Love is in the air

Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, a significant anniversary or just an opportunity to say "I love you" in a special way, think beyond a box of chocolates, a bouquet of flowers or a candlelit dinner.

            If your repertoire of romantic expression is suffering from the same old, same old, it’s time to broaden your horizons. Why not plan a weekend getaway with your special someone to a place where romance fills the air and the scenic beauty takes your breath away?

            Nestled in the heart and soul of the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, Tenn., is renowned for – among other things – its abundance of story-book chapels and chalet hideaways. Couples planning to get married can choose from more than 20 official wedding chapels, from rustic to luxurious, most with picturesque gazebos, gardens or waterfall settings. Gatlinburg is second only to Las Vegas in weddings performed annually in the U.S. according to the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism.

            Renee and Timmy Mullins of Rocky Mount married Dec. 5, 1997 at Gatlinburg’s Little Log Wedding Chapel, a secluded spot on the outskirts of town that borders Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

            "We didn’t want a big ceremony," said Renee, who teaches at Dudley Elementary in Wirtz. "We had heard how nice Tennessee was and thought it would be a pretty place to get married.

            "The town’s Christmas light parade was that night and we actually got stuck in traffic on our way to get married. But we watched the parade, and it snowed. It was really beautiful."

            Victorian Gardens Wedding Chapel, designed in the style of a local historical church, is reputed to be one of the most photographed chapels in the South. Through the Bell Tower entrance, an expansive lobby decorated with a colorful Victorian floral carpet, a two-story stained-glass window and a crystal chandelier welcomes guests. In the sanctuary, 10 lighted sconces line the walls leading to a garden-like altar with a white wooden arbor draped with magnolias, wisteria and roses.

            Cupid’s Chapel of Love savors the title of Gatlinburg’s Historic Roadside Chapel, a popular tourist landmark. Specifically designed for the budget-conscious, Cupid’s offers a variety of wedding packages, each of which includes the minister, music, photographs and a "Just Married" sign.

            Not just for weddings, Gatlinburg is perfect for a second honeymoon or just spending a few romantic days relaxing in the mountains, strolling among secluded forests and cascading waterfalls or picnicking beside a babbling brook.

            Gatlinburg also offers an abundance of attractions for couples and families. Despite its size (the population is just more than 3,500), the town is a gateway to mountain snow skiing, rafting Class IV whitewater, golf, fish-filled streams and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. The Gatlinburg Sky Lift and Aerial Tramway provide visitors a breathtaking view of the mountains’ glorious scenery.

            Among the most popular tourist attractions are those sponsored by Ripley’s, including the Marvelous Mirror Maze and Candy Factory with 100 challenging mirrored corridors. There’s also the world-class, 1.4-million-gallon aquarium as well as Ripley’s Moving Theater, which offers viewers two 4-D movies from seats that bump, dip and turn in eight directions. Not to be missed is the famous Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum of unique and unusual artifacts.

            Visitors young and old will also enjoy the adventures at Wild Bear Falls, a 60,000-square-foot mountain-themed indoor water park open year-round. Other sites to consider include the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum (showcasing 20,000 sets) and the Hollywood Star Cars Museum with nearly four dozen vehicles that appeared in movies and TV shows in the past 50 years.

            More than just the wildflowers blossom in spring in and around Gatlinburg. Special events bloom in abundance beginning with the Holly and Shamrock Parade March 13. This beloved annual event brings together St. Nicholas and St. Patrick in a unique Christmas and Irish celebration.

            From March 31 to April 3, Gatlinburg hosts the Arts and Crafts Community Show, where the largest group of independent artisans in North America display their craft talents and heritage in an 8-mile loop through the mountain setting. Gatlinburg’s official Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Smokies takes place April 21-25.