Cedar Pond FarmsYou've seen the photo: a bride in white, a shaggy Highland cow with sunset light in its coat, and a caption full of heart-eyes. What most couples don't know is that almost none of the venues in those photos own the cow — it's usually rented for the day, with a handler, at rented-animal prices. At Cedar Pond Farms in New Market, Tennessee, the herd lives here. This is how a Highland cow wedding photo session actually works.
1. The cows are part of the farm, not props
Our Scottish Highlands graze the same foothills property as the Grand White Barn and the wedding pavilion. A farm guide brings the calmest members of the herd to a photo-friendly spot — you never wrangle a cow, and the cows never work a day they don't want to.
2. When are they fluffiest?
The famous teddy-bear coat peaks from late fall through early spring — which happens to be wedding off-season, when dates are easiest to get. Summer cows are still fluffy (and still steal the show); they're just wearing the lightweight edition.
3. What do you wear?
Whatever you're getting married in. Dresses do fine — we provide slip-on booties for the pasture walk, and our guides pick the tidy spots. Closed-toe shoes for everyone else in the party.
4. How long does it take?
Most couples take 20–30 minutes with the herd — enough for the hero shots, the hugging shot, and at least one photobomb. Photographers love it at golden hour, right after the ceremony or before the reception entrance.
5. Can guests meet the cows too?
Yes — that's the part people remember. Add cow encounters to your wedding weekend for the bridal party or out-of-town guests, or let the herd headline your cocktail hour.
How to book it
Start on our Highland Cow Weddings page, or go straight to wedding pricing. Eloping? The two of you, an officiant, and a very fluffy witness — we do that too. We're 25 minutes from Knoxville and under an hour from Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg.