two women kiss in front of geometric wedding arbor at intimate wedding

Jackson Terminal

If you’re thinking outside the box for your Knoxville wedding venue, consider Jackson Terminal. Located in the heart of Knoxville’s Old City, this old railroad freight depot is a historic and unique setting for a wedding. As I photograph weddings at this particular venue, I can’t help but think, “Wow, what a great place to start forever in a setting that is over 100 years old”.

The History of Jackson Terminal

Constructed sometime in the latter half of the 1880s, the building was originally a depot for the East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia Railroad. Standing inside this historic brick building brings to mind the hustle and bustle that must have crossed its floors as goods arrived and departed via train.

The Location

The Jackson Terminal is located in what is referred to as Knoxville’s Old City. Old City is a restored warehouse district with unique shops, restaurants, coffee houses, and nightclubs. Out-of-town guests will enjoy the nightly music and atmosphere.

Downtown Knoxville has various hotels, Airbnbs, and other lodging options. If you are expecting many guests from out of the area, ask hotels about special rates and room blocks.

Jackson Terminal Sparkler Exit in Knoxville — Naturally Elegant Wedding in Knoxville

The Interior

The original brick walls and exposed wooden rafters add to the charm of this historic building. The venue seats up to 350 and features 6,500 square feet of space. The use of the space is versatile, with customized layouts using multiple floor plans available. Dance floors, stages, and buffet lines are all easily accommodated and placed with your plans in mind. The Green Room is additional space that is available for rent should you need extra room. The room is a new addition yet blends nicely with the ambiance of the terminal. Outside space is available and there is some covered space.

All Occasion Catering

All Occasion Catering is a full-service caterer serving the Jackson Terminal. Skilled in event management, the All Occasion Catering staff prides themselves on providing outstanding service. On-site coordinators, bartenders, service staff, and dedicated event planners work hard to ensure no detail is overlooked.

The menu choices range from yummy to eye-roll good, with options including fresh home cooking to gourmet black tie menus. Then there is the long list of Hor d’Oeuvres that offers a variety of choices for keeping your guests satisfied until dinner. All Occasion Catering provides spirits and liquor and staff take care of all setup and take down of the event.

Wedding Dress at Jackson Terminal Events — Romantic Downtown Wedding

The Ambiance

There is a uniqueness with old buildings that newer ones don’t. Old buildings not only have a history but when it comes to weddings, these long-standing structures provide the perfect setting for ambiance. Romantic ambiance doesn’t come in a jar but it can be created, using special lighting, flowers, draped cloth, centerpieces, and more. Consider your wedding decorating ideas like lightning bugs in a jar. Visiting the Jackson Terminal will have you releasing the lid and letting the ideas fly! It has nothing to do with whether you like history or not; it’s about atmosphere and places-spaces that are memorable.

Making Memories

You place tons of effort into planning your special day and you want to remember every part of it. The truth is that the day will fly by and it will be a whirlwind experience; a good whirlwind but a whirlwind none-the-less. That’s why space and the sense of the space you choose for your venue are so important. The choice of space also plays an important role in capturing memories of your day. As a professional photographer, I specialize in natural light, documentary photography. My focus is to capture the unstaged moments so the results show the real emotions of the day. The unique setting in which this happens only adds to the overall success of a great photo.

Jackson Terminal Reception Decor — Naturally Elegant Wedding in Knoxville

Tying the Knot in Knoxville’s Old City

Knoxville is a historic city that welcomes weddings by offering some of the most unique venues. When the Jackson Terminal was built, I doubt much thought was given to weddings at the depot. The depot was a place of business where goods were exchanged and trains arrived and departed. I can’t help but wonder if the original builders wouldn’t somehow be pleased to know that the building now is a place of celebrations.

Getting Everyone on Board

Planning a wedding is stressful at times but don’t miss out on the fun parts of the planning journey. One strategy for preventing unnecessary stress is to line up your key players early in the process. Securing a venue and saving it for your special day is obviously at the top of the list. Finding the right photographer to capture your journey is also a top priority and here’s why:

Engagements, weddings, elopements, and vow renewals all tell a story.
The right photographer captures the natural moments as the story progresses.
When you are starting a new story as one, those captured moments will become priceless to you.

bride in black and white suit stand in front of wall with bridesmaids — Revamped Railroad Building Plays Host to Intimate Wedding

Erin Morrison Photography

I love what I do, and sharing my passion with couples is an honor. Being able to join the journey early allows me to learn more about you as individuals and to observe you together simply. I strive to capture how you interact naturally with my photography.

To contact me regarding professional photography services, click here. I’ll work with you to ensure you have frameable memories to last a lifetime.