National Park Wedding

A SMOKY MOUNTAIN WEDDING CEREMONY IN THE PARK!

If you want to have your Smoky Mountain wedding ceremony in the Park itself, that's easy too. To have your ceremony at any of the historic structures such as the Primitive Baptist or Methodist Churches in Cades Cove, simply contact the Park's Ranger Activities Division (423-436-1266) to request an application for a permit. There is no charge for the permit, but there are a few simple guidelines you need to keep in mind, however. Because the historic structures in the Park are of wood, no candles or lamps are allowed. In addition, parking is very limited (6 parking spots at the Baptist Church, for example). An application to marry in Cades Cove must be submitted to the Cades Cove Center. If you want to marry anywhere else in the Park (on a mountain top, for example), a permit is required if you have more than 20 people in your party. Finally, you must understand that even if you have a permit for a ceremony in the Park, you don't have a reservation in the sense that persons outside your party (tourists) are excluded--they have unfettered access to the premises. Most are courteous enough, though, to keep their distance.