Wedding FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Bluff Mountain Inn Weddings and Receptions

Planning:

Q: Where do we start?
A: Simply fill out the contact us form on this site or email us directly:  info@bluffmountaininn.com

Q: What are the prices of packages?
A: We don’t publish our prices online, but when you contact us we will email you a list of current packages and prices.

Q: Do your packages include the Marriage License?
A: No, but you will need a Tennessee Marriage License issued within 30 days of the wedding date.  It’s easy to apply for the license online by going to the Sevier County website.  If you fill out the information and file online you can pick up your license when you get to town either at the courthouse or one of the other license locations.  They do have an office that’s open on Saturdays.

Q: How far in advance do I need to book my wedding date?
A: Honestly, as soon as possible.  Certain times of the year are very popular for weddings in the Smoky Mountains, and with Gatlinburg Weddings being one of the most popular wedding destinations in the country, the spring and autumn months fill up pretty quickly.  So as soon as you know the time of year you plan to be married, please let us know so we can reserve your wedding date.

Q: What days of the week are available for weddings?
A: Saturdays are the most popular.  Sundays are next, but any day of the week can be reserved for a wedding.  We do like to take major holidays off…

Q: What does it take to reserve a date?
A: We need to issue a contract and receive an initial down payment to reserve a date.  The amount of the initial payment varies with the package and size of your party.

Q: What are the payment options?
A: Initial payment to save the date.  50% of the balance is due 4 months prior to the date.  Remaining balance is due 3 weeks prior to the wedding date, along with your final guest count and other detail choices.

Q: What if something happens and I have to cancel?
A: When  you make your initial deposit on your wedding package, that time and date are no longer available.  That time is reserved for you, and if anyone else contacts us for that date and time we have to say no.  For that reason, once you have made your reservation the initial payment is non-refundable.  However, we know that there are situations which are beyond anyone’s control.  For that reason we do offer you the opportunity to reschedule your wedding for reasons of (heaven forbid) death in the family, military deployment, acts of God such as weather or geometric events which have severely affected the family.  A rescheduling fee may apply, but we will work with you as best we can.  Military couples sometimes have to reschedule due to deployment issues.  We love and appreciate our military clients and will do everything within our powers to accommodate necessary changes.

Q: What do I need to do to plan my wedding?
A: Simple answer, as little or as much as you like.  We have brides who want to be very involved in the style of their wedding, and those who want everything done for them as they really can’t dedicate the time.  If you will give us the basics, ie. what your wedding dress looks like, what your color preferences are, what style of decorations you like, etc. we will take care of all the details.

Some brides come in for a planning session where we go over everything from menu choices to table decorations, and some brides we never see until the day of the wedding… everything is planned via email or phone conversations.  Couples married here have come from Alaska, Hawaii, California, Russia, you name it.  And a planning trip for them is simply out of the question.  But that’s part of the service we offer.  We communicate mainly by email so you can email us images of things you like.  There are also lots of images of flowers, wedding cakes and decorations, as well as our different facilities on this site under the heading details.

Different packages require different levels of planning.  Our smaller packages would only require some basic color and flower choices whereas our Elegant Evening package would require more decisions such as DJ song requests, custom table decorations and menu selections.  Our wedding planners are professional and experienced.  They take extensive notes and keep records of all emails to assure the details you discussed will be there on your wedding day.

Q: How far in advance do I need to start planning?
A: Once you have chosen your date and locked it in, we suggest you start looking for your dress.  The style and color of your wedding dress will help determine the style of your flowers, decorations, etc.  You can email us a photo of the dress, and even send over color swatches if you like.  The more information we have, the easier it is for us to give suggestions and make it happen.  We respectfully request you don’t send samples until you are sure of your color choices, and sometimes planning too far in advance of the date might make you doubt your first instincts and make lots of changes.  We only need a couple of months to get the wedding plans together, so please take your time and make sure you are locked in on your vision before sending us swatches and samples.  Your final guest count and choices are due three weeks prior to your wedding day.