Blended Family “I Do” at Chapel in the Hollow
Shaina and Brad – September 13, 2025
A Heartfelt Smoky Mountain Wedding That Made a Family Whole
Some weddings are about more than just two people saying “I do.” They’re about the joining of lives, the blending of hearts, and the beginning of a brand-new family journey. That’s exactly what Shaina and Brad’s wedding was—a deeply moving celebration of love, unity, and family in the heart of the Smoky Mountains.
Hosted at our serene woodland venue, Chapel in the Hollow, this early September micro wedding brought together not just a couple, but five beautiful children and two committed parents ready to step into the next chapter—together.
A Rustic Smoky Mountain Setting with Autumn Charm
For their blended family wedding, Shaina and Brad styled the forest chapel with champagne and textured rust fabric, accented by our lantern package for that warm, glowy fall ambiance we love so much this time of year. 🍁🕯️
Shaina brought her own seasonal flair, decorating with autumn wreaths and beautiful Etsy bouquets from Fernandsunpalm for herself and the girls. This added a handmade, heartfelt element to their décor—perfect for a rustic Smoky Mountain wedding.
If you’re dreaming of a cozy, intimate fall wedding that feels personal and meaningful, this one checks every box.
A Bride with Style and Sentiment
Shaina looked radiant in her Allure Bridals gown, her look pulled together with gorgeous styling from Organic Infusion Hair & Nail Salon. Her daughters and mother helped her get ready—creating a tender, emotional pre-ceremony moment full of laughter and hugs.
Her dad proudly walked her down the aisle, but it was Brad’s reaction that took everyone’s breath away. The moment he saw her, his face crumpled with emotion, and the tears flowed freely. Talk about a tear-jerker moment. 😭💕
An Adaptable Ceremony Full of Heart
Due to a foot injury, Shaina and Brad chose to hold their ceremony at the base of the chapel steps—a unique adaptation that somehow made everything feel more intimate and connected.
With Ian Parrott officiating, they exchanged personal vows that had the entire audience misty-eyed. As the ceremony concluded, their five children rushed in for the sweetest group hug—the perfect symbol of the family they had just officially created.
This was more than a wedding—it was a whole-family promise.
Romantic Portraits with Mountain Views
After a few sweet family photos at the chapel, we ventured to one of our favorite photo spots—the field with the mountain view, just as the September sun dipped low, casting that perfect golden-hour glow across the Smokies. 🌞🏔️
There, Shaina and Brad embraced, laughed, and fully stepped into the magic of the day. From her Idyllwind cowboy boots by Miranda Lambert to Brad’s Egara suit vest from Men’s Wearhouse, their style blended comfort, confidence, and country elegance.
A Wedding with Family at Its Center
Weddings like Shaina and Brad’s remind us why we love what we do here at Chapel in the Hollow—because every love story is different, and every family journey is uniquely beautiful.
Their children weren’t just spectators—they were active participants. From helping with getting ready to that unforgettable group hug, this was truly a celebration of family first.
Planning a Blended Family Wedding?
If you’re dreaming of a blended family wedding in a place that offers peace, beauty, and flexibility, our forest venue in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee is the perfect fit. We know how to create a space that welcomes every member of the family and celebrates all the little moments that matter most.
Explore our customizable wedding packages and let us help you craft a day that is intimate, meaningful, and truly you.
From the Bride:
We both decided to give an online dating app a try. Both of us matched up to one another and from the moment we started talking we did not stop. All day long we chatted, and decided to even meet that night!
Our first date was at a restaurant called “Muddy Misers”. The food was excellent, we both showed up in jeans and a flannel. I wont ever forget his jeans, boots, flannel, and a ball cap that had me captured instantly. I didn’t get much sleep the night before our date, so I was out all night with him after dinner and even fell asleep on his center console of his truck! My mom and sister were so worried and kept calling me due to it being so out of the norm for me to go on a date with someone I didn’t know and stay out so late and not answer my phone. They were petrified! But I knew when we met, for some reason I felt safe and super comfortable.
He proposed. We had all of our children with us at the skate park on a fall evening, we typically like to take the kids there to ride their scooters and their bikes. It was very random when we were leaving he had pulled out the ring and got down on one knee, it was super simple which I like, and all of our children were present which is what meant the most to me.
I used to live in TN for almost 10 years. I absolutely love the state of TN, everything about the mountains just really speaks to me. WE are both outdoorsy type of people and I always knew one day I would get married in or near the mountains when I had my wedding.
I’m most looking forward to having our family together and witnessing something so special between all of us. Two families coming together as one to support our blended family. Our children will be up their with us as our bridesmaids, and groomsmen. I knew that was the only option I wanted was for our children to be the ones standing next to us over anyone else.
My fiance had an uncle that was number 13 in sports growing up, he always watched him play and decided he wanted to start using the number himself. Then on February 7th, 2013 he lost a daughter named Quinn Elizabeth Wilson who was stillborn, and shortly after was blessed with his daughter now Sylvie Claire Wilson on August 13th, 2014. His children have also carried on using the number 13 in any extracurricular activity where they get to choose a number. He has always had a strong feeling associated with the number 13 and I wanted to honor that for him and his children.
We both love to go fishing, hunting, kayaking, mushroom hunting, watch dirt-track races, watch motocross and supercross races. Anything to so with outside or four wheelers and racing we both love.
Vendor Love
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Venue: Chapel in the Hollow
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Event Management: Cici with Custom Love Gifts & Events
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Photography: Star Noir Studio
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Officiant: Ian Parrott
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Hair & Makeup: Organic Infusion Hair & Nail Salon
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Dress: Allure Bridals
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Florals: Fernandsunpalm on Etsy
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Shoes: Idyllwind by Miranda Lambert + Cody James
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Rings: Dunkin’s Diamonds
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Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse
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Invitations: Shutterfly
Ready to Start Planning?
We’re here to help bring your blended family wedding dreams to life. Whether you’re looking for an intimate elopement, a micro wedding, or a rustic ceremony surrounded by the forest, Chapel in the Hollow offers natural beauty, flexible packages, and the kind of charm that only East Tennessee can provide.
💌 Contact us today to start planning your day: chapelinthehollow.com/contact
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