When couples ask us what makes a wedding at Riverbend Ranch different, the answer usually comes down to one word: time. Most venues give you a few hours on a Saturday. We give you the whole property, for the whole weekend. If you are planning a wedding near Franklin, TN and want your closest family and friends around you from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning, this is how a private wedding weekend at Riverbend Ranch actually works.
Riverbend Ranch near Franklin, TN offers Nashville-area couples an exclusive full-weekend wedding buyout of its 180-acre property, with lodging for over 60 guests across five guest houses and two cabins, ceremony options at a lakeside or riverside site, and an indoor reception barn seating 200. The all-inclusive package includes a day-of wedding coordinator, table flower arrangements, end-of-night fireworks through the venue’s own licensing, river activities like fishing and kayaking, and an open vendor policy for catering, though pets are not permitted on the property.
The Whole Property, Just for You
Our full weekend package includes three days of full property rental, running Friday through Sunday, with two nights of on-site accommodations included. That means no other events, no other guests, and no sharing the grounds. You get the barn, the cabins, the river, and our 180-acre property to yourselves. For couples who want their wedding to feel private rather than public, this exclusivity is the whole point.
Room for Your Whole Crew
We have 52 beds spread across five guest houses and two guest cabins, with room for more than 60 people when you factor in additional sleeping arrangements. The cabins and houses provide onsite accommodations so your guests can stay together throughout the weekend. Instead of scattering your wedding party across hotels in Nashville or Franklin, everyone stays together, on the same property, for the entire weekend. That is a different experience than a wedding where guests arrive, celebrate, and drive home the same night.
Ceremony and Reception Spaces
Couples can say their vows at either our Lakeside Ceremony Site or our Riverside Ceremony Site, both set along the water on the property. For the reception, our indoor barn seats up to 200 guests around tables, with room left over for a dance floor and buffet. The space is fully heated and cooled, so weather is not something you have to plan around. Ceremony capacity runs up to 300 guests, and reception capacity up to 200, which gives you flexibility whether your wedding is intimate or large.
Time on the Water and Around the Fire
This is where a Riverbend weekend starts to feel less like a single event and more like a getaway. Guests can fish, kayak, float the river, swim, or try axe throwing throughout the weekend. In the evenings, we gather by the river for a bonfire. And because we hold our own licensing and pyrotechnics operator’s permit, fireworks are available as part of the wedding experience, including an end-of-night fireworks photo opportunity for the two of you. It is one of the details couples tell us they did not expect from a wedding venue, and it is one of the reasons a full weekend booking feels so different from a single day rental.
Food, Drink, and Planning Support
We do not run our own catering kitchen, but we work directly with local caterers to help you find the right fit for your guest count and menu. Our vendor policy is open, so outside catering is welcome, and a full bar is allowed as long as it is run through a licensed caterer. A Day of Wedding Coordinator is included with the all-inclusive package to help keep the weekend moving, along with flower arrangements for your reception tables and à la carte options if you want to add extras like a rehearsal dinner day, a riverside bonfire, or additional rentals.
A quick note for guests bringing pets along for the weekend: Riverbend Ranch is not pet-friendly, so plan accordingly if you are traveling with animals.
Conclusion
If a single-day wedding never felt like quite enough time with the people you love, a full weekend at Riverbend Ranch might be exactly what you are picturing. Your closest family and friends stay on site, the river and the fire pit become part of the celebration, and the property is yours alone from Friday to Sunday.
Call to action: Reach out to our team at (931) 857-4000 or request our pricing guide through the form on our website to check available full weekend dates.
FAQs
Can we bring in our own caterer?
Yes. We have an open vendor policy and outside catering is allowed. We also connect couples directly with local caterers who know the property.
Are pets allowed at Riverbend Ranch?
No. The property is not pet-friendly, so please make other arrangements for animals during your stay.
How many guests can stay on site for the weekend?
We have 52 beds across five guest houses and two guest cabins, with capacity for more than 60 people when additional sleeping arrangements are used.
Is parking available on site?
Yes, we offer ample on-site parking for guests throughout the weekend.