Dreamy Evening Wedding in the Smokies:
A Romantic Forest Celebration
Sarah an Kayla – May 25, 2025
If you’re planning an evening wedding in the Smokies and want a celebration that’s both elegant and full of personality, look no further than Kayla and Sarah’s stunning outdoor ceremony at Chapel in the Hollow. With timeless details, moody forest vibes, and the most heartfelt moments, their day was an unforgettable celebration of love — and an inspiring reminder of how beautiful LGBTQ weddings can be when nature sets the scene.
Surrounded by family, forest, and the soft glow of an East Tennessee sunset, Kayla and Sarah created a wedding experience that felt cozy, connected, and truly them.
Forest Romance with a Classic Touch
For their forest chapel setup, the brides chose flowing white fabric to drape the altar, giving the space a soft, romantic feel. They added their own white florals, which wrapped gracefully around the chapel posts and brought an elegant, modern look to the rustic woodland setting. The result? A minimalist, sophisticated backdrop that let their love — and the stunning natural scenery — shine.
Evening weddings at Chapel in the Hollow are extra special: the light dips low, shadows stretch across the trees, and every detail feels just a little more magical. It’s the perfect setting for couples who love intimate moments and moody, romantic photo vibes.
Two Brides, Two Stunning Looks
Kayla and Sarah were both breathtaking in strapless wedding gowns from David’s Bridal, each dress featuring delicate appliqué details and flowing trains that caught the light with every step. Kayla added a veil for that timeless bridal look, while both brides wore their hair half up, half down — a style that perfectly captured the woodland fairytale feel of the day.
This wasn’t just a wedding; it was a celebration of identity, style, and the kind of love that feels like home. As an LGBTQ wedding venue, we’re honored to help create safe, beautiful spaces for all love stories — and this one was extra special.
Family-Powered Celebration with Charcuterie Magic
Sarah’s parents stole the show with a gorgeous charcuterie-style banquet table loaded with snacks, lemonade, and delicious treats for the guests. Not only was it picture-perfect, but it was also a heartfelt labor of love — the whole family pitched in to help with setup, from Sarah’s dad and both moms to extended relatives and friends.
To sweeten the celebration, they brought in a flower-covered cake that looked almost too pretty to cut. Paired with the rustic charm of the forest and the intimate atmosphere of a Smokies micro wedding, this setup was cozy, joyful, and deeply personal.
Moody Magic Before the Rain
Although the sky looked a little dramatic, the weather held off just long enough for a beautiful ceremony and moody forest portraits afterward. The lighting was just right — soft, diffused, and perfect for capturing the love between two people who were clearly made for each other.
Star Noir Studio worked their magic behind the lens, preserving the quiet emotion and joyful energy of the day with their signature storytelling style.
From the Brides
We met on the app “Her”. On our first date we were so nervous because we hadn’t met yet and we were meeting at Sarah’s house at night. After starting the movie holes and laughing for hours I did not want go home. It was the best time we had in years. We were also saying a lot of the same words at the same time and it was so weird and it felt like we knew each other for years.
Sarah proposed to Kayla. We went to Virginia and had a mini vacation visiting wildlife safaris and nature trails. We were just driving down mountain roads and I (Kayla) said I would love if you pulled over to one of those side spots to do it because the view is so nice and the lack of people was nice(I have anxiety lol). We knew what day we wanted to do it so I knew it was coming when she pulled over. It was nice and intimate and beautiful.We chose Chapel in the Hollow because we wanted a mountain wedding and we saw this place and how cute it is.
On our wedding day I am looking forward to marrying my person. We chose this date because Kayla’s mother passed Memorial Day and we wanted to change the holiday.We visit pet stores and we love nature trails. We collect oddities and crystals and taxidermy. We love our car dates and watching new scary movies. Plant stores are fun for us as well.
Planning Your Own Evening Wedding in the Smokies?
Whether you’re planning an LGBTQ wedding, a romantic elopement, or a small forest ceremony surrounded by your favorite people, Chapel in the Hollow offers the perfect backdrop for your special day.
Our Smoky Mountain venue specializes in outdoor weddings for couples of all identities and orientations, and we’re proud to be an inclusive space where love always wins. From the first look to the last kiss before twilight, we help you create a celebration that feels like you — full of intention, meaning, and beauty.
Looking for a Smoky Mountain wedding venue that celebrates all love?
Let us help you bring your evening wedding in the Smokies to life. Whether you’re planning a romantic lesbian wedding, a quiet micro ceremony, or a festive LGBTQ+ celebration, we’ve got you covered — forest, flowers, fairy lights, and all. Check out our calendar to see if we have your date available!
