Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions…
——– VENUE QUESTIONS ——–
Do you allow wedding vow renewals?
Absolutely. Your vow renewal is just as important as a first time wedding, and we are happy to help you celebrate.
How far is the parking area from the chapel? Is it wheelchair accessible?
The main parking area is just a few minutes walk along a fairly level gravel road. We have a couple of spots roughly 40 feet from the chapel area that we recommend reserving for the bride, anyone bringing decor, and/or those with mobility issues. The road is graveled from there to the chapel area which is mulched and should be accessible via wheelchair or mobility scooters. Tips for shoes.
How many guests can you accommodate? How much parking do you have?
Our property is meant for intimate weddings, and we can comfortably host up to 25 guests. We have 12 mini benches which will seat 24-36 people depending on size, and you are welcome to bring in additional seating to be placed around the stationary benches. We allow up to 35 guests on property. For more than 25 guests, you will need to have them carpool to be able to fit into 12 parking spaces in our parking area.
Do you have an indoor ceremony location?
At this time, we do not have an indoor ceremony location although there is a space to change clothes. We do, however, offer several outdoor options including our adorable chapel.
What happens if it rains?
See more on this here.
When can we decorate?
We give you a grace period on property of UP TO 30 minutes prior to your rental time. You can use this time to decorate and change. If you think it will take longer than 30 minutes for you to decorate, you will need to book extra rental time. Please DO NOT arrive earlier than your grace period because you may infringe upon another couple’s wedding day.
When can can our guests arrive?
Your guests may arrive UP TO 10 minutes prior to your booked time. Because we have multiple weddings per day, it is imperative that neither you nor your guests arrive prior to your grace period. We have a limited amount of parking that may be fully filled during a wedding, and it is highly likely that there will be no parking available. Because we have had instances where guests or couples show up hours earlier than their bookings, we are instituting a policy that if you or any of your guests arrive on property prior to your 30 minute grace period, we will charge you an additional fee of no less than $150 and up to $600 depending on how early the arrival happens. While we understand that it is a very exciting day and we dislike having to be so forceful, we want all of our couples to fully enjoy their time on property. By instituting this policy, we hope to insure that all of our couples have an amazing experience–including you!!
Do you welcome couples-only weddings?
Of course! The Smoky Mountains are a huge destination wedding location, and we have the perfect spot for you to elope.
Do you allow pets?
Yes. You are more than welcome to bring fur babies of any variety as long as they are kept leashed while you are on the property and you clean up their messes.
Do you have restrooms?
We recently contracted with a portable restroom company so there is a handicap accessible restroom on site!
What are our options for music?
We have a bluetooth speaker that you are welcome to use while you are on property. You would just want to have your music downloaded to your phone or mp3 player since there is no cell service or wifi. You are welcome to bring in live musicians if you’d prefer. We would just need a certificate of insurance from them to allow them to perform on site.
Is there electricity?
Although we have plans to provide electricity in the future as we expand, Chapel in the Hollow does not currently have electricity so please plan accordingly.
What is the cell service like?
The cell service in the area is spotty, and is virtually non-existent at the chapel itself so please plan accordingly. On the plus side, this means that you don’t have to worry about someone getting a phone call in the middle of your ceremony. 😉
Is smoking allowed on the property?
Because our property is in a wooded area, the possibility of fire is a potential issue. You don’t want a fire raging during your wedding, and we don’t want to worry about anything burning down. Due to this, we have designated smoking areas. We ask that you and your guests stay in those spots while they smoke so that you can ash your cigarettes in the containers. If someone is approached more than once about this, we will ask them to leave.
What items can we use on the property?
We have several setups available for your use. The chapel is, of course, included in the rental fee along with the 12 mini benches, 18 colors of fabric drapery and many types of faux flowers for use on the chapel. There is also a rustic wall, a tractor, a truck, and plenty of cute woodsy spots available now. We also have some fun ideas in the works for later this season. All other chairs and tables are rentals brought in by the brides and grooms. To see the options available now, check out our Chapel Accessories page.
Do you allow us to bring our own vendors?
Absolutely! Anyone performing a service on property, paid or unpaid, (that includes uncle Bob if he is taking wedding photos for you) is required to provide us with a certificate of insurance in an amount no less than $1,000,000 with Chapel in the Hollow listed as an additional insured. Officiants are the only exclusion from this. Most professional vendors should already carry business liability insurance and can get this from their provider at no additional cost. For those non-professional vendors, Thimble offers a one day policy for many vendors in all states except TX, FL, WA, and NY. You could also purchase wedding insurance and have it cover this.
How do we find you?
