Riverwood Mansion

Open House at Riverwood Mansion on Saturday, January 21st

2012-01-12T07:43:00.000-08:00

We are so excited to be having an Open House here at Riverwood Mansion on Saturday, January 21st from 9:30am to 11:30am. We realize so many brides need to go see venues on the weekend and thought this would be a great opportunity.

Photo by Red Letter Photography

Come experience vintage romance at one of Nashville's most enchanting ceremony and reception locations. Riverwood has Nashville's only 4200 sq. ft heated pavilion, gorgeous custom-designed gardens with magical evening lighting, and use of the large historic mansion. Our 1800s southern, antebellum mansion offers the old south with the hospitality to enjoy every second of your most important day. We have all inclusive packages including our wedding coordinating and directing service with any package offered. We are located only 10 minutes from downtown and Opryland which is perfect for out of town guests coming to a destination wedding in Nashville. We can't wait to talk with you about your wedding!

Shay and Zach's Vintage Romance Wedding

2011-09-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Shay and Zach were such a fun couple and we loved the fact that Shay had a vision of her wedding from start to finish. She loved the vintage romance feel and the mansion fit perfect with her theme. She really thought of fantastic ideas to capture the antique look and we loved every second of having her here. Thanks to Ace Photography for the wonderful images. They did a great job capturing the beauty and romance of the day.

Destination Weddings: August in New York City

2011-08-30T10:06:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough to be invited to a wedding in New York City in August. My boyfriend, Jason and I, hopped a Friday evening flight to the big city. Even though we have both visited the Big Apple multiple times, it is always thrilling to fly in over the Statue of Liberty on the Hudson River & the big city lights. I was beyond excited!

First stop, rehearsal dinner at the Boat Basin Café. This is a fun, casual, outdoor restaurant with an open air patio that overlooks the marina on the Hudson River & New Jersey just across the water.

Saturday was the wedding day! The details of the wedding were adorable. The groom wore a perfectly placed ranunculus boutonniere and the ladies held fresh colorful bouquets of pink and green.

Pre ceremony pictures were shot in Madison Square Park. It was very different to be in a public setting for photographs as opposed to our private, gated venue at Riverwood Mansion. It was hard to ignore the onlookers, partially nude sun bathers, water fountain dancers and non-domesticated cats on a leash. Yes, these were things I saw with my own eyes that day! But the photographer was clearly an expert and dodged the obstacles with patience & ease.

Next stop, Chelsea Piers! We boarded a small boat decked out with a bar and snacks. It was a bit choppy on the water, but well worth the trip. When we reached the Brooklyn Bridge the bride and groom took their vows. A small intimate group of close friends and family, on a boat on the Hudson River, next to the statue of liberty, tears of joy from parents and siblings & music set a scene that could not have been more ideal.

Still feeling a bit sea sick, we took a limo to Centro Vinoteca, a restaurant in the meat packing district with a modern yet classic Italian feel. They had special menu cards at each place setting chosen by the bride. I had the Peppercress & Roasted Chioggia Beet salad, grilled Black Angus Ribeye & an assortment of sorbet flavors for dessert. Not to mention the wedding cake! The father of the bride gave a nice speech, along with close friends in the bridal party. We were fat and happy.

The bride and groom will be moving to Shanghai, China for work in October so their favors were little Chinese soup spoons. A perfect last touch to personalize their event!

Oh, and I couldn’t leave the city without visiting Kleinfeld’s Bridal Shop!

It was so fun to be a guest for this wedding weekend and to have a real New York City experience. To learn more about personalizing your wedding day Nashville style, please contact a coordinator at Riverwood Mansion or visit our bride’s only section at www.riverwoodmansion.com.

Happy Planning!

Katie Gifford

The Most Romantic Couple

2011-07-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

Photo by: Ben K. Moser Visuals

We were fortunate enough to get to experience the love on Mandy and Greg's wedding day. Beyond the Still Image sent us a video clip of their wedding and we enjoyed every second of it. You can tell by the video how in love they are. Enjoy!

Wedding Video at Riverwood Mansion
http://beyondthestillimage.com/beyondthestillimage/Blog/Entries/2011/7/18_Nashville_Wedding_Videography%2C_Mandy_%2B_Greg_Wedding_MovieTrailer.html

A Bride with Southern Grace and Elegance

2011-06-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

Lotus Blossom Photography did an amazing job capturing the spirit and love of the day. These pictures are amazing and we really appreciate Suzanne choosing us to share in it.

From White to Green Wedding. What Shade of Green are you?

2011-04-07T07:32:00.000-07:00

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle! In this blog, you'll be given some tips on how you can implement the three R’s while planning your very own green wedding.

REDUCE.

What if we don’t want to use all of that extra paper!? Some brides value tradition over reducing paper waste. That’s okay, we’re all a different shade of green. But in case you would like to try something different, here are a couple of ideas:

· Try recycled paper, soy based ink, or skipping that extra envelope that traditional invitations include.
· Paperless Save the Dates & Invitations are on the rise. Ask your guests to visit your wedding website for details or to RSVP by email. You are also more likely to get a quicker RSVP response.

