There’s something about a wedding in the Smoky Mountains that is hard to beat—but a December wedding tucked into the mountains of Tennessee might just make it even better.
Ashlyn and Chris celebrated their wedding day at The Lodge at Brothers Cove in Sevierville, Tennessee, surrounded by mountain views, the people they love most, and somehow, the most perfect December weather. With temperatures around 60 degrees, we got all the beauty of a winter wedding without actually having to freeze for it.
And as a photographer who will happily take any excuse to head back to the mountains, this was one of those wedding days I’ll never forget.
A Wedding at The Lodge at Brothers Cove
f you’re dreaming of a Tennessee mountain wedding, The Lodge at Brothers Cove is seriously something special.
Located in the Smoky Mountains near Sevierville, the venue gives you that secluded, tucked-away feeling while being within reach of everything the Smokies have to offer. The lodge itself has that warm, rustic mountain feel, but the real showstopper is what surrounds it.
Mountains. Everywhere.
For photography, that means the scenery isn’t something we have to go searching for. The landscape becomes part of the entire wedding day—from portraits outside the lodge to quiet moments with the mountains stretching out behind you.
Ashlyn and Chris chose December for their wedding, and the softer winter landscape made everything feel even more intimate.
A December Wedding in the Smoky Mountains
Planning a December wedding in Tennessee can mean preparing for just about anything when it comes to weather.
Ashlyn and Chris, however, completely lucked out.
Their wedding day was around 60 degrees, which meant we were able to spend plenty of time outside without everyone immediately running back indoors to warm up.
December also brought a completely different look to the mountains than you’ll see during the busier fall wedding season. Instead of bright autumn colors, the landscape was softer and more neutral, allowing the mountain views and the couple themselves to really stand out.
There’s something beautifully understated about the Smokies during the winter months.
A Wedding Day That Felt Like Them
As beautiful as the location was, Ashlyn and Chris were what made this day so memorable.
They are genuinely two of the sweetest people, and their wedding felt less like a production and more like a celebration of the life they’re building together.
Those are always the wedding days I love photographing most.
Of course, we made time for the beautiful portraits and all of the little details they had thoughtfully chosen. But some of my favorite photographs from a wedding day are almost always the ones that happen in between—the reactions, the laughter, the hugs, the glances across the room, and all of those tiny moments you don’t necessarily notice until you see them in a photograph later.
The mountains may have given us a pretty incredible backdrop, but their people and their story are what made the photographs matter.
Why I Love Photographing Weddings in Tennessee
While I’m based in Minnesota, Tennessee—especially the Smoky Mountains—has become one of my absolute favorite places to travel for weddings.
There’s an effortless beauty to this part of the country. The winding mountain roads, cabins tucked into the trees, rolling landscapes, and endless views create such an incredible setting for a wedding without needing much else.
For couples who love the outdoors but still want their wedding to feel elevated and intentional, a mountain venue gives you the best of both worlds.
It also fits so naturally with the way I approach wedding photography. I want your photographs to feel timeless and beautiful, but I also want them to feel like you. A little editorial when the moment calls for it, a little wild and unplanned when it doesn’t, and filled with the moments that actually made your wedding day yours.
Tips for Planning a Wedding at The Lodge at Brothers Cove
If you’re considering The Lodge at Brothers Cove or another Smoky Mountain wedding venue, there are a few things worth keeping in mind.
Leave room in your timeline for portraits.
When you choose a venue because you love the scenery, give yourself enough time to actually enjoy it. Building portrait time into your wedding photography timeline means we aren’t rushing through your newlywed photos just to get you back to the next thing.
Plan around sunset.
Mountain light can disappear earlier than you expect, especially during the winter. Your photography timeline should be built around the actual sunset time for your wedding date rather than assuming we’ll have light well into the evening.
Prepare for changing weather.
Our 60-degree December day was amazing, but mountain weather can change quickly. Having layers, umbrellas, clear backup plans, and a little flexibility can make a huge difference.
Consider making a weekend out of it.
One of the best parts about getting married in the Smokies is that your guests are traveling somewhere worth exploring. Between Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there is plenty for everyone to experience while they’re in town.
Planning Your Own Smoky Mountain Wedding?
If you’ve been dreaming about saying your vows somewhere surrounded by mountains, consider this your sign.
Whether you’re planning a wedding at The Lodge at Brothers Cove, an intimate celebration tucked into the Smokies, or a destination wedding somewhere completely different, choose a place that feels like the two of you.
Your wedding photographs should preserve more than what everything looked like. They should bring you back to what it felt like to be there—the people, the landscape, the anticipation, the happy tears, the wind in your veil, and all of the moments that went by much too quickly.
I photograph weddings throughout Minnesota and travel for celebrations across Tennessee and beyond. If you’re planning a mountain wedding and looking for photography that feels timeless, true to you, and rooted in the real moments of your day, I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.
Comments +