TRAVEL & STAY
Come to Nashville
Where to stay, how to get around, and a few of our favorite places.
WHERE TO STAY
The Hermitage Hotel
Our reception venue, downtown Nashville
Nashville's grand Beaux-Arts landmark and the site of our reception. Staying here places you right where the celebration ends the night.
Sheraton Grand Nashville
A short walk from The Hermitage
A comfortable option just a few blocks away — an easy walk to and from the reception.
Click the link below to reserve accommodations at The Hermitage Hotel using our preferred wedding rate. Rooms are subject to availability and are not being held within a formal room block.
GETTING AROUND
BY AIR
Fly into Nashville International (BNA), roughly fifteen minutes from downtown.
BETWEEN VENUES
We know some of you are driving in, some are renting cars, and some will be relying on rideshares — so Samantha is putting together a group chat to help everyone coordinate rides and accommodations over the weekend. It's a nice excuse to meet a few new faces before Sunday, too. If you'd like to be added, let her know and she'll get you connected.
The church is in Franklin and the reception downtown — we recommend a rideshare or car
between the two.
CARPOOL & ACCOMODATIONS
A LITTLE ABOUT
The Hermitage Hotel
Opened in 1910, the Hermitage has passed through several owners and renovations since, including a 1980s restoration that saved it from decline. It's a National Historic Landmark, tied to the suffragists who secured Tennessee's ratification of the 19th Amendment, and its guest list has ranged from U.S. Presidents to Elvis Presley. Nashville lore even holds that a lion and a horse once stayed there, and the hotel remains a hundred percent pet friendly today.
For Alec, the Hermitage carries a personal history too. As a young man at Montgomery Bell Academy, he attended debate team luncheons there regularly, never imagining that decades later he'd return to celebrate his wedding in the same halls.
Samantha and Alec fell in love with the Hermitage's history and hospitality the moment they walked through its doors. They feel so fortunate and blessed to celebrate their wedding here, surrounded by the people they love.
Nashville, Tennessee Reccomendations
BREAKFAST OR BRUNCH
The Pancake Pantry has been a family tradition for decades. Alec's father met friends here for breakfast every week, and it has become a favorite for both of us as well. If you visit, don't miss the pecan pancakes.
COFFEE
Humphreys Street Coffee is one of our favorite neighborhood coffee shops and is owned by one of Alec's college friends. Great coffee, a wonderful mission, and well worth the stop.
BARBECUE
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint is our favorite place for authentic Tennessee barbecue, and every location is consistently excellent. If you're ordering barbecue, be sure to try the Devil's Spit sauce—it's Alec's favorite.
HOT CHICKEN
Prince's is the original Nashville Hot Chicken, and for us there's simply no substitute. If you're trying Nashville hot chicken for the first time, remember that the spice levels are no joke.
NICE DINNER
Bourbon Steak combines exceptional food with one of the best views in Nashville. It's our recommendation for a memorable evening out.
SOUTHERN DINNER
Husk holds a special place in our hearts. We had dinner here with Samantha's sister, Sabrina, during Samantha's first visit to Nashville, and it remains one of our favorite restaurants in the city.
OLD NASHVILLE STEAKHOUSE
Sperry's Restaurant is a Nashville institution and offers the classic steakhouse experience that has defined the city for generations. If you're looking for old Nashville charm, this is it.
BROADWAY & LIVE MUSIC
If we had to recommend just one stop on Broadway, it would be Kid Rock's. There are countless places to hear live music, but this is a classic spot for spending an evening downtown.
COCKTAILS
Nashville has an outstanding cocktail scene, and choosing just one favorite isn't easy. The Patterson House is known for expertly crafted classic cocktails, Old Glory pairs excellent drinks with one of the city's most unique spaces, Bar Sovereign consistently serves some of our favorite cocktails in town, and Bastion offers outstanding drinks, great food, and a wonderful neighborhood atmosphere if you can secure a reservation.
ROOFTOP BAR
L.A. Jackson is our favorite rooftop for an energetic atmosphere, great views, and a fun evening out.
ROOFTOP AMBIANCE
For a quieter rooftop experience, we recommend Ellington's at the Fairlane Hotel. It offers one of our favorite settings in the city for a relaxed drink with beautiful views.
BREWERY
Yazoo Brewing Company is our favorite brewery in Nashville. If you're trying one beer, make it the Gerst Amber Ale or the Sue smoked porter.
HISTORY
Fort Negley is one of Nashville's most fascinating historic sites and offers an important perspective on the Civil War. We also recommend visiting Andrew Jackson's Hermitage, whose history has a personal connection to Alec's Ulster heritage and whose name inspired our reception venue.
ART & GARDENS
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in Nashville, combining magnificent gardens, art exhibitions, and a historic estate into a single unforgettable visit.
ESSENTIAL NASHVILLE LANDMARK
The Parthenon in Centennial Park is one of Nashville's defining landmarks and well worth seeing. Whether you explore the museum inside or simply enjoy the park, it's a uniquely Nashville experience.
OUTDOORS
For those looking to enjoy Tennessee's natural beauty, we recommend Radnor Lake State Park or Percy Warner Park. Percy Warner's historic stone steps are especially worth the climb.
DISTILLERY
Nelson's Green Brier Distillery is our favorite distillery in Nashville and the one we recommend if you only have time to visit one.
DESSERT
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is one of our favorite dessert stops, especially because it offers excellent dairy-free options. If the Texas Sheet Cake flavor is available, we highly recommend it.
LATE NIGHT FOOD
For a true Nashville late-night meal, head to Dino's. It's an unpretentious local favorite with one of the city's best burgers. If it's very late and you're looking for a classic experience, Waffle House is always a solid choice.
Franklin, Tennessee Recommendations
HISTORY
Carnton is one of the most moving historic sites in Tennessee. The house, grounds, and cemetery together tell an unforgettable story of the Battle of Franklin and its lasting impact.
LUNCH
O' Be Joyful is our favorite place to stop for lunch while exploring Franklin, offering great food in the heart of the historic downtown.