Date: September 18, 2006
Contact: Nancy Gray, (865) 436-1208

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have developed new guidelines for managing weddings and wedding related activities in the national park to avoid conflicts between wedding parties and the general public and to reduce potential impacts to park resources. The new procedures apply to a business or persons providing wedding services/activities for a fee and to couples planning to marry in the park or have wedding photographs taken in the park.

The number of weddings held in the park, especially those conducted by commercial wedding planners, has increased substantially in recent years creating a number of conflicts in affected areas of the park. Conflicts occur most often in locations that are popular with visitors and/or are used for park interpretive programs. Park officials have developed new requirements to better manage the number of weddings and associated activities that are occurring. "We feel that we have developed a policy that fulfills our obligation to protect park resources and visitor experiences but is also fair to wedding parties and businesses," said Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson.

Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) - Businesses interested in providing wedding and related services such as wedding ceremonies, photography, and transportation for customers inside the national park will need to obtain a CUA. After approval of the application, a CUA will be issued for up to a 24 month term. Applicants pay a $200 application fee and a cost recovery fee equal to $10 per month of the CUA term. Ordained ministers of local churches are exempt from the requirement for a CUA, provided they perform no more than four weddings per year and do not advertise their services.

The CUA is used to authorize commercial enterprises that are found to be consistent with park management and visitor needs and that are located outside the park but provide services in the park for a fee. Examples include hiking and fishing guide services, photography workshops, shuttle services, and emergency road services. Commercial activities are generally prohibited in national parks unless authorized by a CUA or concession contract.

For more specific information and to obtain an application package, contact Joel Ossoff, 828-497-1932.

Special Use Permit (SUP) – Persons planning to be married in the park need to obtain a SUP. A $50 nonrefundable application fee will be charged beginning October 1, 2006, for wedding permits and all other special event-type permits. No other charges will be incurred for weddings that follow standard procedures and conditions, i.e., criteria that includes maximum number of people, cars, designated areas. Other types of permits, including weddings that vary from the standard procedures, will also be charged a $150 permit fee (for a total of $200) if the application is approved for a permit. The new fees are intended to comply with Congressional direction and NPS policy with regard to recovering costs associated the special park use activities. The fees charged for the SUPs and CUAs go towards administering and managing the permit process and activities. First Amendment activities require a Special Use Permit but are except from fees.

The SUP is used to authorize certain special events that may include memorial services, bicycle races/rides, fundraisers, public attractions, organized noncommercial hikes, and scattering cremains.

For more information and to obtain an application package, contact the permit office at 865-436-1266.