Couples spend an average 25–50 percent of their wedding budget on the venue. That makes picking the right location to host your wedding a pretty big deal and a great place to try to save some money.

The location you select will depend largely on the size of your wedding and your wedding budget. Murfreesboro venues are available for large, formal events and for intimate events on much smaller budgets.

Stones River Country Club

Grand Event

For large events with all the trimmings, Rutherford County brides can select the immaculately manicured lawns of the Stones River Country Club.

“We can seat about 250 comfortably,” said Rebecca George, catering and special event manager for SRCC. “We have seated more, but to give room for a dance floor and food tables, if applicable, 250 is ideal.  We can do receptions without a seat for everyone for up to 400.”

The SRCC is available for event rental space for members and nonmembers. Weddings at the country club can cost from $5,000 to $12,000, George said. Packages are available, and they can provide information for preferred vendors if necessary.

Local company Swanson Development has two locations available for a large affair at a less formal location.

More Informal

Park Place in the Boro (521 Old Salem Road) is a 15,000-square-foot repurposed industrial building with accommodations for up to 650 guests, while their Park Avenue Event Center can seat up to 737 guests.

Each location provides a blank canvas to event planners, with natural lighting and plenty of room to make wedding dreams come true.

The 2010 rate for Park Place in the Boro was $3,000 plus a $1,000 refundable deposit. Tables and chairs are available on-site for rental.

Intimate Affair

For an upscale event without as many guests, Murfreesboro venues with historic appeal include Oaklands Historic House Museum and the Carriage Lane Inn.

Oaklands Historic House Museum can accommodate a maximum of 150 guests for a seated event in Maney Hall. The grounds are available for tented events. Venue rental is $1,500 for a weekend event, and there are additional surcharges based on the event. The fee includes tables and chairs, AV equipment and a portable bar.

The Carriage Lane Inn Bed & Breakfast and Reception House can host small weddings in their restored historic house or outdoor ceremony location. Rates range from $1,500 to $3,500, depending on the time of year and type and size of the event. Their permanent outdoor ceremony location and the historic home boast a full catering kitchen, accommodations and historic southern charm for an intimate gathering of up to 150 guests.

Off-beat Venues

The Walnut House

This is Murfreesboro, a town bursting with music, arts and local business. If you’re looking for a local gem and a less run-of-the-mill wedding venue, consider The Walnut House.

With room for up to 200 guests, The Walnut House is a unique location to have an exceptional wedding.

Rental rates start at $1,250 for the rosewood floored nook and include chair rental. The site also boasts state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, available with DJ service for an additional fee.

The Vine is a similar intimate, unconventional location managed by the owners of the Carriage Lane Inn. Contact their sales team for more information.

Parks and Rec

For budget-friendly wedding venue ideas, consider one of the several rentals available from the Murfreesboro Department of Parks and Recreation. The two most popular wedding venue locations are Cannonsburgh Village and Gateway Island and Trail.

Cannonsburgh's wedding chapel

Historic Cannonsburgh Village even has an on-site wedding chapel. Their structures are available in several different groupings to host weddings, and provide a charming, rustic backdrop for wedding pictures. Rentals start at $250, and there are tents and chairs available for rental on location.

The Gateway Island venue rental rates start at $150 for a half-day, outdoor event. The location’s reception center is available for rental. Whole-day events with the center are $350.

Other Area Venues

There are too many possible venues to list in one story, from events in the Embassy Suites convention center to small wedding packages available at Southern Belle Wedding Chapel.

A beautiful spring day may help you decide on a personal, backyard wedding, or you may decide to host a cozy celebration at your favorite Murfreesboro restaurant, like Goodness Gracious Café or Maple Street Grill.

Whatever you decide, Murfreesboro does house a dynamic variety of event venues. One is bound to be your perfect wedding venue.