Smoky Wedding Ideas: Poems for Action

Seeking a way to inspire your friends and family to engage at your wedding?  Growing up in the North and attending numerous German heritage weddings, I have fond memories of clinking glasses to get the bride and groom to kiss and polka dancing.  However, I wanted to challenge my guest even more during the dinner reception, so I wrote poem and printed a challenge paper for each table.  Everyone had a blast and attendees asked me to share:

(Bride's name) and (Groom's name) are in wedding bliss
Yet clincking glasses won't cause them to kiss
Instead complete a task they can't miss

Greet those at your table, for they are your new team
Perform the following as you smile and gleam

(insert task, see examples below)

Don't be bashful, don't hide behind the bar
Laugh and have fun, you'll shine like a star

Table #1 Task
Create a new cheer about love and shout it out
You all have lots of energy, there's no doubt

Table #2 Task
Write a romantic love poem, read it aloud
You're so creative and charming, you'll be proud

Table #3 Task
Act out "I'm a Little Tea Pot"
No need to sing, just hum a lot
Your team's show will be Hot! Hot! Hot!

Table #4
Do the Chinese Fire Drill around your table
Move quickly, go twice, we know you are able

Table #5
Try to whistle or make a bird call
Flap your arms and stand up tall
Don't worry, we won't let you fall

Table #6
Begin the wave, move your arms with grace
Fast or slow, you win at any pace

Table #7
Include the word "love" while you sing a song
We'll love you even if you hit a note wrong

Table #8
Touch head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
Please repeat three times, show us how it goes

Table #9
Stand up and pretend you're an eight piece band
No bow?  No stick?  No pick?  We'll understand

For table mates meeting each other for the first time, it was a fun ice breaker.  I was impressed with my friends & family's enthusiasm and creativity.  They were laughing so hard and when we watch the video, it makes us smile all over again.  Feel free to use the idea, just write a comment after the wedding reception to let me know whether your guests enjoyed it.

What to Bring to Your Smoky Mountain Cabin Rental

We've made quite a few trips to the Smoky Mountains and stayed in rental cabins, ours or rented from others, so we've learned each time what to pack next time.  If you are staying at Indigo Moon Lodge, here's our packing tips:

1.  Imagine the activities & pack for fun:  
- Swimsuit + Beach Towel - Indigo Moon Lodge has both a hot tub and sauna.  Plus, you may be inspired to go tubing or rafting.  The cabin includes towels in the bathroom, but I usually bring beach towels.
-  Hiking Boots or Shoes, Walking Stick, + Binoculars - You can discover beautiful scenery or waterfalls on a walk together.  You may see a bear off in the distance or hear a unique bird, so bring the gear.  Perhaps you tour a cave; wear the right shoes so you don't slip.  Make the journey comfortable. 
- Sunscreen, Sunglasses, + Baseball Cap - It's so beautiful outside, you'll spend much more time in the sun than you expect.
You are likely to get muddy or wet at some point.  No worries.  By renting Indigo Moon Lodge, you have a washer and dryer.  Just bring laundry detergent.
 
2.  Imagine picnic lunches and shared meals
- Condiments & Snacks - Ketchup, mustard, steak sauce, salt, pepper, coffee, coffee filters, tea, creamer, sugar
- Plastic sandwich bags
I'd suggest a shopping trip to the local Kroger for perishable food.  By renting Indigo Moon Lodge, you'll have a stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and kitchen tools (plates, pans, silverware, etc.) provided for you.

3.  Get ready to get out and share memories
- Backpack, Plastic Bags, & Toiletries - shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, shaving cream, razor, etc.
If you are flying and want to avoid liquids, take a trip to the local Kroger when you arrive.
- GPS, Map, + Compass - Whether driving or hiking, know where you are and know where you are going.  This is true in life too, right?
- Phone + Camera - Post your vacation photos on Facebook or keep them for memories.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not have hotels, gas stations, or restaurants.  By renting Indigo Moon Lodge, you have plenty of space to pack lunches. 

2.  Be prepared for the changing weather:
One Spring Break we visited and wore sleeveless sundresses and lots of sunscreen.  The next year we returned during Spring Break and we made a small snowman.  Be ready. 
- Coat, Gloves, Rain Jacket, Gloves, Sandals + Umbrella - Besides variation year to year, it can vary within a day.  Likely alternating between sunshine and rain.
- Bug Spray & First Aid Kit

Water & Heat: Relaxation at Indigo Moon Lodge - Hot Tub, Jacuzzi Tub, Sauna

There's plenty of water and heat at Indigo Moon Lodge near Pigeon Forge, TN.  Furnished with a jacuzzi tub, hot tub, and a sauna, Indigo Moon Lodge is a luxurious escape for romantic couples.  It's not common for a cabin to have all three luxuries, but perhaps you have an uncommon celebration like a honeymoon or anniversary celebration. 
Go ahead an take a hike, you know you can relax your body at the cabin afterwards.  Stay up late, go outside and listen to the sounds of the woods, while you relax in a hot tub with jets.  Come inside and warm up in the sauna or fireplace.

