Holly and Kendra – June 29, 2020

Rustic Weddings

Holly and Kendra are locals whose love story started in the woods so rustic weddings were the idea of choice. Holly said she knew that when she got married that she wanted to say their vows surrounded by nature, and we are excited that they chose us for their big day!! We had to pull out some fans to try to stay cool because it was such a muggy day, but that didn’t get these two down! Congratulations, Holly and Kendra!!

From the Brides:

We met on POF (plenty of fish). She (Holly) actually liked me for my hair at first. We started talking and I drove from Cookeville to Knoxville to see her on her lunch one night because I had nothing better to do. I got to the hospital where she works. Told her I was there and the first thing she messaged me was “This isn’t gonna be a cat-phish thing where I walk out and you aren’t really here is it?” I laughed and told her no. When she finally came out on her lunch, I rambled on like a complete nervous idiot. And for some reason, she still wanted to see me 2 days later. And we have been inseparable since. And that was 4 years ago.

On our first date, Holly took me to downtown Knoxville because they had just put a bunch of sculptures on display in one of the little parts down there near market square. She did that because she knew I was an artist and she thought I would love to see them. It was amazing. We spent a while looking at the shops there and spent sometime in the outdoor store there looking at things we could use for future adventures. after that we went back to her house and went swimming. Just soaking up the summer sun, enjoying one another’s company and talking endlessly.

I (Kendra) proposed to her. It took me months to do it because she (Holly) had a feeling it might be coming. I kept trying to make plans to go to our favorite hiking spot to do it, but she always found some excuse not to go. So finally, when were down in Florida visiting my dad and stepmom, I enlisted the help of one of my old friends from high school who I hadn’t seen in years. Only my friend didn’t know she was helping me till partway thru the day. We spent the first part of the day at a science center, and when Holly went to the bathroom, I let my friend in on the plan. That way we could come up with a signal for when I wanted my friend to go off on her own for a little bit. We went to Harry P Leu Gardens after that, and it ended up being perfect because they had huge Lego sculptures everywhere. Holly absolutely loves her Legos. Eventually as we were going thru the garden we came across an area filled with beautiful flowers that a gorgeous water fountain and some little pavilions in it where we could get away from everyone. I discretely gave my friend the signal and she went off, pretending to take photos of some of the flowers. We walked to one of the pavilions and sat down. As soon as I started to reach for my pocket to get out the ring, Holly’s eyes got really wide and she got up and bolted. But came back a few moments later and I finally proposed to her. Unbeknownst to me, the reason she bolted was because she had gotten me a ring as well so she could turn around and pull out a ring for me at the same time I proposed to her. But I managed to catch her so off guard that day, that she had left the ring at my parents house thinking I wouldn’t propose with my friend there. So, when we got home, she went upstairs and grabbed the ring for me while I sat on my parents patio in the garden and surprised me with a ring as well and told me why she had ran away for a moment at the gardens.

We chose East Tennessee when we were looking at places that hosted rustic weddings because we really wanted something in the mountains because our love of hiking and the outdoors is one of the first and main things we bonded over. What I am most looking forward to is seeing Holly walking down the aisle towards me, knowing that after that day she will be my wife. And it will be the start of a wonderful new journey together. And that I will always have her by my side as long as we live.

June 28th was the day that I asked if Holly would be my girlfriend. So it being the 29th is like the next day we are starting our new life together. Taking that step towards forever together.

For fun we like to hike and go kayaking. I have even taken Holly caving, which is a pastime that I have never shared with another person that I have dated because that was my thing, my time to myself and my friends. But I wanted to share every part of my life with her. Show her why I loved it so much. And as far as collecting things, we always get magnets and little medals to stick to my hiking pole from every place and trail we go together. We plan on filling up my hiking staff with all the adventures that we go on together. It is a goal of ours. And it is a large redwood hiking stick. So we have room for a lot of adventures together.

Chapel Florals: Chapel in the Hollow
Bouquet: Kendra
Officiant: Ian Parrott
Photography: Star Noir Studio
Venue: Chapel in the Hollow

Are you looking for a venue that celebrates rustic weddings? We are here for you!! Take a look at our pricing and availability to see if we are a fit for you.

