A Smoky Mountain Wedding Chapel for Outdoor Intimate Weddings and Elopements

Stress Free Smoky Mountain Elopement – Courtney and Scott

09.26.21

Courtney and Scott – September 14, 2021

Stress Free Smoky Mountain Elopement

Courtney and Scott joined us yesterday for a stress free Smoky Mountain elopement. They dressed the chapel in navy and blush fabric with our blush and marsala florals. She looked like a vision in her tiered white dress, and he had a bit of a Bradley Cooper vibe in his vest. Scott taught me a new joke that I’m excited to use on our next couple. Congratulations, Courtney and Scott!!

From the Bride:

Scott and I were introduced to one another by a mutual friend who felt that our personalities complimented each other’s well. I thought he was insane. When asked what we have in common, he joking replied “You both like country music”… Apparently that’s the ticket to an amazing relationship, because Scott and I have been together since.

The first date was adorable. He’s probably going to kill me for sharing this, but prior to our date he asked our friend for recommendations of where to eat and what to wear, even sending pictures to ensure that he looked okay. Myself, I was probably the most relaxed I’ve ever been, which is odd. I walked in to the date thinking that I was going make another great friend, not that I was meeting the man that I would be with for the rest of my life. He took me to the town that I had grown up in, to a restaurant that I had never been to, despite living there most of my life. We had an amazing dinner on Lake Erie, where our conversation lasted well beyond close. We decided to continue our conversation and headed to a nearby pub where we continued talking for a few more hours. He was so polite and caring, just as I was told. I have never believed in love at first sight, but by the end of the night I knew that he was special… that I had met the man I was meant to be with for the rest of my life.

Oh my gosh, he is such an idiot, lol. He explained that we needed to take a weekend to disconnect and wanted to book us a camping trip in southern Ohio. As it was a last minute trip, all of the campgrounds were full… except for Camp Toodik’s. Yes, you read that right. Who comes up with these names?! So, anyways, we packed up and headed down to Toodiks. After a day of canoeing on the river, we decided to get the fire started and began to unwind. As I sat back in my chair warming up to the fire, he sat next to me, opening a box containing the ring, too nervous to even talk. It was so adorable, and absolutely perfect.

We are two very busy souls. I opened my own brick and mortar business this year, as well as am the Director of Stores for an additional company. He has a super stressful job as a Project Manager for our local gas company as well as working on projects on his day off. Together we have 3 children who keep us pretty busy and we are currently building our forever home. We honestly just don’t ever seem to have time to relax and disconnect. When discussing our wedding, we wanted to create the least amount of stress as possible on not only ourselves, but our families as well. While having talks of marrying at our local courthouse, I wanted to find a remote venue that allowed us to enjoy each other’s company and unwind, while still being true to who we are. And that’s when I spotted the beautiful picture of your chapel… and I knew this is exactly where we needed to be.

I’m most looking forward to the photography, lol. Seriously though… it’s amazing, the scenery is to die for and I can’t tell you the last time we have taken photos together. I cannot wait to marry my best friend. We have been together over 4 years and it feels like time has flown by, but also that we have been together forever. We have changed so much and have adapted so well to one another. It’s amazing.

I’d be lying if I said there was a significance to the date. September temps are perfect. Still a little warm but not too hot (typically, although 2021 is proving me wrong). It’s not too rainy and the leaves just begin to change.

As crazy as it sounds, we like to keep busy, mostly with work. We enjoy helping out and building a sense of community and belonging with what we do. We really balance each other out well and his strengths fill in my areas of weakness and vice versa. It’s a perfect combination.

Chapel Florals: Chapel in the Hollow via Melissa Timm Designs

Bouquet and Boutonniere: Petal Pushers – https://www.facebook.com/mandy.stollpetalpushers

Dress: David’s Bridal

Shoes: CONVERSE and Ariat

Rings: Kay Jewelers

Officiant: Ian Parrott

Photography: Star Noir Studio

Hair and Makeup: Wanderlust Salon and Spa

Video: Yugen Productions

Venue: Chapel in the Hollow

Are you planning your own stress free Smoky Mountain elopement? Check out our packages to see what we can do to make your life a little easier.