Photo Journey: The Bedrooms

Indigo Moon Lodge is listed as a luxury one bedroom cabin, but the cabin actually includes 2 beds and 2 pull out couches, so you can bring friends and family if you choose.  Our listing doesn't count the bedroom in the loft.  However, you can see from the photos that this is the primo room to choose.  It has plenty of space, a jacuzzi tub, and a bathroom.  It's the most romantic room in the house.  From your bed, you have a view thru the floor to ceiling windows, so you can watch the woods from sunlight to moonlight.

The photos below were taken before we bought our new mattresses, but it shows you the sizes of the rooms.

Indigo Moon Photo Journey: Living Room & Kitchen

Indigo Moon is a romantic luxury cabin rental in the Smoky Mountains.  Here's a photo journey of the rooms, featuring the living room and kitchen.  Enjoy romantic times by the fireplace, watching romantic comedies on the big flat screen tv.  Be playful and start a game of foos ball.  Make meals together in the full size kitchen with full size oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave. 

Photo Journey: Game Room - Pool Table+

Indigo Moon Lodge is a luxury rental cabin in the Smoky Mountains.  Have fun with your loved one.  Play games, watch movies.  Challenge him or her to a game of pool in our game room.  And per our photo journey of the family room, there's also foos ball.

The entertainment room is on the same level as the hot tub and sauna.  Besides two beds (see photo journey bedrooms), Indigo Moon Lodge has two pull out couches and one is located in the game room for fun loving guests.

Relationship Idea #3: Adreneline Rush in the Smokies

This is the third article in a series of ideas on how to take the ideas from Re-Energize Your Relationship book and apply to vacationing in the Smokies.  We hope Indigo Moon Lodge is a place for you to build memories with your loved one.

Idea:  In the chapter, "Hike up the Heartbeat", the author encourages you to get your heart racing with your loved one, "Daredevil dates that make your partner's heart beat faster will make your partner's heart beat faster will make you irresistible...There was an important study in the sixties that looked at men's attraction to women...As their "heartbeat" increased, guys scored the women as more attractive."

If you've watched the Bachlorette (ok admit you've seen this reality dating show at least once), then you know their formula - providing dating couples adreneline pumping experiences. 

Action:  Why not immerse in thrilling adventures with your loved one in the Smoky Mountains?  Surrounded by tall mountains, rushing water and dark caves, it's the perfect place.  Here's five suggestions:

1.  Zorb globe ball ride down the hill - "dare to experience" is their slogan, go head over heels down a hill in a big ball, Zorbit straps you in the ball with no water $40, Zydro with water and ability to go with your partner $35  http://zorb.com/zorb/locations/zorb-smokies-usa/attractions-at-park-2/

2.  Rafting in the Smokies - whitewater raft ride; no not the Lower Pigeon ride that allows kids to ride, we're challenging you to choose the Upper Pigeon ride that includes Class III and Class IV rapids; if you have time for multiple adventures choose a package:  raft + horseback ride $61, raft + zip $60, raft + ropes course + zip $88  http://www.raftinginthesmokies.com/pigeon-river-rafting-trips/ 

3.  Flyaway Indoor Skydiving - asks "have you dreamed of flying?", enter a vertical wind tunnel to experience flight $34 for training plus 3 min flight  http://www.flyawayindoorskydiving.com/?page_id=6

4.  Climbworks Canopy Zipline - get off your feet for 2.5 hours as you soar through the air on ziplines over the streams and trees, it takes a four wheel adventure to the top of the mountain and your courage to zip back down, $89  http://www.climbworkscanopy.com/canopy-tour-basics/

5.  Foxfire Swinging Bridge -described as "a bit scary", cross the 400 foot Dunn's Gorge to Prosperity Mountain bridge as it swings, next corss the shorter Cliffhanger Swinging Bridge and look over the side if you dare to see pooling water 60 ft. below, $15 fee

http://foxfiremountain.com/americas-longest-swinging-bridge/

There's so many more options including skiing, tubing in snow or water, hot air balloon rides, helicopter rides, cave tours, and more.  Share the challenge, the risk, the and adreneline rush each day.  But don't take risks by booking a 2 or 3 star motel.  Book the luxury cabin where you can relax after the adventure sitting by the fire, content in the hot tub, or snuggled in your comfy bed.