A wedding in the Smoky Mountains is a fantastic venue not just because of the area’s natural beauty, but it also makes a great little vacation for your guests. Here is a five step guide to planning the perfect in-cabin wedding in the mountains:
(See Also: 6 Things to Consider When Choosing the Perfect Gatlinburg Cabin)
1. Dream
You have chosen to have a cabin wedding in the Smoky Mountains. Now it’s time to dream about your big day. Imagine your perfect dress. Imagine what kind of cake you want. Take the time to look through bridal magazines, Facebook photos of friends’ weddings, or even look through your parents’ wedding album. Now is the time to decide on the kind of wedding you want.
2. Budget
Now come back down to reality. You know what your ideal wedding would be like, now it’s time to figure out how to get it for a price you can afford. Luckily, we have many cabins to choose from that include different price tags. If you are looking at a smaller budget, then a one bedroom cabin in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge with room for just your immediate family might be just the ticket. However, if you want to have a larger guest list, then you might want to opt for a much larger cabin and perhaps even one with a pool.
3. Decorations
A cabin wedding in the Smoky Mountains doesn’t require much in the way of décor. The backdrop of the mountains from one of our beautifully furnished cabins provides the perfect natural scenery. However, you will probably still want some decorations to go with your wedding. You might consider fresh flowers, an aisle runner, and ribbons in your cabin to give it the feel of a wedding.
4. Catering
If you are planning to have the reception on site, then you’ll need to think about what kind of food will be appropriate for your big day. If your wedding has a particular mountain theme, then you could do food that is reminiscent of a mountain camping trip. Who doesn’t love s’mores? However, if you are looking to go more
traditional, then be aware of how you can incorporate food into your décor.
A cake can make a beautiful centerpiece without having to splurge on extra flowers.
5. Legalities
Unless your wedding is actually a vow renewal, then you will need to be aware of how to get a marriage license in Tennessee as well as making sure the officiant is aware of his or her part in the process. If your wedding is on a weekend, then make sure you have taken care of getting your license the week prior, as courthouses are not open on weekends.
Follow the link to pre-apply for a Tennessee marriage license, which you can pick up at the Gatlinburg Shilling Center, the Sevier County Courthouse, or Pigeon Forge City Hall. For more useful information, check out our blog When is the Best Time to Purchase a Tennessee Marriage License?
