Most people don’t realize how fast their wedding day goes until they’re actually living it.
When you only set aside a couple of hours, everything has to fit into that time. You arrive, say your vows, take a few photos, and before you know it, it’s over. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with keeping things simple, but it can end up feeling like you’re moving from one moment to the next without really getting to enjoy them.
A full-day elopement is different.
Instead of trying to squeeze your wedding into a tight schedule, you get to spend the day experiencing it together. The pace naturally slows down. There’s time to settle in, be present, and enjoy what’s happening instead of constantly thinking about what comes next. Every part of the day has room to unfold in its own way.
We build the day around what feels most like you. Maybe that’s a slow morning with coffee and breakfast together. Maybe you want to head straight into the mountains. You might take the scenic route just because it looks beautiful, stop whenever something catches your eye, or spend an extra hour somewhere that feels right. There’s no pressure to rush through any of it.
We simply go with the flow.
That freedom gives you space to explore, spend time connecting, and create a day that feels genuinely fun. Not just because you got married, but because you shared an incredible experience together.
When you have the whole day, you start noticing the little things you might otherwise miss. The way the light changes. How the air feels. How your energy shifts throughout the day. You’re not racing to the next thing. You’re simply in it. And those are often the moments that stay with you the longest.
Jump ahead to:
- Melissa + Jack’s Elopement Timeline
- Cades Cove Ceremony in the GSM National Park
- Comparing Tennessee vs North Carolina
- Smoky Mountain Elopement Packages
Full-Day Elopement Timeline
6:00 am Arrival at cabin in Sevierville, TN
- Hair and makeup already on-site
- Details
- Watch the sun come up (6:36 am sunrise)
- Make breakfast
- Get into wedding attire
8:00 am First look
8:30 am Drive to Great Smoky Mountain National Park
10:00 am Ceremony at the Wildlife Overlook
- Portraits around Cades Cove Loop
11:30 am Drive back to Airbnb
- Lunch (pick up tacos at food truck for Cinco De Mayo)
- Cake cutting
- Hanging out with family
2:00 pm Scenic drive to the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina
- Kids hang back with grandmas in Tennessee
5:00 pm Looking Glass Falls in Pisgah National Forest
- Portraits at roadside waterfall
6:00 pm Hike Black Balsam Knob
- First dance on the mountaintop
- Last light picnic (8:21 pm sunset)
9:00 pm Our farewell
- Newlyweds stay the night in the Western North Carolina side of the Smoky Mountains
Tennessee Wedding Ceremony in Cades Cove
Melissa and Jack wanted an easy-access ceremony site for their family without a sacrifice to the atmosphere. The park service requires couples to choose from a list of pre-designated locations for the vow exchange itself; so for them, the Wildlife Overlook was the perfect choice that combined a soft view of the mountains with a short walk from the cars. As a whole, Cades Cove loop offers a scenic drive through the valley filled with meadows, forests, and riverbanks. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a bear living their best life.
When you elope with us, we give the complimentary option of being your officiant in addition to being your elopement planner, photographer, videographer, and biggest supporters all-in-one. This can look like you and your partner standing alone while saying your vows and either of us signing your marriage license, or Colin guiding you with a custom-tailored script that reflects your relationship.
(If you book video, the only option is for us to sign the legal paperwork while you carry yourselves through the ceremony.)
GSMNP Special Use Permit
Along with choosing from a set of specific locations, the National Park Service requires couples to have a Special Use Permit (SUP). We help you apply for the permit to simplify the process for you. Once we figure out a loose plan for your elopement and ideal ceremony time, we personally reach out to the personnel in charge of SUPs and see if it’s available, or find out what remains if our first choice is already taken. After confirmation, we will complete the application and send you a copy. You will need to add your Social Security number (SSN) and sign the bottom. We will also include detailed instructions on where to email the completed application, along with a direct link to pay the $50 fee through Pay.gov.
