Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art - (615) 356-8000

In planning a wedding reception in Nashville, Cheekwood seemed a logical, beautiful choice for a wedding reception. The website was helpful; prices for use of the property were clearly posted, within my budget and easy to research prior to scheduling an appointment with one of the Consultants. I scheduled an appointment, interested in touring the facilities, and already convinced that this would be a wonderful facility at which to host a reception. We arrived one afternoon and waited in the office for our consultant, K., who arrived late to our scheduled appointment. This individual was extraordinarily rude, condescending, and patronizing for the next hour of our meeting with her. She consistently talked "over" both of us, told us that we would not be able to afford placing a tent in a specific area of Cheekwood (This was well within our budget), and despite multiple attempts to merely be social and gain what we hoped to gain at this meeting (an expert's assistance with planning our wedding reception at their lovely facility), we finally left after she continued to evade our questions and directly insult us. I am from the Boston area, and find Southern social graces a lovely change from direct, sometimes harsh atmosphere there, and am not one to leave "with hurt feelings". Despite this, I have ever witnessed such a lack of professional behavior, and am still shocked that from a PR standpoint, the organization can treat individuals in this manner. Having left our Consultant, K., we immediately decided that despite the beauty of Cheekwood, we could never entrust such a sweet, important day to this individual, her colleagues, and an organization who allows her to practice her profession openly in such a manner. My greatest regret was that she had treated my wonderful Mother with terrible disdain. I will never recommend Cheekwood to anyone planning a private event.

If you want to plan a wedding, PLEASE, do yourself a favor and go elsewhere. Me and my fiance had a scheduled appointment to tour the facility. When we arrived, the representative completely forgot about it so instead of rescheduling it, she handed us a map and told us to view it ourselves. Her excuse was "we are so busy". I guess you really wouldn't call it a tour if no one showed us around. So, we viewed the reception area and the receptionist tried to brush us off! The feeling was not so welcoming at all.

For Mother?s Day we traveled 120 miles to Cheekwood for the first time. And there is no way I was able to see the grandeur of the spectacular gardens. What a terrible spring! The week of freezing temperatures damaged so many budding plants across our fine state. This undoubtedly is no fault of Cheekwood. However, I was terribly disappointed in the mansion. I expected the furnishings to still be in place. I like that feel to be taken back in time to a quieter and elegant time. To view the family portraits and priceless artifacts. See The Adsmore in Princeton Kentucky for an amazing turn back in time.

Spring is here! There are beautiful flowers everywhere. This is the perfect place for a long walk or to just read a book. The faberge exhibit is so cool. I'd like one of those in my easter basket. My friend got married at Cheekwood last year and it was so pretty, I'm glad I came back to enjoy it.

This is one of the most tranquil and wonderful places in the area, and what's perhaps best about it is it captures so many different kinds of relaxing things. From the Japanese gardens -- certainly a definitive soothing experience! -- to the Sculpture Trail, and with many types of gardens and art exhibits in between, there's something to relax everyone, or if you're in need of mental stimulation, you can get that, too, from the art exhibits.