Location, location, location. Choosing an outdoor wedding venue is green, literally. By hosting your nuptials in a garden or other natural environment, you are likely to reduce the amount of extra flowers, draping, and other decorations you would otherwise use to set the perfect scene. It is not only beneficial to your pocket book, but for your earth-friendly peace of mind. Additionally, choosing a location that can host both your ceremony and reception will save you and your guests on time, gas, and money.

TIP: The more guests you invite, means the more miles traveled, more food consumed, more hotel room sheets washed, and more waste when it’s all over.

Other ways to use less:
· If you already have the items you need to begin in your new home, you could register for money donations to a charity or other environmentally sound options for reducing shipping and gift-wrapping.
· Consider an alternative for your favors like donations in your guest’s names or a potted plant for them to take home and keep growing.
· Buy local! Buying locally has so many benefits. In the case for sustainability, locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation.

Ask a Riverwood Mansion representative how to tie in our local Nashville to your wedding by using local food, candy, cola, alcohol, musicians and more.

A Nashville business doing good things: http://www.thistlefarms.org/

The Speical Event Conference: Blog Series 2 of 2

2011-03-18T07:31:00.000-07:00

I am so happy to share our final pictures of The Special Event Conference with everyone. These are from The Wedding Gallery. They have provided inspiration for us and I hope they do for you as well. Enjoy!

Images by: Melissa Gill

The Special Event Conference: Blog Series 1 of 2

2011-03-08T07:10:00.000-08:00

Katie and I had so much fun in Phoenix and we are finally ready to share some of the fun that we had. The last blog on Phoenix showcased The Wedding Lunch. This blog is dedicated to our favorite things in Phoenix that we experienced and learned. Starting with some images from The Wedding Gallery, a showcase of some very talented Event Producers and Wedding Designers, we wanted to share because of the idea that some of these things would look great in our garden. Can't wait to get these ideas executed!

The images after the fifth one below are of our excursions out of the conference. We attended a great networking event at a ranch on our second night and I was prepared with boots and ranch attire. It's funny to me that when I see tourists in Nashville wearing cowboy hats I think do they think we wear this all of the time and I became a tourist loving my outfit choice. They had racing and fun carnival games themed southwestern, not to mention the food was fantastically perfect for the setting as well. The last pictures are from one of our last nights in Phoenix. We went out that night in search for a nice, upscale dinner and found ourselves in front of the US Airways Center where the Phoenix Suns play and literally looked at each other at the same time and said, "Nachos?". We ended up 10 rows behind the players and had a blast watching basketball. Katie and I are two girls that enjoy watching sports. The last image is of "Matt's Big Breakfast" in Phoenix. It was featured on The Food Network and being a foodie myself I jumped at the chance to go there. It didn't disappoint.

In all, our trip was fantastic! We are looking to next year's conference in Tampa!

Be looking for some more blog posts on great ideas for weddings....

The Wedding Lunch at The Special Event Conference 2011

2011-02-03T12:31:00.000-08:00

We had a blast at TSE2011 in Phoenix, AZ and are so excited to share some of the pictures from one of our favorite days (The Wedding Lunch & Gallery). We attended the Wedding Lunch and sat with our fellow Nashvillians, Graceful Tables, who are as sweet as pie (Southern term). Graceful Tables did all of the gorgeous linens at The Wedding Lunch which was themed "In Love with Metallics". I am also in love with metallics and even considered them for my own wedding. Sasha Souza gave a presentation on her favorite things. It was amazing! We can't wait to share the pictures from the Gallery. Coming soon!

Here's a picture of my favorite table. Every table was so gorgeous!

Here's Katie enjoying great conversation with our new friends. I had to put this one on here from my camera. I'm sure she will be thrilled. :)

Thanks to Melissa Jill Photography for the great images.

Phil Ponder's Artwork of Riverwood Mansion

2011-01-07T08:55:00.000-08:00

For over twenty years, Phil Ponder has painted historic structures in Middle Tennessee. His unique style is accomplished through a combination of pen and ink/watercolor techniques, emphasizing great detail and warmth of color. Lithographs are produced from his original watercolors and are available through "Picture This". Here is the image of Riverwood Mansion.

The Harters - "If I Run" (CMT World Premiere of the Video)

2011-01-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

The Harters - "If I Run": "If I Run" (Check out this video of Riverwood!)

We had the pleasure of having The Harters here to shoot their music video. We shared the "Behind the Scenes" awhile ago and today is the day to share the actual video. The World Premiere of the Video is on CMT today. We were so thrilled to have them here and loved how everything turned out. Actually, there aren't any views of the actual mansion itself just the gorgeous gardens and inside the mansion shots. The allee (where our brides walk down the aisle) is featured during the chorus of the song. The grounds look so great! Plus the song is perfect for a wedding location. We have been scouted for a location spot for many things lately including Carrie Underwood's song "Mama's Song" and "Country Strong". We appreciate the scouts for thinking our venue is as unique as we think it is. :)

Teal and Yellow: Perfect Wedding Palette

2010-12-06T13:34:00.000-08:00

Kristyn Hogan took these wonderful pictures for Amanda's wedding this past August. We absolutely loved having her here. Amanda's family was so wonderful and full of excitement that day. They traveled from so many different areas of the United States. Nashville ends up being a prefect meeting spot for families from the North and South. The warm colors of teal and yellow made for a perfect summer wedding palette. The garden here is the most green in August and has the most blooms.
Thanks again to Kristyn for being amazing to work with!

