Looking for an Eastern Tennessee Venue...

shutterbug89

Hello, TN 'Knotties'!
   I am originally from south west Florida and my fiancé is from western Kentucky.  We took a spontaneous trip to the Smoky Mountains a few years ago and knew that that's where we wanted to get married -someday-.  Well that day has finally come!  We are looking for ceremony and reception location. (Could be 2 different places, 1 for each)
We don't want a "package" wedding at a cabin in Gatlinburg...a bit to corny for us.    but rather an outdoor ceremony with a great view and a reception at a barn or farm, maybe(?) for aprox. 50 people.  We're getting married October 17th so somewhere with great fall foliage would be awesome.

Thanks in advance!!

Bekkers

It's a bit out of my budget, but The Lily Barn (lilybarn.com) looks beautiful. It was recommended to me by a friend who had her reception there. It's in Townsend, which is not far from Cades Cove. (Be sure to ask if they are in any way affected by the Cade's Cove closure) I'm also checking out Dara's Garden. You may want to look in Maryville/ Alcoa area. It's not quite so corny as Gatlinbug, but still has beautiful views of the mountains. Happy hunting!

MrsBoldin

Just wanted to give you a heads up:  October 17th is during the open weekend of UT's football season.  You might have some trouble finding someone that has an opening.  Good luck and congratulations!!

Bekkers

LOL, MrsBolden, I love hearing another bride who thinks about UT football season. That is specifically why I'm not getting married in the fall! But, sb89, it is still doable, you'll just have to look around. I went on a bridal bonanza yesterday and went all over downtown. We went to the World's Fair Park, which only has a $100 rental fee. The only issue I had was that at this time of year I can't really picture it pretty. And it may be the same way in October. But you also may be more creative than me in the decor dept! But at the WFP is the Sunsphere. Not pretty on it's own on the outside, but definitely the best view in downtown. We are going to look at Maple Grove Inn and White Stone Country Inn (which is actually in Kingston, about an hour or so outside of Knoxville). Both of these are beautiful outdoor/indoor locations. I'm pretty excited that it's spring break, b/c all I have to do this week is work and wedding plan!! Woohoo! Sorry, got overexcited there. But anyway, good luck with the planning. And if you aren't completely set on your date, think about the weekend of an away game in October. It will be easier to find a location and lodging for guests. But either way, let us know if you have more questions! 

becomingmrsjones

I am getting married in August right outside of Kingpsort, TN. The area is beautiful especially in the fall. We are having a church ceremony, but our reception is going to be at a beautiful 1840's Antebellum Mansion. You can visit their website at www.newcantonplantation.com

The owners, the Birdsongs, are an amazing couple and continue to go out of their way to make sure everything is going well for me.

Check them out!

eastTNbride

Depending on how east you want to go, there are lots of options like you described in the Tri-Cities area.

http://allandalemansion.com

http://maplelanefarm.com

http://jonesboroughweddings.com

http://agotasprings.com

http://www.tricitiesdreamweddings.com/harmonhouse.htm

 

http://www.tipton-haynes.org/

 

http://www.generalmorganinn.com/

 

http://www.oaksretreat.com/

 

 

 

I got married at the Oaks Castle, and you can see photos of it in my bio. They don't really have a website. I can give you additional links with more photos if you are interested in any of these.

shutterbug89

It looks like UT doesn't even have a game the week of the 17th...
http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/tenn-m-footbl-sched.html
Or am I looking at the wrong schedule??
Thanks for all the responses, ladies!!

megan636

 I prefer Townsend ("the peaceful side of the Smokies") to Gatlinburg. There are some lovely places over there. Check out this one http://www.dancingbearlodge.com/

This is another option http://www.erinbrownephoto.com/blog/wedding-photography/gatlinburg-wedding-photography/elizabeth-and-sebastien-knoxville-wedding-photography-von-bryan-estate

jessann34

I'm from Eastern Tn but went to school in Williamsburg, KY about an hour from Knoxville, TN. I recently went to an October wedding at Cumberland Falls in Corbin, KY. Cumberland Falls is famous for the moonbow. Which if your wedding fell on a full moon would be especially amazing to book there. They have an amazing overlook behind the lodge and a building that could be used for the reception. The couple also went to the falls to have their pictures taken, but many couples choose to have their ceremony there. It's not TN, but it is an incredible place for a fall wedding.

meganpink

You're right that IS TN's off week. I know this only because my wedding day was going to have to be then or before the season started. (I am not fighting with UT football on my wedding day). We opted for August 28....before the season starts but after the Bristol Race haha. East TN in the fall is the most beautiful site you'll see.....whether you stay in the Gatlinburg area or come a little East you won't be disappointed!
-Megan

gannroad

In Townsend, look at Barn Event Center, Lilly Barn, I looked into using Dancing bear lodge but it was expensive!!!$$$ and the front desk person was flat out rude to us when we visited so we easily took that one off the list. If cost is no object, look at the Inn at Blackberry farm. We had a great time in late oct in Townsend---which is somewhat normally late peak or past peak foliage time.  The day of the wedding it was about 70 degrees--but day before and after it was rainy and in the 50s. I had a TN football weekend wedding but not a big deal if you are not in Knoxville.  (except maybe for your guests who might bail on you for the game) A fun way to keep track of the foliage is to look at the online webcams on the National Park Service for the GSM national parks (google that and look for the purchase point and look rock web cams). 

Good luck.

becca18

Hi I'm new here..(just got engages on vacation in Pigeon Forge) Yay!! Anyway we went over to Townsend for the day to check out some wedding venues.  The Barn Event Center is there but is RIGHT off of the main road. It looked ok but we were turned off by that.  We went to the Lily Barn..the foilage and the creek were beautiful, but there was a greenhouse right next to it and if you have family members that have a hard time getting around this would be a difficult place. The hike from the parking lot to the reception hall was exactly that..a hike. It was dirty and stuffy but maybe that was because the season just started. There was alot of work going on but no one ever stopped to ask if they could help us and there were quite a few pieces of heavy machinery in the parking lot.  We did go to the Dancing bear lodge and FELL IN LOVE. WE were greeted by the front desk clerk who gave us a tour of the lodge and let us see a lodge room. Then she gave us keys to go look at a couple of the cabins.  The sales manager sat with us and answered tons of questions. There were awesome. The price is a little steep but it includes ALOT. You can't just have one day there. They request that you take the entire weekend and include the rehearsal dinner. I hope this helps and we are hopefully looking at  OCT 11. Happy hunting

becca18

Oh and btw I am from Southwest fla too.  LOL.

Jennifer613

I looked at the Butterfly Gap Retreat in Maryville, TN. It was a little out of my budget, but BEAUTIFUL. They can do indoor or outdoor weddings and have a few cabins on site for the wedding party. Check it out: www.butterflygap.com

jeniirose

Check out Whitestone country inn or Dara's garden. They are both beautiful places and Whitestone has a barn and a couple outdoor gazebos. Hope that helps-  I have been looking into wedding sites and those are my two favorite so far. The botanical gardens and the UT Arboretum are both beautiful outdoor sites too.