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The current wedding scene in East Tennessee brings a fresh wave of inspiring trends that couples and guests are enjoying. We’re fortunate here at The Venue at Lenoir City to see a little bit of everything, from timeless Southern charm to bold, modern celebrations, and from micro-weddings to celebrations with hundreds of guests. If you're planning a wedding in the Knoxville area, here are just a few of the top trends we’re seeing this year.

• Earthy and Neutral Color Palettes - Not necessarily the all-out Boho style of the last several years, but neutral tones with pops of terra cotta, sage green, burnt orange, and dusty rose are dominating in 2025. Likewise, the crisp, clean look of all white or ivory never goes out of style. Couples are embracing nature with these colors leading the way in floral design, bridesmaid dresses, and table décor. Such colors pair beautifully with our East Tennessee scenery! Think sunset backdrops, natural outdoor settings, and wood accents.
• Statement Ceremony Backdrops - Traditional arches are taking a back seat to creative, personalized ceremony setups. Our partner vendor Marsh-Made Designs offers creative and even custom arbors, bars & barbacks, specialty walls & backdrops, wood signage, and other focal carpentry items meticulously crafted from a variety of materials. They provide the perfect complement to breathtaking floral arrangements and designs (for example, those created by our partner florists Broadway Flower Shop and Melissa Timm Designs).
• Specialty Bars - Couples are making sure their cocktail hours are unforgettable by providing their guests with interactive drink experiences. Mobile bars, custom signature drinks, and coffee carts are also stealing the spotlight. Whether indoor or outdoor, The Venue has partner vendors that can help make your cocktail hour vision reality. These include: Orange Peel Mobile Mixers; Single Barrel Events; The Drifting Daisy Mobile Bar; and The Pour Guys.
• Candid Photography & Content Creators - Forget the stiff, planned poses of old! Today’s couples want real, emotional, in-the-moment snapshots. Knoxville-area photographers and videographers are leaning into photojournalistic styles and capturing behind-the-scenes moments perfect for sharing on social media. Some even work with content creators to bump the social media factor up a notch. We recommend starting your search with our partner vendors: A-List Video Solutions; HWVP Weddings; MNKpro; and Red Boat Photography.
• Retro-Inspired Décor - Disco balls, velvet lounges, bold patterns, and vintage accents are making receptions feel fun and nostalgic. Whether it's a mirror ball over the dance floor or 1970s-inspired table numbers, these little touches add serious personality to your special day. Partner decorators such as ERA Events, Luma Designs, Osmar Creations, and The Princess Palace can design and execute the perfect ceremony and reception environments to reflect your theme and unique vibe.
• Intimate Lighting & Candle-Heavy Tablescapes - More couples are opting for soft, romantic lighting to set the mood. Long rows of candles of various heights and widths interspersed among greenery, a variety of glowing votives, and even Edison bulb string lights over our patio help turn The Venue into a warm, welcoming space perfect for dinner and dancing.
• Personalized Guest Experiences - Knoxville-area couples are going all-in on hospitality. Many are “shopping small” to support local businesses. Whether including local honey, jam, or flowers from the Lenoir City Farmer’s Market, cheese samples from Sweetwater Valley Farm, trinkets, artwork or craft favors from The Sparkly Pig or Markets on Broadway, or even a specialty dessert station from La Michoachana, there are plenty of ways to pull the local area into your special day. Go one step further and consider providing welcome bags for out-of-town guests, or handwritten notes from the couple on your welcome table or seating chart to personalize the experience even more.

Whether you lean into timeless elegance or try something totally unexpected, our venue team is here to help bring your vision to life. We’d love to show you around, answer your questions, and share how we can incorporate these amazing trends into your own day. Schedule a tour today and let’s start planning something unforgettable!

#Decorating
#Planning
#Wedding

​A well-dressed table sets the tone for your entire event. Whether you're planning a wedding, corporate gala, or private celebration, choosing the right table sizes and linens is essential to pulling off a polished, professional look or to tying into your theme. The Venue at Lenoir City offers both in-house and third-party vendor pass-through linen rental options, or, guests are welcome to provide their own linens. This guide breaks down our table sizes and the appropriate linen sizes to fit them.