Riverwood Mansion Music Video Shoot: Behind The Scenes of "If I Run"

2010-12-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

The Harters music video for "If I Run" should be coming out soon, but we wanted to share the behind the scenes video we found as a preview of what's to come. The song is amazing and we were so privileged to have them here. We wish them the best!

Brides Section for Riverwood Brides offfered on website to help with planning!

2010-11-30T11:46:00.000-08:00

We are so excited to be in the process of updating our Brides Section of our website. This section is dedicated to our current Riverwood Brides to provide them with an extended level of service with documents to help with the planning process. We realize a majority of our brides are planning from out of state and providing information on Nashville and wedding details can take a lot of stress off of the bride.
A great tool for destination weddings! We hope you like it!
Brides Only Section

Fall Wedding Video: Southern Girl & Northern Guy in Love

2010-11-15T10:43:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share this short video captured by Full Frame Digital Cinema. Hailey and Frank were married on Saturday and it was a melding of cultures from the north and south. We can't wait to see the finished product and love the unique views of the mansion. Thanks for sharing!

Check it out! http://www.vimeo.com/16825828

Veteran's Day Wedding

2010-11-11T11:04:00.000-08:00

I really love the flag hanging off of the upper porch of the mansion. It makes me thankful for all of the men and women who have served and are serving our country. I thought it would be neat to share some of the images. Thank you Jason Tucker!

Colorful Fall Wedding

2010-10-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

Laura & Pinky were married last weekend and we already are able to share pictures. Their unique style is evident in these great pictures. The entire guest list was full of kind and fun people. It was a treat getting to be at this wedding and we are so grateful they chose us. Thanks Laura & Pinky!

Enjoy this slideshow from one of this past weekend's weddings. We have land in the back of the mansion that no one ever uses and the colors from the trees are amazing.
A big thanks to Souder Photography!

http://souderblog.com/nashville-wedding-photographers/1542

Fun and Fabulous Mansion Wedding

2010-10-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

We loved having Jolynne and her family and friends here at the mansion and appreciate them choosing us to share in their celebration. We are truly grateful. We would like to thank Ray Tisdale, Co-Founder and Senior Photographer for 35 Atlanta for these fantastic images.

Flower Fun! Centerpieces & Bouquets

2010-10-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Emily Willis from Mayflowers Design here in Nashville for these great pics. I saw them on her blog and thought they were by a professional photographer-so jealous of her skill. Great photos of her work! She created the bouquets, centerpieces, and ceremony decorations for one of our bride's this past weekend. Enjoy!

Romantic Wedding at Riverwood Mansion

2010-09-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Dove Photography for sharing these fantastic images.

Caterer: Chef Penelope

Florist: East Garden

Cake: The Bake Shoppe

DJ: K&M Music

Bridal Portrait Beauty

2010-09-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

Matt Andrews took these amazing Bridal Portraits one day during the summer and we had to share them. The bride, Katie, is gorgeous and the pictures really showcase her beauty. I've never seen our antique couch in the French Room, but I love it! We love having bridal portraits here!

Video of a Reception at Riverwood

2010-09-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

AndyCam Weddings (Video and Photo) posted this romantic video of Bobby and Ericka's reception here at Riverwood. You can definitely feel the love these two have for each other. Enjoy!

Video of Riverwood Reception

Thanks Andy for sharing this great excerpt from their wedding!

Pretty Peonies in our Garden

2010-08-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

Not many people know how many gardens we have here at Riverwood. Just to name a few of them: The Butterfly Garden, The Peony Garden, and The Secret Garden. The Peony Garden is my new favorite. I love the beautiful white, light pink, and hot pink peonies that come from the garden that is tucked away behind the gazebo. We even have a floral friend, Chase Rivers, who uses some of our peonies in his arrangements. We're glad others also get to enjoy the beauty of that special flower. Here is an article that showcases peonies, possibly Riverwood ones. The bouquet in this article is gorgeous! Good job Chase!

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2010/07/07/diy-wedding-bouquet/

Pictures of Peonies: Justin and Mary Photography

Fall Weddings: They will be here before we know it...

2010-07-24T11:04:00.000-07:00

I've had so many calls lately about weddings in the fall and wanted to share one of my favorite weddings that really used fall colors in a fun, classy, and unique way. I love these pictures by Krista Lee Photography. These pictures show what the mansion and gardens look like in the fall. Leaves don't really start to fall in Nashville until the end of October and the beginning of November. The temperatures in the fall are ideal for an outdoor wedding.

Creative & Cool Couple Marry at Riverwood

2010-07-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

I could not stop looking at these pictures given to us by Silent Light Photography. This bride and groom were the most gracious and kind couple. They provided me with so much laughter during the meetings and on the wedding day. The temperature was perfect for an April wedding. I think everyone seems to shy away from getting married in April, but this month proved everyone wrong by giving us fantastic weather! Her details were awesome, notice the special converse shoes in her colors. The bride is a wonderful cake artist that owns 2 Chicks and Some Flour. She inspired me with her enthusiasm and I loved every minute of her wedding day. So blessed to have great brides!

