Our third intimate Smoky Mountain wedding for the day on July 17th was Kayla and Darren with their families from Kentucky. She chose a time very near sunset so her photos are all beautifully moody. They blended his boys and her girls into a single family today. Kayla had her mom walk her down the aisle, and she carried a bouquet with a picture of her father attached to it. She looked lovely in her dress from David’s Bridal, and Fringe Salon and Spa did an amazing job on her hair and makeup. Congratulations Kayla and Darren!!

Dress: David’s Bridal
Coordination: Custom Love Gifts, Events & Prints
Hair and Makeup: Fringe Salon and Spa
Photography: Star Noir Studio
Venue: Chapel in the Hollow

These two Ohio residents joined us on July 17th for a quick Smoky Mountain elopement. After their ceremony, we discussed Dylan’s love of the University of Kentucky that he inherited from his grandfather. Cassie told me about her work in a factory back home. They’ve been together for 10 years, and they look just as in love as when they first met. Congratulations Cassie and Dylan!

From the Bride:

We met in high school my junior year. I was a lab assistant in one of his classes. We kinda hit it off pretty quickly. Our first date was short and sweet outside where the busses were parked.

He proposed. He was showing me a picture of some race cars and slid one picture too far, and I saw the ring. He had no choice but to do it right then and there. We had a wonderful wedding planned with family and friends but with the virus going on we decided that we wanted something small and just us 2. And Tennessee is absolutely beautiful and we both loved it.

I most looked forward to just finally being married to my absolute best friend in the whole world. We normally keep it pretty simple. Movie night, bonfire, just having a few drinks sitting on the porch swing. 

Wedding Dress: DressAfford
Menswear: Kohl’s
Shoes: David’s Bridal and Justin Boots
Rings: Amazon.com
Photography: Star Noir Studio
Venue: Chapel in the Hollow

Are you thinking about planning a Smoky Mountain elopement? We are excited to help!! You can find our pricing and calendar on the website as well as our Covid-19 policies and tons of other info.

Of all of the locations for Tennessee micro weddings, Candice and Ricky joined us at Chapel in the Hollow today all the way from Texas to celebrate their big day! Ricky is an army veteran, and his officiant served with him. We made sure to include a good tinder photo so JP can get closer to finding the lady he is looking for. 😉 Candice and Ricky surprised their daughter and families with the announcement that they are expecting baby number 2! Congratulations Candice and Ricky!!

From the Bride: 

I was working in a new position in Tulsa, OK and met Ricky while I he was working at a local bar I was at with friends. He asked for my number and we chatted a lot via text before deciding to go on a date.

Our first date was memorable because it was a weeknight and had started to snow for the first time that winter. It was snowing a lot so we figured work and school the next day would be cancelled. We went to a local bar and had drinks and talked for hours and really hit it off. We stayed out way too late assuming everything would close the next day, but the snow was melted by morning and we were dragging the next day.

Ricky proposed on Valentine’s Day in 2014. We had planned on meeting 2 of Ricky’s best friends from the Army in Nashville for a little roadtrip reunion this summer, and when I saw how close we were to the Smoky Mountains I started looking up venues and fell in love with this one. We have been engaged for 6+ years and just let life get in the way. We’re excited to finally be doing this! I most look forward to getting to finally have our ceremony, my Dad walking me down the aisle and seeing our daughter as the flower girl.

We both love sports; baseball, hockey, football and going to sports events.
Movies is a fun date for us as well as live sporting events.

Hair and Makeup: Drybar
Chapel Florals: Melissa Timm Designs
Wedding Dress: Lulus
Photography: Star Noir Studio
Officiant: JP Donahue
Venue: Chapel in the Hollow

Megan and Brandon chose to have an outdoor micro wedding at Chapel in the Hollow for our second wedding of July 13, 2020. They brought her parents and their puppers – Savage and Marlin. You might be able to tell from their names that he is a gunsmith. 😉 Brandon’s ring is made from a Jack Daniels whiskey barrel and was almost as pretty as Megan’s. I think you’re going to agree that these two are super cute!! Congratulations Megan and Brandon!

From the Bride:

Brandon and I were matched up by my sister, Morgan and my now brother-in-law, Ross. Brandon and Ross were platoon buddies, and were deployed to GTMO together. He lived in the Western Ohio area, and I lived in southeast Indiana. Two different worlds, and two different people that had the misfortune of looking for love in the wrong places.

We first met at his army family day picnic in June of 2017. He didn’t seem to be interested, and other people started talking to me. Eventually though he came around and said we could leave. Our plan was to go see a movie together, Spider-Man. While on the way to the theater, he drove us through his hometown, and began pointing out landmarks from his childhood. On the way back, we got lost heading towards Indiana, and he quickly learned that I’m terrible giving directions. We were lost in the country, watching free fireworks shows along the way. We talked and got to know one another. It was a special night.

In October of 2018, we went on a road trip to Orlando, Florida. We both wanted to visit Harry Potter world in Universal Studios, and they also have a Halloween event. We both had a blast, and when it was time to head back, the car ride felt like an eternity. Sleep deprived, crabby, and hungry is a nice way of putting my mood. As we approached Kentucky (almost home!) Brandon informed me his parents were coming over. All I wanted to do was go home and sleep, so I threw a fit. As we approached Indiana, and my parents house I noticed there were a few cars in the driveway. I recognized his parents, and my grandparents. What was going on? I walked through the front door, and immediately noticed the spaghetti dinner on the table. I was just about to take a bite of some garlic bread, and was interrupted by everyone telling me to come into the living room. Dragging my feet, I reluctantly went and tried sitting down. Brandon came over and tried getting me to stand up, as I did he began getting down on one knee. I was in complete shock, and nervously started shaking my head. Everyone thought I was saying “no” (They still tease me) so I quickly muttered a “yes”. Even though I was in a terrible mood, he still wanted to be with me. That is love.  I can’t wait to spend my life with you, and see where our future takes us.

We chose Tennessee for our wedding because our first vacation today was in Tennessee, along with my sister and brother-in-law. We both have been coming here since we were young and enjoy the atmosphere and scenery.

I most looked forward to experiencing a beautiful moment shared between the two of us. And the scenery was breath taking !! Felt like a living in a woodland fairytale.

On July 13th 2017, we went out to eat at Cracker Barrel (one of my favorite places!). Brandon seemed a little off, and slightly nervous. I asked what was wrong and that’s when he officially muttered the words “will you go out with me?”.

We quickly found out we had a TON of similarities. From listening to Michael Jackson music, zombie preparedness, Harry Potter, supporting and practicing the second amendment, hiking/camping,and so much more!

Chapel Florals: Chapel in the Hollow
Wedding Dress: Country Outfitter
Menswear: Wrangler
Shoes: Ariat and Corral Boots
Rings: Etsy and Rustic & Main
Hair and Makeup: Erin from Fringe Salon and Spa
Photography: Star Noir Studio
Venue: Chapel in the Hollow

Outdoor micro weddings are a unique way for an outdoorsy couple to celebrate surrounded by nature. You can get some great ideas for your nature wedding by checking out some of our previous weddings. We have lots of info to help with your planning like pricing, where to get your marriage license, and pros and cons of DIYing your wedding.