Q&A

It's not sexy, but it's the most important question. If a venue is not a physical fit, well, it's simply not going to work no matter how much wishing is involved. We routinely meet clients on tours who are looking at venues that are too large or too small for their needs. Best to know early to avoid tour burnout.

Clementine's guest capacity depends upon your type of event and which portions of Clementine Hall you are using. We address this in more detail in our discussion of the various areas of Clementine. But usually people just want to know the following:

Cost has always seemed like a rather big question to us, so we not only put it on the home page of our website.

We charge a single number for an event, and it includes everything we provide. At the risk of belaboring the point - there is only a single number that we charge at Clementine. We don't like line items and we don't like hidden costs. And we don't think that you should have to contact us to find out what the rental cost is. (We do charge an application fee to vet a vendor who is not on our approved vendor list, but that is up to the you.)

The rental fee, though only one number, is based upon day of the week and month of the year - somewhat like an airlplane ticket. We do change the prices from time-to-time based upon availability. The contract rental fee is the fee currently in place on this website, not the fee in place when a client initially contacts us or comes on a tour.

What makes this a great question is that most venues have so many separate cost line items that they have to package them up in a proposal. That's a fun start to wedding planning. We don't like line items, so everything we provide is included. No proposal required. Hashtag JustOneNumber.

For those clients who haven't yet seen Clementine, we sometimes get this question: is Clementine only the building (as in the rental fee does it only include the building)?  As architect/ designers this causes us much heartache as we include so much more than found elsewhere. In fact, if we think all events need something building-related, we build it in to save couple time, expense, and undue vendor complications.

A sample of what we provide, beyond the comprehensive space itself, is BYO alcohol, built-in bar, audio systems, production lighting, image projection, managers, host insurance, parking, ice, taxes, card fees, clean-up, security, and stages. When you add it all up (and sit down when you do), these add-ons usually run far more at other venues than our rental fee.

Right, this is generally something we're rarely asked, but that's so shocking to us that we have to ask it on your behalf.

AUDIO is usually considered the most important thing by couples, and they are not necessarily wrong. It's definitely in the top three. Our audio system comprises six different zones throughout the property so guests never miss a word or note, no matter how far they stray from Adelaide Hall. But the acoustics in Adelaide Hall are fantastic and both stages have their own ceiling-mounted, concert-level speakers. Bands and DJ use our audio system, and they're welcome to use our built-in 32-channel mixing board.

LIGHTING, at least to us, is the most important element for any event - more important than even the other two of the big three - audio and bar. Lighting determines the way the venue looks at night, both inside and out. For that reason, we take lighting very seriously. In Adelaide Hall, for instance, we wash every surface of the room in light colors selected by the client. Often we will change lighting settings throughout the event (for instance, between wedding ceremony, dinner and reception).

IMAGE PROJECTION, like lighting (well, it's actually lighting), is the projection of a couple logo/ monogram in several places throughout the building. Think of this like branding the various areas of the property. Very cool. Wait til you see it in person.

STAGES are great for music of course, but they are also great for wedding ceremonies, bands and DJs, head tables, wedding cakes, lounge furniture, bars, and speeches. Our two stages are plus-and-play for your musicians and have their own audio system and stage lighting. Two is better than one. Some might say twice as good. And you'll use both.

Since these systems are critical for all events, we build them in and merely make them configurable by our clients. This avoids the costly and complex process of hiring vendors to design and install these systems. Simple is better.

This is a great question since most venues have so many separate line items that they have to package them up in a proposal. That's a fun start to a wedding. We don't like line items, so everything we provide is included. No proposal required.

For those clients who haven't yet seen Clementine, we sometimes get this question: is Clementine only the building (as in the rental fee does it only include the building)?  As architect/ designers this causes us much heartache as we include so much beyond what other venues include. In fact, if we think all events need something building-related, we build it in to save couple time and expense.

A sample of what provide, beyond the comprehensive space itself, is BYO alcohol, built-in bar, audio systems, production lighting, image projection, managers, host insurance, parking, ice, taxes, card fees, clean-up, security, and stages. When you add it all up (and sit down when you do), these add-ons usually are far more at other venues than our rental fee.

Pull up a stool and we'll tell you the best part. We're a BYO alcohol venue, which for the younger set means you can bring it. You don't buy it from us. So no, we don't offer bar packages.

Bringing your own alcohol saves vast sums of money, let's you choose your preferred brands (not what we buy for you), and is far easier (ask a venue for their bar menue if you haven't yet had the pleasure). And we're all about keeping things easy for our clients.

