Unveiling the Wedding Guest Etiquette
Information for Wedding Guests
We look forward to welcoming you!
We are excited to share in the celebration of the union of your friends and family members here at Oakleaf Cottage. Below is information you may find useful if you have never visited us before, from attire to rules and wedding guest etiquette to avoid additional charges to the host. We look forward to welcoming you here.
Directions and Parking
Our address is 6979 Highway 136, Trenton GA. We are 20 minutes from Chattanooga, and about 2 hours' drive from Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville or Birmingham.
As you approach Lookout Mountain via 136, you will pass a neighborhood called Canyon Park Estates. Our sign is on the left side of the highway, before you round the bend to go up the mountain.
Parking is to the left of the gates as you enter the driveway. DO NOT pass through the gates - this is for shuttle traffic only, as there is no parking available around the venue area. Please park, being mindful to leave room for others, and wait for our shuttle at the waiting area near the gate. As our driveway is also steep and one way, pedestrian traffic is not permitted on the driveway between the parking area and the venue. Please wait for a shuttle.
Please don't arrive more than 30 minutes ahead of ceremony. Vendors are often putting the final touches on setup ahead of this time (and are not yet ready to receive guests), and the couple is often getting portraits done so they can spend more time with you during the reception, and don't yet want to be seen.
If you are handicapped or need assistance, please make arrangements with us ahead of time by emailing [email protected]
Things to Note
Oakleaf Cottage is a woodland haven bordering Cloudland Canyon State Park. Sited on 28 acres of mountain forest, we are very much nestled in the woods. While the Stable Barn has a poured floor, many other surfaces outdoors are gravel, please choose shoes with this in mind.
We are an environmentally-friendly facility, and spray our venue areas with commercial grade concentrated garlic spray to keep the little flying vampires away. However, if you happen to have the misfortune of being one of the folks these critters consider a delicacy, we do have bug spray on hand.
For their safety, children under the age of 12 must be granted specific permissions from the venue to attend the event. Any child granted permission to be at our venue must remain within 3 feet of a parent or guardian at all times. Failure to keep a close watch on children or permitting them to run/throw rocks/misbehave will result in being asked to leave the event.
Wedding Guest Etiquette and Rules
Alcohol: Per Dade County and out of respect for the alcohol the couple has purchased for the event, our license and that of the bartender, absolutely NO outside alcohol is to be brought in.
If you find you have consumed too much, we invite you to leave your vehicle in our parking lot until 10am the next day. There is a Day's Inn only 3 minutes drive away, or you may schedule a Lyft pickup to take you to your hotel/vacation rental.
No firearms. We have adequate security and will have discussed such concerns with the couple prior to the event.
No fireworks or sparklers. We border the busiest state park in Georgia, let's not set it on fire.
Stay on our walking trails -- the forest floor is especially sensitive to the damages produced by human feet at varying times of the year.
Children granted permission to be onsite must remain within 3 feet of a parent or guardian at all times. Failure to do so will result in our staff having you leave the event.
Wedding couples may bring their pets onsite with event contract and manager approval. For guests, only service animals are permitted. Please let us know what your service animal's tasks and needs are to best assist you.
Rude behavior will not be tolerated. Berating, yelling, or obscenities directed at any of our staff or vendors will result in you being escorted from our property.
Enjoy the Area
Bordering Cloudland Canyon State Park and close to dozens of trails between Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama’s tri-state region, you’re sure to find plenty of outdoor vistas, hiking trails, and scenic views.
We have a list of nearby accommodations for you if you prefer to not stay in Chattanooga. The Blue Cottage Rental, Scenic View Cabins, The Groovy Nomad and Live a Little Chat are a few we often work with. Many hotels are in the nearby area, including the new resort at McLemore and several campgrounds/RV parks.
We're also just a quick drive outside of downtown Chattanooga, so all the excitement and attractions of the Scenic City are well within reach. Hop in the car and check out the infamous Tennessee Aquarium, the Northshore's wealth of shops and eateries, or a craft beer on the historic Southside of Chattanooga. We're also just down the road from Mentone, Alabama, which offers a quaint small town experience with local shops and country scenery. No matter how you decide to spend your time, we're sure it'll be a trip to remember.