There’s nothing sweeter than saying“I do” surrounded by your favorite people… and pups! Jenny and Garrett’s September elopement at Chapel in the Hollow was the perfect mix of romance, laughter, and furry best friends. With champagne draping, boho florals, and their dogs at the center of the celebration, this wedding was filled with joy from start to finish.
A Cozy September Afternoon in the Smokies
Nestled in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, Chapel in the Hollow provided the dreamy woodland backdrop Jenny and Garrett envisioned. They decorated the chapel with soft champagne fabric and our signature boho florals, creating a whimsical, romantic vibe that paired beautifully with the cozy fall season. Their guest list was intimate—just their parents and their pups, Sedona and Fletcher, with Sabre present in spirit. This tiny crew made the day feel extra personal, meaningful, and full of love.
The Bride, the Groom, and the Pups
Jenny looked radiant in her off-the-shoulder Rebecca Ingram gown from Three Diamonds Boutique. Layers of tulle added soft movement as her mid-length veil floated in the breeze. Her mom helped her get ready, turning pre-ceremony prep into a memory she’ll cherish forever.
Garrett looked equally sharp in a dark suit paired with a burnt orange tie—a perfect nod to autumn in the Smokies. Together, they shared a tender first look and exchanged heartfelt letters before the ceremony began(yes, tissues were absolutely required ).
And then came the star of the show: Sedona, strutting down the aisle as ring bearer with tail-wagging pride!
Thoughtful Details That Stole Our Hearts
Jenny and Garrett didn’t just include their pups on the big day—they made them part of the story from beginning to end. Their wedding invitations were“sent” from the dogs themselves, with Sabre giving his paw of approval on the back.
Post-ceremony, the group celebrated with family portraits, a first dance, and a champagne toast—complete with doggy brews so Sedona and Fletcher could raise a glass(or paw!) too.
Finally, they wandered to the highland area for romantic couple portraits framed by mountain views and the soft glow of a cloudy September sky. Pure magic.
Why We Love Pup-Friendly Weddings
At Chapel in the Hollow, we adore when couples bring their fur babies along for the big day. Whether it’s a pup as a ring bearer, a flower dog, or simply snoozing happily through the vows, dogs bring an extra layer of love and authenticity. Our dog-friendly policies make it easy to include them in your elopement or micro wedding without stress.
From the Bride
Garret and I met the end of 2020. Meeting during covid was interesting as there wasn’t a lot of things we could do and winter was approaching. For our first date, we decided to try out indoor putt putt. It seemed fun and wouldn’t put too much pressure on us. I beat Garret fair and square, not sure he’d say the same :). We had fun and weren’t ready to go home yet so we decided to grab some dinner. It was the first of November and we went to my favorite local BBQ place. They had outdoor igloos for dining so we opted for one of those for a more private experience. Little did we know, it was about to start snowing. We were basically in a magical little igloo just enjoying some brisket tacos, until the wind picked up and tried to blow away our igloo. We had a great time and decided we would love to see each other again and the rest is history
Garret proposed in January of 2024. We were celebrating our anniversary that night and we decided to take the dogs for a walk at our local hiking spot before dinner. About a mile in, Garret got down on one knee and proposed. Of course I said yes! The dogs had no idea what was going on and were off frolicking in a field during the proposal.We had been dating for around 4 months before we took a road trip down to Tennessee to visit some of Garret’s family and pick up his new vehicle. I absolutely fell in love with the area and he had always loved it there. Since then, we try to take a trip every year or so to explore a new area and go hiking, our favorite places to hike always involve waterfalls. When we decided we wanted a small wedding, we couldn’t think of anywhere besides Tennessee. Once I found Chapel in the Hollow, I was sold. It was also an added bonus that our dogs could be our legal witnesses.We are looking forward to enjoying a low-key ceremony to celebrate our commitment to each other and have our dogs as our witnesses.
We both enjoying walking and playing with our dogs and just enjoying quiet time at home together. We don’t really have a typical date night as we like to do various things, either go out to dinner and walk around town or get take out and enjoy a movie at home.
If Jenny and Garrett’s day makes you want to grab the leash and plan your own“doggone cute” elopement, Chapel in the Hollow might be your dream venue. With flexible packages, woodsy backdrops, and plenty of space for wagging tails, we make it easy to celebrate with the ones you love—both two- and four-legged.
Ready to start planning? Click here to see our pricing and booking info.
