Romantic Weekend Wedding at Sugar Hollow Retreat

Image describing that your Tennessee wedding venue is set on a serene 300 acres of Tennessee’s most breathtaking landscape and nested in the middle of three mountain ranges, the Smokies, the Blue Ridge, and the Appalachian. I mean… pinch me, right? That is literally the description of Sugar Hollow Retreat.

Sugar Hollow Retreat is truly a dream come alive for the couples that choose to have their wedding there. An easy 40 minutes outside Johnson City and 2 hours outside of Knoxville, this East Tennessee wedding venue will give you allllll the feels. And if the property isn’t enough to take your breath away, check out this Q&A with Sugar Hollow’s own Wedding and Event Coordinator, Kaleigh Lumpkins. You will literally feel the love they have for their venue and their couples shine through in their answers!

Let’s Dive in…

Q: TELLS US A BIT ABOUT THE OWNERS OF SUGAR HOLLOW RETREAT.

A: Our owners are Ryan and Jennifer Sitton, out of Friendswood, Texas (near Houston).  They are incredible people, with entrepreneurial and adventurous spirits, who are also college sweethearts!  Naturally, this is a great fit for the owners of a wedding venue like ours. 

Q: WHY DID YOU BECOME A WEDDING VENUE?

A: Sugar Hollow was a wedding venue before we purchased it.  However, it was not being utilized at its full potential.  It is such a magical and special place, and we decided to make it what it is today… a memorable, intimate, and epic destination wedding venue in the mountains.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE FEATURES ABOUT SUGAR HOLLOW RETREAT? 

A: I absolutely love our amphitheater view, and our new Overmountain Hall.  The view is one you will never forget.  I also LOVE our vibe.  We are the destination venue that prioritizes fun, adventure and making memories with your family and friends.  With the lodging for up to 60 on-site, you really get to spend quality time with your guests. 

Q: HOW WOULD PAST COUPLES DESCRIBE THEIR WEDDING DAY EXPERIENCE?

A: Fun and relaxing!  We have patio games like cornhole, Jenga, connect four, and horseshoes.  We have firepits, hiking, and even provide kayaks for the river that runs through our property.  It truly is a wedding getaway! 

Q: WHAT IS THE #1 THING YOU WANT COUPLES TO KNOW ABOUT SUGAR HOLLOW RETREAT?

A: How much we care.  We really and truly put our heart and soul into each wedding we get the privilege of hosting.  I get connected to my couples, and I make it my personal mission to make sure they have the best weekend they could have imagined.  Our goal at Sugar Hollow is to make sure you build unforgettable memories with your family and friends, as well as have the wedding day you’ll never forget.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES YOU’VE OVERCOME WITH OWNING A WEDDING VENUE?

A: Gosh!  So many!  With us coming from Texas, learning how to operate a wedding venue in the mountains was a challenge.  Logistics aren’t as simple as they are in Texas… with mountain roads, and weather challenges, we have been tested.  But we have such an amazing team, and we talk like a family.  We figure all of our challenges out like a family and work together to solve our problems.

Q: HOW FAR OUT IN THE PLANNING PROCESS DO YOU SUGGEST COUPLES BOOK?

A: Most of our couples book our 6-8 months in advance.  I usually suggest longer if you’re planning an extensive wedding, but our couples usually like to keep things simple and easygoing.  So it can definitely be done  I have actually had couples book 2-3 months in advance before.  I don’t suggest that, for stress reasons, but it can be done!  Our 2021 dates are filling up FAST, but we still have some spring and fall dates available, shockingly. 

Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON AT THE SUGAR HOLLOW RETREAT?

A: Fall for SURE!  It is absolutely beautiful here.  The best time of year specifically – late October.  However, the spring (June) is gorgeous as well.  The lush greenery is something you just don’t see all the time. 

Q: WHAT IS ONE FUN/SILLY/QUIRKY FACT ABOUT YOU OR SUGAR HOLLOW RETREAT THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW?

A: We actually used to be used as student housing for foreign exchange students from the Czech Republic!  I’m not sure how long ago that was, but it was a very long time ago.  I believe it was still a working farm then. 

One of the most amazing things that stands out to me about Kaleigh’s responses is how much effort Sugar Hollow Retreat puts into their couple’s experience. Experience is everything you guys…I truly can’t stress that enough. And when you have a wedding venue like Sugar Hollow Retreat, who cares so deeply about wanting their couples to fully enjoy their wedding day, there is no beating that! And if you want a photographer that values your experience equally as much as quality, stunning images, then I am your girl.

Looking for other amazing outdoor wedding venues near Knoxville, TN? Check these out!

DARA’S GARDEN – KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

Dara’s Garden is a beautiful wedding venue located in South Knoxville that can accommodate up to 200 guests. One thing I love about this venue is you have the option to have the venue for 12 full hours (hair and makeup in the bridal suite!) and you are able to set up the decorations the day before!

THE KINCAID HOUSE – CLINTON, TENNESSEE

The Kincaid House is truly a unique venue located about 30 minutes outside Knoxville. Their garden setting is absolutely breathtaking and would be beautiful for a spring wedding!

THE MAGNOLIA – PIGEON FORGE, TENNESSEE

The Magnolia is an all-time favorite venue located about an hour from Knoxville. One awesome benefit of getting married in Pigeon Forge is there are tons and tons of restaurants and lodging for you and your guests. This outdoor Knoxville wedding venue can accommodate 100 guests.

THE TRILLIUM VENUE- SEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE

The Trillium Wedding Venue is located in Sevierville, approximately 40 minutes from Knoxville. This stunning venue gives you full access (and views to match!) of those beautiful Smokies we all know and love. This is a bonus listing because it isn’t open yet! But, contact them to book because they are taking bookings for Fall 2021!

For a complete guide to your Knoxville Wedding Venues, check out this amazing article. You’ll have your venue nailed down today!

What can I offer you at Sugar Hollow Retreat?

Hiring a professional wedding photographer you absolutely love and click with is such an important step to make sure that you can capture all the amazing moments you will have at your wedding. These photographs will act as a ticket for traveling back in time and having a look at all the beautiful memories you created with your loved ones.

I have been working as a professional photographer for over 8 years. Throughout that time I realized that the intimate moments in between the poses were the ones most cherished. My wedding work has been seen in places like The Knot, Wedding Wire, The Carolinas Magazine, Embrace Beauty Magazine, and many other leading industry publications. I’m sincerely grateful for every single one of them, and for the others yet to come. But none of that matters without the experience, the fun, and the results that everyone feels when they look back through their photographs. If you think we’d make an amazing fit contact me today and let’s chat about your wedding!