A fun surprise for the Bride from the Groom at Riverwood Mansion

2010-06-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

A September Ceremony Picture

I love this picture!

I had so much fun working with Brooke and David and their families last September. As soon I received the pictures I had to share! Brooke was the true essence of a southern lady and not to mention gorgeous. She had an eye for details and was super organized. She was actually my inspiration for this blog with her blog about her and David and their life together. David, the groom, was hilarious and even going as far as surprising Brooke with a Riverwood Staff Member dressed up as a ghost. There are some rumors going around that Riverwood supposedly has a ghost, which I've never seen, by the way. David had called us a couple of weeks before the wedding wanting to surprise Brooke after the wedding with pictures of a ghost in the background. The very last picture below is a picture of Riverwood Assistant, Tricia, dressed up in a ghost outfit for the haunting pictures.

Thanks to David and Brooke for giving us a day we will never forget!

Thanks as always to Divine Images for sharing these pictures with us!

A Softball loss with fun and class, the Riverwood way...

2010-06-17T12:54:00.000-07:00

After many rained out games, the Riverwood Mansion Wedding Crashers sponsored by Riverwood Mansion played finally last night. The game started out with many runs by the other team in the first inning, but The Crashers came back to equal the runs to start the next inning. This back and forth continued until the other team, Pita-team name, won 11 to 8. Everyone had a great time and really enjoyed seeing some of our favorite vendors there to show their support. Thanks to Kellie from A Catered Affair and Caprice from Enchanted Florist!! A win is in the future!

Delightful Dancers get married at Riverwood

2010-06-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

We had to share this video of a couple who we LOVED working with. Brandy and Beetle were married here at Riverwood on May 22nd and she just sent me the link to their wedding video.

Message from Brandy:
"The video shows so many wonderful things about the Mansion. Our videographer was Matthew Davenport from Davenport Video Design.We hope that you enjoy it! We loved everything and thank you so much for all that you did!"

The video is so romantic and gives me goosebumps watching it. From the moment Brandy arrived she was full of excitement, giving our staff hugs and beaming with happiness. She is just that kind of person and so is Beetle. They are both professional dancers with awesome talent and a heart full of kindness. It was so much fun getting to work with them and helping plan their wedding. It is because of our Riverwood brides like Brandy that we love what we do. :)

Video of Brandy and Beetle's Wedding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtF5isaQLkg

A Couple of Stars at Riverwood Mansion

2010-06-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

I just received these pictures from Evan Baines, the photographer for the wedding on May 28th. I found myself tearing up seeing the images and thinking about that day. Riverwood was privileged enough to have 2 of the most pleasant, caring, and beautiful people get married here on this passed Friday. From the moment they arrived until their farewell, they showed love and patience to everyone around them. We all know that weddings can be a little nerve-racking sometimes, but Jennifer and James showed us how a wedding day should be, about true love. Jennifer or Jen as some of her guests called her looked amazing and the pictures prove it. Her dress was one-of-a-kind and her shoes were covered in sparkly rhinestones, my favorite shoes I have seen a bride wear. Some of the guests included American Idol favorites, Mandisa and Danny Gokey. The bride and groom were the stars that day and our entire staff was pleased to get to share in their special day. Thank you!

Gazebo in the Riverwood Pavilion

2010-05-10T14:11:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday's wedding was so much fun from start to finish. We absolutley loved Whitney and Paul and their families. When we heard at the planning meeting that Whitney and her mom had a vision of a gazbeo in the pavilion we couldn't wait to see it in person. It was so great that they thought outside of the box to create a special spot for the cake. The cake hadn't been delivered just yet in the picture above. It was a nice addtion to our pavilion. The centerpieces in the pictures were by The Enchanted Florist and so cute! Thanks to Ilde Cook with MemorySnap Photography for capturing the fun in the day through her lens and being a pleasure to work with. We can't wait to share the pictures.

Thank you to Whitney for showing me how much fun a wedding day can be. Your smile was infectious and your family was a delight!

Pictures: Caprice Palmer

No Flooding at the Mansion

2010-05-03T08:39:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to show some pictures of the mansion for our out-of-town brides to see. We've been getting some calls from our current brides checking on us. So thoughtful! We have not had any damages, thank goodness. The pavilion held up wonderfully. All of our vendors arrived earlier than scheduled just to make sure they got here. They are awesome!! You would've thought it was a normal weekend with the sun shining. Everything went wonderfully! Thanks to our staff here at Riverwood for braving the weather to make sure the couple's day went smoothly. We did end up having a staff sleepover due to the weather conditions by the end of the night. We will remember this weekend forever!

We hope all of our brides, their families, and our vendors are okay. We are praying for our wonderful city!

Here are some pictures of Shelby Park, it's about 4 miles away and on the Cumberland River.

Riverwood's Sponsored Softball Team

2010-04-29T08:14:00.000-07:00

The first game ended with a win for "The Riverwood Mansion Wedding Crashers". The team came together to beat their opponent 9 to 2. Thanks to all of the fans that came out to support Riverwood!

Here are some pictures to enjoy! More to come next week!

Choosing Music City for Your Wedding Destination

2010-04-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

When planning your wedding, the idea of having a destination wedding may have crossed your mind. A destination wedding can be less expensive than a traditional wedding and allows for a central meeting place for families who live in different areas. Why not Nashville?