All of the big liquor retailers deliver alcohol. They help you determine order quantities, and they usually accept bottles for return. Since you own the alcohol, you can always take home anything that's leftover.

And we also have a built-in 20-ft bar from which to serve it.

We believe that if we cannot offer a particular product or service better than everyone in Nashville, we're not going to require that a couple use us for that product or service.  Rather, we give couples the ability to procure those services from other, far better vendors. And trust us, we're not the best coordinators - or for that matter bartenders, photographers or DJs. And we don't think any venues do those other non-venue things well.

So, in addition to getting highly qualified vendors, you'll be able to select vendors at varying price points and service offerings. The free market at work.

Yes we do, with some exceptions. We strive to balance quality with freedom of choice, and the way we do that is with an approved vendor list. Think of this list as vendors who you can pick with confidence. They won't ruin your event. And you don't need our approval to pick them. They've been to our venues many times, are true professionals, and have insurance of file with us.

Any vendor not on this list wil send us their insurance. Then we'll verify that they are a true vendor and we will will often have them come in for an orientation. We charge a fee for this onboarding. Approval of a vendor who is not on our list is not a given.

Some quirks to our vendor process are as follows:

COORDINATOR/ PLANNER - You may use any professional, Nashville-based coordinator (no fee). We do provide a list of recommended coordinators. We require at least month-of coordination as we will collect a list of vendors, event timeline and floor plans at least 30 days prior to the event.

OFFICIANT/ MINISTER - Anyone may officiate or minster your wedding ceremony. That includes you grandfather.
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PIPE ORGANIST - You may use anyone who legitimately knows how to play a pipe organ. If you have no such friend or acquaintance, we can recommend an organist. There's quite a bit to the organ story that's worth a read. Think of the organ like a piano, it can be played to any kind of music.

We love the outdoors. We love it so much that we created a secret garden courtyard at Clementine and intentionally picked a spot across the street form a city park.

Everyone uses the courtyard for everything from cocktail hour, to cigar smoking, to bluegrass bands. And the park is great for even more wedding photos (and since no buildings are built there, we have an unobstructed view of the sky from the courtyard, as well as great privacy).

But the outdoors depicted in most venue's socials is a unicorn. Most days are either sunny or rainy and both are not ideal for wedding ceremonies or receptions - unless the venue's outdoor areas are paved and covered. Paving prevents heels from sinking into the dirt or mud and covering keeps the sun and rain away. Renting a tent and flooring last minute when the weather is known is an awful shock.

Clementine's courtyard is paved and usually in the shade when events start, so it's usable and pleasant almost all of the time. It is not covered because, well, we think a tent would mar the look of Clementine.

Even with rideshare, parking remains important, for both vendors and guests. In 1889, when Clementine was built, there were no cars (or parking lots for them). And that's in part why Clementine looks as good as it does.

But, we have plentiful free public parking spaces in Richland Park across the street as well as on-street parking - roughly 250 in all. Charlotte Avenue is not that busy in the evening, and there are two crosswalks, one at 49th St and one at 46th St (Murphy Rd). So lots of free parking without the strip mall feel.

For those that prefer valet, the car drop off/ pick up line starts at the corner of 48th and continues to the ally.

Okay, it's never expressed this way. Usually the question is: What did we forget to ask? We hear this quite a bit, and it makes sense. After all, most couples are new to the wedding venue selection dance, and, well, they are a bit intimidated by it. So they use this as a catch all question.

Since this is such an open-ended question there's no telling how we'll answer it on any given day. We may talk about architecture and design, the importance of systems such as lighting for an event, or we may preach the perils of the venue industrial complex that couples will soon experience.

Know that everything you are likely to want to know is already on this website. It's certainly rare in the venue world, but we respect your time and want to be immediately helpful. So the short answer is no, you should have everything you need regarding Clementine, but we'll also review everything on your tour.

When you sign up for a tour, you may very well be lucky enough to be on a group tour. Group tours tend to be fun (the more the merrier), and usually many questions are asked. Groups learn from the questions asked by others on the tour. Think of it like a steep but enjoyal learning curve. You'll leave fully understanding what is in front of you. Then again, you may end up on a private tour.

We think you should expect quite a bit on a tour of any wedding venue. At Clementine you'll have a supremely knowledgable host and you'll leave having every question fully answered. There will be no waiting for follow up information. Come with the hard questions.

