PLAN

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Plan Your photos in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Plan Your Elopement or Wedding


We understand that planning your mountain wedding or elopement in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be challenging, especially if you are planning a destination wedding from out of state. There are a few things you must do to be able to get married in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

  1. Determine your ceremony location and time.

  2. Obtain a Special Use Permit (SUP) from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to reserve the location and time for your ceremony. All couples are required to have a SUP in order to be married within the boundaries of the National Park. Please contact lisa_r_brown@nps.gov or VISIT the National Park Planning Page for more information.

  3. Obtain a marriage license from the county clerk.

  4. Hire licensed and insured wedding professionals.

Ceremony & Reception Location

There are many locations in the national park for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Some of the most popular locations are Cades Cove, Spence Cabin, and the Appalachian Clubhouse. You can view a map of the approved locations HERE.

Wedding Permits

Couples who would like to get married in the national park must obtain a Special Use Permit (SUP) from the park for your ceremony location and time. Applications must be submitted 14 days prior to your date. You can view the application HERE. 

Marriage License

A Tennessee marriage license can be obtained in person from any of the Sevier County Clerk’s marriage license offices. There is no waiting period. Both parties must be present to obtain the marriage license. Proof of age is required by a valid driver's license, a state-issued I.D., a valid passport, or certified birth certificate. All Non-Tennessee Residents getting married in Sevier County pay $41. Sevier County is categorized in a tourism zone that allows a special lowered rate. Please contact the Sevier County Clerk's office for additional details, or if you have specific questions.

Hire Licensed Wedding Professionals

If you are hiring a professional wedding photographer, officiant, and/or wedding planner, they need to be licensed and authorized to conduct business in the park. Every photographer on this website are licensed to photograph in the Smokies.

Plan Your Family Session or Engagement Session

Many families and couples choose to vacation in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Townsend, or Sevierville. While on vacation, many visitors plan to take family or engagement photos in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Choose Your Location

There are so many great locations for family photos in the Smokies. Cades Cove, Tremont, Historic Elkmont, Greenbrier, and Townsend Wye are all great locations for your photography Session. All of these locations, and more, are available for your photo session.

Hire Photographers with a Commercial Use Authorization

According to the 2020 National Park Service Rules, the only photographers available to provide commercial photography services for standard photography services (family, engagement, maternity, etc) inside The Great Smoky Mountains are those with a Commercial Use Authorization. Great news! Every photographer listed on this website has a Commercial Use Authorization. Please contact the photographer directly in order to schedule your photography session.