e blame Instagram for the rash decisions many couple couples make when choosing an outdoor venue. They see couples embracing in a field, flowers brilliant, clouds puffy. we admit it's captivating. And there are just so many outside of Nashville that for some the allure is overwhelming.
And like those heroic couples seeking to conquer the outdoors, we too are consummate outdoors people. We've lived in Wyoming for years for that reason. We enjoy the outdoors so much that we design significant outdoor areas into our venues even though they are in the heart of Nashville. In the case of Ruby, we have courtyards and decks surrounding the building. They may not be mountain vistas, but our venues are located within or next to city parks which enhance our own green spaces.
What should we expect from the outdoors? Weather.
Despite our love of the outdoors, we tell everyone not to count on using the outdoors for your event. Apart from what everyone fears most - rain - couples are more likely to get a sun beating down on finely dressed guests at a wedding ceremony or cocktail hour. Even if it's not hot enough to make guests sweat through their suits, spring or fall sun in Nashville will give you a nice tan. And there's the issue of heat or cold. And the insects. A somewhat funny story (because we weren't involved) we heard recently happened at a lake property outside of Nashville and had to do with an infestation of mayflies covering everything.
The truth is you simply cannot count on using the outdoors.
The design of the Treehouse and Park Courtyards
Ruby's outdoor spaces are what we refer to as the Treehouse and Park Courtyards.
The Treehouse Courtyards sits at the front of Ruby and is elevated in the canopy of the trees that surround it. The trees give guests in the courtyard privacy and a view of the park. The larger Park Courtyard sits at the back of Ruby and also has great park views. Both are totally private and are bordered by rich landscaping. Building, wall, string, and tree lighting make for what Hemmingway would call A Clean, Well-Lighted Place.
For send-offs, as always at Ruby, we couples exit the massive 15-foot tall teak front doors and decend the wide stairs to the plaza where a getaway car awaits.
If you visit Ruby during the day, unfortunately you won't see the courtyards in their nighttime glory. For those visitors, we recommend a walk through the park at night to appreciate the evening atmosphere.
How we improve the odds
Just because we say clients shouldn't count on the outdoors doesn't mean that most clients don't get to use the outdoor areas at our venues. A nd they do, almost every time. But this is a function of how we designed our outdoors, not a strategy of hoping for the best.
At Ruby, the Treehouse and Park Courtyards are substantially covered by tents (which are included in the rental cost). The tents keep the rain off of guests, but far more often they keep the sun from beating down on guests.
The more important issue when using the outdoors is having those areas hardscaped. Grassy areas are not usable even days after a rain whereas hardscape areas are immediately usable when the rain stops. Our hardscape areas are surrounded by lush landscaping, so the garden environment is preserved. And with hardscaped areas, there are no chiggers or other insects with which to contend.
Heaters may be added to Ruby's courtyards for use in the colder months extending the use to all times of the year.
What if we get unlucky with the weather?
Rain on a wedding day is said to be good luck. It is remarkable how may times it rains on a wedding day before guests arrive. But if the outdoors is hardscaped, these areas are instantly ready to use after the rain passes. And with Ruby's tenting, even during a rain or sweltering day, guests can almost always use our outdoor spaces.
