Commonly Asked Questions
What Is Honeysuckle Hills?
Honeysuckle Hills is an all-inclusive wedding venue in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area of the Smoky Mountains with seasonal flower gardens, multiple locations to take wedding photos, mountain ridge views, and wedding horses. My name is Regina and I created this venue in 2006 out of my love for nature and the mountains I was born in. My family and staff enjoy providing an intensely personal wedding experience with genuine Southern hospitality. The red barn on the property was originally built in 1950. We repurposed it in 2006 to include dressing areas, a wedding chapel and reception area. Many people are surprised when they walk inside the barn, because it looks more like a cabin with its wooden pine walls and country-chic decor. The land surrounding the barn, used as a hay field decades ago, is now filled with flower gardens and landscaping features that create a magical wedding atmosphere. Honeysuckle Hills is one of the only wedding venue in the Smoky Mountains where couples can have photographs made with horses running behind them. Our venue is best described as a photography studio where you can also get married, because there are so many sites that can be used as backdrops. Be sure to give your photographer extra time to enjoy as many of our lovely scenes as possible.
How Is Honeysuckle Hills Unique From All The Other Gatlinburg Wedding Venues?
There are 3 things that separate Honeysuckle Hills from all the other wedding venues in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. The first is the intensely personal experience. My family and staff will interact with you and your family almost to the point of entertaining at times (read our Google reviews for first-hand experiences). The second thing that makes Honeysuckle Hills stand out is the natural beauty, hardscapes and flower gardens that bloom seasonally from April to October, many of which can be chosen for the wedding ceremony.
There are more locations to use for wedding photographs than you’ll be able to fit in. The third thing is that couples are able to have photographs made with our horses, Sugar and Ben, who will run around you and sometimes even stop to kiss you. Sugar, our white wedding horse, has a reputation for sticking out her tongue. Honeysuckle Hills has an intimate, down-home, “take off your shoes and breathe in the mountains” atmosphere.
What Is An All-Inclusive Wedding Venue?
An all-inclusive wedding venue provides the most commonly needed vendors, décor, and staff needed for a successful wedding event, as opposed to a venue that simply rents its space alone. Many couples choose an all-inclusive wedding venue to reduce the stress of planning, decorating and the struggles associated with the flow of events on wedding day. Honeysuckle Hills is an all-inclusive wedding venue with packages that include your food, cake, bouquets, DJ, wedding officiant and coordination. I have a list of recommended photographers and officiants to choose from, and we all work together as a team to make your day unforgettable.
You won’t have to worry about decorating, either, because our cottage garden venue is already set up and ready to go. It has a rustic, heritage inspired aesthetic with permanent décor loved by popular majority. We’ll also set out items any items you bring to personalize your wedding such as guest books, favors and pictures.
Who Is The In-House Coordinator At Honeysuckle Hills?
Regina Starkey is both your wedding planner and coordinator at the Honeysuckle Hills wedding venue (Yep, that’s me!) I’m your first point of contact, available from start to finish through your planning process. If you book our Foothills Celebration package, you’ll also meet my assistant, Abi, with Willow Mae Weddings.
Sometimes I forget to even mention that a coordinator is included in your wedding package because it is second nature to me. The planning begins from your first contact when I help you with availability and recommend the wedding package that will work best for your needs. After that I set up your choice of officiant, based on their availability (who will perform the ceremony and file your license,) as well as the caterer, DJ, and florist. If you don’t already have a photographer, simply choose from my list of favorites. I can’t serve or sell alcohol, but I can arrange for Libations by Julie to allow you to bring (and consume) your favorite signature drinks. I can also help with things like a photo booth, hair and make-up stylists, and where to stay. You’ll even get a wedding day itinerary right away and my staff and I will make sure everything flows smoothly. A lot of my couples will message me asking, “is there anything I need to be doing?” because they feel like they should be doing more.
Who Are The Vendors Included In Honeysuckle Hills Weddings With Receptions Packages?
First Fruits Kitchen is our preferred caterer for weddings at Honeysuckle Hills and included in your all-inclusive wedding reception package. He will even help you personally customize your menu, lovingly prepared from raw ingredients instead of canned or frozen.
From the Heart Florist has provided bouquets for our entire 20 years of existence. The DJ we use is the famed Chris with J3 Entertainment. He has a smooth, professional voice and knows how to keep the party going! He is the bow on the entire wedding package, providing things like a microphone for your officiant, lighting and speakers both inside and outside.
We have several officiants to choose from including males, females, civil, religious, and those who welcome the LGBTQ community with open arms.
Our weddings with receptions are priced either with or without one of our recommended photographers, because we know this is an intensely personal decision for you. Feel free to choose the photographer of your choice. With so many beautiful places to have photographs made, you want to be sure you hire the best talent possible!
Can I Remove Vendors From The Honeysuckle Hills All-Inclusive Package If I Don’t Need Them?
