Planning Your Elopement in the Great Smoky Mountains
Are you mapping out your elopement in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Let’s cut to the chase: You need the inside scoop on permits, selecting the ideal setting, and the logistics of saying ‘I do’ in this natural wonderland.
When you picture your perfect wedding, what does it look like? For many, that perfect wedding isn’t an elaborate affair with everyone they know. Instead, it looks like you, your spouse, and maybe a witness in The Great Smoky Mountains. The perfect combination for a peaceful day that lets you focus on the special person who means the most to you. A Great Smoky Mountains Elopement is a great way to get the focus off the guest list.
Read on for the focused insights you need for planning your elopement in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Eloping Amidst the Appalachians: Why Choose Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Eloping in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers natural beauty, vivid foliage, mature forests, and serene river locations. I consider the Smokies the “Intimate National Park.” It’s like stepping into a storybook!
But the Great Smoky Mountains offer more than just stunning vistas. Whether you envision a sunset ceremony with panoramic views or a quiet chapel wedding, the park’s diversity caters to many couples looking to elope.
What is an Elopement?
When you elope, you skip many elaborate wedding plans and choose to slip away for a private ceremony. Sometimes, you may bring along a couple of friends or family members. In others, you may choose to keep this moment private between you and your spouse. Your elopement can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Some brides wear a fancy white dress as they stand before a judge or minister with their spouse. Other couples may prefer to get married in a favorite dress or jeans and a pair of hiking boots!
Why Choose to Elope?
For many couples, the decision to elope is a practical one. The cost of a church wedding and reception that includes all their friends and family members starts adding up! For others, it’s a desire for control. Wedding planning will involve mothers, sisters, and friends who all have their unique view of what the wedding should look like—a view that doesn’t match what the couple wants.
Still, others prefer the simplicity of eloping. Why? Because they’ll be able to take a private moment with their spouse and focus on each other. Rather than dealing with all the details of planning that special day. Whatever your reason for considering eloping, it’s sure to create precious memories you and your spouse will look back on for the rest of your lives.
Selecting Your Ideal Season
When is the perfect time to begin your forever amidst the Smokies? Consider the spring-to-fall season, spanning from April to November. Picture a spring wedding with wildflowers in bloom from late April to May. Or capture the fall hues from late October to early November. The Smoky Mountains embrace cooler temperatures and a moderate climate in the Fall. These cooler temps offer comfortable conditions that complement the natural splendor.
Deciding on The Date
Your wedding day in the smoky mountains should reflect your love: tranquil and undisturbed. Opt for a weekday elopement to ensure the intimacy of your ceremony, especially during the summer and fall when the park becomes a hub of activity. Remember that spots like Cades Cove do not issue elopement permits for weekends in October, nudging you towards a weekday celebration during these peak times.
Planning is key; book your date and make all the details of your special day fall into place well ahead of time. Morning ceremonies or weekday gatherings promise more privacy.
Approved Ceremony Locations in the Park
The Great Smoky Mountains offer many incredible approved locations for couples planning to elope inside its borders. The park offers a tapestry of settings, from historic churches to awe-inspiring outdoor locations, each waiting to become the perfect elopement location. Whether you dream of a quaint ceremony at the Primitive Baptist Church or a majestic celebration overlooking the Little River, the park’s designated locations invite you to a romantic rendezvous under the open skies.
With the ability to accommodate celebrations of various sizes, from intimate gatherings at Noah ‘Bud’ Ogle Cabin to slightly larger affairs at Spence Cabin, you’ll find the picturesque spot that resonates with you. Just a reminder that these beautiful locations come with capacity limits!
You’ll also need to complete an application and ensure it’s received at least 14 days before your wedding. No last-minute elopements if you plan on getting married in the park itself!
While plenty of locations are available inside the boundaries, you may need other venue options in the Gatlinburg, Townsend, or Pigeon Forge area for a more elaborate wedding.
Cades Cove: A Natural Cathedral
Renowned for its natural beauty and historic churches, Cades Cove is a prime (and popular) elopement spot that captures the essence of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
With a maximum guest capacity of 25, Cades Cove ensures that your ceremony remains personal and intimate, allowing you to share your special day with those closest to your heart. In this natural environment, your smoky mountain elopement becomes a seamless part of the park’s tapestry.
Foothills Parkway: Panoramic Promises
The Foothills Parkway offers panoramic views. Its east and west sections provide a serene atmosphere. As you exchange your vows, the peaks of the Appalachian land stretch into the horizon.
Accommodating up to 25 guests, Foothills Parkway is perfect for couples who seek an intimate celebration without a rigorous hike.
Spence Cabin: The Quaint Cabin
Spence Cabin is located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is the perfect location for a small, private wedding. It is the only approved wedding or elopement location in the Smokies that is easily accessible. Spence Cabin has multiple rooms for use, such as a kitchen, living room, and bathrooms.
Get the Smoky Mountain Elopement Guide
Interested in a Smoky Mountain Elopement? I’ve been an elopement photographer for many years, and I know something about photography in The Great Smoky Mountains. I’ve compiled a multi-page PDF that you can download to help you on your adventure.
Navigating Legalities: Permits and Marriage Licenses
A Special Use Permit (SUP) becomes your golden ticket within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Along with this permit, a Tennessee Marriage License is the final piece of the puzzle, cementing your vows in the eyes of the law.
