They popped the question, and you said yes! Congratulations—now it’s time to plan a wedding.
Whether you’re from the East Tennessee area or looking for the perfect location for a destination wedding, the Smoky Mountains and the Lakeside of the Smokies should be at the top of your list. The Smoky Mountains are an ideal getaway for a destination wedding with tons of great places for guests to stay and plenty of activities to keep them entertained throughout your wedding weekend. Even if you grew up in East TN, a wedding with a view of the Smoky Mountains is still hard to beat.
We’ve compiled a list of the best wedding venues in East Tennessee, florists, caterers, DJs, photographers, and more to help you plan a Smoky Mountain Wedding that you will never forget!
Smoky Mountain Wedding Venues
Where are you and your fiancé going to tie the knot? Now that you’ve decided on a Smoky Mountain wedding, it’s time to find a venue. Your wedding venue is where you begin your new life together. It’s the place where you will take photos that last a lifetime and celebrate with the people that mean the most to you.
A wedding venue is like a canvas for you to create your dream wedding. Think about your style, the size of your guest list, and what is most important to you. Do you want a formal wedding or a more casual affair? Is a wedding venue with a view your top priority or is a big dance floor more important?
With a wide variety of East Tennessee wedding venues to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect wedding venue for your big day. Let’s begin your search for the perfect Smoky Mountain wedding venue by taking a closer look at some of the best wedding venues in East Tennessee.
Wedding Venue with Smoky Mountain Views
Haun Family Farm is a family-owned property (shocking right) and wedding venue in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Johnny and Tina Haun always loved hosting events for their family and friends at the farm. After throwing their daughter’s dream wedding on their property, they knew what they were destined to do—transform their farm into a wedding venue for other families to celebrate the milestone of marriage. A wedding unites two people, but it also combines two families. What better place to celebrate two families coming together than a venue that’s owned and operated by a family?
If you are looking for a wedding destination with total privacy and beautiful views, look no further than this wedding venue in the Lakeside of the Smokies. Haun Family Farm is a massive piece of land with rolling hills, luscious forests, and stunning views of the Smoky Mountains. One of the Hauns’ goals is to make every wedding unique by offering a wide selection of rental pieces. Couples can choose from a variety of locations for their ceremony and personalize the setup (chairs, arbor, etc.). Keep the celebration outdoors or join the popular trend and host your reception in the barn!
They offer 4-hour and all-day celebrations and a variety of packages starting at $2,000. Each package includes a $500 credit for All Occasions Party Rental that will go a long way in making your wedding your own. Contact the Hauns for more information or to schedule a visit!
Rustic Wedding Venue with Lake Views
The Sunflower Wedding Barn is the perfect setting for a gorgeous wedding with southern charm. The Sunflower Barn is located in Dandridge, TN, with clear views of the Smoky Mountains and sparkling Douglas Lake. This popular East Tennessee wedding venue includes a beautiful green lawn that can be fully customized based on your preferences. There is an outdoor stage where you can say your vows, and if you’d prefer the view to be the focal point, you can tie the knot in the field.
The reception venue is a large wooden lodge with beautiful beams and a polished wooden floor to set up tables and dance the night away. If rustic chic is what you’re going for, the Sunflower Barn is the wedding venue for you.
The Sunflower Barn offers a variety of wedding packages as well as discounted rates for weekday weddings. The amenities include a bridal suite, chairs and tables, a sound system, and complimentary access to a variety of decorations. Contact the Sunflower Barn for more information.
Upscale Barn Wedding Venue
For an elegant wedding and some farm fun, check out Cedar Pond Farms. This beautiful wedding venue is in New Market, TN, just outside Knoxville. Cedar Pond Farms has both a small wedding venue and large wedding venue.
The Grand White Barn, the larger venue on the property, can accommodate up to 300 guests. If you’re stuck between a farm wedding and a more formal affair, there’s no need to compromise. The Grand White Barn has the traditional barn style and elements, but the interior is refined and elegant.
The Milkbarn is a smaller wedding venue that’s ideal for more intimate celebrations. The restored Milkbarn can accommodate up to 75 guests and is also available for rehearsal dinners or as a get-ready space for the bridal party.
