, no pressure, just a conversation
Initial consultation to get to know you and your story
Personalized ceremony tailored to you as a couple
Available Monday through Thursday anywhere in Middle Tennessee
Travel included within 50 miles of Nashville
Performing the ceremony
Completion and submission of your marriage license, fully handled
Additional travel available beyond 50 miles at an agreed rate

What Couples Say

Real words from real weddings.

Common Questions

Weekday elopements let couples avoid the weekend rush and premium pricing at venues. If you're keeping things intimate and intentional, a Tuesday afternoon in a place you love is often more meaningful than a packed Saturday.

Not at all. Some couples choose one of the venues listed here, and others pick a free public spot like Percy Warner Park or Centennial Park. Wes shows up either way. Parks, rooftops, backyards, riverbanks: if it's meaningful to you, it works.

Within 30 days of your wedding, you and your partner visit your local county clerk's office with two forms of government-issued ID. They'll hand you a sealed envelope. Bring it to Wes, and he handles everything after the ceremony. You'll get your official license back from the clerk shortly after.

Absolutely. This is your ceremony. We can make it whatever feels right: traditional, personal, funny, quiet. Wes will build the ceremony around you.

Yes. An elopement doesn't mean you have to go completely alone. Some couples bring just their parents, a best friend, or a small group. It's entirely your call.

Wes is not affiliated with any denomination and is completely comfortable with religious, non-religious, or mixed-faith ceremonies. His job is to marry you in a way that feels true to who you are.

Simple. Intimate. Completely yours.