Choosing the location of the wedding can be quite easy. Find a place that is close to downtown or places for guests to enjoy their visit while they are in town for your wedding. Riverwood is conveniently located just minutes from downtown and the Nashville airport. Your guests may even want to make their trip into vacation.

Destinations are great for theme weddings. Riverwood is the essence of a beautiful, worry free southern wedding, which goes perfectly with the sweet Southern city of Nashville. Continuing the theme of your destination wedding, you can be creative with favors or even welcome baskets for guests waiting for them when they arrive to their hotel room. Choosing locally made products can make their stay and your wedding more memorable. The possibilities for your destination wedding are endless.

Blog Post Author: Catlin Hager

Pictures: Top picture: Flickr, Middle Pictures: Caitlin Hager, Bottom Picture: Divine Images

Themed Wedding (Yellow, Gray, and Cute Birds)

2010-04-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

Alisha and Evan were married on Saturday and she carried out the theme for her wedding perfectly. We loved her runners, her cake (decorated by her own company, 2 Chicks and Some Flour), and candy table.

The guests absolutley loved the candy table and dove into the Reese's Pieces, M&M's, Sour Patch Kids, and Skittles. She had adorable small mason jars with yellow and gray ribbon for the guests to fill with their candy of choice. This night was full of great details and fantastic dancers.

Thanks to Alisha and Evan for choosing us to share in your special day!

Tips for Planning the Perfect Wedding

2010-03-31T08:25:00.000-07:00

Jackie Glynn, the owner of Riverwood Mansion was asked by "Flair" magazine creator, Chase Rivers, to write an article with ideas on how to plan the perfect wedding. Jackie joined the wedding business in 1999 with the dream of creating a venue where brides could have the most magical wedding and their expereince would exceed all expectations. One thousand weddings later, I think she did it!!

I wanted to share some of the topics she wrote about:

Which comes first: date or location?
Take time to plan...and enjoy the process.
Get help!
Vendors are key partners; don’t skimp!
On a budget?
Choose a theme.
Relax...this can actually be fun!

Check out the full article on "Flair's" blog.
Thank you to Chase for asking us to be a part of your wonderful magazine.

Photo by: Andrea Hallgren

New Chandelier at our Wedding Venue

2010-03-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

We had to add a picture to our blog of our NEW chandeliers. We think they definitley add something to the triple parlor.We will share more pictures once we get some professional shots. Come see them at the Open House on April 27th from 5:00 to 7:00pm. RSVP on the front page of our website.

Shades of Purple mark the First Spring Wedding

2010-03-22T07:30:00.000-07:00

This passed Saturday was one of those days that makes us truly cherish what we do. We started the day with fantastic spring weather and ended with no rain. Amber and Stan were an absolute pleasure to have here and their families were equally amazing. I wanted to share some detail shots of her wedding because I thought her colors were perfect for the spring day and really made us all feel ready for the warmer weather. Thanks to Amber & Stan for allowing us to share in your special day!

Florist: Enchanted Florist
Cake: The Bake Shoppe
Photographer: Divine Images (We can't wait to see the real pictures from a professional)

Red Accents at a Riverwood Wedding in October

2010-03-12T11:15:00.000-08:00

Tiffany was one of the those brides that made the mansion even more beautiful with her gorgeous smile and sweet personality. We are were all so grateful to be a part of her day. Thanks to Jason Tucker once again for sharing these great pictures that bring back so many great memories.

Why do couples feed each other cake?

2010-03-05T07:37:00.000-08:00

We had a meeting with a bride and groom last week that decided not to feed each other cake because they didn't understand what it meant or why so many couples do it. The wedding cake has been an important part of the wedding celebration since Roman times when a thin wheat cake was crumbled over the bride's head to ensure her fertility. Today, we wouldn't dare think of doing that. Feeding each other the first slice of cake serves as a symbol of the bride and groom's willingness to share a household. Now when we see the couple getting ready to feed each other we can appreciate the thougth behind it. Enjoy these pictures by some fantastic photographers who were gracious enough to share them. These cakes look yummy!

Photos by: Ace Photography, Meishach Moore, Jason Tucker, David Wright, and Krista Lee Photography

Unique touches make their wedding day one-of-a-kind

2010-02-18T07:41:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Krista Lee Photography for sharing these wonderful images.

We were privileged to have such a great couple get married at the mansion.

Bridal Soiree Event at Riverwood

2010-02-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

What a great night at Riverwood and perfect weather for January! We just had our "Bridal Soiree" for all of our current and prospective brides of Riverwood Mansion. It was so much fun getting to see so many familiar faces and getting to have a party with great food and music. Caprice from Enchanted Florist brought so many beautiful flowers and centerpieces to show off her amazing talent. She had heard that night she had won "Best of Show" from the bridal show on that Sunday. Amy and Kellie from A Catered Affair were here to fill our tummies with so many delicious selections from their new menu. They always take good care of us and our brides by providing smiling faces and fantastic service. Russell from The Wedding Musician Company shared his musical talents by providing us with charming classical melodies to fill our historic venue. In all, the night was PERFECT! Make sure to watch our website for the next Bridal Soiree in the fall.