Yes, Honeysuckle Hills welcomes you to remove amenities that you can provide on your own such as the officiant and wedding bouquets and we’ll even discount your wedding package accordingly. We prefer not to remove any other vendors because we rely on their long standing reputation for quality and hospitality. They know our venue inside and out, and without them the unique way we host your wedding is compromised. Honeysuckle Hills is not a DIY wedding venue.
Does Honeysuckle Hills Book Smaller Weddings Without A Reception?
Absolutely! Honeysuckle Hills offers smaller micro wedding packages for couples who want an authentic Smoky Mountain wedding experience with beautiful photography instead of a larger event. The most popular micro-wedding package at Honeysuckle Hills is the Intimate Elopement. Last minute couples looking for an easy, minimalistic wedding experience love our Simply the Ceremony package. Explore all these options on our main website called Honeysuckle Hills.
Who Counts As A Guest When I’m Choosing My Wedding Package?
Count anyone of walking age as a guest when choosing a Honeysuckle Hills wedding package. If they’re walking, they will likely be old enough to have their own seat at the ceremony or reception, and you’ll probably include them in photographs, too. However, smaller children don’t necessarily count toward the reception headcount unless they will eat a plate of food on their own. I’ve seen some ten-year-olds graze off their parent’s plate, and I’ve seen some parents go through the line twice for their three-year-old strapping boy. Use your own good sense judgment to ensure everyone has enough to eat at your wedding reception. The only people that do not count as a guest is you and your partner.
What Is The Maximum Number Of Guests Honeysuckle Hills Can Accommodate?
Honeysuckle Hills comfortably hosts 30 to 40 guests. Over the past 20 years of hosting weddings, I can assure you that a wedding with 40 or fewer guests at Honeysuckle Hills will result in the most relaxing, memorable wedding experience. We prefer guest counts not to exceed 50 because this stretches our resources. Our wedding chapel upstairs comfortably accommodates 30 to 40, with an absolute maximum of 50 by squeezing everyone in. The same is true for our reception space. While it may be possible to cram as many as 75+, this results in a cramped, uncomfortable experience.
How Far In Advance Should I Book My Wedding At Honeysuckle Hills?
We recommend booking your Honeysuckle Hills wedding at least 9 months to 1 year in advance, on average. Our venue limits bookings to only 1 per day, and only 3 in any given week. Typically, by March 1st we reach 95% booking capacity for the current calendar year and are well under way booking for the next year. Cancellations do unfortunately happen, opening up a last minute booking on occasion.
Here is a month-by-month recommendation based on our venue’s 16-year history:
January – Off season, easy to book last minute.
February – Off-season, easy to book within a few months except for holidays.
March – Beginning of season, typically books 6-9 months in advance.
April – In-season, typically books 9 months to a year in advance.
May – In-season, typically books 9 months to a year in advance.
June – In season, typically books 9 months to a year in advance.
July – In season, but a hotter month booking 6-9 months in advance.
August – In season, but a hotter month booking 6-9 months in advance.
September – High season, with Saturdays booking a year or more in advance.
October – High season, weekdays or Saturdays booking a year or more in advance.
November – First 2 weeks high season, weekdays or Saturdays booking a year or more in advance. Last 2 weeks typically book 6-9 months in advance.
December – Off season, with venue preferring to book only Saturdays in order to get caught up with editing and wedding image delivery.
Will You Hold My Honeysuckle Hills Wedding Date While I’m Researching To Make My Decision?
Depending on how far in advance you are inquiring and how popular your wedding date is, we will sometimes hold your wedding date for a few days as a courtesy. The only way to guarantee your wedding date is to officially contract with us and make your first payment within 3 days after signing your contract. Our heaviest booking season is during the months of December through February. During this time your chosen wedding date of that calendar year may be available when you originally inquire, but booked within a few days or even hours later. Be sure to indicate how strong your intentions are to book with us during this time with no room for assumption. If you have not received a contract, the date is open for someone else.
Can I Tour The Honeysuckle Hills Wedding Venue Before Booking?
Yes, Honeysuckle Hills offers venue tours by appointment. We love meeting you in person! Touring is the absolute best way for us to get know each other and the venue itself. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate walk-ins, so please schedule your appointment as far in advance as possible. We give our wedding couples as much privacy as we possibly can, and running a farm means there are a whole lot of chores to be done. It breaks my heart when someone drives hundreds of miles only to arrive when another wedding is taking place, when we’re out running errands, or when I’m up to my knees in horse poop and can’t give the tour. Honestly though, you should schedule an appointment for any wedding venue here in the Smoky Mountains.
What Days Of The Week Does Honeysuckle Hills Book Weddings?
We book weddings on Wednesdays through Saturdays. Tuesdays are reserved for cleaning, farm chores and editing wedding images. We are closed on Sundays and Mondays. We are also closed on major holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Does Honeysuckle Hills Have An Online Availability Calendar?
Honeysuckle Hills does not have an online calendar for availability. There are several reasons we do not offer it: One reason is because we prefer to help our couples personally. Another reason is because of the method in which we book our weddings. For example, if we book a large wedding with reception on one day, we would not book another one the day after. However, we would book a smaller elopement package.
