How to get married in the Smokies

You are getting married and looking for the perfect spot in the Smokies, but with a park that big where do you even begin? How do you find that picture perfect white chapel? Where are those babbling brooks? Do you need a permit or reservation? When should you go and how much time should you spend there? GIRL! Calm down, because I got you!

Finding the perfect spot in the Smoky Mountains

Let’s face it, the Smokies is a pretty large national park. Trying to pick a spot can be overwhelming, but lucky for you I am sharing my top three favorite spots!

Foothills

The Foothills are actually a parkway that stretches for thirty-eight miles! That my friend, is thirty-eight miles of gorgeous photo opts. The overlooks make a stunning backdrop with rolling hills in the distance, and the stone half wall and winding road add a sense of adventure.

Cade’s Cove

Another one of my favorite areas to shoot in the Smoky Mountains is Cade’s Cove. You want darling chapels? They’ve got it! A romantic shoot in the stream? No problem! Rustic roads with southern charm? You can find it there. Cade’s Cove is such an awesome little loop of adventure waiting for you!

Greenbrier

If you are looking for the most intimate wedding photos in the water, then Greenbrier is where you want to be! The combination of twisted streams, waterfalls and still shallow waters give you unlimited possibilities! I absolutely love shooting couples in the water, there is always a sense of excitement and romance captured.

Time is precious!

Seriously though, time is of the essence. The light is the best in the evening, so we will want to head out about three hours before the sun sets. This changes depending on the season, so it’s important to take that into consideration when planning you wedding day! If you are wanting to take some gorgeous photos with your family and the ceremony I would recommend planning about an hour to and hour and a half.

If you think an hour and a half isn’t enough time to get all the shots you want, no worries, because I would agree! One of my favorite things to do is adventure sessions. This is when we take about two to three hours to get every shot you could ever think of! We would travel to a couple of locations in the Smoky Mountains, as well as in Gatlinburg and other surrounding cities.

Permits and Reservations for Weddings in the Smokies

When getting married in the Smokies, or any National Park, you will need to acquire a permit. For the Smoky Mountain National Park you will need to request your permit no less than fourteen days before your event and pay their fee to reserve your ceremony’s spot. I would recommend scouting out and reserving your spot as soon as you say ‘YES!’. Some seasons are busier than others and book up fast!

What to bring for your Smoky Mountain Adventure?

Getting married in the Smokies is a blast! And offers the most beautiful photos, but after the day of your dreams you don’t want to be itchy from bug bites and have sore feet. So, here I am, an expert in adventure photography, to help you out with my must have list!

• Bug spray
• Bear spray
• Comfortable shoes
• Props! (champagne to open, a quilt or blanket to wrap around you, florals, etc.)
• Water and Snacks

Not only do I want to capture your timeless love, but I also want to keep you safe and comfortable!

So, there you have it! Everything you could possibly need to know for your gorgeous Smoky Mountain Wedding! I can’t wait to find your dream spot in the Smokies and capture every moment!