When it’s time to sit down and start the wedding planning, one of the very first things on the list is to set a budget.

This can feel like an extremely overwhelming task. Obviously, you have to weigh in the contributions you and your partner, as well as your families are making, but sometimes there is still the lingering question of “What is this supposed to cost? What’s normal to pay for a wedding?” and specifically “What does a wedding cost in Knoxville TN?”

This shouldn’t be some great mystery, but it can take a little bit of sleuthing work. Since you’re already in wedding planning mode, we want to help you keep the sleuthing to a minimum.

What does a wedding cost in Knoxville TN and East Tennessee?

Photo courtesy Julie Roberts Photography.

This question has a lot of complexity.

Just like asking what a house or a car or a vacation costs, the answer is “That depends on…” so many things that there is no one easy answer.

Decide what your priorities are for your wedding day. Those will be the things you’ll want to leave room to get it just like you imagined. Your budget needs to realistically match your number and types of priorities.

Beautiful weddings come from all budgets.

Weddings come in all shapes and sizes, with all sorts of parties, guest lists, and venues. They are all beautiful and special.

You will have a beautiful memory no matter what.

This and following photos are courtesy of Tonya Damron Photography, a Knoxville wedding photographer.

How much do weddings in the Knoxville and East Tennessee area cost?

You can find information on average wedding costs across the country (if you’re comparing destination options), across your state, and more by using The Wedding Report. We’ve pulled the information from East Tennessee so you can see average wedding costs in the area.

The average wedding cost in Knoxville was just under $19,000, while Chattanooga was just over $21,000, and Johnson City was a touch north of $17,000.*

*All stats are courtesy of The Wedding Report and reflect the most up-to-date information available, from 2015.

And remember that these numbers are averages, so many weddings come in below (and above) these figures.

Not all wedding packages are created equal.

When you start searching for wedding packages, keep in mind that you are looking in an apple, orange, and banana comparison market.

Some packages include ceremony and reception space at a starting base fee and then work up on a per guest basis.

Some packages are all-inclusive – but even the definition of all-inclusive can vary from location to location.

Some venues offer a la carte pricing for each thing you source from the venue.

Be sure to ask questions about what’s included and what’s not. And be aware that if a venue offers everything, you can still opt to choose some of your own vendors, especially photographers and videographers.

Where’s a great place to get married near Knoxville TN?

At the end of the day, you want to be married to the one you love. A beautiful and memorable ceremony and great reception with delicious food is the perfect icing on the wedding cake. We invite you to check out the packages available from the Whitestone Country Inn. Whether you’re looking to elope with the two of you or an intimate group, or you’d love a bigger affair, Whitestone has everything you need for a breathtaking wedding. Whitestone offers great elopement packages and wonderful wedding packages. Whitestone also offers 3 outdoor wedding spaces for the outdoor Knoxville, TN wedding of your dreams. 

At the Whitestone Country Inn, it is our joy to work with you to make your wedding dreams a reality. Our wedding planner will walk through the base packages and add-ons with you and help you choose the package that best fits your needs. Then we’ll plan and prep and make your wedding day a stress-free experience as you enjoy our waterfront views, rolling hills, and beautiful wooded acreage that will all be a part of your wedding memories and photos. 

We invite you to check out a few of our recent weddings and see for yourself the care and attention to detail that goes into each and every wedding we host. Check out this gorgeous fall outdoor wedding in Knoxville, TN, this perfect outdoor wedding near Knoxville, TN, this delightful outdoor elopement in East Tennessee, this gorgeous elopement in Knoxville, TN, and the most stunning vow renewal in Tennessee you’ve ever seen!

When you’re ready, we’d love to start a conversation with you about how we can make your wedding day picture perfect.