Kelly and Chad – June 27, 2020

Intimate Wedding Ideas

Trying to come up with some intimate wedding ideas? Check this out Our second wedding June 27th was Kelly and Chad, and they have. They are creating a family of five, and their kids were adorable! Chad had a fun, laid back vibe with his outfit, and Kelly was strutting her stuff in that perfectly pouffy dress. She created all of the bouquets and boutonnieres herself–I was super impressed. Congratulations Kelly and Chad!

From the Bride:

We were introduced through a mutual friend and began chatting online and over the phone. He worked off during the week and only had some weekends home. Which was pretty tough. But every weekend he was off he made special time for me. It was hard balancing everything at first, but eventually we got into a pattern and began dating and seeing each other pretty regularly. He made sure I was a top priority in his life and has always made sure of that. From day one. Our first date was to Leathas BBQ in Petal followed by a movie. Simple and sweet. It wasn’t long after that I knew he was the one for me. The emotional connection was more than I ever expected. Something I never experienced. Something I have always wanted. It was more than a physical connection. Early on in the relationship we went thru a lot. More than most married couples.. lots of trials and snags in the road. But we have managed to overcome it all and become stronger in the process of it. I am forever thankful for finding such an amazing father to our children, he has always went above and beyond for us. I am looking to spending forever with him.

The proposal was absolutely amazing and a total surprise. Being a photographer, I wanted family pictures of all of us together and planning it around weekends when we had all the kids together and his work schedule was hard. I booked 2 different photographers, and weather and his schedule messed it up a few times. I wanted it so bad but it would never would out for us. So it was literally planned within a few hours trying to fight the rain moving in and him driving 2 hours home. My best friend was adamant about getting them done and taking them for me. So I gathered clothes, got everyone ready and headed to a pecan field down the road. I took a few pictures of the kids, and once it was ready to snap a few of the whole family I positioned us as best I could and hoped for the best! Somewhere in the chaos of things she slipped him the zales box with my engagement ring. She positioned us and in one of the pictures she snapped he was holding the box. I still had no clue. Even after glancing at the picture after. I was making sure the kids looked good and my hair was decent lol. Had NO clue he was holding it. The next set of pictures she positioned us again and thats when he was behind me down on one knee. So, once I thought the picture was over I turned around and there he was. Down on one knee, our children there a few feet away… i was in complete shock, the kids realized what was happening and started crying their eyes out, which made chad lose it. He could barely talk and say what he had planned to say. He was only able to get a sentence or two out! He was in tears, as was I… the kids were so happy they were in tears too. I don’t know if I even said yes, because I was crying so much. But we both knew it was a match made in heaven. I knew very early on I wanted to spend forever with him. He is an amazing man, great with my son, great father figure and a damn good father to his girls which he has custody of.

I knew I wanted a small, simple wedding, with it being our second each. After looking online it didn’t take long to choose our location. I saw the chapel in the hollow and literally said its the one. I booked several months out and locked in the date. We had plans for family and friends to travel, and was looking forward to everyone being there.

A couple months went by and covid became an issue. I was worried and stressing out as the weeks went by. Contemplating on canceling or moving numerous times.. we watched it as it continued to get worse. Literally everything was shutting down. Which was heartbreaking to watch unfold. Not knowing if we would be forced to cancel or move the wedding, we thought about pushing it due to travel issues for friends and family. But after talking with friends and family, they understood the circumstances and were very accepting of our decision to go ahead with it.

I am looking forward to seeing his face as he sees me for the first time in my dress. And my son walking me down the aisle. We are a very tight knit family and I know emotions will play a big roll in the wedding.

Hair and Makeup: Sheer Envy
Jewelry: Amazon.com
Cake: Publix Super Market at Valley Forge Shopping Center
Rings: Zales
Shoes: Pierre Dumas and Ariat
Menswear: Buckle
Chapel Florals: Melissa Timm Designs
Bouquets and Boutonnieres: Bride
Photography: Star Noir Studio
Videography: Chapel in the Hollow

You can find tons of intimate wedding ideas at Chapel in the Hollow. Check out our Pinterest boards to see lots of fun ideas from previous weddings. If you’re ready to start planning, take a look at our pricing page for more info.