The Report

Today we are sharing a BRAND NEW VENUE! Established in 2014, this venue is VRV (Venue Report Verified); Venue Report Correspondent Tact Venue Consulting has personally visited this venue. 

The story goes like this... Three gals in Los Angeles decided it was time for their families to settle some Southern roots. Nashville knows how to host, and building a venue that embodied that hospitality was the only way they wanted to do it. After Talmadge (the founder and drinkist behind Los Angeles based Pharmacie) introduced me to Chandra, Nealy, and Leigh, they asked to meet me in a tiny Echo Park bar in early 2013, to chat about venues. There they presented me with a startlingly thorough plan, which included photos of their new muse: a dark and forgotten brick home from the late 1800’s. Well, wouldn’t you know it, over the last year, I have watched them resurrect her into a beautiful space ready to host the most memorable of moments.

In a tiny corner of town called Rutledge Hill, the rolling residential streets are chock full of gorgeous turn-of-the-century brick buildings, with their stout stance and bashful charm. However; The Cordelle gracefully entered the Nashville special event and wedding scene like the belle of the ball, with it’s delicate details and loyalty to the great Victorian construction of the late 1800’s. Standing tall and slender, The Cordelleis surrounded by simply landscaped grounds, welcoming each guest like family.

It is easy to see the sparkle in this recently unearthed gem, but the real facets don’t shine until you walk to the middle of the great hall, and take a moment to look around. From the warm clatter of guests’s feet shuffling on the dark hardwood floors, to the lazy Nashville breeze blowing through the wall of open patio doors.

HOW WILL MY GUESTS GET HERE?:Nestled amidst the downtown landscape, The Cordelle is just minutes from the storied Honky Tonks of Broadway and Nashville’s state of the art Music City Center.

The Scoop

The Cordelle was designed to have many options for event layouts, throughout the year. For weddings, ceremonies may be held in the tree-lined garden, on a traditionally  manicured lawn, or for smaller weddings, inside the great hall, overlooked by the rustic balcony overhang. Guest seating is simple to place in many different arrangements because of the open floor plan of The Cordelle’s great hall. The covered patio functions as a buffer for either small or large events, as a comfortable “in-between” space.

The loft is the real hidden gem, with modern furnishings, a wet bar, and a private bathroom. Working perfectly as a bridal suite, as well as a green room for other types of special events, the loft also includes a private dressing room for the final touches.

Because The Cordelle was designed from the foundation up, there is of course a catering kitchen for your caterer to access. Street access is quite easy, and they offer a list of preferred vendors to lead you in the right direction. Valet parking through their preferred vendor is optional and suggested.

VENUE BREAKDOWN: The Victorian venue space is the main area, and is one of the last remaining homes of that era in the neighborhood. Host your event within these walls and share the historic backdrop and character with your guests. The Garden venue area is shaded by a 100-year-old Hackberry tree, and the large 4,000 square foot outdoor courtyard allows for tented events surrounded by the lush landscaping. Finally, The Great Hall brings the fresh “new” feel to the historic element of The Cordelle with white truss ceilings and large airy windows. The Great Hall has been designed to create a flow throughout your event with accessibility to the covered patio, the gardens, the kitchen, restrooms, The Loft and The Victorian.

CAPACITY -  Interior: 150 Seated | Covered Patio: 50 Seated | Courtyard: 350 Seated | Cocktail: 300 Interior Seated / Standing | Total Capacity Exterior+ Interior: 400.

Photos: Meg + Josh of Love Is A Big Deal

Bonus

The Cordelle buddied up with a local fellow by the name of Matt Alexander who created some permanent pieces for the venue, such as their stunning two-piece wooden bar and hanging barn doors in the loft. Matt owns HollerDesign, and is a stickler for sourcing local lumber.

STYLE FOR YOUR SETTING

Styling for your venue setting means incorporating the history of the building into your event. The story behind this beauty built in the late 1800’s, was that it started with the steamboat culture of the Cumberland River. Later, it was home to a family that made “cure-all ointments" The walls are rich with stories and should be brought back to life within the event design, especially because the Victorian is one of the last remaining homes of that era in the neighborhood! The Modern-meets-Victorian design of the venue calls for the same design direction in the invitation and decor of the event.

1. Invitation: This letterpress invitation suite by Spoon & Sailorhas the perfect vintage-inspired ornaments, Victorian inspired typography, envelopes swathed in white calligraphy and is topped off with vintage stamps (a nod to the historical past). The navy blue and gold color palette keep in line with colors of the venue.   2. A Nod to the Storied Past: Since one of the original owners used to create "cure-all" ointments here, we suggesting using vintage ointment containers with Victorian labels as floral containers and accent pieces. We love this vintage 1920s Marinello milk glass jarwith the original Art Deco label.  3. Victorian Garden: Set a soft table with steampunk touches and lush greenery to compliment the garden space. Incorporate the medicine bottles here and fill them with bright florals. Photo: TaliaStudio via Green Wedding Shoes.

Inside Scoop

The story of The Cordelle’s owners is as colorful as it is clever. Nealy was an actress and filmmaker in both New York and California, and Leigh and Chandra are identical twin sisters from Louisville, who spent many years in Los Angeles. Their band, The Watson Twins, regularly perform with the most reputable indie and folk musicians throughout the US. Their most recent release, Pioneer Lane, was written for the whole family. My personal favorite is their EP, Night Covers, which includes covers of good ol’ classics like Sade’s Sweetest Taboo and Eurythmics’s Here Comes the Rain Again.

Highlight Reel

Around Town

Crema Coffee:

The publicly-stated neighborhood favorite of The Cordelle crew, and just about everyone else in Nashville as well. Crema began roasting in 2012 and became darlings of international coffee competitions, but also created a comfy little cafe for enjoying a cup. Visit: crema-coffee.com

Strikes + Karoake!:

Pinewood Social. I’ve heard from way too many people that this is the place to be. Drinks and eats throughout the day, a cheeky but industrial environment, and oh - bowling! Visit: pinewoodsocial.com

Loveless Cafe:

The over-the-top nod to the 50’s roadside diner, the Loveless did not disappoint on my last trip to Nashville. Heaping plates of all the breakfast things one could imagine, and a staff that won’t address you as anything but “honey” and “dear”. Their sign says it all: “hot biscuits, country ham”. Visit: lovelesscafe.com