My fiance and I are thinking of going to Tennessee next Friday and eloping. We are both in our thirties, and this is a second marriage for both of us. We would like a simple, spiritual ceremony; romantic, private…special. I am looking under “Tennessee Weddings” on Google, but it is only turning up websites for a few places. Is there anyone in Tennessee that is knowledgeable about this topic, or can point me to a few more websites?
Thanks 
~cats
Try googling Weddings in Gatlinburg.
…and all those are family reunion sites…
I Googled “wedding chapel” +Tennessee and came up with a ton of sites. This one looked promising:
http://tn.topweddingsites.com/
<insert mandatory joke> I hope that you & your cousin are very happy together. </insert mandatory joke>
That aside, I live in Tennesse.
You can rent part of Andrew Jackson’s Estate for weddings.
My brother used the onsire chapel for the ceremony, & a covered outdoor area for the reception (it was late summer/fall).
I recommend it for its beauty & historic significance.
Look under “Facility Rentals”. They have a weddings section.
An Arky beat me to it; I have been to Gatlinburg a couple of times. Supposedly considered the Great Smoky Mountains “Vegas” (wedding wise).
And you are right at the foot of that same National Park (and a couple of minutes away from Dollywood, if you’re so inclined.)
Yikes. Wow. This is a lot of information!
We are thinking just a very simple ceremony. Thanks for the info, I am looking into various options. This would be so much easier with a “planner” so that we just have to show up!
I like this place the best (warning - cheesy muzak upon arrival at the site). Not that it makes a difference to you - I just wanted to throw in my 2¢. We got married in a gazebo, and I think it’s great for photos.
Rick and I got married at Evins’ Mill in Smithville, Tennessee. It is a beautiful place that is advertised as a bed and breakfast, but is more like a mountain lodge. They have weddings at several places on the grounds. We choose to get married on the porch. The county official (Johnny Threet, maybe?) performed the ceremony–he is a nice old guy who will say whatever you like. We wrote our own vows.
Here’s the website:
Best of luck to you.
Brynda (too lazy to log him out and log me in)
For quick elopements with no waiting period, Las Vegas and Elkton, MD are the preferred ports of call.
Can you get married at Graceland?
I third Gatlinburg if all you’re wanting is a quick no-frills wedding. Afterwards, you can go tour the Smokies or, if touristy death traps are more your speed, hang out around the city.
Moved to IMHO.
-xash
General Questions Moderator
A word of caution concerning Gatlinburg and next weekend: There is a big football game in Knoxville next Saturday night. I’ve gone to every Auburn vs. Tennessee game for many years now, and when it’s played in Knoxville I stay in Gatlinburg.
On U. of Tennessee home football weekends Gatlinburg is full of football fans and the traffic can be really, really crazy. If you don’t already have a room in the area, I don’t think one will be available next weekend.
Best wishes to you and yours on your wedding and future life together.