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UT Vols Football Wedding

09.25.21

UT Volunteer Inspired Wedding – August 20, 2021

UT Vols Football Wedding

The idea for this UT Vols Football wedding shoot was originally inspired by my uncle who is a huge UT Vols fan. Unfortunately, he passed the day we shot it so he never had a chance to know about it, but I’m sure he is cheering us on in spirit. In Tennessee, football is big. In my time as a photographer, I’ve shot a few football themed weddings, but we wanted to do something a little different — draw inspiration from the colors and elements and make it classy and fun.

For colors, we chose shades of orange, white, and gray to mimic the colors of the jerseys that the team wears during the games. We brought in suede/leather accents to mimic the manly feel of the football. We added in woodgrain accents (including a fun wooden bowtie!) to bring in a rustic element reminiscent of the lovely mountain setting of Knoxville. Custom Love put together some chicken and waffle sliders as a fun take on tailgate food with mini syrup bottles. Our bluetick beagle, Tennessee Whiskey, participated in a few of the pictures in her own UT jersey. We used rose gold jewelry for our bride to bring in the coppery warmth as well as a whiskey barrel and copper ring for our groom. For favors, we chose organic dog biscuits for a sweet, pet-friendly wedding gift–from our furbaby to yours, of course. Southern Sirens created a fun updo for our bride, Halee, that looked youthful and energetic. Vital Event Services joined us with some gorgeous (and tasty) signature cocktails, the Voluntini and Ole Smoky Orange Mojito.

Halee and Brad, our bride and groom, are a real couple who were married at Chapel in the Hollow.

Voluntini

Bourbon
Amaretto
Orange Juice
Bitters
Lime

Ole Smoky Orange Mojito

Wheat Beer
Brown Raw Sugar
Lime Juice
Mint

Hair and Makeup: Southern Sirens
Invitations, Coordination, and Favors: Custom Love Gifts, Events, and Prints
Dress, Suede Vest, Earrings, Bowtie: Amazon
Rings: Etsy
Florals: Echelon Florist
Cake: Publix
Bartender: Vital Event Services
Photography: Star Noir Studio with second shooting from Nelya Photos
Dog – Tennessee Whiskey
Venue: Chapel in the Hollow
Models: Brad and Halee

Are you ready to start planning your UT Vols football wedding?? We’d love to help! Check out our calendar to see if we have your date available.

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Micro Weddings Tennessee – Theresa and Ricky

09.24.21

Theresa and Ricky – September 13, 2021

Micro Weddings Tennessee

Micro weddings in Tennessee are a great way to celebrate! Today, we got to spend some time with a couple of locals, Theresa and Ricky. They brought a few family members to witness their big day. They dressed the chapel in blush and champagne fabric with our blush and marsala florals. She made her own bouquet out of fabric, and it was adorable. They had an extra special flower girl, and they were so cute together!! Congratulations, Theresa and Ricky!

From the Bride:

Ricky says it was love at first sight, we were kids in school. We dated for a short time then went our separate ways. We both got married to other people. I guess it was meant to be because here we are 35 years later, 2 becoming one.

Ricky tried 3 times to surprise me with a proposal, and I ruined all 3. Poor guy just gave up and we decided together.

We are both originally from Baltimore. We decided to move here after our first vacation to the Mountains. I wouldn’t want to get married anyplace else, it’s the most beautiful place I ever seen.

We love driving to new places, antiquing, swap meets, junkin’, flea markets and any kind of treasure hunting we can find. Oh and eating, LOL, we enjoy trying new places for dinner.

