PLANNING YOUR WEDDING
STEP 1 SELECT A DATE
STEP 2 SETTING A BUDGET
STEP 3 DETERMINE WHERE STEP 4
PHOTOGRAPHER
STEP 5 FINDING THE WEDDING GOWN
STEP 6 SELECTING A THEME
STEP 7 FLORAL ARRANGEMENT
FOLLOWING STEPS (SOME OPTIONAL)
Marriage License Information
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This is somewhat like a recipe. You can add or take away an ingredient or two
that suits your particular taste. In a recipe on making rabbit stew, the recipe
starts, "First, catch a rabbit." The following guide assumes "you
have caught your rabbit."
STEP 1 SELECT A DATE AND TIME
Tips on Date & Time
As soon as you get engaged, people will start asking you when you're getting
married. They can't help it; they're interested.
It's hard to really start doing serious
wedding planning without having a specific date in mind, so this is something
you'll want to settle on pretty quickly.
Try to find out when your family and friends will be available, and use that as
a guide. However, it's impossible to please everyone -- ultimately, you're just
going to have to decide and hope that people will be able to come (but accept it
if they can't). Some couples pick a holiday weekend so folks can take advantage
of the Monday holiday.
Once you've set a date, let your guests know as far in advance as possible so
they can make travel and vacation plans. You may want to send out a "Save
the Date" card as soon as you set the date.
If you have a specific date you're attached to, then just go for it -- in the
world of wedding planning, anytime you can make a quick decision, do it, and do
it fast (before you change your mind!).
STEP 2 SETTING A BUDGET
After determining the total that you could spend, use the budget figures in
bridal magazines and on the internet to come up with a preliminary budget. We
hope this site will give you some assistance. We give package prices in
different budget categories. We also list "EXTRAS" with as much
information as we can find. Prices change not only yearly, but seasonally too.
However, you should be able to get a good idea of the pricing for your budget.
STEP 3 DETERMINE WHERE
It is assumed that you want to be married in
the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. We hope you you choose Smoky Mountain Weddings
by Value 2 U. Regardless, it is highly suggested you choose and book a place
as soon as possible. This area is a very popular area for weddings and they are
booked well in advance. It is also advised you book a reception area (if any)
and your honeymoon cabin, chalet or suite at the same time. Once again, we have
tried to make this easier for you by including suggestions and prices. Don't
forget some of these items are included in our packages.
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STEP 4 PHOTOGRAPHER
Some of our packages do include pictures.
You can always add photographer and pictures as an a la carte. We use only the
state of the art Sony digital cameras with 8 to 10.2 mega pixels. Our
photographers all take the course from Sony or equivalent. We also offer all
your pictures on a CD. The CD comes with a copyright release so you can make as
many copies and at any size you want, e.g., 8X10.
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STEP 5 FINDING THE WEDDING GOWN
After setting the date, the site, and the photographer, the next step is to find
a gown. Some dresses, once ordered, could take several months to come in. We
will be offering a list of places soon to order a dress. However, you may want
to look in bridal magazines or even the internet.
We can recommend two places in Gatlinburg for Rentals. They rent gowns of all
sizes as well as tuxedos:
Fantasy Bridal and
Unforgettable
Rentals. If you are looking to
purchase your gown(s), we recommend
Amy Lee Bridal. Click
below on their banner to visit their website.
STEP 6 SELECTING A THEME (OPTIONAL)
For those who wish a special theme for their wedding need to start early and
know what is involved. The wedding party needs to know ahead of time in order to
select dresses and tuxedos to compliment the theme. You may also want to
coordinate such things as flowers and favors according to your theme. We will
soon put up some links for theme ideas. However, most people who want a theme
already have one in mind.
STEP 7 FLORAL ARRANGEMENT
Two of our packages include a silk bridal
bouquet. If you feel you want to special order flowers, the following are some
tips you may find useful. We can make the floral arrangements for you or send
you recommended florists in our area.
Tips on Flowers
Be sure to bring pictures of the dress(es) with you, swatches of colors, and
ideas and clippings from magazines.
Let the florist use his/her expertise and allow him/her to offer suggestions
Make sure the florist shows you photos of his/her own work (not FTD
arrangements).
Look into the flower cases and make sure all the flowers look fresh.
Make sure the florist knows what's in season for your wedding and will help you
find seasonal flowers to create the look you want -- using seasonal flowers
instead of special ordering can save huge amounts of money.
Ask who will be setting up for your wedding, and request that the florist you
speak to be the one who sets up for you.
If possible, watch the florist setting up another wedding, so you can get an
idea of how he/she works.
A skilled florist can often suggest options which will be less expensive but
will create the same effect as more costly flowers.
If you're willing to trust your florist fully, give him or her a sense of color
and style, and let the florist go to the market just before your wedding and
choose the least expensive flowers that will accomplish your overall look.
There are also many options besides working with a professional florist. You
could ask a friend to arrange the flowers for -- or with -- you, buying them
wholesale if possible. Or contact your local art school and let students of
flower arranging do your flowers. Silk or dried flowers are also good
cost-cutting options.
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FOLLOWING STEPS (SOME OPTIONAL)
MUSIC: Please contact via e-mail our Wedding Coordinator and arrange the music you
want. Special Music with professional singers
and musicians (e.g. Violinist, Harpist) can be arranged. We also can provide a DJ.
INVITATIONS: Select and send out invitations at least three months in advance.
If you have not sent out a "Save the Date" card, you may want to do
this earlier so people can plan their vacations and trips.
VIDEO: If you want a professional videographer, we can arrange that for you. However,
you may want to have a friend or family member do a video.
REHEARSAL DINNER: For those who are having a rehearsal and want to book a
restaurant for a rehearsal dinner, let us know and we will suggest some places
for you.
MOTEL ROOMS FOR OUT OF TOWN GUESTS: It is highly suggested that you let your out
of town guests know to call certain hotels and motels with whom you have made
arrangements. This is a very popular resort area and most hotels and motels book
up very early. We can also help you with that if you e-mail us.
DISC JOCKEY: We also have an excellent DJ that we use. Let us know via e-mail.
CAKE: Our cakes are THE BEST. If you need a special type cake, e.g., you need
for a theme, we can accommodate for slight extra charge.
WEDDING PARTY GIFTS: Don't forget those gifts for those people who shared your
special time.
MARRIAGE LICENSE: Plan when you will get into Tennessee, so you can pick up your
license. Remember, you can get it on the same day of your wedding, but not more
than 30 days in advance. The following should help you:
The
Smokies are known for their native brook and brown trout, and Gatlinburg and the
National Park are crawling (or should we say swimming?) with over 900 miles of
rivers and streams that are just waiting for you to cast your line. Before you
pack up your tackle box, however, there are local and state regulations that
have to be observed. For example, children under the age of nine do not require
licenses or permits of any kind, whereas adults must possess various
combinations of local and/or state licenses. The requirements vary according to
age, and state of residence. For a brochure which explains these regulations in
detail, call the Gatlinburg Recreation Department at (865) 436-4990 and ask for
their Trout Fishing brochure or call Gatlinburg City Hall at (865) 436-1400.
Both locations can also give you specifics regarding the different fishing
seasons and fishing limits in the city.