Relaxed September Elopement in East Tennessee
Dana and Jason – September 1, 2025
When it comes to celebrating love, sometimes the simplest moments create the most lasting memories. Dana and Jason’s September elopement at Chapel in the Hollow was the perfect example of how a relaxed micro wedding can feel just as magical as a grand celebration—without any of the stress.
Nestled in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, our woodland chapel was the backdrop for their intimate “I do.” The couple chose a soft, romantic design with champagne and white drapery, accented by our signature white florals and candle package. As the flickering candlelight reflected off the rustic wood, the chapel seemed to glow with warmth, setting the stage for their heartfelt vows.
A Bride Radiant in Lace and Light ✨
Dana looked stunning in a sleeveless Liposa gown, complete with a corset back and delicate lace cutouts. Her cathedral-length veil in soft cream trailed gracefully behind her, adding a touch of elegance to the natural forest setting. Jason kept things true to his laid-back style, pairing jeans with a crisp white dress shirt and a tan vest—showing that grooms don’t need to wear a tux to look wedding-ready.
Before the ceremony, Jason’s sister helped Dana into her gown, creating a sweet and personal memory that felt especially meaningful. When it was time, Dana walked herself down the aisle, surrounded by sunlight streaming through the trees and the sound of birdsong in the air.
Emotional Vows and Pure Joy 💍
As soon as Jason saw Dana, his face lit up with excitement, and it was clear how much this moment meant to both of them. They exchanged personal vows that had everyone—including themselves—wiping away happy tears. This raw and beautiful emotion is exactly why we love hosting elopements in the Smoky Mountains.
Sweet Celebrations 🎂
Following the ceremony, Dana and Jason enjoyed a few family photos before cutting into their gorgeous wedding cake from Cakes by Bakin’ Bishop. Decorated to perfection, the cake looked almost too good to eat, but it tasted just as wonderful as it appeared.
Afterwards, we explored the grounds of Chapel in the Hollow for dreamy portraits with Star Noir Studio. From veil tosses to quiet laughter, every photo reflected the love and joy these two share.
From the Bride
Where do we begin around 25 years ago…….it’s just taken that long and divine timing in our lives for us to get here. We met through our friend circle at the time, and we knew it was special from the beginning. We’ve been close and intertwined with our families and kids and different trials and tribulations of life, even attending each others previous weddings, it’s been quite hit and miss, and not the right time until 2 years ago. His sisters have been some of my best friends and our children have grown together as well, so we were always at family gatherings and holidays throughout the years, they have all been considered family already. On our first date we went golfing with his sister and family, and haven’t looked back. From that moment on we knew that was it.
Jason proposed, in our back yard that we have worked hard on together to make it our little sanctuary. A bit of background the property used to be my fathers before he passed, and we have made it our own. I still sense him around and its a safe place, so on an evening he thought was right, he got down on 2 knees not 1 and asked me. A very beautiful ring and an easy yes, and here we are!
I have visited down in Tennessee before and it’s called out to me since. We generally prefer mountains over beaches, and the beauty that the Smoky Mountains have; I couldn’t have thought of a better place to begin this chapter of our forever. Since we have both have been married before, along the way knowing those were not “the one”, this marriage is in fact a long awaited time for us. Our hearts and souls are already connected, we are each others person, and it’s our day.
We picked this date with the use of numerology for our wedding date and our life path numbers based on our birthdays, September 1st, 2025 is the perfect date. Universally our numbers equal to the number 1, as it signifies a new beginning and the start of a new chapter. It embodies the idea of unity—two becoming one—which resonates well with the concept of our marriage.
We LOVE to travel and explore new places, and collect cool rocks from those areas. We go on motorcycle rides and have camped out, as well as just spending time with our kids and families and friends. We also have an amazing fur-baby, our dog Millie whom is spoiled beyond belief and usual goes on our adventures with us.
The Beauty of a Relaxed Micro Wedding 🌲
One of the best parts about hosting a wedding at Chapel in the Hollow is how customizable and stress-free the experience can be. Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic woodland elopement or an intimate gathering with family, our chapel offers the magic of the mountains without the hassle of permits or crowds.
Dana and Jason’s day was the perfect blend of heartfelt moments, personal touches, and laid-back celebration—a reminder that weddings don’t need to be big to be meaningful.
Congratulations again to Dana and Jason—we are so honored to have been part of your love story! 💫
Wedding Team
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Venue: Chapel in the Hollow
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Photography: Star Noir Studio
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Florals & Decor: Chapel in the Hollow
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Dress: Liposa
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Menswear: Amazon
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Shoes: Christian Louboutin from Nordstrom
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Rings: Riddles Jewelry
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Cake: Cakes by Bakin’ Bishop
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Officiant: Ian Parrott
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Hair and Makeup: Southern Sirens
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Jewelry: Clay and Fern
Planning Your Own Relaxed Micro Wedding?
If Dana and Jason’s wedding day has inspired you, we’d love to help you create your own unforgettable celebration. Whether you’re envisioning a fall elopement, a spring micro wedding, or a cozy winter ceremony, our Smoky Mountain wedding chapel is the perfect place to begin your forever.
👉 Learn more about our packages here and start planning your dream wedding in the Tennessee woods today.