Weddings & Groups
Planning a wedding in Western North Carolina offers couples something truly rare: dramatic mountain scenery, deep-rooted Appalachian charm, and the ability to turn a wedding into an unforgettable shared experience. Located just outside Bryson City and bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 3 Little Bears Retreat provides a distinctive setting for couples seeking an intimate, elevated mountain wedding with the comfort and service of a luxury resort.
Intimate Lodge Weddings (Up to 50 Guests)
Our main lodge is ideally suited for intimate weddings of 50 guests or fewer, creating a warm, immersive celebration where every guest feels personally connected to the experience. These smaller weddings unlock one of our most sought-after offerings: a full property buyout.
With a buyout, couples enjoy:
Exclusive use of the lodge, cabins, and grounds
Private accommodations for wedding parties and close family
Onsite experiences, guides, and curated adventures for guests
Customized dining, celebrations, and multi-day itineraries
Rather than a single-day event, your wedding becomes a destination celebration—a gathering where friends and family share hikes, fireside conversations, spa moments, and mountain adventures together before and after the ceremony.
Scenic Mountaintop Weddings for Larger Celebrations
For couples envisioning a larger guest list, we offer outdoor wedding ceremonies on one of our scenic mountaintop plateaus, featuring sweeping long-range views of the Smoky Mountains and options for a Creekside outdoor ceremony or rehearsal dinner. These sites are ideal for:
Larger ceremonies and receptions
Custom tented events
Outside caterers and rental partners
Fully tailored event layouts
This flexibility allows couples to host a grand mountain wedding while still enjoying the privacy, lodging, and curated experiences of a secluded luxury retreat.
Exclusive Property Buyouts & Private Retreats
Interest-Based Retreats, Corporate Gatherings & Family Celebrations
Beyond weddings, 3 Little Bears Retreat is designed for exclusive property buyouts that transform the entire retreat into a private sanctuary for your group. These buyouts are ideal for:
Interest-based retreats (outdoor adventure, wellness, fly fishing, creative workshops)
Corporate retreats & executive offsites
Family reunions and milestone celebrations
Private group gatherings seeking privacy, purpose, and connection
A Private Mountain Resort—Yours Alone
With a full property buyout, your group enjoys:
Complete privacy across all cabins and common spaces
Customized itineraries built around your group’s interests
Dedicated guides, hosts, chef, and experience coordinators
Flexible programming that blends adventure, wellness, and relaxation
Days can be spent hiking, rafting, fishing, or exploring the park, while evenings bring shared meals, fireside conversations, and unhurried time together in a setting that encourages real connection.
Designed for Meaningful Gatherings
Whether your goal is strategic planning, team renewal, family bonding, or celebrating life’s milestones, the retreat offers the space and support to create something meaningful. Groups benefit from:
A distraction-free natural environment
Thoughtfully paced schedules
High-touch service without feeling staged or commercial
The result is a gathering that feels intentional, restorative, and memorable—set against one of the most iconic landscapes in the Eastern United States.
The Perfect Gathering or Wedding Combination Vacation
What truly sets weddings at 3 Little Bears Retreat apart is the rare combination of seclusion and accessibility. While guests feel immersed in nature, the retreat is only a few minutes from:
The trails, waterfalls, and wildlife of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park-1 minute
The charm, dining, shopping, and entertainment of downtown Bryson City- 5 minutes
Iconic regional experiences like scenic rail journeys, fly fishing, rafting, and mountain excursions - 5 minutes
For couples and guests alike, this creates a seamless blend of wedding celebration and mountain vacation, making the journey just as memorable as the vows or event.
Begin Planning Your Mountain Gathering
From intimate weddings to full-property private retreats, 3 Little Bears Retreat offers a setting where celebration, adventure, and connection come together naturally. Here, the mountains do more than provide a backdrop—they become part of the story you and your guests will carry for a lifetime.
