Lantern-lined ceremony aisle leading to a floral arch at dusk in the forest at Tailwaters Lodge

South Holston River · Tennessee

Intimate, private wedding venuesnestled between Tennessee's gorgeousSouth Holston River andmajestic Appalachian Mountains.

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The Venue

Two settings on one river.

Tailwaters Lodge sits where the South Holston River meets the Appalachian Mountains on a fold of land that Bruce and Paula Cote crossed while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail.

They built the lodge to share their love of nature. We open the property to one wedding at a time so the day belongs entirely to you.

We offer two wedding venues to choose from.

Fernwood ceremony arbor with white florals and a lantern-lined aisle in the woods

Fernwood

A cozy, elegant venue beneath a canopy of trees, surrounded by nature.

Couple at the Mountain View ceremony arch with an open mountain ridge behind them

Mountain View

An inspiring venue framed by a sweeping mountain-vista backdrop.

Everything in one place.

Stunning Riverside Pictures

The South Holston is your backdrop for unforgettable portraits full of golden-hour light, misty water, and mountain views.

Mountain Vista Reception

A spacious reception area overlooking the river and mountains, with optional open-air dining on the deck.

On-Site Lodging

14 bedrooms across five cabins (sleeps 28). Additional off-campus lodging available with 11 more bedrooms.

All-Inclusive Planning

One coordinator, vetted vendors, and a venue that handles the logistics so you can be present.

Guided River Fishing

Optional guided fishing trips on the South Holston for you and your guests.

What's Included

From rehearsal to send-off.

From a rehearsal dinner on the deck to a Sunday-morning send-off on the river, the weekend unfolds at your pace. We hold the details so you can hold the moments.

Golden-hour floral centerpiece on the reception deck overlooking the valley
  • Exclusive use of 14 private acres bordered by TVA public lands on three sides, with 540′ of river frontage
  • Multi-day, multi-night packages to fit your needs
  • Choice of two ceremony sites — Fernwood or Mountain View — with a custom floral arch
  • Spacious reception area overlooking the river and mountains
  • Optional open-air reception dining on the spacious deck
  • On-site lodging — 14 bedrooms in five cabins, sleeping 28 (more available off-site)
  • Dedicated day-of coordinator
  • Curated list of vetted local vendors
  • Tables, chairs, linens, and dinnerware for up to 40
  • Optional guided river fishing trips for your guests
  • Rehearsal dinner space on the deck
  • Ample on-site parking
  • Setup and teardown handled by our team
  • Sunday-morning farewell on the river

Our Story

A place worth staying.

Bruce and Paula hiked across this mountain ridge while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and loved it, feeling like it was someplace worth staying.

They built Tailwaters Lodge to share that feeling. Hosting weddings here is simply an extension of that welcome: a place set apart, opened up for the people who matter most to you.

A couple standing together by the South Holston River with the mountains behind them

Inquire

Tell us about your day.

We respond to every inquiry within 48 hours. There's no obligation in reaching out. We'd love to hear what you're imagining.

Getting Here

On the South Holston.

Tailwaters Lodge371 TVA Road SouthBristol, Tennessee
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Drive times

  • Bristol 15 min
  • Knoxville 2 hr
  • Asheville 2 hr 15 min
  • Charlotte 3 hr 30 min
  • Atlanta 4 hr 30 min
  • Nashville 4 hr 30 min

On-site cabins mean your closest guests can stay the whole weekend. This means no late drives, no early checkout, and no scramble to make the ceremony.