How Do I Book A Wedding At Honeysuckle Hills And What Is The Cancellation Policy?
Reach out to Regina to start planning your wedding. Once you find the perfect wedding package, she will send your contract by email. You will have three days to review this contract, and your date is tentatively held during this time. After you sign the contract, She’ll send an invoice for the first 1/3 payment and it is due within three days. The next payments are due 60 days and 14 days prior to the wedding. All payments are non-refundable regardless of the reason, but you may reschedule your wedding one time based on availability. Event insurance is not required, but highly recommended. One you might consider is Eventsured.com.
Does The Honeysuckle Hills Wedding Venue Have A Back-up Location In Case It Rains?
Yes, Honeysuckle Hills has both an indoor wedding chapel as well as an open-air covered pavilion in case it rains. The wedding chapel upstairs seats 30 to 40 people comfortably with a maximum capacity of 50 seats. The outdoor covered pavilion seats 50.
Does Honeysuckle Hills Have Dressing Rooms?
Yes, Honeysuckle Hills has two separate dressing rooms for use any time after 9:00am. I used to wonder why in the world couples would even ask me this, but the Smoky Mountains has hundreds of wedding businesses, including ones who literally will arrange a wedding at a pull-off on the Foothills Parkway. This is why I stand by the saying, “If you can’t find a venue you love in the Smoky Mountains, you just don’t want to get married!”
Does Honeysuckle Hills Welcome Same Sex Couples?
Yes, Honeysuckle Hills welcomes same-sex couples like any other couple in love. I will even officiate the wedding for you!
Should I Book My Lodging First, Or My Wedding Venue?
Always book your Tennessee wedding venue first. Even though there are literally hundreds of wedding venues in the Smoky Mountains, each offers a unique theme or experience. When you decide which type of venue you want, this narrows down the choices. Cabin rentals may not have availability on the alternative date you desire and are often non-refundable. It may also be difficult to change things like time off work, etc.
Does Honeysuckle Hills Offer A Livestream Of My Wedding For Guests Who Couldn’t Make It?
A Honeysuckle Hills staff member is happy to use your own device during the ceremony to live stream your wedding from your own private Facebook page, Zoom, etc. We can also livestream to our own public Facebook business page, but this is open for all the world to see. If you’re a more private person, I recommend creating your own private Facebook page for this.
Does Honeysuckle Hills Allow Pets?
Absolutely! Honeysuckle Hills is the most pet-friendly wedding venue in the Smoky Mountains. We’ve welcomed cats, big dogs, little dogs and even two pygmy goats.
Do I Have To Have A Marriage License To Book A Wedding At Honeysuckle Hills?
Honeysuckle Hills follows all state and national laws, so you MUST have a Tennessee marriage license for your ceremony here. This is super easy to get and you can even start the application process online at the Sevier County Courthouse. Their website lists the documents you’ll need to bring with you and the locations to pick up your license. The license is good for 30 days once you pick it up and there is no waiting period to use it. The wedding officiant provided by your venue will file the license at the courthouse after the wedding and the courthouse will mail your official certificate that is used to change your name.
Watch a tutorial by Regina on how to get your Tennessee marriage license.
Can I Book A Sunset Wedding Ceremony At Honeysuckle Hills?
We caution a sunset ceremony for our larger weddings with reception because this romantic event only lasts for 15 minutes, and then it’s dark. This means photography is over. We close at 10:00PM, so it’s likely that you won’t have enough time for your reception activities, either.
Consider an elopement package instead if a sunset wedding in the Smoky Mountains is your number one priority. You’ll be able to do a first look and all your gorgeous wedding photos first, and end with a romantic sunset ceremony.
Does Honeysuckle Hills Have A Mountain View For My Wedding Ceremony?
Honeysuckle Hills has a romantic mountain view ceremony site with rolling hills and seasonal wildflower gardens.
Most couples who book a larger wedding with reception choose a ceremony on the main grounds for their guests’ convenience, and ask their photographer to take them to our mountain adventure site for photos later. It’s an unforgettable experience that requires a ride to the top of our pasture in our Jeep!
How Do I Have Photographs Made With The Honeysuckle Hills Wedding Horses?
Wedding photographs with the Honeysuckle Hills horses are an exciting addition to your wedding with reception! This is one of the most fun, unique, and unforgettable experiences we offer for your wedding. There is no charge for photos with our horses grazing in the background. There is a $299 charge for a session with our horses running around you and approaching close enough to touch. For the interactive experience, we’ll need a copy of your photographer’s insurance listing Honeysuckle Hills as additionally insured. The photographers on our preferred vendor list have already provided this. All participants must sign a waiver required by our insurance company whether you use your own photographer or if I’m photographing you with the horses as part of our elopement packages.
Children are not permitted in the horse field at Honeysuckle Hills at any time.
Honeysuckle Hills does not offer weddings or photo sessions on horseback.
How Do I Get Help If My Question Was Not Listed In This Article?
Easy! Simply text Regina or email Regina. No question is too big or small, and there are definitely no stupid questions.
