Many wedding venues focus on a single day of celebration. At Riverbend Ranch and Retreat, couples can host a full wedding weekend with exclusive access to the property, on-site accommodations, and space for family and friends to stay together. Located in Normandy, TN, about 45 minutes from Franklin and serving couples from the Nashville area, our venue is designed for multi-day wedding experiences.
Riverbend Ranch and Retreat in Normandy, Tennessee offers Nashville area couples a three day, two night full property wedding weekend about 45 minutes from Franklin, with exclusive access to 170 acres, 47 beds across four guest houses and two cabins, and the White Barn seating 200 for receptions. The all inclusive package covers a day of coordinator, table flower arrangements, in house fireworks, and riverside and lakeside ceremony sites, with outside catering permitted and add ons available for bonfires, rehearsal dinners, and string lighting.
Our 170-acre property includes access to the Duck River, creating opportunities for outdoor activities and riverside gatherings throughout the weekend. Couples who book us aren’t just reserving a barn for a Saturday. They’re taking over the entire property from Friday through Sunday, hosting their people on site, and turning their wedding into a full weekend together.
A Weekend That Belongs Entirely to Your Group
One of the biggest advantages of a wedding weekend at Riverbend Ranch and Retreat is full property exclusivity. Our all-inclusive package includes a three-day, two-night rental with private access to the entire 170-acre property. Couples and their guests can enjoy the ceremony locations, gathering spaces, guest houses, and cabins without sharing the venue with another event.
The Property, Exclusively Yours
Our all-inclusive package is a three-day, two-night full property rental. That means every cabin, every guest house, every ceremony site, and every outdoor space is yours and yours alone. During your rental period, your group has exclusive access to the property, including the guest accommodations, ceremony locations, and gathering spaces.
Having your wedding party and guests stay on the property allows everyone to spend more time together, rather than traveling between multiple locations. With 47 beds across four guest houses and two cabins, wedding parties and family members can stay together on the property throughout the weekend. This creates more opportunities to spend time together before and after the wedding day.
The Barn and Ceremony Sites
Our barn reception space seats 200 guests around tables, with room for a dance floor and buffet. Riverbend Ranch & Retreat can accommodate ceremonies of up to 300 guests, while the White Barn seats up to 200 guests around tables for receptions. The indoor barn venue is fully heated and cooled, providing a comfortable setting throughout the year.
Outside, you have two distinct ceremony site options: a lakeside location and a riverside site along the Duck River. Both are on the property and provide scenic backdrops that showcase the natural beauty. The property also includes popular photo locations that couples often incorporate into their wedding portraits.
The bridal suite, cabin, and groom’s suite are included in the all-inclusive package, so getting ready happens right here, not across town.
What Fills a Weekend at Riverbend
This approach allows couples to create a wedding experience that extends beyond a single day. Guests can enjoy the property’s outdoor setting through activities such as fishing, riverside gatherings, and other recreational experiences available on the ranch. The open outdoor spaces work well for lawn games and just being outside together.
Couples can also incorporate fireworks into their celebration. We maintain the required licensing and pyrotechnics capabilities to offer fireworks experiences on the property. We hold our own pyrotechnics operator’s license, so we can run fireworks on the property without you coordinating a separate vendor. The all-inclusive package includes an end-of-night fireworks photo opportunity, and walk-out fireworks packages in standard and deluxe options are available to add on. A riverside bonfire is also available as an add-on, with wood provided.
Food, Vendors, and What’s Included
We don’t operate our own catering, but we connect couples with local caterers who know the property and can handle your event well. Outside catering is fully permitted. A licensed caterer can also run a full bar on site.
The all-inclusive package includes tables, chairs, flower arrangements for tables, and a day-of-wedding coordinator. If you need the dining hall for a rehearsal dinner, it’s available as an add-on. It seats 60 and has a kitchen prep area. Event tear-down, tractor rides, additional event days, and rentals including whiskey barrels, picnic tables, and string lighting are all available à la carte.
Conclusion
The venue is about 45 minutes from Franklin and draws couples from Nashville, Murfreesboro, and across the region. Couples looking for a private wedding weekend near Franklin and Nashville often choose us because they can celebrate, stay, and gather together on one property throughout the weekend.
To get a look at pricing, head to riverbendranchtn.com and submit the form to receive our pricing guide. You can also reach us directly at (931) 857-4000. We’re happy to walk you through the property and help you figure out what works for your group.
FAQs
How many guests can stay on the property overnight?
We have 47 beds across four guest houses and two cabins, and can accommodate over 60 guests on site. The all-inclusive package includes all accommodations for the full Friday through Sunday rental.
Do you allow outside caterers?
Yes. We connect couples with local caterers and permit outside catering. A licensed caterer can also provide full bar service on the property.
Are pets allowed?
Riverbend is not pet-friendly. Please make arrangements for animals before arriving.
What is the difference between the base package and the all-inclusive package?
The base package covers single-day access to the barn, bridal cabin, groom’s space, and tables and chairs. The all-inclusive package is a three-day, two-night full property rental that adds all guest accommodations, a day-of coordinator, full property exclusivity, an end-of-night fireworks photo opportunity, and flower arrangements for tables.