Smoky Mountain Wedding & Elopement Guide
Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married in the Smokies
INCLUDES:
- Popular Wedding Location
- Reserving Spence Cabin
-Spence Cabin Arbor Dimensions
- Reserving Appalachian Clubhouse
-GSMNP NPS Approved Wedding Locations
- Requirements & Conditions for Permit
- Park-Specific Conditions
- Answers for FAQs
- Parking Permits
- Tennessee Marriage License Information
- Advice and Information, including hyperlinks and MORE!
*Updated January 2024*
Spence Cabin Watercolor Map Template
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Getting married at Spence Cabin? Getting there is a bit of an adventure. With no reliable cell service in the Smokies, the off-the-grid charm comes with challenges.
But hey! No worries! I've created a beautiful Canva template to ensure guests can navigate to your wedding or elopement easily.
Ensure that your special day is filled with joy, not navigational challenges, by offering your loved ones a hassle-free template to the stunning Spence Cabin. Download my template now and let the beauty of your love story unfold seamlessly in this idyllic setting.
Get Married in the Smokies
The "intimate" National Park
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited National Park in the United States, boasting 12 million visitors in 2022. I've spent a lot of time within its boundaries, and it’s easy for us to see why so many people visit each year; the Smokies have an intimate and unmatched beauty that is the perfect spot for a dream wedding.
Choosing to marry in the Smokies is an easy choice. Beautiful valleys, breathtaking views, lush forests, skyline trees, and hiking trails there will surround you. And the best part? Many of the permitted wedding locations are accessible year-round.
Many of my couples choose to get married in the Smokies because it is convenient. About two-thirds of the nation can travel to the Smokies within a day's drive. Second, the closest airport is just a 30-minute drive from one of the park's entrances. And last, there is no entrance fee to enjoy this natural wonder!
Getting married in the Smokies is just as convenient, and my Smoky Mountain Wedding and Elopement Guide will help you on your journey! This 36-page digital download is chock-full of tips, information, and advice. This wedding and elopement guide will detail the Special Use Permit process, provide helpful hyperlinks to important information, aid you in understanding the reservation process for the ever-popular Spence Cabin and the Appalachian Clubhouse, and share with you how to obtain your parking permits. And there is so much more!
I sincerely hope that this wedding and elopement guide for the Smokies helps you on your journey. If you need a Smoky Mountain Permitted Photographer to accompany you, please contact me at any time. Contact me for details or to inquire about scheduling.
#muchlove
Helpful
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Have
QUESTIONS?
Here you'll find some helpful posts or pages to you help you on your engagement and marriage journey!
CapitalWedding01.Wedding Capital of the South.
Tying the knot in the "Wedding Capital of the South" is a dream for many soon-to-be newlyweds. The Smoky Mountains, situated in Tennessee, is an idyllic location for couples to start their new lives together. Surrounded by Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Townsend, Wears Valley, and Walland, the Smokies has become the preferred choice for couples to make their wedding vows. Here, couples can find any wedding venue or location they need to have the perfect wedding day - from a quaint chapel to the perfect cabin.
Time of DayCHOOSE A02Professional Vendors in the Smokies
Say "I do" in the Smokies! Weddings in the Great Smoky Mountains are the most magical way to start the rest of your life. The region offers various wedding professionals and talented vendors to make your wedding or elopement genuinely unique. Wedding planners can aid in selecting the perfect site for your wedding ceremony, while florists will hand-pick your flowers to provide an epic mountain experience. Finding the right photographer will bring your vision to life. So many details go into a wedding, and finding the right professionals is necessary.
VendorsProfessional02
ViewsBreathtaking03Explore the Natural Beauty
Getting married in the Great Smokies is special for couples seeking a beautiful and unique wedding venue. Surrounded by rolling valleys, mature trees, and breathtaking views, the Smokies offer an unparalleled backdrop to make your big day in nature unforgettable. Each season in these Tennessee mountains provides photo opportunities from Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. You can capture every moment of this once-in-a-lifetime event with endless possibilities. So if you want to make your dream wedding a reality, the idyllic views, locations, and venues of the Smokies are your site.
