Evening October Forest Wedding in the Smoky Mountains

Josie + Justin – October 10, 2026

Some weddings are beautiful because of the decorations, some because of the scenery, and some because of the incredible amount of love surrounding the couple. Josie and Justin’s wedding had all three, but it was their family that really made this one special. Between a handwritten love letter, five children standing beside their parents, a daughter crying happy tears, and a whole lot of bubbles, their October celebration was absolutely full of heart. 💜

These two chose Chapel in the Hollow for their evening October forest wedding in East Tennessee, and they brought such a sweet combination of romance, personality, and family-centered moments to their day. The chapel was dressed in soft cream fabric and succulent florals, the forest was looking lush and beautiful, and Josie wore the most gorgeous mauve-lavender wedding gown.

And because we’d been watching the weather so closely with all the rain moving through the area, we were especially happy to have a beautiful, dry evening for their celebration. The soft October light was lovely, and everything came together for a relaxed, romantic wedding surrounded by the people who mattered most.

There were also bubbles. Lots and lots of bubbles. And honestly, I’m never going to complain about that. 🫧

A Romantic October Wedding in the Forest

Josie and Justin chose cream fabric and succulent florals for their chapel decorations, creating a soft, natural setting that worked beautifully with the surrounding woods.

I love the combination of cream and greenery for forest weddings because it feels romantic without being overly formal. The light fabric brightens the ceremony space, while the succulent florals add natural texture and a little extra color.

Rather than choosing traditional fall colors, Josie and Justin let the forest provide the seasonal atmosphere. October in East Tennessee can be such a beautiful time for outdoor weddings, with the greenery still looking lush and the beginnings of autumn appearing throughout the landscape.

Their decorations were simple and elegant, allowing the natural setting and the people gathered there to remain the focus.

And with Josie’s colorful wedding dress, the neutral chapel decorations were an especially beautiful choice.

Josie’s Dreamy Mauve-Lavender Wedding Dress

Okay, we need to talk about Josie’s dress because I was absolutely IN LOVE with it. 😍💜

Instead of wearing traditional white, Josie chose a stunning mauve-lavender wedding gown by All Who Wander from Rebecca’s. It featured romantic off-the-shoulder sleeves and a long, flowing train that looked absolutely gorgeous against the forest greenery.

The color was such a beautiful choice for an October wedding. It had this soft pinky-purple tone that felt romantic and whimsical without being too bright or overwhelming.

I love when brides choose wedding dresses that reflect their personal style, whether that means something traditional, colorful, dramatic, or completely unexpected. There’s no rule that says you have to wear white to look bridal, and Josie was a perfect example of how beautiful a nontraditional wedding gown can be.

She wore her hair down, which complemented the soft, flowing style of her dress. The whole look had a dreamy, romantic feeling that fit perfectly with their woodland celebration.

And she had another fabulous detail hiding beneath that gorgeous gown.

Crystal-studded Converse from Etsy!

I absolutely love this combination. A beautiful, flowing lavender wedding dress paired with sparkly sneakers is such a fun way to mix elegance and comfort. Plus, comfortable shoes are always a fantastic choice when you’re planning to wander around the forest for wedding photos.

Josie’s bridal style was romantic, a little whimsical, and completely her own.

Justin’s Relaxed Woodland Wedding Style

Justin kept things relaxed and handsome in green pants, a dress shirt, and suspenders.

I loved how well his outfit coordinated with their forest wedding setting. The green pants complemented the surrounding trees, while the suspenders added a touch of personality without making the look feel overly formal.

Together, Josie and Justin looked fantastic. Her soft lavender gown stood out beautifully against the greenery, while his outfit felt perfectly suited to their relaxed October celebration.

Their styles were different but worked so well together, creating that lovely balance of romantic and casual that I enjoy seeing at intimate weddings.

And as beautiful as they looked, the most meaningful parts of their day were still to come.

A Handwritten Letter Before the Ceremony

Before the ceremony, Josie’s best friend helped her get ready and made sure everything was just right.

I love those quiet getting-ready moments before a wedding. There’s so much excitement building, but there’s also something sweet about having a little time with someone close to you before everything begins.

Josie had also prepared a special surprise for Justin: a handwritten letter for him to read before the ceremony. ❤️

I think letters are such a meaningful wedding tradition because they give couples an opportunity to share something personal without needing to say it in front of everyone.

Sometimes there are things you want your partner to know before you walk down the aisle, whether it’s how excited you are, how much you love them, or simply how happy you are that the day has finally arrived.

Having those words written down also creates a keepsake that can be saved and revisited long after the wedding is over.

I love that Josie made time for this little moment of connection before their ceremony. Even while they were getting ready separately, she found a way to remind Justin that she was thinking about him.

And soon enough, they’d be standing together with their entire family.

A Son Walking His Mom Down the Aisle

When ceremony time arrived, Josie’s son had the honor of walking her down the aisle.

