The Great Smoky Mountains is one of those places that has my HEART. I mean, as a Knoxville wedding photographer, how could you NOT love those insane mountain views and that dreamy AF lighting?! So, when a couple tells me that they’re planning a Great Smoky Mountains elopement, my response 10/10 times is going to be heck yeah!
Seriously, though, if you’re planning a micro-wedding in the Great Smokies, I love you already. And as someone who has captured a ton of intimate weddings here, I have some of the BEST tips and tricks that you won’t wanna miss, babes!!
Why a Great Smoky Mountains Elopement (Or Micro-Wedding)?
If you’re here, I probably don’t need to talk you into having an intimate wedding. I’m sure you already know that they’re so much easier, calmer, and more real, and that’s probably RIGHT up your alley (and yeah, same).
When you’re planning where to have your micro-wedding, though? That’s where it gets tricky. Because if you live in Tennessee, you know that there are TONS of spots that are helllla gorgeous!! There’s honestly just something about the Smokies, though, that makes a PERFECT place for an intimate wedding!! Here are a few of my absolute FAVE reasons to choose a Great Smoky Mountains elopement:
- You’re secluded AF
Seriously, when you choose a Smoky Mountains elopement, there’s no one around for miles. So if one of the most important parts of your day is having privacy, getting away, and not having any of those awkward encounters with strangers… Yeah, the Smokies are for you, babes.
- It’s SO pretty
As a Knoxville wedding photographer, I could seriously go on and on about how beautiful the Great Smoky Mountains are. The way the sun hits?? Unmatched. The 360º mountain views?? They bring tears to my eyes every fucking time. When the leaves change colors in the fall?? GAGGED!!
- There’s a lot to do around
When my couples plan a micro-wedding, they tend to get a little creative with their celebration. And East Tennessee? It has NO shortage of fun things to do around. Whether you want to eat, drink some moonshine, or get really unique and go ride coasters at Dollywood… There’s a place for you to celebrate your Great Smoky Mountains elopement!!
- You get freedom to do whatever the hell you want
My absolute favorite part of a Great Smoky Mountains elopement? It’s that you get to do whatever you want!! The Smokies are one of those places where it feels like you have no rules, and when you’re planning a wedding here, it’s all about getting exactly what you want your day to look like. That means if you want to wear hot pink cowgirl boots with your dress and spend your evening celebrating in your cabin’s hot tub, YOU CAN!!
If you love the idea of a mountain elopement but you’re not suuuper into the Southern feel, I get it!! Check out this Montana elopement I captured to get inspo for eloping in other parts of the country!!
Planning Your Great Smoky Mountains Elopement
If you’re on board with a Great Smoky Mountains elopement, HELL YEAH!! You’re my kinda person. As a Knoxville wedding photographer who documents a LOT of days like this, here’s everything you need to know:
A Great Smoky Mountains Elopement vs. Micro-Wedding: Who to Invite
Okay, first things first, let’s talk about your guest list. An intimate wedding is where you throw all those damn wedding rules out the window!! Because tradition?? We don’t know her!!
My top tip for picking your guest list is to do what feels true to you. If there’s someone who’s gonna make you feel stressed, leave ‘em out. If there’s someone you’re only inviting because you feel like you have to, BYEEE. Your small wedding is for YOU, no one else, babes!!
Maybe you want to do it true elopement style and just have the two of you there. This typically gives you more freedom to get married anywhere you want (I’m looking at you, Smoky Mountain National Park!!), without having to worry about transportation, rentals, and invites. If you do want some of your favorite people there, though, a micro-wedding is ALWAYS a good route. I always suggest doing this in a cabin, so that you get to keep everything and everyone in one spot!!
The Legal Shit: Permitting, Witnesses, and Licenses for Your Great Smoky Mountains Elopement
Like any wedding or elopement, the first step is to get your marriage license!! You’ll need to go to the courthouse for whichever county you’re getting married in with your partner, both of your IDs, and your Social Security Cards. Note that there will be a fee (differing depending on the county!!) and that you MUST use your marriage license within 30 days!!
Next up is choosing your officiant!! You can find a list of who can legally officiate your wedding here. Tennessee is cool AF, because they’re not too strict AND you don’t have to have any witnesses.
All that’s left?? Permitting!! And I get it, it sounds scary. Don’t worry, though, babes, I gotchu!! All you have to do is apply for a special use permit here (if you’re getting married inside of Smoky Mountains National Park) and give them some info. Easy peasy!!
Where to Elope in the Great Smoky Mountains
There are a few places that you should 1000% consider for your ceremony site if you’re choosing a Great Smoky Mountains elopement:
- Your cabin
Chances are, if you’re staying in the Smokies, you’re in a cabin. The good news?? They almost ALWAYS have a porch with a stunning-ass view!! It makes it super easy to just hold your ceremony there, so that you don’t have to deal with any sort of transportation.
Waterfalls are a vibe EVERY time, and this spot in Smoky Mountains National Park is so GORG!!
- Foothills Parkway Overlooks
Overlooks will give you some of the BEST mountain views, AND they’re easy to get to!! There are a ton of options for these, and you can find them all (plus the other 50+ spots you can get married at) here!!
A Great Smoky Mountains Elopement Timeline That Works Every Time
I have beef with traditional wedding timelines, so I ALWAYS recommend planning a day that actually lets you breathe, connect, and stay present. I have a whole guide on this, but it’s even different for a Great Smoky Mountains elopement!! Here’s my overview of a day-of timeline that’s easily flexible to your day, but can really work for anyone:
9:00 am: Take a slow morning – maybe have some coffee on your cabin’s front porch, overlooking the mountains with the love of your life!! You deserve to rest before diving headfirst into the day.
10:00 am: Start getting ready – this might be with your best gals or with your lover!! Either way, it’ll look like some mimosas, some hella good music, and a TON of excitement.
1:00 pm: First look & portraits – I like to really take my time here since there are SO many gorgeous spots!! Whether we’re in your cabin or head out for a quick hike, the mountain views are SO worth taking time for pics.
2:30 pm: Say “I do” in the mountains – whether you’re at an overlook or on the porch of your cabin, it’s the most special part of the day!!
3:00 pm: Start CELEBRATINGGG!!
Elopement Dresses That Look Good AF for Smoky Mountains Micro-Weddings
The Smokies have that rustic, Southern feel, so choosing a bridal style that works with that is KEYYY. Here are a few dresses that I LIVE for for a Great Smoky Mountains elopement:
The Best Time of Year for a Great Smoky Mountains Elopement
Okay, as a Knoxville wedding photographer, I’m fully biased to a fall Great Smoky Mountains elopement. The colors are INSANEEE, and fall brings the most chill, peaceful vibe every time. And trust me, babes, that’s what you want on your wedding day!!
Seriously, though, mid-October through early November? PEAK!! That’s the season to see the best fall colors, and the weather is still mild enough that you won’t be freezing.
Samantha and Brandon’s Great Smoky Mountains Micro-Wedding
Samantha and Brandon were a couple that did a Great Smoky Mountains micro-wedding RIGHT. They invited their best people, they kept it super simple, all in their cabin, and they celebrated the day by playing pool and arcade games!!
When you keep your day simple, what you get is a day filled with meaning. Because smiles like these?? They can’t be faked!! And I’ll take that every time over just smiling for the camera.
Wild Alchemy Photo | Knoxville Wedding Photographer
If you’re the type of couple who wants a day that’s laid-back and full of the things that actually matter, let’s start planning your Great Smoky Mountains elopement!! Click here to inquire about booking me as your Knoxville wedding photographer, and we’ll chat about your wholeee vibe.
