If you’re considering a Scarritt Bennett wedding, you’re likely looking for a venue that feels different from the typical Nashville wedding experience.
Located just minutes from downtown, Scarritt Bennett offers something surprisingly rare in the city……space to relax. Once you step onto the grounds, the noise and pace of Nashville fade into the background, replaced by historic stone architecture, ivy covered walkways, mature trees, and some of the most beautiful natural light you’ll find at any local venue. It truly feels like Wuthering Heights vibes.
One of the things couples consistently love about Scarritt Bennett is how the property creates a sense of calm throughout the day. Guests can wander the campus, couples have plenty of quiet corners for portraits, and the timeline never feels rushed. From a photography perspective, the variety is hard to beat. The architecture, stained glass windows, stone facades, and lush gardens provide an incredible range of backdrops without ever needing to leave the property.
For couples who want a wedding day that feels intentional, timeless, and removed from the bustle of the city while still being incredibly convenient for guests, Scarritt Bennett offers the best of both worlds.
About Scarritt Bennett Center
There are plenty of wedding venues in Nashville, but very few feel as distinctive as Scarritt Bennett.
Nestled in the heart of Midtown, Scarritt Bennett feels completely removed from the city while remaining just minutes from downtown hotels, restaurants, and attractions. With its stone buildings, stained glass windows, sprawling grounds, and nearly 130 years of history, Scarritt Bennett offers a character and sense of place that few Tennessee venues can match.
Originally founded in 1892, the property carries a sense of history and character that can’t be replicated. Whether you’re exchanging vows inside Wightman Chapel with its stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings or celebrating outdoors beneath the trees, every corner of the campus feels intentional and full of charm.
Beyond its beauty, Scarritt Bennett is incredibly practical for wedding days. The expansive grounds provide multiple ceremony and portrait locations within walking distance of one another, allowing couples to create a varied gallery without ever leaving the property. Guests appreciate the convenient Nashville location, while couples love that the venue naturally creates a slower, more easy atmosphere throughout the day.
As a Nashville wedding photographer, Scarritt Bennett is one of my favorite venues to document because it offers something that matters far more than a beautiful backdrop. The soft light filtering through stained glass, the textured stone architecture, the quiet garden pathways, and the open green spaces all create opportunities for photographs that feel both artistic and deeply personal. No two galleries from Scarritt Bennett ever look exactly alike.
More importantly, the venue allows couples to be present. Instead of spending your wedding day traveling between locations or searching for portrait spots, everything you need is already here. That means more time with your guests, less stress, and photographs that reflect how the day actually felt.
Why Couples Love Scarritt Bennett
One of the biggest reasons couples are drawn to Scarritt Bennett is that it allows the wedding day to unfold in one place. Guests can arrive, attend the ceremony, enjoy cocktail hour, and celebrate at the reception without navigating multiple locations throughout Nashville.
The campus also offers a sense of privacy that can be difficult to find in the city. While you’re just minutes from downtown, the property feels intentionally separate from the surrounding streets, giving couples and guests space to settle into the day without constant distractions.
For couples planning a wedding weekend, the venue’s central location makes it easy for out-of-town guests to experience Nashville while still gathering in a setting that feels calm and personal.
Ceremony & Reception Spaces at Scarritt Bennett
Wightman Chapel
Completed in 1928, Wightman Chapel is one of Nashville’s most recognizable ceremony spaces. The chapel features stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, carved wood details, and seating for larger guest counts while still maintaining an intimate feel during the ceremony.
Outdoor Ceremony Locations
The grounds offer several options for outdoor celebrations surrounded by mature trees, gardens, and historic buildings. Couples who envision an open-air ceremony can take advantage of the campus’s natural beauty while remaining close to reception spaces and guest amenities.
Reception Spaces
Scarritt Bennett offers multiple event spaces that can accommodate a range of guest counts and wedding styles. Whether you’re planning an elegant seated dinner or a more calm reception, couples have flexibility in how they use the property throughout the day.
