Spring Dusty Blue Wedding in Townsend, Tennessee
Are you planning a wedding this spring? There are so many venues in East Tennessee, but venues in the Smoky Mountains add a touch of elegance. When you add in dusty blu wedding ideas and elements, it compliments the blue haze of the mountains and the spring weather. This theme worked perfectly for Emily and Derrick’s April wedding.
Dancing Bear Lodge
Finding the right venue is a challenge, but I can help. I’m very familiar with this part of Tennessee, and I’d like to introduce you to one of my favorites: Dancing Bear Lodge.
Dancing Bear Lodge is on the peaceful side of the Smokies, minutes from Cades Cove. It’s close to The Little River and right off the Alexander Parkway, making it easy to get to – all while driving through beautiful scenery such as the Foothills Parkway.
Surrounded by woodland, the lodge has a log cabin appearance and feel across all of the buildings. This includes the cabins and the main building. The rustic sights, and smells, will help transport you to the Smokies. The lodge has romantic two person cabins, including a riverfront cabin, as well as accommodations for larger groups if family are staying over. There are also plenty of other options in the area.
The award-winning Appalachian Bistro offers modern Appalachian cuisine and craft cocktails. The seasonal menu runs to such traditional dishes as fried green tomatoes, glazed pork belly, trout and grits, and sweet tea brined pork chops. They can, of course, handle your reception and your rehearsal dinner. Locals eat here regularly, and TripAdvisor named it as one of the 25 most romantic restaurants in America.
And if you decide to stay in the area for your honeymoon, they are a great base to explore Townsend, Tennessee. Further, the surrounding area is filled with activities that include exploring Cades Cove. There is also time to visit art and craft galleries, go to live concerts, and peruse local museums. Your guests who have come from out of town will also enjoy everything from tubing to ziplining to hiking at the foothills of the Smokies.
Dusty Blue Wedding Ideas
If you are planning a destination wedding in the Smoky Mountains, consider incorporating dusty blue into your wedding theme to complement and highlight the haze that makes this area so unique.
The Details
The wedding invitations showed the same dusty blue gray theme with a clear white font. They even continued the color scheme through the ring boxes. The groom’s polka dot bow tie, the bride’s classic shoes, and white bouquets were used to keep everything light.
The dusty blue palette continued on the tables at the reception and throughout the space with well-chosen wedding decorations. Under the rustic beams of the patio, wooden chairs, white tablecloths, gray napkins, and delicate flower centerpieces dotted the reception. Dusty blue table runners tied everything together. A dusty blue wedding seating chart elegantly displayed on a board with greenery frames greeted guests.
The Ladies and The Gents
Choosing dusty blue bridesmaid dresses (and some with florals) gave a classic style against the backdrop of Dancing Bear Lodge. Each bridesmaid had her own look and shade within the palette rather than being coordinated, which made things feel more natural and organic. Meanwhile, the mother of the groom opted for a contrasting blush pink and the mother of bride wore lilac, showing their personalities while complementing the theme. Emily herself wore an elegant white dress, but elected not to use a veil.
Derrick wore a dark blue suit that offered timeless elegance with a more modern cut. The dusty blue wedding theme continued with dusty blue ties worn the groomsmen. Blue is a timeless color for any suit, and it is one color that will never go out of style.
The Ceremony and Reception
The ceremony itself was performed outside in the Dancing Bear’s wooden gazebo with a background of the Smokies. The weather was perfect for a spring wedding.
The reception took place in the Appalachian Bistro, which seats 75 people in an elegant but rustic environment, and was catered by Dancing Bear Lodge. Signature cocktails were the “Goose” Old Fashioned and the “Maverick” Aperol Spritz to invoke one of the couples’ favorite movies. The cake had white and dusty blue flowers, and was presented in a way which almost made it a shame to cut!
Photographer’s Paradise
I took pictures that showcased the couple, their decorating choices, and the romantic backdrop of Dancing Bear. We included as backdrops the cabin in which the couple were staying, the woods with the main lodge building peeking through the trees, and other cabins in the background. We also made use of the rocks and fences lining the trails between buildings at this wonderful resort.
Smoky Mountain Wedding Photographer
I hope you consider Dancing Bear Lodge as a wedding venue. It’s one of my favorites and can handle everything from intimate elopments to fairly large weddings with as many as 200 guests. It has enough accommodation for some of your guests and romantic cabins, including a waterfront cabin, that you can choose from for your own stay.
I absolutely love photographing dusty blue weddings in the Smokies. The blue haze makes for great light for photography and the woods and mountains can frame the best backdrop for your big day. I work with venues throughout the Smokies in Tennessee, including Dancing Bear Lodge, and I can provide the best memories of your big day. Contact me to find out more or to book me for your big day.
Professional Wedding Vendors
Photographer: Erin Morrison Photography | Venue: Dancing Bear Lodge | HMUA: RLV Beauty | Florals: Restoration Blooms Floral | Cake: Art of Cakes | Favors: Jordan Abba Art |