Cedarwood Weddings

Why Cedarwood Weddings

There are plenty of outdoor wedding venues within driving distance of Nashville, but very few have the soul that Cedarwood brings to a wedding day. Situated on fifty acres of natural woodland in Lebanon, Tennessee, roughly twenty minutes east of downtown Nashville, Cedarwood is a venue that was designed from the ground up to work with the landscape rather than against it. The open-air pavilions sit beneath mature cedar trees, allowing dappled sunlight to pour through the canopy and create a warm, naturally flattering glow that is a dream to photograph.

What sets Cedarwood apart from other rustic venues is its level of thoughtfulness. Every detail, from the stone pathways to the cedar arbors to the placement of string lights, has been carefully considered. The result is a venue that feels simultaneously wild and refined, the kind of place where guests immediately relax because the atmosphere does all the work. Couples who choose Cedarwood tend to value nature, authenticity, and a celebration that feels grounded rather than overly produced, and that aligns perfectly with my approach to wedding photography.

Best Photo Locations at Cedarwood

After photographing numerous weddings at Cedarwood, I have developed a deep understanding of where the light falls at different times of day and which backdrops produce the most compelling images. The property offers a remarkable range of settings within a compact, walkable space, which means we can capture a wide variety of portraits without eating into your time with family and friends.

The Cedar Grove

The heart of Cedarwood is its grove of towering cedar trees. During the afternoon, the light filters through the branches and creates pockets of soft illumination that are ideal for intimate couple portraits. The vertical lines of the trees add depth and texture to every frame, and the muted green and brown tones of the bark provide a natural backdrop that lets your expressions take center stage.

The Open-Air Pavilion

Most ceremonies and receptions take place under the pavilion, and the way the structure interacts with natural light is genuinely impressive. The open sides allow golden hour light to stream in from the west during evening receptions, while the overhead cover means you are never at the mercy of harsh midday sun. I love capturing candid moments here during cocktail hour, when the warm light and relaxed atmosphere produce some of the most genuine expressions of the day.

The Stone Pathways and Garden Areas

The winding stone paths that connect different areas of the property are some of my favorite spots for walking portraits. These paths are especially beautiful when lined with seasonal flowers or covered with fallen autumn leaves. The garden areas near the main pavilion also offer a more manicured look for couples who want a mix of wild woodland and cultivated elegance in their gallery.

Photography Timeline Tips

Cedarwood's outdoor setting means that lighting conditions change significantly throughout the day, and planning your timeline around the light can make a real difference in your final images. Here are the recommendations I share with every Cedarwood couple:

• Schedule your first look two to three hours before the ceremony to take advantage of soft afternoon light in the cedar grove
• Plan for bridal party portraits immediately after the first look while everyone is together and energy is high
• If your ceremony is in the late afternoon, the west-facing side of the pavilion will catch golden light beautifully
• Save fifteen to twenty minutes for sunset portraits, as the sky above the treeline often produces rich orange and pink tones that are stunning behind the cedar silhouettes
• Evening receptions under the string lights are some of my favorite moments to capture, so plan for at least an hour of dancing after dark

I always recommend building a little flexibility into your timeline at Cedarwood. The property is designed for a relaxed flow, and some of the best images happen in the in-between moments when you are walking between locations or pausing to take in the scenery with your partner.

What to Expect

When you book me as your Cedarwood Weddings photographer, you are getting someone who knows this venue inside and out. I will work with you to build a custom timeline that takes advantage of the best light, the most photogenic spots, and the natural rhythm of your day. Before your wedding, we will connect for a planning call where I walk you through everything from what time to start getting ready to how to structure your ceremony for the best visual impact.

On the day itself, my approach is the same whether we are at Cedarwood or anywhere else: I stay close, I move quietly, and I focus on capturing real moments between real people. Cedarwood attracts couples who value authenticity over perfection, and that is exactly the kind of wedding photography I specialize in. Your gallery will include the big emotional moments like your first look, your vows, and your first dance, alongside the quieter details that make Cedarwood special, the way the light catches the cedar branches, the texture of the stone pathways, the warmth of the string lights as the evening settles in.

If you are considering Cedarwood for your wedding and want a photographer who understands the venue's unique character, I would love to hear from you. Reach out through my inquiry form and tell me about your plans. You can also explore my wedding photography packages or visit my Nashville wedding photography page to learn more about how I work.