Hair and Makeup: Southern Strandz Salon

Dress: Yardsale Find

Officiant: Ian Parrott

Photography: Star Noir Studio

Venue: Chapel in the Hollow

Are you looking at options for micro weddings in Tennessee? They are so popular now! We’d love to help you celebrate! Check out our calendar to see if your date is available.

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Beautiful Fall Elopement – Meagan and Joseph

09.24.21

Meagan and Joseph – September 11, 2021

Beautiful Fall Elopement

Meagan and Joseph joined us this morning for a beautiful fall elopement. They dressed the chapel in champagne and white fabric, and they brought their own bright fall florals. Meagan looked so gorgeous in her beaded dress with her sweet braid by Southern Sirens. These two were looking for a stress free elopement option, and we are so glad they chose us! Congratulations, Meagan and Joseph!!

From the Bride:

We first saw each other in high school. For our first date, we went to the beach, walked and talked on the beach, had so much fun didn’t want the date to end. He proposed. He took me to the same beach where we had our first date. East Tennessee has always been my favorite place. It holds a lot of wonderful memories! I’m most looking forward to the ceremony where I get to say I do to the one my heart has loved since first glance in a busy crowded high school hallway over 2 decades ago! We chose the date because it’s Joseph’s birthday! We love nature and we love to explore the outdoors!

Hair and Makeup: Southern Sirens

Florals: University Florist

Dress: Oleg Cassini from David’s Bridal

Photography: @Star Noir Studio

Menswear: Stafford Crown and Ivy

Shoes: AVIE

Rings: Zales

Cake: Cakes by Bakin’ Bishop

Officiant: Ian Parrott

Venue: Chapel in the Hollow

Are you planning a beautiful fall elopement? Check out our calendar to see if we have your date available.

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Intimate Fall Wedding – Jessica and Cliffton

09.24.21

Jessica and Cliffton – September 10, 2021

Intimate Fall Wedding

Jessica and Cliffton joined us for an intimate fall wedding. They dressed the chapel in champagne with white florals. He wore jeans and a white dress shirt, and she looked lovely in a simple white dress. These two were chill and oh so sweet. Congratulations, Jessica and Cliffton!!

From the Bride:

We went to high school together but we never really spoke then as he was two years ahead of me. A few years ago we connected randomly and we talked for a while. He’d asked me to dinner several times but I was just way too shy to go. I think he was about ready to give up when I finally agreed to it. He’s persistent, that’s for sure & I’ve grown to love that about him. After we “made it official,” he’d told me he actually had a crush on me in high school. It’s funny how things work out.

The first date was nice. I was really surprised with how comfortable I actually was but he’s a talker and made it easy for me. We rode around the little backroads in our county, and I pointed out where basically my entire family lived (he’d have to know one day anyway, right? 😂).

Cliffton proposed around two years ago. Our daughter Nora was a little over a month old when he got a onesie that said “Mommy, Will you marry my daddy?” He put it on her while I was upstairs doing something. And when I came down, he proposed in our kitchen.

I wanted a wedding I would never forget, honestly. We had actually looked at having our wedding at a venue here but I just wanted something a little bit different and more intimate with our close family and friends. This is going to be a new adventure for both of us, why not start it somewhere epic? I saw Chapel in the Hollow online and I just thought it was so perfect and exactly what I was looking for.

I’m looking forward to becoming my best friend’s wife, surrounded by our closest family and friends.

We both love to be outside and to visit new places. He likes to go fishing, hunting and he really just loves to be in the mountains in general. We also love visiting antique/thrift stores. In the evenings as we’re winding down from the day, he will play video games and I’ll read usually when we aren’t binge watching another show I’ve found 😂

Dress: Baltic Born

Photography: Star Noir Studio

Shoes: Liberty Black Boots

Rings: Brilliant Earth

Officiant: Ian Parrott

Hair and Makeup: Bride

Bridesmaid Dresses: AZAZIE

Are you ready to plan your intimate fall wedding? Here is a link to our wedding e-magazine to help with your planning! Check out our calendar to see if we have your date available!

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