Weddings are one of the most important events in the life of a couple. Planning the wedding can be most stressful - especially if it is a destination wedding.

If you've decided on a destination wedding, making it a reality isn't nearly as difficult or expensive as you may think; especially if you plan it here with us at Sugar Hollow Retreat.

One of the best things about planning a destination wedding is the intimacy factor. Today's couples are much more mobile, and are likely to have friends and family scattered all over the country. The average wedding lasts only four hours and it is very hard for couples to spend any quality time with family and friends visiting from out of town. By having a destination wedding, you are allowing for a mini-vacation thus giving you plenty of time to visit with everyone over a several day time period.

Also, having a destination wedding is really quite easy and getting to spend the few days before preparing as well as relaxing instead of being bombarded with a lot of last minute details, makes the event that much more special. Planning a wedding from thousands of miles away may seem daunting, but they are often far less work than traditional weddings. Plus, when you have friends and family onsite already, some of the set-up and decorating can be taken care of by family members who are more than willing to lend a hand.

As far as cost is concerned, you will often find that destination weddings are actually less expensive -- even after adding up the travel, dress, and reception. The reason for this being there are generally fewer guests and the wedding party can plan for a truly memorable occasion without breaking the bank.

The number of guests you plan to have will have a lot to do with where you have your wedding. Sugar Hollow Retreat has four 3-5 bedroom guesthouses and each can accommodate 8-14 people. The ten-bedroom lodge can sleep up to 30. Campers are welcome is additional space is required. We are also in close proximity to towns like Boone, Banner Elk, Elizabethton and Mountain City.

At your typical (by that we mean non-destination) wedding, there's always going to be someone who has traveled at least some distance to be part of the special event. Destination weddings, in a sense, level the field since everyone has to travel, including the bride and groom.
Keep in mind to, that you are not required to pay for everyone's travel expenses, so it is best to accept the fact that your wedding may not be large - everyone you invite may not be able to attend due to cost, but at Sugar Hollow Retreat we do our best to provide you with a great place to stay at a very affordable cost.

In order for your guests to have a chance to prepare and make their travel plans, they should be given as much lead time as possible - which means sending out your "save the date" card at least five months in advance. Also, create a wedding website (available through places like www.mywedding.com) to keep your guests updated.

Because you will not be able to hop on a plane once a week to help with the plans, it is best to have someone physically close to your wedding location to assist you. Check out http://www.a-c-e-s.us/ a site dedicated to wedding and event planning in the NC/Tennessee Mountains. Make sure they are familiar with your wedding style, budget and location.

Make sure to remember the details. If you are getting married in a state that is not your own, you will need a local marriage license. This can be a little tricky sometimes, so you should contact our local city hall and get the specifics.