A Riverwood Snow Bride

2010-01-31T15:30:00.000-08:00

The first real snow of 2010 and the mansion looked so beautiful! We wanted to share what the mansion looked like with a winter snow. It would have been prefect for a Winter Wedding!

Of course the first thing a wedding coordinator thinks about when it snows is when can we get out there and build a Snow Bride. Since we didn't have one of our Riverwood bride's on-site we decided to create our own. Isn't she lovely?

A Perfect Pavilion Wedding

2010-01-26T13:08:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share some images I received from Brandon Chesbro of a wedding he photographed here at Riverwood. The bride had dreamt of an enchanting garden wedding, but the weather just wouldn't cooperate. The back-up plan was to have the ceremony in the pavilion and I think everyone was pleasantly suprised. My favorite image from below is the black and white garden shot. The garden is so beautiful in the evening so if you are a Riverwood bride make sure to take a break and stroll through the garden with your new husband.

Thanks Brandon!

Riverwood Mansion attends the Bridal Show

2010-01-18T09:30:00.000-08:00

The Bridal Show at the Convention Center yesterday was wonderful! We got to see a few of our current brides, Kristen, Brittany, and Stephanie, and a past bride Stephanie. Our favorite vendors were everywhere! We got to try some great Lavendar Lemonade from 8 Lavendar Lane, sample some yummy cake from The Bake Shoppe, and admire an amazing booth by The Enchanted Florist.

We look forward to a great year of wonderful weddings!

"Bridal Soiree" at Riverwood Mansion

2010-01-15T07:40:00.000-08:00

We are having a "Bridal Soiree" for all of the brides interested in having their wedding at Riverwood Mansion. We are also excited to have some of our current brides attending as well. RSVP online at http://www.riverwoodmansion.com/ by Monday at noon. We almost had another guest at the party on Tuesday night, Alan Jackson. He wanted to use the mansion for his upcoming video and loved the Triple Parlor, but our brides come first and we had to turn him down.

Come and take a tour of the mansion and ask our vendors all of those important questions.

Color Choices for a Wedding

2009-12-31T13:03:00.000-08:00

Colors are always the hardest thing to pick for a wedding. Should you choose an all-time favorite color or a color that goes with the season? Today weddings are using all colors regardless of the time of year or implied meaning. I wanted to share some images from Jen's wedding because I loved the colors she chose, orange and plum. Remember to use what speaks to you and forget sticking to the norm.

Thanks as always to Jason Tucker for sharing these pictures with us!

Two Talented Musicians married at Riverwood

2009-12-08T06:28:00.000-08:00

Jennifer and Mike Goncalves were married at Riverwood Mansion on October 17th and we wanted to share some of their great pictures. With being in the band "Hip Kitty" they were plenty busy touring before the wedding. The picture perfect sunset wedding with the ligths on the arch and lanterns down the aisle made this fall day unforgettable. We love the little details Jen had like the mums on the front porch and the inital carved pumpkins. Their fantastic personalities made them a pleasure to work with and we are so glad we got to share in their special day.

Thanks Jason Tucker for sharing these great images!

Red Riverwood Wedding with Roya

2009-12-01T09:30:00.000-08:00

We received some exciting comments from Roya and wanted to share some of the sweet things she said about her special day. "The entire staff was quite beyond belief and only when I see photos do I realize just how many people were there to make it happen. Our families are still boasting about how nice all of you were and what a job well done!"

I had to share some of her kind words because of the time she took to write such a lengthy, sweet note. We made sure to put the rest on our Testimonials page.

Her thoughts made me think about staffing and service for the wedding day. When looking for vendors for your wedding day make sure to check with them on how many staff they will have available on your big day. It makes a huge difference in your stress level knowing you have someone with a large enough staff to accomadate you if there is a sickness in the office.

Thanks to Roya's photographer, Jason Tucker for the beautiful bridal picture!

It brings back memories of a great day! We love our Riverwood brides!

Sweet Couple with Sweet Words

2009-11-24T10:33:00.000-08:00

"I want to personally thank you for making my dream wedding a reality. We received compliments from all of our guests and I had people I didn't know call me because mutual friends attended my wedding and complimented all aspects. The quality of service from the staff was exceptional. Everything was perfect! Riverwood Mansion is definitley worth every penny."

Love,

Meredith & Ali

A Nashville Wedding and Reception Location
A Big Thanks to Krista Lee Photography for sharing these wonderful images!

A Favorite Summer Wedding

2009-11-17T08:20:00.000-08:00

I just received an e-mail from one of our fabolous brides letting us know her photographer had blogged about her wedding. I was so excited to see these amazing pictures. The photographer was Erin Browne Photography out of Knoxville, TN. I think the words I used were "blown away". I loved seeing the way the mansion looked on Cathy's wedding day and will always remember how beautiful she was inside and outside.

These light posts were the original ones from Church Street downtown.

Our garden area looks amazing with all of the lights at night.

Thank you to Cathy and Matt for choosing us to share in your wedding day!

Fantastic wedding weather in November!!

