Music of Love: Gay Nuptials in Nashville

This is EDGE's third installment in our series on gay weddings and honeymoons in the South.

"If music be the food of love, play on," wrote William Shakespeare more than 400 years ago. Hopefully the Bard is dancing in heaven at the site of gay and lesbian couples celebrating their nuptials in Nashville, otherwise known as Music City. Strike up the band at these popular venues.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
We can't promise that Chely Wright will crash your wedding, but the Country Music Hall of Fame promises to deliver its fair share of high notes. The recent $100 million expansion further strengthens its presence as one of the foremost venues dedicated to country music in the nation, anchored by its core exhibit, Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music. The new Event Hall features soaring 40-foot glass windows that offer cityscape views.

"You won't find a location with more unique event spaces than the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum," says Mark Young, director of event services and food and beverage. "We've always taken pride in welcoming everyone to enjoy these incredible venues."

Union Station Hotel
It's doubtful that those who first stepped into Union Station when it opened as a railroad station in 1900 could imagine that it would eventually become a luxury hotel, let alone a venue for gay and lesbian weddings -- but alas, the times they are a-changin'. Once the SCOTUS ruling was announced on June 26, the hotel proclaimed via Facebook that they "couldn't be more excited.... and Union Station is the perfect location for all weddings!"

The designated National Historic Landmark features a 65-foot, barrel-vaulted lobby ceiling, original Luminous Prism stained glass, marble floors and three limestone fireplaces to curl up in front of after an evening's worth of revelry.

We've relied on one of the city's most notable wedding planners, Bruce Pittman, winner of the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce's 2015 Entrepreneur of the Year Award, to offer his insider recommendations for can't-miss experiences.

Perfect Photo Opportunity
Located in the heart of Nashville, the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge stretches from downtown to the east side. It's a must-see at sunset and the ideal locale for a photo that captures Nashville's skyline.

Get Social
One of Pittman's favorite restaurants is Pinewood Social, a multifunctional space that includes an extensive bar, spacious dining area, work space, home lounge and bowling alley -- all set within former trolley barns in the Rolling Mill Hill development. Enjoy a morning coffee, go bowling on one of the six reclaimed wood lanes, sing your vows in a private karaoke room and finish things off with Chef Josh Habiger's elevated comfort food.

For a rehearsal dinner, Pittman recommends City Winery, which offers private rehearsal dinner space including two outdoor decks, a stage and a private bar set within their active Nashville winery. Not a wine lover? Have no fear! City Winery also features some of the best local craft beer brews like Yazoo Pale Ale and Hap & Harry's Lager.

Stay a While
The Omni Nashville Hotel is adjacent to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and offers lavish state-of-the art suites and guest rooms, while public spaces incorporate this city's unique character by featuring limestone and exposed steel. Be sure to allow time for a treatment at the on-site Mokara Spa, featuring products by Zents, Babor and �minence.

Resource Guide

Nashville, Music City
www.visitmusiccity.com

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
www.countrymusichalloffame.org

Union Station Hotel
www.unionstationhotelnashville.com

Bruce Pittman, Event Planner
www.brucepittman.com

Pinewood Social
www.pinewoodsocial.com

City Winery
www.citywinery.com/Nashville

Omni Nashville Hotel
www.omnihotels.com

Matthew Wexler is EDGE's Senior Editor, Features & Branded Content. More of his writing can be found at www.wexlerwrites.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @wexlerwrites.

This story is part of our special report: "Gay Marriage". Want to read more? Here's the full list.