Amazingly majestic natural scenery. Authentic mountain air. Unique settings. The beautiful Smoky Mountains are a great place to get married for many reasons. The area has become widely known as “the wedding capital of the south” due to its abundance of exceptional venues suitable for any type of wedding, from small, rustic affairs to large, lavish affairs.
So Why Pick the Smokies?
Modern engaged couples have more options than ever before for their big day, so why should you choose the Smoky Mountains as the setting for the beginning of your happily ever after? Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville, located in picturesque Sevier County in East Tennessee, host more than 10,000 weddings per year. Do you need more evidence? The Smoky Mountains are the third most popular place for American couples to get married, after Florida and Las Vegas. Because there are manysmoky mountain wedding venuesalso available. The Smokies provide unrivaled opportunities…at a surprisingly affordable price tag…if you’ve been looking for a small-town feel with world-class amenities. While Clingmans Dome rises over 6,600 feet into the air, a wedding in the Smoky Mountains is well within your means.
Ideas for a Smoky Mountain Wedding Location
Waterfalls at Laurel Cascades in the Great Smoky Mountains
The 80-foot-tall Laurel Falls provides a spectacular setting for your wedding in the Smoky Mountains, and it gets its name from the lush evergreen shrubs that bloom along the trail. Hiking 2.6 miles round-trip into the park will reward you with stunning panoramas and the opportunity to capture some truly unforgettable wedding photographs. If your guests aren’t in the mood to walk along this paved path, they can still enjoy the park’s natural beauty by visiting one of the many nearby waterfalls, gazebos, lakes, gardens, and other attractions.
Sky-Rise Nuptials
The Sky Lift is one of the most novel places in the Smokies for a wedding, transporting guests to the peak of Gatlinburg for a picture-perfect view of Mount LeConte. In the far off distance, the cityscape calls out, and with it, the promise of a splendid future. The Ole Smokey Moonshine package at Sky Lift gives the bride and groom a real taste of a legendary Smoky Mountains institution.
Although “little” appears in the name of the Little Log Wedding Chapel, the charming atmosphere and convenient location make it a popular choice. A wedding at this tranquil location in the Smokies can be tailored to your specific needs and preferences, making it the ideal setting for your special day. Mountain Dream, Autumn Splendor, Sunset Charm, and Enchanted Romance are just a few of the many available packages. Or you can customize a wedding package to your specific wants and needs. What about a box of “wishing bubbles” to take with you on your first walk through the bubble arch as a married couple?
A Smoky Mountains Attraction: Ripley’s Aquarium Imagine being whisked along a 340-foot underwater tunnel glide-path with your guests, who are mere feet away from sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles. This world-class aquarium has it all, including 1.4 million gallons of water and 100,000 rare and exotic sea creatures. You can even have a very important penguin from the Penguin Playhouse waddle over as a special guest. A hint: he’ll be wearing his formal birthday suit.
Hillbilly Weddings are a great option for newlyweds on a tighter budget, as they can take place in a rustic setting such as a chapel, cabin, garden, or even a mountain. Did we forget to mention that a bearded, hillbilly ordained Tennessean minister is included? Try searching for handfastings, broom jumping, or other unusual customs. Hillbilly Weddings provides all of these services in a chill, regional manner. Rates for packages begin at only $75. (There’s no need for bib overalls.)