And y’all, I absolutely love this. 🥹❤️

There’s something especially meaningful about having your child escort you to your wedding ceremony. It’s a beautiful way to recognize the important role they play in your life and include them in such a special moment.

Josie looked stunning in her mauve-lavender gown, with her long train flowing behind her as she made her way toward Justin.

The cream fabric and succulent florals created a soft, romantic backdrop, and the forest surrounding the chapel made everything feel peaceful and intimate.

But Josie’s son wasn’t the only child taking part in their celebration.

In fact, all five of their children were about to play a very special role.

Five Children Standing Beside Their Parents

One of the most beautiful details of Josie and Justin’s wedding was that all FIVE of their children stood up with them during the ceremony.

I love this so much.

For Josie and Justin, their wedding wasn’t simply about two people making promises to each other. It was also a celebration of the family they’d created together and the life they were continuing to build.

Having their children stand beside them made that connection visible in such a lovely way.

Weddings are often described as the beginning of a new chapter, and that can be especially meaningful when children are part of the story. The couple is celebrating their relationship, but the day can also represent something wonderful for the entire family.

Josie and Justin made sure their children weren’t simply watching from the sidelines. They were right there beside their parents, sharing in the experience.

And judging by the emotions during the ceremony, it meant a whole lot to everyone.

Happy Tears During the Ceremony

Apparently, the emotions were running pretty high during Josie and Justin’s ceremony.

Justin’s daughter started crying because she was just SO happy. 😭❤️

Y’all. My heart.

There’s something incredibly sweet about seeing a child genuinely excited to watch their parents get married. Those happy tears say so much about how meaningful the moment was.

I love photographing emotional wedding ceremonies because you never quite know when those moments are going to happen. Sometimes it’s the couple who gets teary-eyed, sometimes it’s a parent, and sometimes it’s one of the children standing beside them.

For Josie and Justin, seeing their daughter so moved by the ceremony was especially touching.

It was a beautiful reminder that their wedding was about more than the decorations, the outfits, or even the gorgeous forest setting. It was about love, family, and celebrating something that mattered deeply to the people standing there together.

And I think that’s what made their ceremony so special.

A Bubble-Filled Wedding Exit

After Josie and Justin officially became husband and wife, it was time to celebrate!

And their family sent them off with BUBBLES. 🫧❤️

I absolutely love bubbles at weddings. They’re fun, they’re pretty, and there’s something wonderfully joyful about watching newlyweds walk back down the aisle while everyone sends little bubbles floating through the air around them.

They also photograph beautifully, especially when the light catches them just right.

For Josie and Justin, the bubbles added such a happy, playful ending to an emotional ceremony. After all those meaningful family moments and happy tears, it was lovely to see everyone celebrating together.

The bubbles floating around Josie’s lavender dress and Justin’s green wedding outfit looked so pretty against the forest backdrop.

And honestly, I feel like a wedding exit involving bubbles automatically gets a few extra points for fun.

Of course, we weren’t quite finished with the bubbles yet.

Family Photos and a Little More Bubble Fun

After the ceremony, we gathered everyone together for family photos around the chapel.

With all five children playing such an important role in the wedding, I especially loved making sure we captured photographs of everyone together.

These are the kinds of images that become so meaningful over time. Years from now, Josie and Justin will be able to look back and remember not only their wedding day but also this particular chapter of their family’s story.

Once we’d finished the family portraits, we gave the newlyweds a little bubble time of their own.

Because if you’re going to have bubbles, you might as well take full advantage of them! 😂🫧

I loved how playful and happy those photos felt. The bubbles added a little movement and sparkle, and Josie’s gorgeous lavender dress made everything look especially romantic.

It was such a fun transition from the emotional ceremony into their newlywed portraits.

And once we’d finished playing around the chapel, it was time to explore a little more of the property.

Romantic Wedding Photos at the Rock Garden

Our first stop for couple portraits was the rock garden, where we captured some beautiful photos of Josie and Justin surrounded by natural textures and greenery.

I love the rock garden because it has a different feeling from the decorated chapel. Instead of fabric and florals framing the photos, the setting is all about the natural landscape.

Josie’s mauve-lavender dress looked absolutely gorgeous against the greenery, and the soft evening light gave everything a romantic atmosphere.

Her long train was especially pretty in the woodland setting, and I loved how the color of her gown stood out without feeling out of place.

Justin’s green pants and suspenders also worked beautifully with the scenery, creating a relaxed, coordinated look that fit their personalities.

They were so sweet together, and it was lovely getting to photograph them after such an emotional, family-filled ceremony.

Woodland Portraits by the Creek

From the rock garden, we wandered down to the creek for more romantic forest portraits.

The creek is such a lovely place for photos because it adds another layer of natural beauty to the setting. Between the water, the surrounding greenery, and the textures of the forest, there’s so much to work with.

For Josie and Justin, it was a beautiful continuation of their woodland wedding experience.

I especially loved photographing Josie’s dress in these natural settings. The soft lavender color looked gorgeous against the darker greens of the forest, and the flowing fabric added a dreamy quality to their portraits.