2009-11-11T08:07:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure what to do with myself because of the wonderful weather. Who would have thought that it would be 70 degress for the first 2 weekends in November. When the November weddings booked we discussed our (included, no charge, stree-free) weather plan because we assumed it would be chilly outside and it is just the opposite. Weather is one of those things we can't control, but always has an impact on a wedding day. If any of you are thinking of having a wedding and which month to do it in I would give November a chance.
Here are some pictures from a November wedding shot by Divine Images. Thanks to Leslie and Bill for these amazing fall pictures.

Fall into color at Riverwood Mansion

2009-11-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

We had to show these amazing pictures taken here at the mansion from last fall by Ace Photography. This bride is truly beautiful and (has a great voice too). Lisa was married here this January and we are awaiting more beautiful photos from the wedding. We can't wait to share them with everyone.

November 24th Open House

2009-10-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

We had so many requests for the Open House we had to schedule another one. This is the perfect chance for you to bring out your family and friends and show off your wedding location. We would love to meet new brides as well.

Take time to come out and visit one of Nashville's finest Event Houses that has the best of all worlds with a 4200 sq ft heated tent, use of inside the historic mansion, and magical majestic gardens. Please RSVP on our website at http://www.riverwoodmansion.com/. We will see you in November!

Special Thanks to Tucker Photography for some of these pictures!

Open House is tomorrow!

2009-10-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

Our Fall Open House is almost here! Tommorow we will be having our Fall Open House to let all brides come see how the mansion looks in the fall for a wedding. The leaves are already changing here creating a perfect fall picture. Please come visit us at the mansion on Tuesday from 5 to 8pm to see for yourself. I wanted to showcase a couple of pictures from passed Open Houses.

This is a favorite event for the staff because it gives us a chance to talk with current brides and brides looking at Riverwood.

We will see you tomorrow!

Wedding Video from a Real Wedding

2009-10-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

Katie and Matt were one of our favorite couples that got married here at Riverwood.

This wedding video clip was sent to us by a wondeful videographer to use on our blog. Please enjoy!

Go to http://vimeo.com/6762569 to see the highlight reel of their wedding.

Thank you to Baughman MediaWorks. Please visit them at http://www.bmediaworks.com/.

Beautiful Bridal Bouquets

2009-09-03T07:59:00.000-07:00

A lot of photographers have told me that having a colorful bouquet can add so much to a picture of the bride. I wanted to share some of these gorgeous bouquets by one of my favorite florists. Please Enjoy!

The Bridal Bouquets were designed by The Enchanted Florist.

Centerpiece Ideas

2009-08-25T06:52:00.000-07:00

Upon my arrival at the VIP area at a festival this weekend, I noticed one thing first, centerpeices. Isn't it funny that is the first thing that came to mind. Yes, I'm sure the reason I noticed is because I'm around guest tables with centerpieces every weekend. I couldn't help but admire the brightly colored, floral arrangements sitting on the black matte linens. I automatically thought about how our brides would love these and wanted to show some centerpeices that Riverwood brides have used in the past. What are some centerpiece ideas you are considering?

Centerpieces are a great way to carry out a consistent theme.

New Sunday Afternoon Package

2009-07-28T09:15:00.001-07:00

Riverwood Mansion’s “Sweet Southern Sunday” was designed to host a traditional southern, social, afternoon wedding but brought to a grand scale in a unique setting. As your guests enter through the gates, they’ll feel as if they have entered another era, one of long forgotten elegance and grace.
This great valued, inclusive package gives the couple their dream wedding while making planning easy and staying within a budget.

The package includes the following:

Great Price $
Beautiful, one-of-a-kind grounds
Enchanting gardens perfect for a sweet ceremony
Catering for an afternoon reception
Ceremony Musician
DJ for reception
Flowers for the Bridal Party
Ceremony Director to organize and direct your ceremony
Wedding Croodinator and trained staff to answer questions about the planning, etiquette, and the history of the mansion
Bridal Portrait Session Time at the mansion
Parking Attendants
Guest tables for the reception draped in full-length linens
Service tables for the catering, cake, and dj

Please check out this new package on our website under "Weddings/Receptions". A special thanks to Andrea Hallgren for these amazing pics.

Rain on your Bridal Portrait Day?

2009-07-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

It's so hard to schedule a day in advance for Bridal Portraits when you aren't sure what the weather will be. It's great to find a place that can accommodate both indoor and outdoor shots just in case the weather doesn't hold up. Changing your hair appointment, photographer, and location at the last minute just adds on more things to a bride that already is super busy. These indoor pictures of the mansion are wonderful! A special thanks to Betsy from Betsy Butler Photography for sharing these gorgeous shots of the mansion and the bride.

Beautiful Bridals

2009-07-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

We have had another one of our beautiful brides bridal portrait's here at the mansion. Wow, that's a tongue twister. I wanted to share some of the amazing images sent to us by Jack from Silent Light Images. Here are a few of our favorites. Enjoy!

Flexibility with a "Reception Only"

2009-04-23T06:54:00.000-07:00

Are you planning a wedding and wanting to incorporate "tradition" and "fun"?

Having a ceremony at a church and a reception at a venue can save money and still give you the ambiance you are looking for to make your wedding one the guests will never forget, not to mention a guest experience beyond comparison.

Imagine, while guests commute from the church ceremony and enter your reception they could be greeted with yummy passed appetizers and speciality cocktails. As guests enjoy the cocktail time, you and your bridal party will be getting those special pictures. Then the fun begins with dancing and mingling with guests because after all they came here for you. This is just a glimpse into what a "Reception Only" could entail.

