Whether you have been with your significant other for 6 months or 10 years an elopement can be a fantastic way to get married. If you feel this way, you are definitely not alone. According to one study by Helzberg Diamonds, 62% of U.S.-based couples are thinking about a scaled-back elopement style wedding.

Whether you are new to the Gatlinburg area or are extremely familiar with Great Smoky Mountain National Park, you can use these tips and strategies to have the elopement of your dreams.

Completing Some Prep Work

One of the main benefits of an elopement is how easy it truly is. Compared to a formal wedding with hundreds of people, you can essentially travel to your elopement location, exchange vows, and begin life as a newly-married couple.

At the same time, this doesn’t mean that you can just arrive at your elopement site without any prep work. By putting in the work now, you can ensure that your elopement goes as smoothly as possible.

Select a Date

This is arguably the first decision that you will need to make. While it may seem straightforward, you’ll want to spend some time selecting the best date for you and your spouse. You’ll also want to account for the weather. Gatlinburg can get quite warm in the summer months (average temperatures in the mid-80s from June to August), so make sure that you are choosing the most comfortable month for you.

Finally, if you are having friends and family view your elopement, you will want to consider their availability. There is a fine line here (you don’t want to change your plans to satisfy a distant relative, for example). However, if you plan on having others watch your ceremony, think about their availability before settling on a date.

Choose Your Elopement Location

From there, you will want to select your elopement site. This is arguably the most important decision that you’ll make. The great news? By opting for an elopement in Gatlinburg or the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, you have a whole host of beautiful locations at your fingertips.

At Effortless Elopements, we know plenty of fantastic places for you and your significant other to exchange vows. You can view the locations tab on our website to see some of our favorite elopement spots. That said, some outstanding locations include:

The Foothills Parkway: This is our favorite spot. The Foothills Parkway offers a stunning mountain backdrop for you and your soon-to-be spouse. Better yet, no hiking is required. You can simply drive to the Foothills Parkway, exchange vows, and begin your new lives together. If you want others to join you on your special day, the Foothills Parkway can hold up to 25 guests.

Greenbrier: Greenbrier is one of the most versatile locations in the Smoky Mountain National Park. You can elope in forests, next to stunning riverside venues, and more. One caveat, however, is that Greenbrier may not be available from May through September (this is due to crowds). If you are still looking to elope during those months, you may want to consider Ely’s Mill.
Ely’s Mill: Holding about 20 guests, Ely’s Mill is a great place to have a creekside elopement. It also offers some fantastic photo opportunities for you and your new spouse. For example, you can take pictures in front of trucks, tractors, and barns. Ely’s Mill also has a pavilion, meaning that you can spend less time worrying about bad weather and more time focused on your new spouse.
The Little Chapel: This venue is a fantastic option for couples that want to elope in a more traditional setting. The Little Chapel has a rustic feel and can accommodate 40 guests.

Again, these are just some of the many outstanding venues in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountain National Park. No matter what you choose, we’re sure that you will find a perfect

location for you and your partner.

Obtain a Permit

If you want to get married in the Smoky Mountain National Park, you’ll need to obtain a Special Use Permit ( Also known as an SUP) and file it with the National Park itself. This will allow you to legally use National Park grounds for your ceremony. Only a select number of permits are approved per date and location, so this step may factor into your date selection

When booking with us, we take care of this for you and handle the paperwork and communication with the National Park Permit Office as part of your package.

Hire Vendors

Next, you’ll need vendors! Minimally you’ll need an officiant to perform your ceremony who is recognized by the state of TN and has their own permit to perform weddings in the National Park.

The next most popular vendor is, of course, a photographer to capture your special day! In The Smoky Mountain National Park, your photographer will need to be a CUA ( Commercial Use Authorized) holder in order to legally photograph inside the National Park. When interviewing venders, be sure to make sure their permits are in order. The last thing you want on your wedding day is a ranger to make one of your vendors leave your wedding!

Some other vendors to consider are a baker for a wedding cake, florist for a bouquet, videographer for a wedding video ( same rules apply as a photographer if your wedding is inside the National Park), and a hair and makeup artist for the bride!

We know how stressful finding vendors can be, especially when planning your elopement from out of state. When booking with us, you can rest assured you’re getting some of the highest rated people in the area on your team and they all have the proper permits to work in the National Park.

Find Travel and Accommodations

Then, you and your partner will want to book travel and accommodations. The great news is that it is extremely easy to travel to Gatlinburg. There are two airports close by and it is within driving distance of many U.S. cities. Even if you don’t live close to Gatlinburg, you can easily travel to the city and have your dream elopement.

Along with this, there are plenty of hotels and cabins in the Gatlinburg area. You won’t have a problem finding a hotel that suits you and your partner’s needs. You can find a list of hotels in the area by clicking here.

Obtain a Marriage License

This is a step that may be easy to forget, yet it is extremely important. Before you exchange vows, you will need to obtain a Tennessee marriage license. You can do this either days before your elopement or on your actual elopement day (we’d recommend the former). To learn more about how to do this, you can read this article.

On the Day of Your Elopement

With all of that prep work done, you can focus on your special day. The great news? By putting in the time before your elopement day, you can truly be in the moment. At the same time, we encourage you to keep several things in mind.

First, make sure that you bring your marriage license to your elopement. It’s a simple step, but a critical one, so don’t forget this.

From there, make sure that you know where you’re going. The last thing you want is to show up late to your elopement. If anything, it helps to leave a few minutes early. It will reduce stress and be an outstanding decision if you, in fact, get lost traveling to your elopement site.

If you have hired a videographer or photographer, you’ll also want to communicate your intentions. Be clear about the types of photos or videos that you want. If there is a particular background that you want, for example, don’t hesitate to bring it up. You will be happy that you did.

Finally

To make all of this a stress-free experience, consider working with a elopement planner. At Gatlinburg Elopements, we are obsessed with helping couples have the most magical and stress-free elopement. By working with us, you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time focused on your new spouse.

Ultimately, your elopement marks one of the most magical moments of your life. It’s even more magical if you do so in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountain National Park. By following the strategies and ideas above, we’re confident that your elopement will be the best day of your life.

How to Elope in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountain National Park