PhotographerCHOOSE THE RIGHT04Unforgettable Fun Awaits
Do you want to experience a place where you can do some of everything and have a great time? Look no further than The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee! Known for its breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains, the area offers a variety of attractions, activities, and scenic beauty that are sure to make your wedding trip and honeymoon one to remember. In short - the area is so much fun. From whitewater rafting on the Little Pigeon River in the summer to winter snowboarding at Ober Gatlinburg, this charming mountain location is the perfect place to make memories with your new spouse. Neighboring towns, such as Gatlinburg, offer different activities and attractions to experience while you're there that will make you want to return to the south year after year.
Much FunSo So So 04Wedding & Elopement Pictures
I'm Erin Morrison, an experienced photographer that serves the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Planning a wedding can be daunting, and planning a wedding in the Smoky Mountains adds another layer of complexity - whether you are planning a local wedding or designing your dream destination wedding. With the beautiful atmosphere of the Smoky Mountains, brides and grooms have the opportunity to create a unique, unforgettable wedding. However, couples must remember several important considerations when designing a Smoky Mountain wedding. With the correct planning, you can ensure your big day is free from unwanted surprises and welcome the dream wedding you deserve.
Statistics show that more than ten thousand marriage licenses are issued annually from Sevier County, Tennessee. Many of these licenses are for inside the boundaries of the National Park. There are specific guidelines for a wedding, elopement, or event in the Smoky Mountains. Guidelines involve location and date restrictions for wedding ceremonies, guest capacity, and decoration constraints.
Luckily, you have me! My name is Erin Morrison, and I am a Smoky Mountain Wedding Photographer. Whether you want to exchange vows in a rustic chapel or at one of the many cabins that dot the gorgeous landscape, I want to be along for the ride on your special day. I am familiar with many ceremony locations and will follow specific guidelines by the National Park Service. Weddings and elopements are in my heart, and I believe wedding planning should be enjoyable. Let me help you plan your perfect smoky mountain wedding. Feel free to purchase my Smoky Mountain Wedding Guide at your convenience, and contact me anytime.
KNOXVILLE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | KNOXVILLE ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER | KNOXVILLE FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER | SMOKY MOUNTAIN PHOTOGRAPHER| LGBTQIA+ Friendly
Oh, what a year, 2025.
With over 40 weddings and elopements, EMP spent the year chasing love across some truly incredible spaces—private golf resorts, hidden AirBnBs, mountain views, and Knoxville downtown gems. Oh, and everything in between!
Each slide here represents a different place, a different couple, and a completely perfectly-imperfect story. I’m grateful for every single one 🫶🏻
Swipe through to see all the venues we had the honor of photographing this year!
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#knoxvilleweddingphotographer #smokymountainweddingphotographer #easttennesseeweddingphotographer #knoxvillebrides #smokymountainbrides #tennesseeweddings #knoxvillephotography #smokymountains #knoxvilleweddings #knoxvillephotographer #knoxvillewedding #knoxvilleengagement #knoxvillebride #knoxvilleweddingvenue #knoxvilleweddingphotography #easttnphotographer #ashevilleweddingphotographer #virginiaweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingstyle #knoxrocks #smokymountainweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingideas #chattanoogaweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingfun #nashvilleweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingmoments #georgiaweddingphotographer #easttnphotographer #knoxvilleweddingdreams #johnsoncityweddingphotographer
Never shared enough of this gorgeous wedding at @hiwasseeriverweddings. So grateful for a 2025 filled with beautiful, kind people who let me hang out with them 🫶🏻
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Photographer: @erinm_photography | Second Photographer: @danielleevansphoto | Venue: @hiwasseeriverweddings | Planner: @customlovegifts | Dress: @whitelaceandpromises | DJ: @deejayt3 | Florals: @athens_flower_shop | Bartending: @vitaleventservices | Catering: @tasteful_gatherings | HMUA: @theeffortlessbeauty | Cake and Treats: @kteaspastry | Videography: @timfoxweddings
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#knoxvilleweddingphotographer #smokymountainweddingphotographer #easttennesseeweddingphotographer #knoxvillebrides #smokymountainbrides #tennesseeweddings #knoxvillephotography #smokymountainbride #knoxvilleweddings #knoxvillephotographer #knoxvillewedding #knoxvilleengagement #knoxvillebride #knoxvilleweddingvenue #knoxvilleweddingphotography #easttnphotographer #ashevilleweddingphotographer #virginiaweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingstyle #knoxrocks #smokymountainweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingideas #chattanoogaweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingfun #nashvilleweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingmoments #georgiaweddingphotographer #easttnphotographer #knoxvilleweddingdreams #johnsoncityweddingphotographer
2026 wedding trend…
…do whatever the **** you want to do.
