Featuring: A Smoky Mountains wedding and tips for planning yours!

The Smoky Mountains are one of my favorite places to visit in Tennessee, and it’s a beautiful place to say I do and celebrate with your cherished loved ones! This particular wedding venue is perfect for an intimate wedding. Here are some things to consider while planning your mountain wedding…

Wedding guests watch as a bride and groom say their vows in the mountains. — The Magnolia wedding venue in the Great Smoky Mountains.

The Magnolia

The Magnolia sits on top of a mountain and has an absolutely stunning view! It can host up to 100 guests, and has both an indoor and outdoor area, and a lovely bridal suite! If you’re looking for a dreamy location to get married, consider this venue! This particular wedding was in the spring, May to be exact, but June, September and October are also beautiful months to be in the mountains! Looking for a photographer - click to learn about my photo and video packages!

Tips for planning your Smoky Mountains wedding:

Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable! At this particular wedding, the light and weather changed several times throughout the day - there was light rain, overcast skies and wind, and sunshine… all in the span of 10 hours! Have an indoor backup plan in case you need to move indoors!
The temperature can shift, so encouraging guests to bring an extra layer of clothes is always a smart idea.
Parking can be tricky at some venues like this one. The good news is most venues have a solution that they’re well equipped for. Just be sure to communicate clearly to your guests!
Certain permits are required if you’re taking photos or having a ceremony within the park grounds, so be sure you look into that if you’re wanting to do anything not at a venue.
Traffic can take longer than you’d expect. With a limited amount of roads running through the mountains, and slower speed limits, make sure you and your guests know to give yourselves an ample amount of time to arrive.
Cellphone service isn’t always reliable. Have a general idea of where you’re going, and don’t plan on being able to make calls or text at any given moment.
Sunset and sunrise are spectacular here! Take advantage of either by planning to take some photos together!
It’s a great place to honeymoon! My husband and I love taking trips here once a year to relax and spend quality time with each other. Whether you like hiking, or would prefer to stay put and take in the view, it’s a absolutely perfect.

The silhouette of a bride and groom on a deck in the mountains. — A bride and groom take a moment to themselves during their first look.

The above photo is one of my favorites from this day. It was overcast and looking a little stormy, and everyone was worried about the weather perhaps forcing the ceremony to be indoors. One of the most important things to remember on your wedding day is to simply be present, and to set expectations aside so you can enjoy what is. This particular photo encapsulate this - there wasn’t anything we could do about the weather, but this was still able to be a beautiful first-look moment for the bride and groom. And the moodiness of the sky ended up making a very dramatic photos that feels wildly romantic!