The Place Where Smoky Mountain Memories are Made
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Honeysuckle Hills History

Honeysuckle Hills is located on the Starkey family farm in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Gene Starkey bought the farm from Zula Brackins in 1983. All his life he passed by the farm on his way back and forth to school, longing for its beautiful rolling hills and creek bottom. When Zula's husband passed away, she sold the farm to the Starkey family. Zula's husband's father originally acquired the farm from the United States government as a settlement for his land taken to form part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is our wish to keep the farmland as close to its original state as possible without scarring it with overdevelopment. Although angus cattle no longer roam its hills, we think you will enjoy our beautiful quarter horses in their place.

Gene's daughter, Regina, spent her teenage years photographing flowers, butterflies, and every family member and friend who would allow it. In 1999 she began her career as a professional photographer, and it didn't take long for her to acquire numerous awards such as the Fuji Masterpiece and PPA International Loan Collection images. In 2009, Regina was honored with her PPA Master of Photography degree.

Sadly, Regina's father passed away in 2005. In honor of his memory, Honeysuckle Hills was created. The old tobacco barn was remodeled into the chapel and reception area, and the poles removed are now part of the wedding arbor and picnic pavilion. Every aspect of Honeysuckle Hills has been landscaped with photography in mind. It is the only wedding chapel in the Smoky Mountains that has a true, professional photographer.