Gatlinburg Wedding Chapels: Your Wedding Chapel Guide in the Smoky Mountains

Gatlinburg has been a wedding town for a long time. Couples come for the mountains, and because getting married here is simple: there’s no waiting period in Tennessee, so you can pick up a license and be married the same day. The chapels below range from tiny log chapels built for elopements to places with full packages that include photos and a honeymoon cabin.

Last updated: October 17, 2026

Picking a Chapel

Start with how many people you’re bringing. Several of the log and pine chapels seat 30 to 40 guests, which is perfect for an elopement or close family but tight for a big wedding. If you want an outdoor ceremony, ask what the backup plan is, since mountain weather changes quickly and a lot of chapels move the ceremony inside when it rains.

Most chapels sell packages that bundle the officiant, the ceremony site and a set number of photos, and then let you add flowers, video, music or a cake. Compare what each package actually includes rather than the headline price. Weekdays are usually easier to book than Saturdays, and October is the busiest month of the year in Gatlinburg for weddings and everything else, so book early if you want a fall date.

Many of the chapels are on Glades Road and East Parkway, a short drive from downtown, and several have cabins or honeymoon suites on the same property. Staying on site saves your guests a drive on unfamiliar mountain roads after the reception.

Getting Your Marriage License

Marriage licenses come from the Sevier County Clerk. Both of you have to go in person and be at least 18. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport, and know your Social Security number. If either of you has been married before, you’ll need the exact date the divorce was final or the date of death. There is no blood test and no waiting period, and the license is good for 30 days.

As of October 2026 the fee is $41 for out-of-state couples and $101 for Tennessee residents, cash, with a small extra charge if you pay by card. Tennessee residents can get $60 knocked off by completing a four-hour premarital course and bringing the notarized certificate. The main office is at the Sevier County Courthouse in Sevierville, open Monday through Friday. There are also clerk offices on Reagan Drive in Gatlinburg (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and on Old Mill Avenue in Pigeon Forge (Saturday mornings only). Fees can change, so check the current fee and hours, and pre-apply online, on the Sevier County Clerk marriage page before you go, since office hours change around holidays.

Getting Married in the National Park

You can hold a ceremony inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but every ceremony there, elopements and vow renewals included, needs a wedding special use permit. Applications open 12 months ahead and close 30 days before the date, and there’s a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Outdoor sites are capped at 25 people and one hour, and that hour includes setup and photos. Vehicles are limited too, and the area stays open to other visitors. Every vehicle still needs a park parking tag. Fees can change, so check the current fee, the details and the list of approved locations on the park’s wedding permit page.

Other Popular Gatlinburg Wedding Chapels

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we get married the same day we arrive?

Yes. Tennessee has no waiting period, so you can get your license from the Sevier County Clerk and use it the same day. Call the chapel ahead to make sure they have an opening, especially on a weekend or in October.

How much does a Gatlinburg chapel wedding cost?

It depends on the chapel and the package. A simple ceremony for two costs a lot less than a package with photos and a reception, so ask each chapel for its current package list. Budget for the license fee on top of that.

Do chapels provide the officiant?

Most chapel packages include a minister or officiant. If you want to bring your own, ask the chapel whether they allow it before you book.

Can we have a small wedding with just a few guests?

Yes. Small weddings and elopements are what a lot of Gatlinburg chapels do best, and several of the log chapels are built for groups of 30 to 40 or fewer.

Do we need a permit to get married in the national park?

Yes. Every ceremony in Great Smoky Mountains National Park needs a wedding special use permit, applied for at least 30 days ahead, with a $50 application fee. Fees can change, so check the park’s wedding permit page for the current amount.

Wedding Chapel Directory

Chapels in and around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, checked against each chapel’s own website. Contact the chapel directly for current packages and availability.