The Ultimate Smoky Mountain Wedding Planning Checklist

Determine Your Budget

Decide how much you plan to spend and identify the areas that matter most to you. Your budget will help guide decisions about your venue, guest list, vendors, accommodations, and other details.

Create Your Guest List

Start with an approximate guest count. This will help you determine the type and size of venue you'll need.

Choose Your Wedding Season

Think about what kind of Smoky Mountain experience you want:

• Spring — fresh greenery and blooming landscapes
• Summer — lush scenery and longer days
• Fall — colorful foliage and crisp mountain air
• Winter — peaceful scenery and cozy celebrations

Choose Your Location

Decide which part of the Smokies feels right for your celebration. Consider Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Townsend, or locations near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Book Your Wedding Venue

Once you've chosen your date and location, start looking at venues. Popular dates and locations can book well in advance.

Consider a Wedding Planner or Coordinator

If you're planning from outside the area, a local wedding professional may be able to help coordinate vendors, logistics, and details at your destination.

Book Your Photographer

Start researching photographers whose style fits the look and feeling you want for your wedding.

Book Your Videographer

If you want your wedding day captured on video, begin researching and booking your videographer.

Choose Your Caterer

Consider your guest count, menu preferences, venue requirements, and whether your location has specific catering restrictions.

Choose Your Other Vendors

Depending on your celebration, you may need a florist, wedding planner, baker, DJ or musician, hair and makeup artist, rental company, and an officiant.

Choose Your Wedding Attire

Begin shopping for your dress, suit, or other wedding-day attire. If your ceremony will take place outdoors or in a mountain setting, consider the terrain and season when choosing footwear and accessories.

Reserve Accommodations

Book accommodations for yourself and consider where your guests will stay. Cabins, hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals are all popular options throughout the Smoky Mountain area.

Create a Wedding Website

Give your guests one place to find important information about your wedding, including venue information, accommodation options, travel information, the wedding schedule, and RSVP details.

Send Save-the-Dates

Give destination-wedding guests plenty of time to arrange travel and accommodations.

Choose Your Flowers

Meet with your florist and decide on bouquets, ceremony arrangements, centerpieces, and other floral details.

Reserve Rentals

Depending on your venue, you may need chairs, tables, linens, lighting, tents, or ceremony décor.

Choose Your Officiant

Make sure your officiant understands your ceremony plans and any requirements that apply to your wedding.

Plan Your Ceremony

Think about your ceremony location, readings, music, vows, seating, and any traditions you'd like to include.

Plan Your Honeymoon or Wedding Weekend

If you're staying in the Smokies, consider extending your celebration into a romantic mountain getaway.

Send Your Invitations

Include the important information your guests will need to plan their trip, such as the date and time, venue, RSVP instructions, and dress code.

Finalize Your Menu

Confirm your menu with your caterer and finalize your wedding cake or desserts.

Schedule Hair and Makeup

Book your beauty team and schedule a trial if possible.

Plan Guest Transportation

If your wedding location is difficult to access, consider how guests will get there and back. Mountain roads can include steep grades, curves, and changing conditions.

Create Your Wedding-Day Timeline

Work with your planner, coordinator, venue, and vendors to create a schedule for the day.

Review Your Marriage License Plans

Make sure you understand the current marriage-license requirements and know when and where you need to apply.

Confirm Your Guest Count

Provide your final guest count to your venue and caterer according to their deadlines.

Confirm Your Vendors

Reconnect with each vendor and confirm arrival times, locations, final payments, and special instructions.

Create a Weather Backup Plan

Mountain weather can change quickly. If you're planning an outdoor ceremony, make sure you have an alternative location or weather plan.

Prepare Your Wedding Emergency Kit

Consider packing safety pins, a sewing kit, stain remover, tissues, bandages, pain reliever, phone charger, an umbrella, and water.

Pick Up or Confirm Your Marriage License

Make sure you have completed the required steps and have your license ready according to the applicable requirements.

Confirm the Final Timeline

Share the final wedding-day schedule with your wedding party and vendors.

Prepare Payments and Tips

Organize any remaining vendor payments, tips, or envelopes before the wedding day.

Prepare Your Wedding Details

Gather items your photographer may need, such as rings, invitations, vows, jewelry, shoes, and keepsakes.

Pack for the Mountains

Bring clothing and footwear appropriate for the season and your wedding location. If you'll be visiting outdoor locations, comfortable shoes can make exploring much easier.

Take a Moment to Enjoy It

The planning is almost over. Take a breath, enjoy your surroundings, and make time to celebrate with the people who traveled to share your day.