​​​Note: A full drop means the linen reaches the floor, while a 15” drop shows a bit of the table legs and is a more budget-friendly option.

A wide variety of color options are available for napkins. Table runners are available in a wide variety of colors and textures.
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Tips for Linen Selection

• Think Outside the Box: Every table doesn’t have to be the same color. Consider alternating 2-3 colors to add more interest to the space.
• Match the Event Style: Floor-length linens look formal and elegant. Lap- or mid-length work well for more casual or informal events.
• Plan for Overlays: You can layer tablecloths or add runners to add depth and dimension.
• Rent Extra: Always have a few backup linens in case of spills or miscounts.
• Confirm Table Heights: Standard table height is 30", but confirm before ordering linens on your own, especially for custom or cocktail tables.

Now is the time to start planning your Christmas party, as the holidays will be here before we know it! Wait much longer and you run the risk of venues, caterers, and entertainers being booked up.

A well-planned corporate Christmas party can do wonders for building team morale, cementing the company culture, and sincerely sharing appreciation for employees. Whether you’re throwing a cozy office gathering or a formal evening affair, a little planning goes a long way towards creating a festive event that your team will look forward to all year long.

But a great corporate Christmas party isn’t just about the food or venue — it’s about making people feel valued, connected, and appreciated. With thoughtful planning and a little creativity, you can host a holiday celebration that strengthens your team and ends the year on a joyful note.
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Here’s a 10-step guide to planning a Christmas party that strikes the perfect balance between professional and fun.

Step 1: Set Clear Goals
Before diving into logistics, define the purpose of your party. Perhaps you’d like to thank employees and celebrate company achievements? Or maybe you’d like to use the event to help your team bond or reinforce your company’s culture. Entertaining clients and stakeholders is another possible goal of your Christmas party. Knowing your “why” will help guide your decisions going forward.

Step 2: Establish a Realistic Budget
Your budget will influence almost every aspect of your party. Be sure to include possible costs for venue rental, food and drinks, entertainment, decorations, gifts or bonuses, and even transportation and lodging (if applicable). Even considering all of these potential costs, always set aside 10-15% for other unexpected costs.

Step 3: Choose the Right Venue
Your two basic options are to hold your party on-site, or to select an off-site venue, such as an event center, restaurant or hotel. Keeping the party on-site is ideal for smaller, budget-friendly gatherings and lends itself to DIY options for food, décor and even entertainment. But hosting on-site doesn’t always feel as special or pack the “wow” feeling of an off-site location.

Choosing an off-site venue creates an additional element of excitement and can make the party feel more special. However, securing a venue usually requires a higher budget. Also, your options for other vendors are sometimes specified by the venue. But most employees like the idea of getting away from the office for celebrations such as Christmas Parties, especially if spouses or family members are invited. If you do decide to secure an off-site venue, do it soon! December dates fill up quickly.

Step 4: Choose a Theme or Style
A theme isn't required, but it can build excitement for your party and help drive the agenda and details. Popular holiday theme suggestions include:

• Winter Wonderland
• Ugly Sweater Party
• Roaring ’20s (or any decade)
• Disco Christmas
• Casino Night
• Glitz & Glam Black Tie

A theme might not seem like a big deal, but it influences how formal/informal your event will be, as well as your catering, decor, music, dress code, and even activities.

Step 5: Pick a Catering Option
The food you select for your party can make or break the experience. Be sure to consider your group size, time of day & party timeline, and the general “vibe” you’re hoping to achieve.