Clients who book their event at Clementine usually return several times with family, friends and vendors. The process to reserve what we call Site Visits is the same as for your original tour. You'll have your run of the space, but we'll be available to answer questions and test lighting and image projection.

Clementine's bar is equipped with refrigeration, water, ice maker and wells, and sink. There are four bartender stations at the bar in Little Bird Lounge. We recommend one bartender for every 50 guests for a full bar, or 75 guests for beer and wine only.

Yes. We are connected to the inter-webs.

Yes. There are no steps into the building from the street, and there are no steps in the building, so all good here (unless they plan to get on the stage, then all bets are off). We have handicapped restrooms as well.

No, at least apart from the furnished dressing rooms and built-in bar and other furniture you'll see on the tour.

Tables and chairs are usually provided by hotels and country clubs venues, and a few others. But the cost is steep. These venues usually require that you use their in-house catering and bar services, and then charge for an array of services such as parking, security, cleanup, audio, lighting, etc. It's a high cost, one-size-fits-all approach for clients. Not our style. If you're intrigued, we'd recommend asking these tables-and-chair venues if audio, video, lighting, staging, parking and security are included and if the venue is BYO alcohol and if you can use your own caterer. More on that in this article.

Clementine's Venue Managers are facility managers, or what we refer to as the pilots of the plane. Our managers control all physical aspects of the building from audio, video, lighting, and HVAC. They help bands/ DJ connect to our audio system and perform crucial sound checks, project your logo on our walls, set your desired lighting color and brightness, etc. They are onsite the entire day.  Here's an article for further reading.

Host insurance is your liability insurance for your event. It's separate from the insurance carried by Clementine and your vendors (which we verify separately). It's required by almost all venues.

We purchase a $1 mm liability policy, which includes liquor liability, for you. This means that the premium is built into your rental fee and you won't be shopping for insurance that you have to deliver to your venue. Since we purchase it, we know our clients have it. It makes everything simpler.

Yes. It protects against financial loss if your event needs to be postponed or canceled due to family illness, extreme weather, or other unexpected reasons. Since the investment in an event is high, we think this makes sense for all clients to purchase. Policies are readily available online or through most insurance agents.

No. Take your personal effects, alcohol and wedding presents and you're set.

No. But, we provide security for most events. The armed security guard functions somewhat as a doorman when guests arrive and usually remains outside the courtyard walls.

Excellent question. 750 lbs, but there's more to the story.

Yes. You're welcome to bring your dog. After the ceremony they need to robotaxi home.

Yes. We love he next generation. Whether you invite them to your wedding is entirely up to you. We do have a city park with a playground across the street if one needs a release valve.

Yes. Dance floors protect our hardwood floors, nudge your guests to dance, and tell them where it is okay to dance. All very important when you think about it. Dance floors may not be laid prior to the wedding ceremony.

Outside yes. Cigar bars are nice in Brash Courtyard.

Candles provide essential ambiance at every event. But, they do have to be in votives/ vases. Candles along a ceremony aisle must be pearled candles (flame candles that don't spill wax when your guests invariably knock them over).

Nope.

No. This is due to restrictions imposed by Davidson County, not by us. If a venue in Nashville tells you otherwise, red flag.

Couples often try to make their reception location work for a ceremony, and for good reason - it avoids duplicative costs of two separate locations, as well as transportation logistics.

But, ceremonies are very often held at Clementine because it makes sense on two levels. First, we have to say, Adelaide Hall is one of the most fitting and impressive places in Nashville to have a wedding ceremony. We don't think any compromises are involved. Second, and equally important, we run a very tight operation so that the transition from ceremony to reception is executed quickly and reliably. Your guests will be most appreciative.

Ceremonies take place in Adelaide Hall. There are four excellent ceremony layout options in the room. The organ stage is the most popular orientation, followed by the side stage, the gothic window opposite the side stage, and finally in the center of the room (in the round). We like choices.

After the ceremony, guests adjourn to Little Bird Lounge for drinks and appetizers. On most evenings, guests spill out into Brash Courtyard with their drinks and cigars. The wedding vendors will transition Adelaide Hall from ceremony to reception within an hour. After cocktail hour, the doors into Adelaide Hall are latched open, guests re-enter, and Adelaide Hall and Little Bird Lounge effectively become one large space for the reception.

One thing to consider at large venues like Clementine is the importance of a separate indoor space for your guests during the flip of the main space. While in a separate room away, guests will enjoy cocktail hour removed from the noisy transition of the ceremony space. Having two separate rooms also eliminates reliance upon an outdoor area, which is inherently risky.