We married April 30, 2011 at “Forever Yours” cabin through Timber Tops rentals. We had our food catered at the cabin by Calhoun’s. Smokey Mountain Cakes made my wedding cake and my flowers were from Atrim Flowers, both of Pigeon Forge. I found this wonderful salon, Smoky Mountain Salon and Spa where I had my hair and nails done. My son and daughter from my previous marriage walked me down to Brandon. We had about 15 people in attendance. The minister was provided by our photographer Eric Gebhart. He did an amazing job on the ceremony. He made it very personal and as if he wrote it specifically for us.

Getting married in the Smokies was the best choice we could have made. The landscape was breathtaking and everyone enjoyed all the area had to offer. We were able to get FABULOUS pictures done by Eric Gebhart of New Beginnings Photography. If I had any advice for couples wanting to get amazing landscape pictures other than just at the ceremony, do them the day before the wedding or a separate photo session the day of the wedding. We did ours the day before and were able to get so many awesome shots from three different backgrounds: creek, waterfall, and the mountains.

Of course our wedding wasn’t complete without the dreaded catastrophe. We were very lucky that Fantasy Bridal was located in Gatlinburg. It turned out that my son’s tuxedo pants that we had gotten before the trip were six inches too short. We were able to get him more pants and make it back in time for the ceremony.

We stayed in the “Breathtaking View” cabin through Sugar Maple Cabins for the entire weekend. It was so beautiful and we are planning a return visit for our one year anniversary.

Our wedding turned out better than we ever expected. It was everything that we wanted and more. We tell everyone thinking about a destination wedding that the Smoky Mountains is the way to go.

This week’s Feature Friday is The Inn on the River located on the Pigeon Forge Parkway.  A special thank you to Jeannie Palaganus for answering this week’s Feature Friday questions about the Inn on the River.

1.)    The Inn on the River has the perfect location right on the Parkway of action-packed Pigeon Forge. Tell me a little history about The Inn on the River and how long you have been around.

The Inn on the River was formally known as The Hampton Inn on the River. We opened our doors in the Spring of 1991. Our property went through a major renovation 3 years ago.  We recently did a complete make over to our lobby complete with new flooring .

2.) What does The Inn on the River offer that other hotels in the area may not?

We are located right on the Little Pigeon River with private balconies for your enjoyment.

3.) What does your guest at The Inn on the River seem to love the most about their hotel stay?

We offer a complimentary FULL HOT breakfast, a friendly staff, and exceptionally clean rooms.

4.) What do you think is Pigeon Forge’s best kept secret?

 The Old Mill Historic District

 5.) What are 3 must see places that you would recommend to Pigeon Forge visitors?

 Dollywood, Dixie Stampede, and Cades Cove

Meet Jen and Travis, our first Featured Smoky Mountain wedding.  We’ve gotten quite a few responses from last week’s Wedding Wednesday post and we’re so excited to share with you some of our favorite Smoky Mountain weddings!  Jen was so sweet to send over a few photos and her and her new husband’s sweet wedding story.  Below is their story in Jen’s words.

“Nothing compares to childhood love! Travis and I have known each other since we were little kids in elementary school. We’re both from the same town in Ohio, but I moved away and went to a different high school. We lost touch and many years went by without seeing each other. We both got married, started our own families, and I had no idea whatever happened to my crush. My first marriage didn’t work out and I decided to look him up on the ‘not-so-popular’ website MySpace. Reached out to him to learn that he had lost his wife of 8 years in a tragic motorcycle accident. He was now a single father of two young boys and I was a single mother of one little girl, so we decided to have lunch to catch up and the rest is history. Travis and I were married on October 15, 2011 at our cabin, ‘1 of a Kind’ from Hearthside Cabin Rentals. Our photographer was Eric Gebhart from New Beginnings Photography. Only people that joined us were my best friend (who is a hair stylist) and her husband. Peaceful wedding with nothing but the beautiful Smoky Mountains right behind us. Went to Huck Finn’s Catfish Restaurant for all we could eat vittles, hush puppies, and catfish! We honeymooned and did all the touristy stuff while we visited. We chose the Smoky Mountains because we both love the area and thought an autumn wedding in the mountains with the leaves changing colors would be very romantic. And it turned out to be everything we wanted! We couldn’t have picked a better place and plan on returning for a family vacation with our children.”

This week’s Feature Friday is Cabin Fever Vacations located in the Smoky Mountains.  A special thank you to Bob Foster who has answered this week’s Feature Friday questions about Cabin Fever.

1.)    Cabin Fever Vacations has the perfect Smoky Mountain Cabins in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Tell me a little history about Cabin Fever and how long you have been around?

Cabin Fever Vacations started out in a little 3 room log cabin off of River Road in Pigeon Forge. In just 4 short years we out grew that facility and upgraded to a 8 room office off McGill Street in Pigeon Forge.  Cabin Fever Vacations flourished in this building and in less than 3 years we had to upgrade again, purchasing our own magnificent custom log facility off of Sand Pike Boulevard where we currently reside.

Cabin Fever Vacations has been in business just over 10 years and continuing to grow and improve! We have big plans for 2012 and beyond.

2.)    What does Cabin Fever offer that other cabins in the area may not?

Cabin Fever Vacations offers a wide variety of extremely luxurious log cabins throughout the Smoky Mountain Region. With a focus on the high-end luxury log homes Cabin Fever Vacations only offers the best and most prestigious rental homes in the Smokies while keeping our rates for these amazing homes affordable.

Cabin Fever Vacations does not own any of our own properties, we have in-house maintenance to service our guest quickly when an issue arises, and 24/7 customer care so our guest can always speak with a live person.

We have a  Preferred Guest Program that gives our valued guests 10% off our nightly rates in addition to any specials we may be running. We also offer specials to area attractions like Smith Family Breakfast Buffet, a free zip line ticket or horseback riding ticket upon check-in through Adventure Zip Line & Five Oaks Riding Stables, and a buy one get one free opportunity with the wonderful Country Tonite Theater. Just a few of things we do to help our guests get the most out of their Pigeon Forge vacation.

3.)    What do your guest at Cabin Fever seem to love the most about their cabin stay?

Our guests love our friendly and courtesy staff, our easy check-in process at our beautiful office and the fact that we offer the ultimate in affordable luxury log homes that are cleaned and maintained to the highest standards.

4.)    What do you think is Pigeon Forge’s best kept secret?

We think the best kept secret in Pigeon Forge is how affordable and rewarding renting your own log cabin in the mountains can be and even though you are in a log cabin you can be close to all the fun and excitement of Pigeon Forge and The Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

5.) What are 3 restaurants that you would recommend to Pigeon Forge visitors?         

Blue Moose Burger’s and Wings           

Fusion Café Asian Grill

J.T. Hannahs

Plan your next Pigeon Forge vacation and book a cabin with Cabin Fever Vacations! Call Today! (866) 342-2246