Wedding Chapels in Gatlinburg Bring Love to the Smoky Mountains

The natural beauty and peaceful tranquilty of the Smoky Mountains has made the Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge area one of the top wedding destinations in the country. Any time of year is ideal for a Smoky Mountain wedding, as the bountiful foliage of summer offers a stunning backdrop, as does the snow-covered mountains in the winter.

If you are like many Smoky Mountain newlyweds and are seeking a beautiful natural environment for your wedding, consider these popular outdoor wedding locations:

• Cataract Falls -- Located just a few miles outside of Gatlinburg, this stunning natural wonder offers a breathtaking background.
  
• Laurel Falls -- Located a bit farther outside of town, Laurel Falls is ideal for the true outdoor enthusiast who doesn't mind a 1.3-mile hike to get within "kissing" distance of the falls.
  
• The Chimneys Area -- Located inside the Smoky Mountain National Park, this area has the most serene and tranquil atmosphere, adjacent to a bubbling brook rippling along over a rocky bottom.
  
• The Great Smoky Mountains -- anywhere you like! It's simply a matter of finding that special spot and getting a permit. The rest is up to you! (Don't be surprised to find a few unexpected guests if you select a popular area. Tourists and visitors - the human kind with a few birds and squirrels thrown in - may want to stop and witness your love and extend their best wishes.)

In addition to the above outdoor locations, most chapels and cabins offer indoor as well as outdoor options for your ceremony.

• Chalet Mountain Wedding Chapel sets your nuptials in a romantic mountainside chapel with a waterfall and gazebo close by.
  
• Chapel in the Glen provides a secluded location near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and offers a warm and cozy log cabin atmosphere.
  
• Chapel in the Park is considered a 5-star chapel located in a forest of trees, flowering rhododendron, mountain laurel and dogwood.
  
• Chapel on the Creek gives you the choice of an intimate chapel with candlelight, or a garden setting surrounded by the serenity of the mountains, forest, and a creek.
  
• Creekside Wedding Chapel borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and offers a creek side deck, bell tower, gorgeous great room with fireplace, and a chapel with traditional stained glass windows.
  
• Mountain Valley Chapel offers a lovely candlelight setting and wonderful views of the Smoky Mountains.

• Gatlinburg Space Needle lets you get hitched at the "top of the world." Rising 342 feet above the city, the observation deck holds up to 250 people, and is a unique choice for a day or night ceremony. It offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains as well as the city of Gatlinburg!
• Victorian Gardens Wedding Chapel is the largest wedding chapel in Tennessee with a gorgeous chapel showcasing high ceilings and beautiful stained glass windows.
  
• Wedding Chapel in the Glades brings your fairytale wedding to life with either its log chapel or "secret" garden.
  

In nearby Pigeon Forge, you can choose an indoor/outdoor ceremony that's ideal for your special day.

• The Wedding Bell Chapel is elegantly decorated in shades of burgundy and features oriental rugs, spiral candelabras, and a large crystal chandelier.
  
• The Pigeon Forge Gazebo is located in Patriot Park, next to the Old Mill Restaurant and the Historic Old Mill, and overlooks the Pigeon River.
  

If you're still thinking that a church ceremony may be for you, then why not consider Cades Cove with its primitive Baptist and Methodist churches. Built in the 1800s, these churches are located in the Smoky Mountain National Park with all its natural splendor.

With the date and location selected, you're ready to make all those other arrangements -- either on your own or with the help of local planners. If you have selected an indoor location, most will provide everything you need -- minister, flowers, photos, etc. -- as part of their package. For your outdoor event, the arrangements are up to you. Some local wedding planners to assist you are Smoky Mountain Wedding Planners or Your Gatlinburg Wedding Planner.

While some indoor chapels do offer on-site reception areas, there are numerous hotels and other venues that can make your reception the crowning touch to a perfect day. Consider the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Gatlinburg located just a few blocks from downtown with its poolside pre-function area and cozy fireplace and lodge decor.

And don't forget that when your friends and family come from out of town, you can get great group rates for hotels and activities through Vacations Made Easy.