Pictures provided by Tucker Photography.

March's Open House

2009-03-26T07:05:00.000-07:00

What a great Open House!!

We would like to say "Thank You" to all of the brides that came to visit Riverwood for our March Open House. We had a great time sharing the mansion with all of you!

Who would have thought that a March day would have almost 70 degree weather. Because of the wonderful weather, the enchanting gardens were even more enjoyable. Many of our couples took strolls thru the twinkle-light adorned garden.

If you did not get a chance to visit the mansion at our Open House here are a few snapshots to enjoy.

We would like to say a big thanks to Jack with Silent Light Images for capturing all of these faboulus shots of our enchanting facility.

$ Riverwood Value $

2009-03-19T11:39:00.000-07:00

What are you getting for your money?

I have a friend that is getting married in May. She recently told me " Wow, keeping track of all the little extras is so hard and it all adds up so fast."

When you start looking for places to get married in Nashville in this economy, cost is at the top of your list. The costs can definitley add up quickly and being informed on exactly what you're getting for your money is vital to keeping your budget in check. When Riverwood Mansion first opened its doors, the owners wanted to create a place where a bride could have it all and at an all-inclusive price.

Here are some of the costs that are inlcuded at Riverwood:

All inclusive pacakges are available (Priceless... How much is your time really worth?)

Beautifully manicured, master-designed gardens create a perfect ceremony location ($2,000 value)
On-site rentals which will save on delivery charges and time (Usually will cost 20% of order)

In-house wedding coordination with full knowledge of the mansion's benefits. This includes meetings to discuss the ceremony, timeline, layout, and flow of the event. ($3,000 value)

A weather plan with no worries just in case of rain or a cold snap for your ceremony. ($2,000 value)

A 4,200 sq. ft. heated tent can serve as a perfect area for a reception full of dancing. ($2,000 tent & $750 value in heaters)
The bride can bring in her own alcohol to be served to the guests to save money on a bar. (Approx. $20 per person)

A bridal portrait session includes 2 hours of full access to the mansion and gardens. ($150 value)

Photos courtesy of: Martin E. O'Connor

Ideas and Inspiration.....

2009-03-11T07:04:00.000-07:00

As I was researching new trends and great ideas to pass along to

our Riverwood brides I came along a wonderful website,

http://www.stylemepretty.com/.

This blog was created by an imaginative, Vanderbilt alum that put

her creative talents to use by inspiring brides from all over.

The hardest part of a wedding is getting all of those great ideas

that are stuck in your mind and pulling them together to get that

perfect wedding you have been dreaming of your entire life.

I do agree that inspiration boards are a great way to

showcase the theme of your wedding, plus it can

help translate your vision to others.

Here are some great detail photos I found that

could be included on an inspiration board. These are from some

of our passed weddings that I absolutley love.

Remember to make your wedding your vision!

Photos courtesy of Meishach Moore

A Bridesmaid's Job Description

2009-03-03T10:01:00.000-08:00

To help the bride in anyway

possible on the most

important

day of her life

Bridesmaids are usually close friends or family members to the bride and typically play a vital role on the day of the wedding. They host showers, run errands, and help in anyway the bride requests.

They do anything from packing the farewell car to setting out place cards- these are the girls to ask. Some bridesmaids tend to forget that being asked to be in a wedding is an honor and should treat it as such. When asking a friend to be in your wedding, remember there is no etiquette saying exactly who you should choose to be a part of your special day. Try to forget any preconceived notations on what a bridesmaid or bridal party should look like. Don’t try to create even sides during the ceremony between the bridesmaids and groomsmen by asking not-so-close friends to be a part of your special day. There isn't a "norm" and it's wonderful to create your own standard.

At Riverwood a bridesmaid's responsibilty to just to take care of the bride, the Riverwood staff will do the rest.

Photos courtesy of Divine Images

Enjoying Outdoor Weddings

2009-02-25T08:08:00.000-08:00

Glorious Gardens... Mother Nature's Backdrop..... The Back-up Plan....

When any bride considers an outdoor ceremony the "what-if's" must be thought about. Having a plan in place can ultimately save the day. Anticipate all of the outdoor elements such as rain (the worst), strong winds, temperature, and even fly-by birds. All of the elements can be accommodated by having a back up plan.

Riverwood has the ability with the mansion and pavilion to have a change over to give the guests a romantic ceremony and a fun reception in the same place, all with no extra costs or work for the bride and the family if rain is anticipated. Rely on your professional vendors to give you advice and their expertise on the way to prepare for the unexpected. Meishach Moore of Meishach Moore Photographers captured the real meaning of the day with these amazing pictures in a not so sunny sky here at Riverwood Mansion.

With the back-up plan in place and an organized staff the amazingly gorgeous bride had a wedding with no wet guests.

Weddings at Riverwood Mansion

2007-12-05T20:09:00.001-08:00

You’ve waited a lifetime for this special day…shouldn’t you enjoy it?

Recognized for our excellence in service, Riverwood Mansion is unsurpassed in its attention to detail. Surrounded by the grandeur of the old south, you’ll experience the ultimate in true southern hospitality.

Please Visit Our New Website Located Here