North Carolina Side of the Smokies
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park spans across both Tennessee and North Carolina. Most often when couples come to us seeking an elopement in the Smoky Mountains, they usually are meaning somewhere near Gatlinburg, TN. When you search up photos of this area, you’ll find lots of beautiful rolling vistas from high elevation viewpoints. The reality… those are either roadside pull-offs along HWY 441, the Foothills Parkway, or they are miles deep into the forest on trails like Mount LeConte or Charlie’s Bunion.
For some couples, their totally up for hiking 8-10 miles to reach unmatched views they had to work hard for. For others, an elopement at Newfound Gap (best at sunrise) or Kuwohi (best at sunset) may be ideal for their vision. We are always 100% honest about the experience behind the cameras, and it’s important to know these named locations are in busy parking lots. During planning, we share video clips and Google maps views so you are fully aware of what to expect so there are not any surprises. This goes with anywhere we have you virtually scope out during the creative process of designing your adventure wedding.
For most couples, they want a short trail, epic mountain views, space without crowds, and to feel fully immersed in nature. As much as I wish I could make this happen, the national park’s rules and restrictions prohibits the ability to check all of those boxes on the Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountains. Without booking a private wedding venue, our answer is to jump across the state line into the Blue Ridge Mountains. We do not charge any extra travel fees for this 2-3 hour drive, and every single elements can be matched here.
Our favorite combination for a breathtaking 60-foot waterfall where you can stand at the base, mountaintop vistas that only require 1-2 miles of hiking to explore entirely, and a fragrant evergreen forest is Looking Glass Falls and Black Balsam Knob.
After spending time with their family at the cabin, Melissa and Jack followed us to North Carolina. The first stop, the roadside (and some stairs down) waterfall where they played like kids again under the raging falls, laughing and embracing the mist-filled air. From there, we drove about 40 minutes through the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway to their mountaintop hiking adventure. They shared their first dance at the summit, playing Marry Me Monday (they were married on a Monday, and in true kismet fashion, they song came before the date) at 6,214′ elevation, and enjoyed a sunset picnic before heading to their nearby newlywed cabin for the night.
Smoky Mountain Elopement Packages
Magnolia + Ember is an elopement photography and videography team rooted in intentional storytelling, meaningful experiences, and a deep love for adventure. We approach every celebration with curiosity and purpose, creating space for couples to connect authentically while exploring landscapes that are inspiring, grounding, and unforgettable. For us, documenting an elopement is about more than capturing beautiful images. It’s about preserving the emotion, movement, and honest details that make your story yours.
- Half-Day to Multi-Day Coverage
Your elopement is given the time and energy it deserves. Packages begin at $6000 for photo + video, $4000 for only photo, and inclusive of planning, officiating, and artfully capturing your story.
- Personalized Planning Assistance
We help simplify the planning process with guidance tailored to your vision. From location recommendations and creating the timeline to applying for any required permits and practical advice, we are here to support an adventure that is aligned with your personality and energy.
- Curated Location Recommendations
We share thoughtfully chosen ceremony locations, scenic overlooks, hiking trails, and seasonal recommendations to help you find a setting that reflects the experiences you want your day to hold.
- Cinematic Trailer + Ceremony Film
A 3-5 minute highlight trailer crafted to capture the atmosphere of your day, paired with a full ceremony film that encapsulate your vows, reactions, and heartfelt glimpses in their entirety. Designed to let you relive both the wonder of your elopement and the moments that mattered most.
- High-Resolution Edited Images
Your photographs are delivered through an easy-to-use online gallery where you can download, print, and share your memories with family and friends. You will also receive printing rights to use at any place of your choosing.
- Sneak Peeks
A small collection of preview images is delivered the week after so you can relive pieces of the elopement while it’s still fresh in your mind. The entire photo gallery and videos are delivered in 6 weeks.
- Officiant Signing Included
We hold space for you to have your ceremony in a way that embraces alignment with your relationship and what it means to you. Both of us are ordained and can sign your marriage license. Whether you want Colin to stand as your guiding officiant with a personalized script (available with photo only) or to stand alone and exchange vows led entirely by you as a couple, we focus on making sure the expression of commitment feels authentic, grounded, and fully your own.
Catch a vibe? Contact us to start planning your wedding experience!