The process might seem daunting. But all you need is a Special Use Permit fee of a mere $50 and a marriage license cost, which varies. Apply for your Special Use Permit at least 14 days before your wedding date to ensure all goes smoothly. You can find information about the fee structure and necessary details on the park’s official website or by contacting directly. With the permit in hand, you can focus on the vows you’ll treasure forever.
Acquiring Your Marriage License
Begin the journey online, pre-applying to save precious moments for your wedding planning—subsequent visits to a Sevier County Clerk Office location with your future spouse. Remember to bring a photo ID!
The license is valid for a generous 30 days. It asks neither for a waiting period nor a blood test, simplifying your walk down the aisle. Whether you’re an out-of-state sweetheart or a Tennessee resident, the fees are a small hurdle to your intimate wedding. With all legalities in check, you can focus on the joy of your upcoming church wedding or outdoor vows.
The Logistics of Love: Planning Your Elopement Day
As your elopement day approaches, the logistics come into play. Travelers will find their way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park through Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport. It’s a mere hour’s drive from the park. Those who drive are rewarded with scenic routes that wind through charming towns such as Maryville, Wears Valley, and Townsend. Picturesque landscapes set the tone for the adventure that lies ahead.
On this day, every detail matters, including:
- Ensuring that an officiant is present to solemnize your marriage
- Navigating areas without cell service with a trusty physical map
- Obtaining a parking pass (day pass, weekly pass, or annual pass) for a hassle-free celebration within the park’s embrace.
Crafting Your Timeline
Even for an elopement, a timeline is a must! Are you looking for the soft glow of sunrise in a cozy cabin? How about a ceremony bathed in the golden light of sunset? Remember to weave in personal activities, such as a first look with your spouse, as you plan your day.
The beauty of an elopement is its flexibility, allowing you to tailor the day to your wishes! Whether you choose to be married on a weekday or the weekend, your timeline is the backbone of your wedding day’s rhythm.
Choosing Your Smoky Mountain Vendors
The vendors you choose play a crucial role in your smoky mountain elopement—an officiant to aid in your vows or a florist to add a touch of pretty flowers. Securing the right team, from hair and makeup artists. How about on-site musicians to ensure that each detail of your elopement resonates with your vision?
Consider vendors recommended through the Smoky Mountain Wedding Collective. These vendors live and work in East Tennessee. Each vendor deeply understands the park’s guidelines. They will do more than provide a service and ensure your day goes off without a hitch!
Post-Elopement Adventures: Activities in the Park
While many other national parks offer unique experiences, the Smoky Mountains National Park provides myriad activities to create lasting memories. Whether you’re drawn to a hike to Leconte or horseback riding, the park offers something for everyone.
Accommodations: From Rustic to Refined
After the excitement of your elopement day, retreat to one of the many accommodations! There are plentiful locations in the Townsend, Gatlinburg, Wears Valley, or Pigeon Forge area!
Whether you’re pursuing a secluded Airbnb cabin or a luxurious resort with all the amenities, the area around the park has many options to suit every taste and budget. Indulge in the lavish accommodations and dining at Dancing Bear Lodge. How about the simplicity of resorts like Little Arrow Outdoor Resort?
Capturing Your Wedding
The fact that you’re eloping doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the gorgeous photos of your wedding for years to come! What could be more romantic than picturesque landscapes throughout the mountains? Gorgeous backdrops in the spring, summer, and fall! Or the stark, beautiful promise of winter will all help you create stunning pictures.
At Erin Morrison Photography, you can get an amazing elopement wedding package Monday through Friday. This will allow you to capture gorgeous pictures of you and your spouse. Imagine:
- Beautiful outdoor photos of you and your spouse in front of your chosen location
- Stunning pictures of your first kiss, your wedding vows, and other important moments
- Amazing scenery that you’ll remember for the rest of your lives together
Smoky Mountain Elopement Packages & Guide
The Smoky Mountains have everything if you love the mountains, forests, waterfalls, or rivers. You can’t go wrong with any approved wedding locations by the National Park.
- PRICING: Three hours of Photography start at $1800. If you want something more, contact me for a personalized package.
- GUIDES AND RESOURCES: The Smoky Mountains are a home away from home. I have crafted a multi-page Smoky Mountain and Elopement Guide to help you plan.
- PERSONAL PRINTING RIGHTS: Your photos are your photos. We don’t charge extra for them.
- HI-RESOLUTION IMAGES: You will receive edited, full-resolution photos.
- ONLINE, PASSWORD-PROTECTED GALLERY: Your photos are stored in an online gallery for one year. You can download, view, and share them!
Looking for more information? My multi-page digital download is chock-full of tips, information, and advice. This wedding and elopement guide provides helpful hyperlinks to important information, aids you in understanding the reservation process for the ever-popular Spence Cabin and the Appalachian Clubhouse, and shares how to obtain your parking permits. And there is so much more!
Contact Erin Morrison Photography
You’ll always want to look back and remember your wedding day. And when you do, having those pictures will help you remember all the details. Not only that, but a gorgeous photo album filled with your beautiful wedding pictures is also an amazing way to look back.
If you plan to elope, the Great Smoky Mountains are a wonderful place to create the wedding of your dreams. You can say your vows with your spouse in a gorgeous, picturesque location. You will also have a fantastic honeymoon opportunity right at your doorstep. Find a cabin where the two of you can cuddle up for a few days or spend your time off exploring Gatlinburg. The possibilities are endless as you start your life together!
Erin Morrison Photography is a licensed professional photographer. I am also one of the few photographers legally permitted to photograph in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Make sure that you view my Smokies Portfolio, and please get in touch with me today to get started!