Sevier County is Top Tennessee Spot for Weddings

Sevier County recorded more marriages than any other Tennessee county in 2007 with a total of 16,573, according to new statistics from the Tennessee Department of Health. That figure represents 26.7 percent of all Tennessee marriages last year. The remaining counties in the top five are Shelby, Davidson, Knox and Hamilton, respectively. A total of 62,149 marriages were recorded in Tennessee in 2007, a decrease of 3.7 percent from 2006.

“These Health statistics indicate that Tennessee remains a destination for couples wishing to exchange wedding vows,” said Health Commissioner Susan Cooper, MSN, RN. “Collecting and providing to the public these and other vital records, like the number of births in the state, are an important part of the Health Department’s mission.”
Officials with the Tennessee Department of Tourism are not surprised by these figures, as the Sevier County cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville have been leaders in the wedding market for decades. These gateway communities to Great Smoky Mountains National Park provide wedding chapels, mountain cabins and luxury suites for honeymooners and all of the amenities needed for the perfect wedding event.
“The wedding industry is an important part of tourism’s overall impact on Sevier County,” said Tennessee Tourism Commissioner Susan Whitaker. “Our tourism partners there bring a high standard of quality and personal enthusiasm to the weddings of thousands of couples annually.  This is Southern hospitality at its very best.”
The Department of Tourism supports the state wedding industry through niche advertising efforts, including national print advertising in Modern Bride magazine. Comprehensive information is available for individuals wishing to plan a wedding in Sevier County or any other Tennessee destination on the state’s award-winning Web site www.tnvacation.com.  A detailed listing of Tennessee lodging, wedding chapels and popular attractions may be found at http://www.tnvacation.com/listing/couples/.
Summer months are the most popular times for weddings in Tennessee. Statistics show June and July top the list for months in which marriages take place in the Volunteer State. Final data for 2007 show June was the most popular month for marriages in Tennessee last year, with 6,887 marriages recorded. July came in a close second, with 6,826 marriages.
“Marriages are among many vital statistics collected and maintained by the Department of Health,” said Teresa S. Hendricks, acting director of the Division of Health Statistics. “These records provide a great deal of insight. For example, our records show that more than 40 percent of the marriages in 2007 were the first for both the bride and the groom.”
Overall, more couples headed to the courthouse than the chapel to take their vows in 2007 when compared to previous years. TDOH records show a 9.5 percent increase in marriage via civil ceremony from 2003 to 2007, while religious ceremonies decreased by 16.6 percent in that same time period.
For more information on marriages in Tennessee or other vital statistics, visit the TDOH Web site at http://health.state.tn.us/statistics/vital.htm.