Winter weddings at our outdoor venue in the legendary Great Smoky Mountains.  

Christmas in the Smoky Mountains. Have you ever considered the option of having your wedding doing the off-season months of winter?  What about the weather in the Great Smoky Mountains? The temps are in triple digits in some parts of the nation, and high humidity is a constant. Our all-inclusive wedding packages are generally less expensive during the months of winter. However,  we are thinking of cooler days ahead.  I have Christmas music playing on YouTube, and holiday visuals are at the center of my thought process.  The most wonderful time of year.  Allow just a few minutes to read through this post and consider the option of an all-inclusive wedding package in the mountains of East Tennessee. It’s possible that many would not consider the winter months of November through February as being suitable for a winter wedding. However, the advantages and opportunities are just as impressive as those found within the traditional summer and fall months — maybe even more so.   So many options for wedding decor and themes.  The inspiration for a winter wedding doesn’t have to be rooted in Christmas. Creating a romantic and magical winter wonderland illusion would be exciting and, honestly,  lots of fun!   The anticipation of milder temps, the changing landscapes and textures, and the excitement and magic of winter in our beautiful state of Tennessee.  

This year is really going by quickly. Our summer season will transition to Fall and cooler weather. November is rapidly challenging. October is our most booked month of the year. Each season has advantages as to why certain months are better than others for weddings.  It could be because of special days — commemorating significant dates in the timeline of the bride and groom. Oftentimes, vacation and work schedules are easier to work around in the summer months.  Kids are on break from school, teachers getting married have more time off to prepare, and families may have a better chance of attending out-of-area destination types of weddings. 

Wedding Venues and Location, location, location. 

First, let’s look at the regions within the Great Smoky Mountains — specifically where Sampson’s Hollow, our wedding venue, is.  The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in the southeastern part of the United States and is shared by Tennessee and North Carolina. We are in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains. It is a diverse collection of mountains, floral and fauna, valleys and hollows, and rivers and creeks. The park attracts outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, exploring, and relaxing in one of the most beautiful areas in the world.  On the Tennessee side of the park, the most visited tourist areas are in Sevier (pronounced severe) County, including Wears’s Valley, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg.  On the other side of the mountain, and closer to the accessibility to historically significant Cades Cove, in Townsend, Tennessee, or the peaceful side of the Smokies.  The two major areas are connected by the Foothills Parkway, a beautiful link that seemingly travels through the clouds with amazing and panoramic views of the valleys and landscape below.  Our wedding venue at Sampson’s Hollow is approximately 15 minutes from the entrance to the national park and away from the craziness of heavy traffic in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.  Because of the proximity to the other side of the mountains and tourist attractions, visitors can get married on the peaceful side and then cross over for all of the excitement of our next-door neighbors across the parkway. 

The Great Smoky Mountains is the number one most visited park in the nation.  Honestly, it is crowded all of the time, but the crowds surge in late spring and all summer long. Of course, kids go back to school in August and September, but this is when Fall Festivals and Celebrations,  Harvest Fest in Dollywood, the arrival of autumn colors, and somewhat milder temps bring countless more traffic into Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg.  But then?  It’s beginning to look like Christmas as Winter Fest takes center stage at the beginning of November with thousands of strands of twinkling lights and illuminated displays throughout East Tennessee. 

Back to the discussion of winter weddings and wedding inspiration. 

As stated, Sampson’s Hollow is located on the “peaceful side of the Smokies,” near Townsend and the closest entrance to the historical area of the park called Cades Cove. After the busyness of November and after Thanksgiving, our crew of creative coordinators incorporates fresh evergreen garland and boughs of holly as they transition to the new landscape of winter. Boxwood and stems of curly willow branches on the wood-hewn mantle, featuring silver and gold and red berries, provide the focal point. Tiers of multi-size candles illuminate the hearth. Strings of Tuscany-inspired lights suspend from the ceiling and wrap around the vaulted front porch.

Check out this link for awesome ideas about the advantages of choosing a winter month for your wedding.  Enjoy this link to this article on a wedding site, and we are a preferred vendor in the  Great Smoky Mountains. https://www.herecomestheguide.com/wedding-ideas/everything-you-need-to-know-about-winter-weddings

The venue and vendors may provide lower pricing or throw in bonuses when you choose an off-peak month.  The weather is milder, especially in the south, but not typically so cold that you couldn’t have an outside ceremony.  Lodging will be less costly for out-of-town guests, and the lure of traveling to the mountains during this magical time of year is strong.  Consider the options for decor and food and beverage choices — just so cool — literally!  Hot chocolate, hot cider, and/or coffee bar displays for your guests to enjoy — enjoying smores around the outdoor firepit, wool plaid blanket scarves, burlap and lace, buffalo check patterns — so many choices of textures.  I can see it in my head right now!  Yes, I love December weddings and events. For more details and begin your winter wonderland on our farm in the Great Smoky Mountains, text or call 865.803.7075.

Come to Tennessee and listen to the music of  our mountains.  #sampsonshollow #weddingvenuehunting #outdoorweddingvenue #brideandgroom #smokymountainweddings #winterwedding #peacefulsideofthesmokies #bestvenuesineasttennessee #smokymountainwinterfest #weddingvenuenearpigeonforge #gatlinburgtennessee #knoxvilleweddingvenue #weddingphotography #andersonpartyrental #rusticweddingdecor #forestwedding @sampsonshollow

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