So, are you one of the happy couples thinking about planning a wedding in Gatlinburg? First of all, congratulations, and second, what a decision, because Gatlinburg (commonly referred to as “The Smoky Mountains”) is one of the most beautiful places on earth to get married.
In fact, couples from all around the world travel to Gatlinburg to declare their love. Another reason why Gatlinburg is a popular wedding destination because it offers sweeping sunset views, gorgeous woodsy scenery, and breathtaking backdrops.
However, planning a wedding in Gatlinburg can be a real challenge. There’s only so much that needs to be done, such as deciding on an appropriate number of guests, finding the perfect venue or chapel, and designing the menu, music, and décor. The effort goes double if your goal is to plan a destination wedding. Fortunately, we’re here to make the process a breeze.
Here are a few tips to help you plan the ultimate and most precious wedding in Gatlinburg:
- Pick your location.
First off, there’s probably a reason you’re thinking of having your wedding in the mountains. Regardless of your particular motivation, consider what getting married in the mountains means to you. Then, make your venue selection in light of that. Do you prefer tranquil streams or breathtaking views? Do you like elegance or adventure?
Once you know what you want, you can pick a venue. You can choose from a handful of options if you Google wedding venues in Gatlinburg TN, near me, and go through a series of facilities and packages. Make a list of all your options, visit each venue, and make your selection based on what you like the most.
- Follow your budget.
Like any other wedding, it is crucial to sit down with your future spouse and discuss how much you will need to spend to plan a beautiful, stress-free wedding. This is where having a budget comes into the picture. To create a reasonable budget, conduct your homework and verify with vendors for estimates. Remember that you may still change money around in your budget if you wish to spend more on something else. You can spend less money on other items, like flowers, in return for something more extravagant and couple-friendly.
- Create a timeline
When you have no sense of direction, it can be easy to lose track of everything and become overwhelmed. Setting up a wedding planning timeline can help you stay organized and stop you from putting off essential tasks like inviting guests and booking your location. This will also enable you to spread out your duties and finish a few at once, making all your tasks easier to manage.
- Find a few entertainment options.
There are so many entertainment options, which is one of the best things about having a destination wedding in Gatlinburg. Since your guests will be coming from afar to attend your big day, it might be beneficial for you to offer a list of entertainment options for them. Choose destinations close to your location so your guests can learn about things to do and see during their free time. There are several kilometers of hiking routes, rafting, and ziplining for the adventurous. Theaters, vineyards, breweries, and shopping are all available for people who prefer to experience the local culture.
- Bring the essentials.
For Gatlinburg weddings, hiking boots and bags are necessities (because you will be on a mountain). But if you have canvas or any other large boots, don’t be discouraged; with a few simple adjustments, they can still be worn to a wedding. Slip your bouquet onto your backpack to keep your hands free and your flowers safe while hiking. Use blue laces for your “something blue,” or look for some that match your dress or the color combination of your wedding to give your hiking boots a wedding-like touch. You can even hang a fun photo prop like a “just married” sign from it after the ceremony.
- Create an autumn-inspired menu.
Fun fact: the most popular wedding season is fall/autumn.
Given that, consider serving seasonal cuisine to your guests if you want to keep the fall theme for your after-ceremony reception. You can include other items like pumpkin soup, grilled meats, side dishes, pastries, apple cider, and other autumnal items.
These types of cuisine have appropriate possibilities and have the potential to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
- Think about utilizing seasonal flower patterns.
Even though many grooms and brides always want lovely flowers for their weddings, consider in-season options from Smoky Mountain florists to keep the prices down. Hydrangea, dahlias, stephanotis, gerbera daisies, and roses are some examples of beautiful wedding flowers. Chat with your florist to find out what might work best for you.
- Get some help
You might employ a local licensed wedding planner to assist you if all of this planning sounds too stressful or doesn’t work well with your hectic schedule. Your guest accommodations, reception, and ceremony can all be organized in one location with the help of a wedding planner. You won’t have to worry about anything on your special day, whether you want a small indoor wedding for 20 guests or a substantial outdoor wedding party for 70.
- Keep the honeymoon in mind as well.
Consider where you want to travel to spend some much-needed quality time together since many couples say their honeymoon is their favorite part of the wedding. In the tranquility of your Gatlinburg haven, unwind and relish the romance of getting married to your beloved.
- Make sure to find a licensed officiant.
Make sure a licensed celebrant will officiate your wedding. Tennessee is one of the states where online certification is never available. You must be a licensed minister. So make sure you find someone who can legally marry you when you’re organizing your wedding. Traveling for a wedding and then being unable to make it formal would not be ideal!
Conclusion
So, are you ready for your big day? The trick is to establish your vision and work your way around it. With these tips, you can pull off Gatlinburg’s most beautiful and memorable wedding. Lastly, remember the main goals of weddings: declaring your love, enjoying the occasion with your dear ones, and savoring the food! Everything else will fall into place, leaving you with a stunning spouse and an album full of breathtaking mountainous pictures.
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