• Buffet or plated dinner?
  • Buffets tend to be more casual but offer guests more choices and might even have enough food for them to go back for seconds. If you go the buffet route, be sure you have enough buffet lines set-up to accommodate your group size. The last thing you want is your guests standing in line all night.
  • Plated & served meals tend to be a bit more formal and feel a more special, but somewhat limit what your guests can eat. If your caterer allows you to select more than one entrée, be sure to have markers at each place setting indicating who ordered what to help make service more efficient.
• Appetizers and cocktails?
  • If the event is more of a come & go/Open House format, heavy hors d’oeuvres might be a better option than a buffet or plated dinner. An appetizer table is a bit more informal than passed appetizers, so this is where the “vibe” you’re going for comes into play. Or you can serve appetizers prior to a buffet or plated meal, as part of a welcome or cocktail hour.
  • One of the big considerations where cocktails are concerned is liability. If you choose to serve alcohol, make sure your caterer or bartending service demonstrates proof of liability coverage. You might also want to secure your own special event policy, specifying coverage for a cash or host bar. You can also provide bartenders with additional instructions to decrease the chances that guests over-imbibe. For example, don’t offer shots, allow one drink per person per visit to the bar, require the use of drink tickets and limit the number of tickets each guest receives, etc.. Not wanting to offer a full bar? Limit options to beer, wine & hard seltzers only. Or go further than that and offer a champagne welcome or toast, with the rest of the night’s beverage offerings being non-alcoholic.
• Themed food stations – Food stations are a great option because guests can visit each one at their leisure, so the chance of large lines forming is lessened. They also offer the opportunity of pulling in themes and/or interactive stations. For example, you could offer a Tour of the United States, with each station offering a different type of US food – Tex-Mex/Southwestern; Clean California Cuisine; Cajun Fixins’; Northeastern Seafood, etc.. To encourage interaction and more menu personalization, consider a Make-Your-Own Sundae or S’mores Bar; a Taco or Loaded Baked Potato Bar; or even a Pasta Bar with assorted pastas, sauces, meats and toppings.
• Dietary accommodations – Regardless of what format you choose to use for your catering, always be sure to instruct guests in advance to advise you of any special dietary needs (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, other allergies, etc.). This can be done on the invitation or e-vite, with it’s importance reinforced via email to the employees. Be sure to pass this information on to the caterer IN ADVANCE; otherwise, there is no guarantee that special needs can be accommodated. As host, that’s one of the last things you’d like to see happen to guests with dietary restrictions.

Step 6: Plan Activities and Entertainment
Be brave! Move away from the standard arrive-eat-mingle-leave format of many company parties that makes attendance feel more like an obligation than a privilege. Instead, keep guests engaged with festive fun! Consider:

• Holiday trivia or games
• Awards or employee recognition
• Casino games
• White elephant or Secret Santa gift exchange
• Live music, DJ, or karaoke
• Photo booth with holiday props
• Raffle prizes or giveaways

Tip: Balance structured activities with free time for mingling. Over-structuring is just as bad as having no structure at all.

Step 7: Send Invites Early
December calendars fill quickly, so send invitations (digital are fine) 4–6 weeks in advance. In addition to the basic date, time and location information, be sure to include the theme and dress code, RSVP deadline, any gift exchange details or guest policies, and instructions for communicating dietary restrictions. Consider using tools like Paperless Post or Google Forms to easily track responses.

Step 8: Decorate Thoughtfully
Décor doesn’t need to be expensive or over the top. Simple and festive works just as well. You can rarely go wrong by adding light. Simple fairy lights and candles can provide just the right amount of sparkle for your holiday celebration. Consider using basic greenery and ornaments for centerpieces. Remember that all of the centerpieces don’t need to match; in fact, you provide more texture to the space by alternating two or three different centerpiece designs among your guest tables. Add colorful runners on top of tablecloths to pull in your theme or company colors. And don’t forget to decorate your registration, food and other tables as well!
 
Tip: Prepare a music playlist in advance to further help set the mood and support the theme.

Step 9: Recognize Your Team
A holiday party is the perfect time to celebrate your people. You can give out awards – serious or fun ones! Be sure to thank individuals and departments for their contributions (being as specific as possible will help ensure accolades are received as genuine). Consider preparing hand-written notes or small gifts to add a personal touch. Just remember, showing employees your appreciation goes further than any food or décor ever could.

