Hey friend! If you’re thinking about getting married on the Star of Knoxville, I’m so glad you found this.

The Star of Knoxville is a paddlewheel riverboat that cruises the Tennessee River right through downtown Knoxville. Getting married on it is a unique experience. It’s also a venue where a little planning goes a long way.

This October I photographed A and T’s wedding on the boat. I learned a lot that day, and I want to pass it on to you. Here’s everything I’d want you to know before your Star of Knoxville wedding.

Star of Knoxville wedding ceremony on the top deck of the riverboat with guests seated on the Tennessee River

What a Wedding on the Star of Knoxville Looks Like

The boat has more than one level. A and T had their ceremony on the top deck, and dinner and dancing happened on the lower deck. The bar was up top too, so guests moved between floors all night.

The boat stays docked through the ceremony and cocktail hour. Then it pulls away and you’re out on the river for dinner, dancing, and the rest of the night.

That timing shapes almost everything about your photos. So let’s talk about it.

7 Things to Know Before Your Star of Knoxville Wedding

1. Do as many portraits as you can before the boat leaves

Once the boat pulls away from the dock, space is tight and the schedule moves fast. Your first look, family photos, and as many portraits as possible should happen while you’re still docked.

Think of the time before cocktail hour as your photo window. Protect it.

2. Hire a second shooter

I can’t recommend this enough. The boat is small, but because there are different levels, people really are everywhere.

For A and T’s day, my second shooter was with T while I was with A during getting ready. And on the boat, having two of us meant we didn’t miss what was happening on the other deck. It came in really, really handy.

3. Take wedding party photos while you’re getting ready

This is the one I’ll tell every Star of Knoxville couple from now on. We ran out of time to get the full wedding party at the boat.

If you do your wedding party photos at your getting-ready location, you free up that precious docked time for family photos and your first look.

4. Get almost all of your family photos done before the ceremony

We did family photos on the top deck before the ceremony and finished a few after. But it’s really crucial to get the bulk of them done early.

If you have a big family, keep this in mind. There isn’t a lot of room to spread out. We did A and T’s extended family photos at the front of the boat, and honestly, they turned out so cute and totally have that boat vibe. But if you’re picturing a classic, formal extended family photo, it’s a little harder to pull off here.

5. Get ready somewhere off the boat

A and T got ready at locations away from the boat, and I loved it. You get more space, better light, and a calmer start to the day before everyone heads down to the river.

It also gave us a great spot for their first look setup. Drinks were waiting at the front of the boat by the stairs. One of them waited there while the other stayed outside the boarding area until we were ready. Then they saw each other for the first time. So sweet.

Extended family photo at the front of the Star of Knoxville riverboat on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, TN

6. Sneak away for sunset

If you take one thing from this post, let it be this.

We stepped away for about 10 to 15 minutes as the sun went down, and those photos are some of my favorites from the whole day. The light on the water. The river. The two of them. Sunset photos on the water are absolutely worth it.

7. Plan your coverage around the cruise

Once the boat leaves, your photographer is on board with you until it comes back. So your coverage needs to include the whole cruise.

A and T booked six hours: about an hour for getting ready and drive time, then five hours at the boat. Guests were there for about four of those hours, and the cruise itself was around three and a half.

If you want help figuring out what’s right for your day, I wrote a post on how much wedding photography coverage you really need. You can also see my packages on my Wedding Investments page.

Bonus tip: Have a planner. A and T’s planner handled the boat logistics, so things like boarding and departure ran smoothly on our end. Questions about boat timing are a great thing to hand off to your planner.

A Real Star of Knoxville Wedding: A + T

A and T loved each other so incredibly much that the whole day was emotional. You could feel it from the first look on.

During the ceremony they did a ring warming. The rings got passed to every guest, and each person held them for a moment and added their own wish or blessing before the rings were exchanged. It was one of the first ring warmings I’ve photographed, and it was so meaningful. It does take time to get through every guest, so build that into your timeline if you’re planning one.

After cocktail hour, the boat pulled away and we were off on the Tennessee River. Dinner was family style on the lower deck, which felt warm and just right for about 70 guests. Each guest got three drink tickets, and at one point a group made their way up top where the bar was and started their own little dance party. I loved it.

Their DJ kept the night going, and their planner kept everything running smoothly.

Close-up of two people in brown and green suits embracing with hands clasped together, wearing wedding rings and a wristwatch.
Two grooms in green and brown formal attire share a joyful dance at a wedding reception inside a banquet hall with guests seated nearby.
Two grooms in vests and ties cut a floral-topped wedding cake together beside a dessert table with cupcakes and macarons.
Groom in a brown velvet blazer and floral crown reads his vows from a paper during a waterfront wedding ceremony.
Two older women in a teal gown and a floral dress walk together carrying wicker baskets on a covered boat deck at a wedding.
Two men in vests and dress shirts share an affectionate moment on a red-railed deck at night, with city lights glowing in the background.

Love Is Love

I’m so grateful A and T trusted me with their day. I believe love is love, and every couple deserves a photographer who celebrates them fully. If you’re looking for an LGBTQ+ friendly wedding photographer in Knoxville and East Tennessee, I’d love to be that for you.

Star of Knoxville Wedding FAQ

Where does the Star of Knoxville leave from?

The boat docks on the Knoxville waterfront and cruises the Tennessee River through downtown. Check with the Tennessee Riverboat Company for exact boarding details.

Where is the ceremony held on the boat?

A and T had their ceremony on the top deck. Dinner and dancing were on the lower deck.

When does the boat leave the dock?

For A and T’s wedding, it left after cocktail hour. The first look, family photos, and ceremony all happened while we were docked.

Do I need a second photographer for a Star of Knoxville wedding?

I highly recommend one. The boat has multiple levels, and a second shooter makes sure nothing gets missed.

When is the best time for photos on the Star of Knoxville?

Before the boat leaves for most of your portraits, and at sunset for a quick sneak-away on the water.

How many hours of photography do I need for a boat wedding?

Plan for the full cruise plus getting ready and your pre-departure photos. A and T booked six hours, and that worked well for their day.

Planning Your Star of Knoxville Wedding?

If you’re dreaming of getting married on the Tennessee River, I’d love to hear all about it. You can see more of my work in my wedding gallery, and you can reach out here to check your date.

Let’s make some magic on the river.

With love,

Bethany