According to the experts at The Knot, there are now 350,000 destination weddings annually–and seven out of 10 of them are right in the U.S.
Destination weddings are celebrations that are held in a location away from home. They combine adventure and vacation with the traditional ceremony.
Gatlinburg, in the heart of The Great Smoky Mountains, is commonly referred to as “the wedding capital of the South,” because it provides all the romance and love requirements of a destination wedding: gorgeous backdrops: quiet paradise so the couple can bond and lively nightlife and things to do for the guests.
Destination weddings are surprisingly affordable and contrary to popular belief, the bride and groom are not responsible for guests travel and accommodations.
“Romance and love just bubble over here,” said a spokesperson for Diamond Mountain Rentals, “and accommodations need to be just as romantic.:
“Our cabins have something for everyone, including hot tubs, jacuzzis, fireplaces, decks, etc. Even the cabin names say love– ‘My Valentine,’ ‘Heaven Sent’ or ‘River Rhapsody.’
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The Gatlinburg Wedding
Bride, groom, family and guests will love it–and fall in love all over again– because it has:
- Entertainment
Gatlinburg is a town where everyone, whether single or family, adult or kid, can enjoy this idyllic setting in the American South.
There are three towns in this corner of The Great Smoky Mountains: Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Each are only a short distance from each other and each offers plenty of attractions, festivals, great restaurants and nightlife.
You can’t visit Gatlinburg without a trip to neighboring Pigeon Forge and visiting Dollywood, the amusement park founded by Country Music Icon Dolly parton.
Here are some other things you might want to do, specifically, in Gatlinburg:
- The Sweet Fanny Adams Theater: Light hearted musical comedy, with anachronistic flair, can be enjoyed most every night of the week.
- Hillbilly Golf: An 18-hole miniature golf course, located on the top of a mountain promises great fun for people of any age.
- Mysterious Mansion: An old-fashioned, Victorian style home full of spooky surprises and ghostly stories.
- Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster: For extra romance, take an evening ride through the scenic Great Smoky Mountains.
- Space Needle: A major tourist attraction for 50 years, this features an observation tower, arcade, outdoor viewing deck and theater.
- Sky Lift: Taking visitors 1800 feet to the top of a gorgeous overlook, this provides panoramic views of the mountains.
- Accommodations
For a true sweet retreat, check out Diamond Mountain Rentals, cabins and condos quaintly situated at the base of The Great Smoky Mountains.
Tour guides will also help all wedding guests enjoy all the highlights of this East Tennessee town. In addition, the property is speckled with trails for running, walking and exploring nature while getting some exercise and enjoying the lush surroundings.
- Photo Opportunities
The hallmark of any destination wedding experience invariably includes the many great places in which to take photos. In Gatlinburg, the backdrop of weddings are The Great Smoky Mountains and lush landscapes. All couples want great photos, and this is the perfect place to capture them.
This community draws visitors back to a time when neighbors greeted one another, gathering on porches on warm summer nights, and enjoying the company of others, in a tranquil and peaceful setting, far from the hustle and bustle of big city life. This will provide a wonderful, memorable experience for most every wedding.
These days, wedding cost anywhere from $32,000 to (gulp) $60,000 in the larger cities. It used to be that the only alternative to this was to elope, but the average cost of a destination wedding is $17,000.