We are blessed with some of the best, of that I have absolutely no doubt. Our venue has been very busy and we have just finished 9 weddings in 12 days. And that’s only in the last 12 days.This is wedding season in the fall in the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s been a crazy good kind of whirlwind since September.

From elopements to weddings of 175 (sometimes more show up), each of them give it their all, to every bride, in every way that is possible for them to do. Many times they put their personal lives on hold, rarely take a full night’s sleep, lose weight (I always find time to eat), and are physically drained by the time a five-day stretch begins only to start again after a couple of slower days. We are blessed. No one is complaining or whining or giving up even when you have that one guest who might not be happy because the gravel in the parking lot needs smoothed over after a rain. In the meanwhile, our attendants get soaked holding up umbrellas so that the guests can get to the covered front porch.

It is a physically demanding job and all that our staff and coordinators really want is for the guests to tell them they did a good job and that they are appreciated by saying thank you. And in the end, when they get a sweet note or hug from the bride and groom who are euphoric over their happy day–their aching feet and lack of eating just aren’t as noticeable anymore. Thank you to all of our crew–it’s more then just a flesh and blood family–these are individuals who have blessed us by being a part of our family business. We are who we are because of this team of extraordinary individuals. And, because that’s how they were raised — to provide hospitality and service because that’s what we’ve been brought up to do.

“Show hospitality without grumbling.” 1 Peter 4:9 .