There’s something so romantic about wedding photos that feel connected to nature. You don’t need an elaborate backdrop when you’ve got beautiful scenery and two people who are happy to be together.

Josie and Justin were wonderful to photograph, and their relaxed energy made this part of the evening especially enjoyable.

Finishing the Evening With Smoky Mountain Views

Our final stop was the field with the mountain view, where we finished Josie and Justin’s wedding photos surrounded by the beautiful scenery of East Tennessee.

And the October evening light was absolutely lovely. 🏔️❤️

I love ending wedding portraits with a mountain view whenever we have the opportunity. There’s something special about stepping out of the forest and seeing the Smoky Mountains stretching into the distance.

The soft evening light gave everything a romantic feeling, and Josie’s gorgeous gown looked beautiful against the natural landscape.

After spending time at the chapel, the rock garden, and the creek, the field gave us one more lovely setting to capture these newlyweds together.

It was such a peaceful way to finish their wedding day, especially after all the excitement and emotion of the ceremony.

And considering the weather we’d been dealing with lately, we were particularly thankful that we could enjoy those mountain portraits without having to worry about rain.

A Beautiful Break From the Rain

We’d been keeping a very close eye on the weather leading up to Josie and Justin’s wedding.

With all the rain and unsettled conditions affecting the area, we were definitely hoping their October evening would stay dry.

Thankfully, not a drop fell while they were with us!

I was so happy that they were able to enjoy their outdoor ceremony, family photos, and couple portraits without having to work around rain.

The forest was looking lush, the soft evening light was beautiful, and the weather gave us the opportunity to visit all the photo locations they’d planned.

October can be such a gorgeous time for an outdoor wedding in the Smoky Mountains, and Josie and Justin got to enjoy some of the best parts of the season.

The cooler evening atmosphere, beautiful natural scenery, and romantic light all worked together to make their celebration especially lovely.

A Wedding That Celebrated the Whole Family

What I loved most about Josie and Justin’s evening October forest wedding wasn’t the decorations or the scenery, although both were absolutely beautiful.

It was the way their family was woven into the entire celebration.

Josie wrote Justin a letter to read before the ceremony, creating a sweet moment of connection before they saw each other.

Her son walked her down the aisle, and all five of their children stood beside them as they exchanged their vows.

Justin’s daughter was so happy that she couldn’t hold back the tears, and afterward, everyone celebrated with a bubble-filled wedding exit.

Those are the moments that really tell the story of their day.

I love when weddings reflect not just the couple’s relationship but also the people who are part of their lives. Josie and Justin’s celebration was such a beautiful example of that.

They weren’t simply starting a new chapter as husband and wife. They were celebrating the family they share and making memories that all of them can look back on together.

And that is pretty wonderful.

Congratulations, Josie and Justin!

Josie and Justin’s October wedding was such a sweet combination of romance, family, and a little playful fun.

The cream fabric and succulent florals created a beautiful woodland ceremony setting, and Josie’s mauve-lavender gown was absolutely stunning. Justin looked handsome in his relaxed green wedding outfit, and together they made such a lovely couple.

But the moments I’ll remember most are the ones involving their family.

A handwritten letter before the ceremony. A son walking his mom down the aisle. Five children standing beside their parents. A daughter crying happy tears. And a bubble-filled celebration that brought plenty of smiles.

Then we got to finish their evening with romantic portraits at the rock garden, creek, and mountain-view field, all without a single drop of rain interrupting their celebration.

Their evening October forest wedding in the Smoky Mountains was a beautiful reminder that sometimes the most meaningful part of a wedding isn’t what everything looks like. It’s the love you can see between the people who are there.

Although I have to say, that lavender dress and those bubbles were pretty fabulous, too. 😂💜

Congratulations, Josie and Justin!! We absolutely loved celebrating with your sweet family and being part of your beautiful October wedding. I hope the years ahead bring all seven of you plenty of happiness, laughter, and wonderful memories together.

From the Blog: 

We have known each other for a long time. We hung out in the same friend group but it was never more than that. One of the friends tried to play matchmaker and set us up… and it turns out we kinda liked each other. 😜

We went side by side riding with a group of friends- I don’t know if that was considered a “first date. ”Our official first date was the day after, we went to a local sea food boil restaurant.

He proposed. We have a blended family with 5 kids. They each held up a sign that said “will you marry me?” It was very sweet.

We’ve both been married before and done the same”big weddings.” We wanted this to be small, intimate, more centered around us and our family that we have created. And the place is so beautiful!

I’m so excited for the planning to be over!! Even with an inclusive venue like this there is so much that goes into it! And of course, getting married to each others best friend.

Evening October Forest Wedding Vendors

Wedding Dress: All Who Wander from Rebecca’s
Shoes: Crystal-studded Converse from Etsy
Rings: Ridge and Kay Jewelers
Officiant: Ian Parrott
Photography: Star Noir Studio
Venue: Chapel in the Hollow