Marvelous Smoky Mountain Weddings

Few places on earth offer more perfect settings for your wedding than the misty mountains, secluded coves and picturesque river valleys of the Great Smoky Mountains.

The blue-smoke mountains of the Great Smokies National Park rise and fall between Tennessee and North Carolina, providing thousands of acres as a "natural chapel," as the locals like to say. Natural beauty is just one reason why the Smokies are outpaced only by Las Vegas as the country's most popular wedding destination.

Another reason to wed here? It's so easy! There's no waiting period, no blood tests required, no residency requirements. You can get your marriage license at the Sevier County Clerk's office and its branches anytime the office is open - no appointment is needed. Just prove your age and identity by a driver's license, birth certificate or state ID card, and you are ready to roll! Get married in a chapel, on a mountaintop, a cabin, anywhere your heart desires.

If you want to be married in one of the National Park's wonderful historic churches or pioneer cabins or other structure, you'll need to apply for a free permit that spells out some simple rules, such as no burning lamps or candles that could damage the old wooden structures. The National Park Service Ranger's office can even help you arrange for a minister.

No matter where you live in the country, this spot is an ideal central location for your out-of-town guests. And no need for the happy newlyweds to travel anywhere else to enjoy a fun-filled honeymoon!

Here are just a few of the locations to consider when maiking your wedding plans in the Smokies:

Cades Cove

One of the most peaceful and breathtaking sights in the entire mountain range is the area known as Cades Cove. There are several historic pioneer churches available for weddings in the Cove, and you'll need to file your wedding permit with the Cades Cove Center. You can contact the Park's Ranger Activities Division for an application in advance, at 423-436-1266.