Cedar Pond Farm is a great option for a destination wedding. Why celebrate for just a few hours when you can celebrate all weekend? Get a taste of life on a farm, enjoy the Smoky Mountain views, and spend more time celebrating with your loved ones when you stay at Cedar Pond Farm. Three houses on the farm can accommodate up to 20 guests. Across the street the “Barndominiums” offer a unique lodging experience for up to 48 people.
When the reception winds down at Cedar Pond Farms, the party doesn’t have to stop! Take the after party to the Milk House for some after-hours fun. The Milk House has everything you need to finish off the night on a fun note—ping pong, air hockey, shuffleboard, and TVs. It also has a kitchenette and can sleep up to 4 guests.
Take a virtual tour, learn more online, or contact Cedar Pond Farms to start planning your big day!
East Tennessee Wedding Vendors
The flowers, food, photographer, decorations, and wedding cake that you choose are what make your wedding truly unique. The options can be overwhelming, that’s why it’s important to find a good team of vendors to provide you with support and guidance while you plan for your special day.
Smoky Mountain Catering
What type of food? Sit-down dinner or buffet? Fancy or casual? These are all questions that you need to ask yourself when choosing a wedding caterer. There are plenty of options for wedding catering in East TN, from trendy to classic.
Holy Smoke BBQ is a popular option for those who love good ole southern cooking. Holy Smoke makes their own sauces and rubs and offers an extensive list of main dishes, sides, and desserts. The bride and groom can pick their favorites to create a custom wedding menu!
Wedding Florists in East TN
Your wedding flowers are a focal point of the ceremony and reception. Bouquets, centerpieces, and other floral decorations transform a wedding venue into a magical place that is uniquely yours. Whether you’re a flower expert or have no idea what you like, a professional florist can help you find your vision and make it a reality. There is no shortage of great wedding florists in the Lakeside of the Smokies, let’s discuss one of the best!
Shay’s Florist is a fantastic wedding florist in East Tennessee. Their team of professional florists will guide you through the process of selecting the flower types, colors, and designs to reflect your unique style and make your wedding day complete. They will put together custom arrangements for your wedding party and transform your ceremony and reception venues while you get ready to say “I do”.
East TN Wedding Photographer
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and an experience that you will always remember. A great wedding photographer will capture all the special moments, providing you with pictures to cherish forever.
Lisa Price is a talented photographer based in Jefferson City. She has extensive experience photographing weddings so she knows how to capture the sweet moments, details, and Smoky Mountain views. Her portfolio speaks for itself, but she has also won the Wedding Wire Couple’s Choice Award and has accumulated an impressive number of 5-star reviews!
DJ & Sound Equipment Rental
Weddings are a celebration, and there’s no better way to celebrate than breaking it down on the dance floor! Quality sound equipment is a necessity if you plan to dance the night away with your guests. Even if you plan to use your own playlist, you’ll need rental sound equipment to bring the volume and clarity that a dance floor requires.
Sound Revue has all the audio, video, and lighting equipment you need to turn your wedding venue into a party! If you want to take the party to the next level, Sound Revue also offers DJ services. A DJ provides a custom mix of songs to get the party started and keep it going all night!
Wedding Cake Bakery
Finding the right wedding cake designer is the icing on the cake for your big day. Cutting your wedding cake is one of the most iconic and memorable moments of the reception. The perfect cake matches the style of your wedding and is not only beautiful, but delicious!
Sweet Cake Bakery creates all sorts of delicious, sweet treats to serve your guests, including the star of the show—the wedding cake. Meet with a baker to discuss your wedding cake design and schedule a wedding cake tasting.
Make your Dream Smoky Mountain Wedding a Reality
The Lakeside of the Smokies has everything you need to plan your dream East Tennessee wedding– venues with views of the Smoky Mountains, quality vendors, and great accommodations for your guests. The florists, catering companies, rental businesses, bakeries, photography companies and venues in the Lakeside of the Smokies are small businesses with a shared passion for exceeding the expectations of the brides and grooms they work with.
Rest assured that your guests will be comfortable with a wide selection of places to stay in Jefferson County– bed & breakfasts, hotels, cabins, lake houses, and even campgrounds. There are plenty of things for them to do in the Lakeside of the Smokies and nearby Knoxville, Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge throughout the weekend.
Start planning your Smoky Mountain wedding today!