Thankfully, GPS will bring you right to Millstone Gap Rd. Once you turn on Millstone Gap Rd, things can start to go a little wonky, but we are just a few drives in. There is a sign at the drive (don’t get nervous if you see a little blue house), and we will have the gates open and ready for you 30 minutes prior to your official rented time. Our brides often book weekday weddings as well as weekend weddings so in order to make everyone’s big day as special as possible, please schedule a visit before stopping by.
1057 Millstone Gap Rd, Seymour, TN 37865
For printable driving directions from the junction of Wye Rd and Chapman Highway, click here.
——– OFFICIANT QUESTIONS ——–
Can I use my own officiant?
Yes. We have plans priced both with and without a officiant.
Who is the officiant?
The in house officiant is Ian Parrott who has been ordained through First Nation Ministries, Universal Life Church, and American Marriage Ministries. Penny Montefusco, Ron Crivellone, and Joseph Woods also provide officiating services when Ian is unavailable.
What is the ceremony like?
Our ceremony takes approximately 7 minutes. You can find a full script of the ceremony here.
——– PHOTOGRAPHY QUESTIONS ——–
Can I rent just the venue and bring an outside photographer?
As long as your photographer (as with all of the outside vendors) provides proof of their liability insurance, they are welcome. Because the venue is owned by a photographer, the grounds are being cultivated with photography in mind, and any photographer should be able to capture amazing images of you on your wedding day. Most professional vendors should already carry business liability insurance and can get this from their provider at no additional cost. For those non-professional vendors, Thimble offers a one day policy for many vendors in all states except TX, FL, WA, and NY. You could also purchase wedding insurance and have it cover this.
Who is your in house photographer?
As you may have noticed elsewhere, we mention that the venue is owned by a photographer–that would be me. 🙂 I also own and photograph for Star Noir Photography (www.starnoirstudio.com) and have been photographing weddings since 2007.
What comes in the photography package?
With your purchase of our photography services, you receive….
*our undivided attention during your time
*unlimited photos during our time with you
*basic editing on all of your edited photos (color correction and cropping)
*all of the retouched images delivered digitally with personal printing and use rights
(at least 75-100 per hour of photography)
——– EVENT MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS ——–
What does the event management consist of?
Custom Love Gifts, Events, and Prints is our on-site event management team. Their Chapel in the Hollow day of event management package comes with the following:
—During our time with you on your wedding day, our main purpose is to help make your day run as smoothly as possible. To that end, we will help set up decor, cut cake, clean up petals, let your wedding party know when to walk, play music, etc. (You will still be responsible for filling out your wedding info form for the venue to let them know how to set up your ceremony site.) In addition to this, you will also receive…
• Pre-Event Consultation (Phone)
This meeting is to get to know you and your fiance and review the details of your event so far.
• Vendor Recommendations
You’ll receive a customized list of vendors Custom Love Gifts and Events recommends for your event in case you are still looking for any options.
• Bride Guide Workbook
You’ll receive our Bride Guide Event Planning Workbook to work on with your personal coordinator to help gather every detail of your event and to ease the planning process overall.
• Rental Inventory Access
You’ll receive access to our rental inventory at a heavily discounted rate reserved for booked clients only.
• Timeline Creation
This includes a detailed schedule for your time at the venue, including arrival times and ceremony processional order.
• Details Meeting (Phone)
A final meeting with your coordinator to review your timeline, decor, and logistics.
• Unlimited Emails
Responses and communication will be made during business hours set forth by your personal coordinator.
• Event Management
Your personal coordinator will be on-site for the duration of your rental time with the venue to facilitate the setup and tear down of your decor, and management and execution of your timeline.
——– VIDEOGRAPHY QUESTIONS ——–
Can I rent just the venue and bring an outside videographer?
As long as your professional videographer (as with all of the professional vendors) provides proof of their liability insurance, they are welcome. Because the venue is owned by a photographer, the grounds are being cultivated with photography and videography in mind, and any videographer should be able to capture amazing footage of you on your wedding day. Most professional vendors should already carry business liability insurance and can get this from their provider at no additional cost. For those non-professional vendors, Thimble offers a one day policy for many vendors in all states except TX, FL, WA, and NY. You could also purchase wedding insurance and have it cover this.
Who is your in house videographer?
Videography is a new service that we have added as of January 1st 2020. It is provided by Yugen Productions. www.yugenproductions.com
What comes in the videography package?
With your purchase of our videography services, you receive….
*undivided attention during your time
*unlimited footage during Yugen Productions’s time with you
*a 4+ minute video of custom edited footage paired with beautiful legally obtained music and delivered digitally