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Logo for Little Bears Retreat with mountain imagery and a welcoming tagline.
Bryson City, NC
828-538-0306
Logo for Little Bears Retreat with mountain imagery and a welcoming tagline.
Weddings in the Smokies

Let the mountains
witness it.

A wedding day, a mountain weekend, or the entire Retreat. Celebrate in a place designed around the setting, the people, and the time you spend together.

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Three Little Bears Retreat

More than a wedding venue.
A place to gather around the moment.

Three Little Bears was created as a mountain retreat rather than a traditional event hall. Couples can keep the celebration beautifully simple with a lodge, lawn or meadow venue—or make the Retreat part of the wedding weekend itself through a private two-night buyout with lodging, meals, adventure, wellness and time together.

Adventure Destination Weddings · Western North Carolina

The ceremony is one moment.
The memory can be the whole weekend.

A Three Little Bears wedding can begin long before the walk down the aisle. Arrive in the Smoky Mountains. Gather for sundowners. Hike, fish, paddle or slow down together. Prepare for the wedding without rushing off-site. Celebrate under the trees. Wake the next morning to an open-fire brunch and stories from the night before. It is an adventure destination wedding built around shared experience—not simply an event.

Wedding Venue Collection

Choose the setting that fits your celebration.

From intimate creekside lawns to a Main Lodge celebration or a larger meadow gathering, each venue offers a different way to make the Smokies part of the day.

Micro-Weddings & Intimate Celebrations

Fewer guests. More time with the people who matter most.

Our creekside, lawn and lodge settings give couples the intimacy of a Smoky Mountain micro-wedding while still creating the feeling of a true destination celebration in Bryson City, North Carolina.

Lands Creek Lawn micro-wedding venue at Three Little Bears Retreat in Bryson City, North Carolina
Creekside

Lands Creek Lawn

A creekside lawn celebration with Crockett Creekside Retreat as the wedding-party home base.
Weekday$1,000
Weekend$1,400
Photoshoot / Ceremony$300
  • Exclusive venue access from 12:00 p.m. on the wedding day until 10:00 a.m. the following morning.
  • Best suited to 50 guests or fewer.
  • Overnight stay for two at Crockett Creekside Retreat.
  • Wedding-party getting-ready use of Crockett.
  • Dance floor, Retreat-owned tables and chairs, white linens and available décor.
  • Breakfast for the wedding couple the following morning.
Cherokee Meadow outdoor Smoky Mountain wedding venue at Three Little Bears Retreat in Bryson City, North Carolina
Mountain Meadow

Cherokee Meadow

A larger open mountain meadow for couples who want room to gather while remaining immersed in the landscape.
Weekday$1,500
Weekend$2,000
Photoshoot$300
  • Exclusive venue access from 12:00 p.m. on the wedding day until 10:00 a.m. the following morning.
  • Best suited to celebrations under 200 guests.
  • Overnight stay for two at Sequoyah Retreat.
  • Wedding-party getting-ready use of Sequoyah.
  • Dance floor, Retreat-owned tables and chairs, white linens and available décor.
  • Breakfast for the wedding couple the following morning.
Main Lodge and Sky Deck intimate mountain wedding venue at Three Little Bears Retreat in Bryson City, North Carolina
Intimate Lodge

Main Lodge + Sky Deck

Our most intimate full-service venue option, centered around the Main Lodge interior and elevated deck spaces.
Weekday$3,900
Weekend$4,600
Ceremony Only$1,500
  • Up to 50 guests.
  • Main Lodge interior and deck areas from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Relaxation Lounge and Expedition Bar as preparation spaces.
  • Retreat-owned tables, chairs, white linens and available décor.
  • Lodging may be reserved separately.
Three Little Bears Wedding Lawn and Masa Studio for a Blue Ridge Mountain destination wedding in Bryson City, North Carolina
Signature Lawn

Wedding Lawn + Masa Studio

Our signature lawn setting with the flexibility to use Masa Studio and the Spa Patio as supporting reception spaces.
Weekday$3,200
Weekend$4,300
Photoshoot$300
  • Exclusive access to the venue space from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
  • Best suited to celebrations under 200 guests.
  • Reception use of Masa Studio and/or Spa Patio as arranged.
  • Dance floor, Retreat-owned tables and chairs, white linens and available décor.
  • Main Lodge interior is not included as reception space.
Private Retreat Wedding Buyout

Make the Retreat part of the wedding story.

For couples who want the wedding to feel like a weekend away together—not simply a ceremony and reception—the private buyout combines lodging, meals, gathering spaces and Retreat programming for the onsite group.

Weekday · 2 Nights$15,000
Weekend · Fri–Sun$18,000

Includes exclusive use of Retreat accommodations for up to 44 onsite guests, dedicated Retreat staff, breakfast, lunch and dinner for onsite guests during the stay, guided adventures and use of Retreat gathering spaces, wellness areas, trails, creeks, meadows, pavilions, Main Lodge, Sky Deck and resort amenities, subject to the final event plan. Wedding reception dining is priced separately.

A Wedding Weekend With Rhythm

Give everyone something more to remember.

The buyout can be shaped around the natural rhythm of the Retreat—shared adventure, quiet preparation, meaningful celebration and a slower goodbye.

01 · Arrival

Come together before the ceremony.

Begin with a guided activity, sundowners, campfire and s'mores.

02 · Wedding Day

Prepare without leaving the mountains.

Wellness, spa services and guided experiences can be woven around preparation time.

03 · Send-Off

Don't rush the goodbye.

Close with a morning wellness experience or hike followed by an open-fire send-off brunch. Off-site guests may join for $40 per person.