Step 10: Capture the Moments
Hire a photographer, set up a selfie station, or encourage employees to share pictures with a company hashtag. After the event, share a recap on your intranet, newsletter, or social media to keep the festive spirit alive. Keep photos from previous years in order to create an employee slideshow to showcase at next year’s Christmas Party!

When it’s all said and done and the party is over, be sure to make note of what went well and what you’d like to change next year, while the information is still fresh in your mind. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from employees and other attendees as well. The more you can engage employees in the process, the more the celebration is really about them.

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The first piece of advice is also the easiest and most convenient route for the guest…shop our décor closets! From various size cylinder and Eiffel vases - to feathers, lanterns and metallic & crystal candlesticks - The Venue at Lenoir City just might have the décor options on-site to help execute your vision. Many venues offer the option of décor closets, so be sure to ask.

But if you are more of a DIY person, there are lots of affordable ways to create a memorable atmosphere for your event. With DIY and mixed elements, remember that a consistent color palette will make everything look cohesive and intentional. Here are just a few ideas:

1. String Lights & Fairy Lights (The Venue maintains a large stock of these since they are so on-trend at the moment.)

• Instantly magical and super affordable.
• Use them in centerpieces, on buffet lines, or even intertwined with greenery in runners.
• Don’t want to go with the classic white, elegant look? They can be purchased in pretty much any color in to match your theme.
• Opt for battery-operated versions for flexibility.

2. DIY Centerpieces

• Avoid mason jars if possible, as they are considered dated. (But never fear! Every trend comes back around.)
• Instead, opt for thrifted vases, or painted wine bottles for great bases.
• Fill with candles, fairy lights, or seasonal (faux or real) greenery.
• Wildflowers or supermarket blooms can be arranged the day before with friends! Or, The Venue’s staff is happy to help construct simple arrangements if the flowers are delivered to us in advance.

3. Opt for Greenery

• Eucalyptus, ivy, and ferns are cost-effective and neutral-yet-elegant.
• Use as table runners, buffet decor, or backdrops. Wrap a tent frame or columns with greenery to create intimate spaces.
• Bonus: they last longer and are easy to prep. Also, some of the faux versions available today look real and can be re-used for future occasions.

4. Candles, Candles, Candles

• Flameless (LED) options are safe and reusable. Most venues prohibit open flames.
• Use a mix of pillar candles, tealights, and votives.
• Group them for impact on tables or along walkways.

5. DIY Signage

• Use chalkboards, wood pallets, or acrylic pages.
• Write welcome messages, schedules, or quotes. Incorporate clever plays on words to give your guests a chuckle!
• Hand-lettering is fine with neat or unique hand-writing, or stencils work great.

6. Thrift & Borrow

• Ask friends or family if they have items you can borrow (vases, candleholders, lanterns, easels, etc.).
• Check local thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, or Buy Nothing groups. You'd be amazed at the decor people give away!
• You can often find wedding decor from other couples online for a steal.

7. Nature as Decor

• Incorporate pinecones, driftwood, seashells, or autumn leaves depending on your season or setting.
• Incorporate floral or greenery clippings from your own garden...or from a friend's!
• Perfect for natural, rustic themes or outdoor events.

8. Play Up Venue’s Assets

• Take advantage of beautiful gardens, architectural features and unique materials (brick, wood, marble, etc.).
• Create focal points around what’s already there. For example, The Venue at Lenoir City features a beautiful dual-sided fireplace that creates a gorgeous backdrop.
• Saves tons on decor costs.

Additional Things to Consider
Most venues do not allow glitter, confetti (of any size), bird seed, rice, or other materials that tend to spread, are difficult to clean or harmful to animals, or tend to “live” in the venue for weeks after an event. Adhesives can also be an issue and are typically not allowed to be used on surfaces such as walls and moldings. Don’t assume that just because an adhesive is marketed as “damage free” that it will be allowed. Be sure to check with your venue on their policies to avoid the potential loss of a damage deposit.
 
Knowing your venue’s policies before embarking on your décor plan allows you to be creative and think outside the box, while ensuring the rules are being followed. While décor is an important component of most events, it doesn’t have to break your budget to make a huge impact.

#decorating
​#planning