With more than 10,000 weddings per year, the Smoky Mountains offer the perfect backdrop for life’s most precious moments. However, one of the most difficult parts of wedding planning is deciding when to tie the knot. What florals are in season? What kind of weather is ideal? What variables could impact attendance? These are all questions that must be considered when choosing a wedding date. To assist in the planning process, pros and cons of each season, along with some of each season’s most popular botanicals, are outlined below:

Spring – Nothing conveys the message of new beginnings like the wildflowers in bloom after a long winter. Spring is the season with daffodils, hydrangeas, peonies, and tulips widely available. It is also a popular time for weddings due to the mild weather. Without having to worry about accommodations for extreme cold or heat, couples only need to worry about making a potential rain plan if they choose to have an outdoor wedding. This is often a fairly easy accommodation to make, since most venues offer a covered space as well as an outdoor space for wedding ceremonies. One reason that spring might not be the ideal season for a wedding is if the couple knows that seasonal allergies will be a problem. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most biodiverse places in the nation, with over 4,000 identified plant species. That means there are lots of plants producing pollen!

Summer – Lush, green mountains and vibrant florals set the tone for summer weddings in the Smokies. Summer is the prime time for sunflowers, dahlias, poppies, roses, and daisies. The long summer days mean that couples can spend a longer time celebrating with their guests into the evening. The weather is also more consistent than spring or fall. Couples might have an easier time gathering RSVPs to a summer wedding since this is the season with the most vacation and travel. If guests can have a fun weekend with family after attending the event, the choice is easy to make. The downside to this popular vacation season is that hotels could be fully booked, and venues could have higher pricing due to higher demand. Summer in the Smokies can also bring scorching heat and humidity, so couples need to consider how guests will stay cool under the sun.

Autumn – There is a very good reason that venues in the Smokies are fully booked in the fall: the foliage is breathtaking! There are more than 100 native tree species in the Smoky Mountains, which means there are more than 100 unique shades painting the treetops and setting the scene for phenomenal wedding photos. The florals for fall include: chrysanthemums, amaranth, zinnias, Queen Anne’s lace, goldenrods, ivy, and eucalyptus. Since the sun is lower in the sky during the fall compared to summer, the softer light is great for photos and enhancing the environment’s natural beauty. One challenge that couples may run into with an autumn wedding is that the weather can be a bit unpredictable, with some days that are chilly and some days that are warm. Another challenge could be finding a venue early enough in the planning process since available dates fill up quickly.

Winter – For couples planning intimate weddings, winter in the Smokies could be ideal. Indoor weddings are often cozy and comfortable, creating the perfect atmosphere to celebrate love and the blending of families. Orchids, anemones, poinsettias, calla lilies, and holly berries are some of the most popular winter botanicals. Fewer tourists visit the Smokies during the winter, so this could lead to fewer crowds, less traffic, and lower venue prices due to the “off season.” Although there is no guarantee of snow, the reward is worth the risk for couples lucky enough to witness the winter wonderland that snow-covered mountains bring. This can also be a two-edged sword, however, as snow and ice can cause issues with travel and impact attendance.

No matter what season a couple chooses, there is no wrong answer for when to get married in the Smoky Mountains. There are services available year-round to help provide everything that is needed for the big day. The Smoky Mountain Wedding Association is a great resource for couples to discover wedding services such as photographers, venues, caterers, florists, and more. To learn more about services offered, go to smwba.com.