Camp Cookery

Fire. Smoke. Celebration.

Retreat Camp Cookery reception dining begins at $75 per person and is built around open-fire / asado-style mountain heritage cooking.

Outside caterers may be used with prior approval. Outside caterers may warm, reheat, plate and stage food onsite, but full cooking operations require written approval.

A 22% gratuity applies to Retreat-provided food and beverage services. Bar service, alcohol, specialty desserts, late-night food, upgraded rentals and custom culinary experiences are quoted separately.

Planning Without the Guesswork

The details that make the mountain feel effortless.

Outdoor celebrations require more coordination than a ballroom. We help couples and planners understand those pieces early so the day itself feels simple.

Coordinator RequiredA professional planner or day-of coordinator is required. Retreat coordination is available for $500.
Guest ShuttlesShuttle transportation is required so mountain parking and traffic remain controlled.
Weather PlanOutdoor weddings require a weather plan. Tenting and specialty rentals are additional unless specifically included.
Event HoursUnless otherwise agreed in writing, music ends at 9 p.m. and events close at 10 p.m.
Wedding Frequently Asked Questions

Everything worth knowing before you say yes to the mountains.

Download the Wedding FAQ
What makes Three Little Bears Retreat different from other wedding venues?

Three Little Bears is designed as a mountain retreat rather than a traditional event hall. Couples can choose a simple wedding-day venue rental or make the Retreat part of the wedding weekend through a private two-night buyout that brings together lodging, dining, adventure, wellness and time with the people closest to you.

How many guests can you accommodate?

Capacity depends on venue and layout. Main Lodge + Sky Deck is limited to 50 guests. Lands Creek Lawn is best suited to 50 or fewer. Cherokee Meadow and the Wedding Lawn + Masa Studio are best suited to celebrations under 200.

Can we have both our ceremony and reception at the Retreat?

Yes. The exact spaces available for each portion of the celebration depend on the venue package selected.

What happens if it rains?

Outdoor weddings require a weather plan. Depending on venue, guest count and design, tenting may be necessary and is generally an additional rental expense. Retreat-owned tent setup is $200 when an appropriate solution is available and arranged.

What time does the reception end?

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, reception music must end at 9:00 p.m. and the event closes at 10:00 p.m.

Are tables, chairs, linens and décor included?

Retreat-owned tables and chairs, white linens and available Retreat decorations are included as described for the selected venue. Lands Creek Lawn, Cherokee Meadow and the Wedding Lawn + Masa Studio also include a dance floor.

Is a wedding-party getting-ready space included?

Lands Creek Lawn includes Crockett Creekside Retreat. Cherokee Meadow includes Sequoyah Retreat. Main Lodge + Sky Deck includes the Relaxation Lounge and Expedition Bar as preparation spaces.

Is lodging included with a standard venue rental?

Only where specifically noted. Lands Creek Lawn includes one overnight stay for two at Crockett Creekside Retreat, and Cherokee Meadow includes one overnight stay for two at Sequoyah Retreat. The other standard venues do not include lodging.

Is a wedding planner required?

A professional wedding planner or day-of coordinator is required. Retreat wedding coordination is available for $500, subject to scope and availability.

Can we bring outside vendors?

Yes, with advance Retreat approval and compliance with access, safety, cleanup, noise and property-protection requirements.

Are shuttle transportation and mobile restrooms required?

Shuttle transportation is required for wedding guests. Mobile restrooms are required for Lands Creek Lawn and Cherokee Meadow and may also be required for larger outdoor celebrations at the Wedding Lawn + Masa Studio.

Does the Retreat provide reception dining?

Yes. Retreat Camp Cookery reception dining begins at $75 per person and is built around open-flame outdoor cooking.

Can we use an outside caterer?

Yes, with prior Retreat approval. Outside caterers may warm, reheat, plate and stage food onsite, but may not conduct full cooking operations onsite unless approved in writing.

Can we reserve the entire Retreat?

Yes. The Private Retreat Wedding Buyout is $15,000 for a weekday two-night stay or $18,000 for a Friday-Sunday weekend.

What does the private buyout include?

Exclusive use of Retreat accommodations for up to 44 onsite guests, dedicated Retreat staff, breakfast, lunch and dinner for onsite guests during the stay, guided adventures, and use of Retreat gathering spaces and amenities subject to the final event plan. Wedding reception dining is priced separately.

Can off-site guests attend the Sunday send-off brunch?

Yes. Off-site guests may attend the Sunday send-off brunch for $40 per person.

Can we decorate the venue?

Yes, subject to the approved event plan. Confetti and sparklers are not allowed. Only biodegradable send-offs are permitted.

How do we reserve our wedding date?

A 50% non-refundable deposit confirms the wedding or buyout reservation. The remaining balance is due 180 days before arrival or event date unless the event agreement states otherwise. When offered, a $1,000 refundable good-faith deposit may hold an available date until a scheduled site visit.

When are final event details due?

Final guest count, menu selections, event layout, vendor list and outstanding service payments are generally due 30 days before the event.

Are there additional fees?

Applicable taxes, the 3% conservation fee, food-and-beverage gratuity, third-party rentals and optional services are additional unless expressly included. The conservation fee supports wildlife rehabilitation, reforestation and conservation efforts.

We'd Love to Show You Around

See the Retreat before you picture the day.

The best way to understand a Three Little Bears wedding is to walk the creek, stand on the lawn, look across the Sky Deck and imagine your people here. Contact us to schedule a private tour and begin planning your Smoky Mountain wedding.

Schedule a Private TourReview the Venues