Leigh Watson, who co-owns The Cordelle downtown and the newly opened Saint Elle in Wedgewood-Houston, says the two event spaces are like siblings.

“The Cordelle is definitely super intimate and romantic and wistful. And Saint Elle is a little bit more elegant,” says Leigh. “I feel they’re like two sisters. The little sister (The Cordelle) has a romantic, casual elegance, while the other sister (Saint Elle) is more sophisticated and refined. She knows what fork to use.”

Saint Elle, which is three times the size of The Cordelle, occupies 8,000 square feet of the 1950s bow truss industrial building at 1420 Third Ave. S., with its soaring ceilings, dramatic archways and abundant light. A patio is highlighted by a 10-foot greenery wall of boxwoods and massive glass doors. The two largest rooms, the Bow Truss and the Conservatory, are separated by a sweeping white curtain, perfect for privacy or a great reveal. There is also an elegant suite for a bride or party host to primp or just relax before making an entrance, a large catering kitchen, a bar offering a wide range of libations and a lower-level Green Room — the only room not on the main floor — so the groom can get ready without a chance of sneaking a peek at the bride.

When it comes to sisters, Leigh Watson knows a thing or two. Her business partners are her twin sister, Chandra Watson, and their longtime friend, Nealy Glenn. The sisters met Nealy while attending college at the University of Evansville in Indiana, and after graduation, they headed to Los Angeles. The sisters, who make up the alt-country duo, The Watson Twins, and Nealy, an actress, spent 15 years in L.A. before deciding to relocate to Nashville to be close to family and to be part of an artistic community.

In 2011, when the newly engaged Leigh was looking for a local wedding venue, her mother had the perfect solution. “When we couldn’t find what we were looking for, my mom, kind of off-the-cuff said, ‘Well, why don’t you just buy something? Buy a piece of land and put a tent on it with some Porta Potties, and then, at least you own a piece of land in Nashville.’”

They did her one better and bought an 1856 Victorian home that they turned into an event space. After the success of The Cordelle, the owners decided to open Saint Elle.

The Name Game

Saint Elle is named after the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis (N.C.&St.L.) Railway that transported passengers in luxury cars to and from cities, including in the South, beginning in the mid-1800s and continuing into the 1950s. The name seemed appropriate because the railroad cars, which weaved their way through the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, were known for gracious, impeccable service and numerous amenities. At Saint Elle, clients enlist their own caterers, but there are various bar packages offered with the space rental.

By Design

The owners worked with designer Katie Vance of Powell Studio, both on The Cordelle and Saint Elle. They wanted to make sure there were plenty of movable parts so guests could create an experience all their own. Live plants are on wheels, and the exposed beams in The Conservatory can be rigged with extra lighting and lend themselves to creativity. The owners also follow a strict protocol during the pandemic, so guests have both a safe and wonderfully memorable experience.

Photographs by Justin Reardon