Because you’re paying for it.
Because this day is about your relationship, not outside expectations.
Because traditions should feel meaningful and not obligatory.
Because the weddings people remember most are the ones that feel honest and lived-in.
You don’t need a reason to skip something that doesn’t fit.
You don’t need permission to build a day that looks different than what you’ve seen online.
And you definitely don’t need to explain yourselves to anyone who isn’t standing beside you in this life.
If it feels right, do it.
If it feels forced, let it go.
That’s not a rebellion. That’s the point.
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#knoxvilleweddingphotographer #smokymountainweddingphotographer #easttennesseeweddingphotographer #knoxvillebrides #smokymountainbrides #tennesseeweddings #knoxvillephotography #smokymountains #knoxvilleweddings #knoxvillephotographer #knoxvillewedding #knoxvilleengagement #knoxvillebride #knoxvilleweddingvenue #knoxvilleweddingphotography #easttnphotographer #ashevilleweddingphotographer #virginiaweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingstyle #2026weddingtrends #smokymountainweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingideas #chattanoogaweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingfun #nashvilleweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingmoments #georgiaweddingphotographer #easttnphotographer #knoxvilleweddingdreams #johnsoncityweddingphotographer
2025 is coming to an end. And I am always grateful to work alongside some pretty amazing people. Thank you to @bsidwellphoto, @danielleevansphoto, @matthewandbrittanyphoto, and @juicebeats1 for tagging along with me through the year. Your presence in my life fills me with so much J O Y (and some serious laughter).
Wishing all my vendor friends the most maxing 2026. See you next year 🫶🏻
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#knoxvilleweddingphotographer #smokymountainweddingphotographer #easttennesseeweddingphotographer #knoxvillebrides #smokymountainbrides #tennesseeweddings #knoxvillephotography #smokymountains #knoxvilleweddings #knoxvillephotographer #knoxvillewedding #knoxvilleengagement #knoxvillebride #knoxvilleweddingvenue #knoxvilleweddingphotography #easttnphotographer #ashevilleweddingphotographer #virginiaweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingstyle #knoxrocks #smokymountainweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingideas #chattanoogaweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingfun #nashvilleweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingmoments #georgiaweddingphotographer #easttnphotographer #knoxvilleweddingdreams #johnsoncityweddingphotographer
Thank you 2025.
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#knoxvilleweddingphotographer #smokymountainweddingphotographer #easttennesseeweddingphotographer #knoxvillebrides #smokymountainbrides #tennesseeweddings #knoxvillephotography #smokymountains #knoxvilleweddings #knoxvillephotographer #knoxvillewedding #knoxvilleengagement #knoxvillebride #knoxvilleweddingvenue #knoxvilleweddingphotography #easttnphotographer #ashevilleweddingphotographer #virginiaweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingstyle #knoxrocks #smokymountainweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingideas #chattanoogaweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingfun #nashvilleweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingmoments #georgiaweddingphotographer #easttnphotographer #knoxvilleweddingdreams #johnsoncityweddingphotographer
The perfect getting-ready room 🫶🏻
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Photographer: @erinm_photography | Second Photographer: @bsidwellphoto | Coordinator: @idoweddings.kenzie @idoweddings.emily | Venue and Catering: @staycloudland | Music: @djrocksteadyrrp |
Officiant: @thezacstephens | Hair/Makeup: @mbellish_salon | Dress: @lillian.ruth.bride | Suit/Tux: @menswearhouse
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#knoxvilleweddingphotographer #georgiaweddingphotographer #easttennesseeweddingphotographer #georgiabride #smokymountainbrides #tennesseeweddings #knoxvillephotography #smokymountains #knoxvilleweddings #knoxvillephotographer #knoxvillewedding #knoxvilleengagement #knoxvillebride #knoxvilleweddingvenue #knoxvilleweddingphotography #easttnphotographer #ashevilleweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingstyle #smokymountainweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingideas #chattanoogaweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingfun #nashvilleweddingphotographer #knoxvilleweddingmoments #easttnphotographer #knoxvilleweddingdreams
Natural light + honest photographer for ALL humans.
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Knoxville, Tennessee
865.214.7826
erinmorrisonphotography@gmail.com
Office Hours: M-F 8am-5pm | S-S 12pm-5pm