Best Photo Locations at Scarritt Bennett
One of the things that makes Scarritt Bennett such a strong wedding venue is the number of distinct portrait locations available within a short walk.
The Chapel Entrance
The front entrance of Wightman Chapel creates a dramatic setting for portraits, wedding party photos, and family photographs. The scale of the building adds a sense of occasion to the images.
The Stone Walkways
Throughout the campus, you’ll find pathways lined with stone buildings, greenery, and architectural details that create depth and texture in photographs.
The Courtyards
The smaller courtyards scattered across the property offer quieter spaces for portraits away from guests and foot traffic.
The Gardens
The gardens provide softer surroundings that balance the more structured architecture found elsewhere on campus.
The Cloisters
Some of my favorite images at Scarritt Bennett happen in the covered walkways and cloister-like spaces, where light and shadow create a completely different look from the rest of the property.
Timeline Advantages of a Scarritt Bennett Wedding
A venue’s layout has a significant impact on how a wedding day feels, and Scarritt Bennett is designed in a way that helps reduce unnecessary stress.
Because ceremony, portraits, cocktail hour, and reception events can all take place on the same property, couples spend less time coordinating transportation and more time participating in their wedding.
The campus also provides flexibility when timelines shift. If a ceremony runs late or weather requires adjustments, there are multiple locations available without needing to relocate guests or vendors.
For couples who want a wedding day that feels easy rather than rushed, this flexibility can make a meaningful difference.
The Best Seasons for a Scarritt Bennett Wedding
Spring
Spring brings flowering trees, fresh greenery, and some of the most colorful landscapes of the year. Temperatures are typically mild, making it a popular season for outdoor ceremonies and cocktail hours.
Summer
During summer, the property is at its greenest. The trees provide shade throughout the grounds, while later sunsets are great for extended outdoor celebrations.
Fall
Fall weddings at Scarritt Bennett are known for their rich colors and comfortable temperatures. The changing leaves add warmth and texture throughout the campus.
Winter
Winter shifts the focus toward the architecture and details of the property. Without dense foliage, the stone buildings and chapel become even more prominent, creating a classic and understated backdrop.
Things to Know Before Booking Scarritt Bennett
Before booking Scarritt Bennett, there are a few practical considerations worth keeping in mind.
The campus is larger than many couples expect, so scheduling a venue tour can help you better understand how different spaces connect throughout the day.
Guests traveling to Nashville can stay at dozens of hotels just minutes from Scarritt Bennett, making transportation to and from the venue simple throughout the wedding weekend. This makes transportation relatively simple for out-of-town family and friends.
If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, it’s also worth discussing backup plans with your vendor team early in the planning process. The property offers several options that let the day to continue smoothly regardless of weather conditions.
Working With a Photographer Who Knows Scarritt Bennett
When you’re investing in a venue as unique as Scarritt Bennett, it helps to work with a photographer who understands how to make the most of the property.
Having photographed weddings here, I know how different areas of the campus document throughout the day, where to find quieter portrait locations when the grounds are busy, and how to build a timeline that allows couples to experience the venue rather than simply move through it.
More importantly, I build photography around the flow of your day, creating space for beautiful images without taking you away from the moments that matter most. It’s about documenting the experience honestly while creating space for you to be present with the people you’ve gathered to celebrate with.
If you’re planning a Scarritt Bennett wedding and looking for a photographer who values genuine moments, thoughtful storytelling, and a easy experience, I’d love to connect and hear more about your plans.
Hi, I'm jaimee
I photograph weddings across Tennessee and beyond, using a mix of digital, film, and super 8 video.
My approach is simple. I create space for you to be fully present, and I document what actually happens. You won’t receive photos that feel copy and paste, but something that reflects your day as it was. If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I care about your actual wedding, not a version of it made for the camera.
If you’re planning something that matters to you, I’d love to connect.
