I love a river town. Growing up in Atlanta before the Georgia Aquarium was built, my family and I would travel to Chattanooga to visit the zoo and every time I got the opportunity to visit this town, the nostalgia overflowed. That being said, Chattanooga is one of those towns that easily gets overlooked by Atlanta, Nashville, or the Smokies, but actually makes for a pretty sweet wedding or elopement destination in the Southeast. Between the mountain views, walkable downtown, historic architecture, local restaurants, and riverfront scenery, Chattanooga offers so much more than people realize. So, if you’re thinking about planning your own Chattanooga wedding or elopement, stick around because I have plenty of ideas.
A Fun, Chic Wedding Celebration in Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo
I recently returned from documenting a beautiful wedding celebration at Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo, and it was such a fun reminder of why I love boutique hotel weddings so much.
Located in Chattanooga’s historic Choo Choo District, Hotel Chalet featured a fun mix of restored train cars, art deco-inspired architecture, beautiful courtyards, and modern hospitality into one incredibly unique wedding venue.
If you’ve spent any time around here, you know I never pass up an opportunity to photograph at a boutique hotel. There is just something about having beautiful architecture, meaningful gathering spaces, and guest accommodations all in one location that creates such a seamless wedding experience.
What makes Hotel Chalet especially appealing as a Chattanooga wedding venue is the variety of event spaces available. Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony, a larger celebration, or a full blown wedding weekend, there are multiple indoor and outdoor locations to choose from throughout the property.
For this particular wedding, Linzi and Adam chose to exchange vows in The Arbor, one of the venue’s outdoor ceremony spaces, and it couldn’t have suited them better.
The Arbor Ceremony Space at Hotel Chalet
To help set the scene, I wanted to give you a better idea of what makes this ceremony space so unique.
One of the first things you’ll notice is the restored passenger train car situated alongside the courtyard. It immediately creates a nostalgic atmosphere that feels distinctly Chattanooga while still feeling elevated and intentional.
The space is surrounded by intentional greenery, flowering plants, and gathering areas where guests can comfortably mingle before and after the ceremony. It feels less like a traditional venue and more like a destination tucked into the heart of the city.
Depending on your wedding vision, The Arbor can accommodate:
- Standing Reception: 200 Guests
- Seated Dinner: 176 Guests
- Theater Seating: 200 Guests
Another feature worth noting is the venue’s connection to Elsie’s Daughter, a local Appalachian-inspired bistro restaurant that provides catering options for events hosted on the property.
And of course, one of the biggest perks of hosting a wedding at a hotel is having accommodations available on-site. When guests are traveling in from out of town, having lodging, dining, and event spaces all in one location makes the entire experience feel incredibly convenient.
Beyond The Arbor, Hotel Chalet also offers additional spaces including the Beverly Ballroom and the MacArthur Suite, which is housed inside a beautifully restored passenger train car.
Exploring Chattanooga During Your Wedding Weekend
One of my favorite parts about this wedding wasn’t just the celebration itself. It was getting to experience Chattanooga again.Coming back as a wedding photographer reminded me exactly why I loved this city growing up.
Because The Hotel Chalet sits in the heart of the Chattanooga Choo Choo District, this means your guests don’t have to venture far to find something fun to do.
People were cutting up with each other, families were gathering outside, and guests were lingering long after events wrapped up. There was an energy to the space that felt welcoming and relaxed.
After the ceremony, we walked across the street to Clumpies Ice Cream Co., one of Chattanooga’s most beloved local spots. Between the colorful interior, hand-crafted ice cream, and quirky artwork covering the walls, it made for such a fun addition to the wedding day.
Honestly, it felt less like taking wedding portraits and more like documenting a date night.
That’s one of the things I love most about Chattanooga as a wedding destination. There are so many opportunities to build experiences into your wedding day rather than simply moving from one scheduled event to the next.
Whether that looks like grabbing ice cream together, walking on the Walnut Street Bridge over the Tennessee River, exploring downtown Chattanooga, or spending time with your guests in one of the city’s parks and public spaces, there are countless ways to make the weekend feel uniquely yours.
11 Things to Do In Chattanooga During Your Wedding or Elopement
If you’re planning a destination wedding, wedding weekend, or full-day elopement experience, here are a few Chattanooga activities definitely worth considering:
- Rock City Gardens
- Ruby Falls
- Walnut Street Bridge
- Coolidge Park
- Sculpture Fields at Montague Park
- Chattanooga Choo Choo District
- Chattanooga Whiskey
- Lookout Mountain Railway
- Point Park
- Classic Arcade Pinball Machine
- Southern Belle Riverboat
Eloping in Chattanooga? Head to this post next to learn about how you can create a full day elopement experience.
Let’s Get You Married In Chattanooga!
If you’re planning a Chattanooga wedding at Hotel Chalet and looking for a photographer who values genuine moments just as much as beautiful details, I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.
