Six Fun, Adventurous Ways to Get Married in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Hello from Regina! I’m known as the “Mountain Wedding Gal” in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg because I was born and raised in the Smoky Mountains and I’ve spent the last twenty years of my life dedicated to providing meaningful, adventurous wedding experiences. Here are my top six favorites, all found in one convenient place at my venue called Honeysuckle Hills.

The Honeysuckle Hills wedding venue has three horses who love to show off for photographers! They each have a unique story that landed them a happy life eating delicious grains in exchange for kicking up their heels in your wedding pictures. That’s right! My white horse named Sugar will run around you and approach closely enough to touch. Sometimes she follows you, sticks out her tongue, or acts like a rodeo horse in the background. At one time she was destined for the rodeo since no one could break her to ride. I saw her backed into a corner in a local stall in 2009 and immediately asked how I could free her from a life she obviously didn’t want. Thankfully she now resides in my pasture at the venue, thriving on your attention. Her friends, Smokey and Ben, take supporting roles in the shenanigans. Ben pretty much eats food. Then he eats more food, all the while knowing the girls are the main stars and all he has to do is look fat and happy. He has a leg condition that prevents him from trail riding, making him an undesirable horse for most people. He shares his forever home with Sugar and our third horse, Smokey. Smokey is an appaloosa who landed her gig as my daughter-in-law’s faithful companion.
Wedding photos with all three horses are available as an adventurous addition to our all-inclusive wedding packages at Honeysuckle Hills. They’re already included with our Horse Lover’s elopement package and our weddings with reception. If you use your own photographer, proof of liability insurance is required. Naturally, this is not advised for small children or large groups.

Bring Your ATV To Your Wedding (Or Rent One)

Trailer your favorite ATV to the Honeysuckle Hills wedding venue for redneck romps through the creek! Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg also have several adventure rental companies if you don’t want to pay the high cost of gas to bring your own ride. Having photos taken with a side by side is simply not an everyday, traditional wedding expectation. But it makes sense to people who spend their spare time hunting, fishing, and exploring the woods. Why not include an event in your wedding that includes memorable photographs of who you really are?

I’ve heard several engagement stories over the years that included thrilling rides at sunset, ending with a ring on someone’s finger and a promise to be wed. Bring your spontaneous spirit to Honeysuckle Hills for a private elopement at one of my top-secret locations that’s not advertised to the public. I can take you far away from the commercial craziness that our area has evolved into.

Have a Jeep Wedding

You’ve undoubtedly heard of the Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion. Honestly, Jeep Invasion is a permanent activity here in the Smoky Mountains! So, while you’re here with your “Jacked Up Judy,” “Gunsmoke,” or “Black Betty,” put her in four wheel drive and head up the hill through our horse pasture. We’ll stop at a beautiful mountain view where you can say, “I Do” to the one who baited your last fishing hook with an engagement ring. When the wedding is over I’ll put a duck on your dash and give you a Jeep badge that says, “Honeysuckle Hills Rated.”
Don’t have a Jeep? No problem! Grab the bar in the back seat of my Jeep Gladiator, pull yourself into the back seat and I’ll drive you up myself. I do this often at our mountain view adventure site, even though we now have an easy access road for mere mortal automobiles. I kept a short trail leading up to my favorite oak tree for all the couples with wild hearts and passion for each other.
This wedding experience is available with all our elopement and wedding reception packages.

Get Married at a Mountain Waterfall

If it’s just the two of you and you’ve always dreamed of saying your vows near a mountain waterfall, you’re going to love the place I call Honeysuckle Falls. It’s only six minutes from my main venue called Honeysuckle Hills at my private residence that borders the National Park. I created this adventure experience so you can be married at a waterfall without the red tape involved with government permits. Plus, why would you want to share your wedding with on-looking tourist strangers? There’s a comfy, level spot near my waterfall for less active people, or a rock at the base of the waterfall for hikers and explorers.
If you’re getting married with family and friends, have your ceremony at the main venue and add the waterfall to your photography session.

My home is filled with history, and you’ll get to see a nearly 100 year old Appalachian style home next to the waterfall. It’s similar to what you’ll find if you visit the Elkmont area of the National Park. Did you know there’s a second home near the waterfall that will be on overnight rental by April of 2024? It’s a three bedroom, two bath mountain farmhouse with a long front porch, two fireplaces, a fire pit, gas grill and plenty of rocking chairs to share tall tales until the stars come out! Privacy like this is increasingly challenging to find in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, so only tell your bestest buddies about this rare find!

Bring Your Dog (Or Goat) To Your Wedding

Since I have three dogs myself, and they ALL come with me to the wedding venue every day, I understand why you don’t want to leave your fur babies home, either. That’s why I welcome your pets with open arms at Honeysuckle Hills! Would you believe someone even got married with two pygmy goats here once, and they came back a few years later for anniversary pictures? It’s a lot easier to bring your pets to your wedding if it’s a smaller elopement, but many of my couples have placed a crate in the bridal suite upstairs during larger weddings with a reception. It provides a peaceful escape from the loud music and merriment. My black lab, Daisy, will fetch a stick until she falls over in a pool of dog slobber. If you have a fetching maniac like I do, rest assured he or she will get plenty worn out at Honeysuckle Hills, enough so they won’t keep you awake during your honeymoon night.

If you can’t bring your doggies, add little details to the wedding décor like a tie bar with a paw print or a pendant with your pup hanging on your bouquet. Better yet, name some signature cocktail drinks after your dogs and put it on a sign at your wedding reception!

There are plenty of Pet Friendly cabins along with attractions in Pigeon Forge like the Island, the Greenway, and Patriot Park. Most outdoor patios like you’ll find at ice cream parlors allow dogs there, too.

End Your Wedding Reception with Magical Nighttime Pictures

The willow tree at Honeysuckle Hills peaks with magic at dark. It creates a setting to end your wedding reception with stunning photographs because the flickering warm lanterns and string lights in the tree’s branches illuminate faces with a romantic glow. Photographers who know off-camera lighting enjoy creating stunning silhouettes at the willow, and I’ve been guilty of using the Generative AI features provided by Photoshop to spread out the lights for a Christmasy, holiday look!

Many of my wedding couples over the years have requested a private, last wedding dance at the willow. While the guests are departing and the rest of your crew is gathering your private belongings, ask me or the DJ to play your favorite song while you snuggle together making wedding night memories.
The lights in our willow tree reflect in the flowing waters of the stream that flows past it. If you stand on our arched bridge and throw petals into the water below, I guarantee your wish will come true!

Undoubtedly the Smoky Mountains are the best place to get married. If you crave something out of the ordinary, satisfy that hunger at Honeysuckle Hills! I’ll make sure you leave with a smile on your face.