Family Micro Wedding – Amber and Calvin

04.02.25

Family Micro Wedding

Amber and Calvin – March 29, 2025

Amber and Calvin’s family micro wedding at Chapel in the Hollow was a heartwarming celebration of love and unity, beautifully set against a backdrop of dusty blue and white decor, enhanced with our vibrant blue and yellow florals.

Amber was a vision in a long-sleeved dress adorned with a tulle overlay, her hair flowing beautifully down her shoulders. Calvin looked dapper in a navy vest paired with a crisp white dress shirt, embodying the joyful spirit of the day.

One of the ceremony’s most touching moments was when Calvin presented Amber’s daughter with a special necklace, symbolizing her important role in their union and their lives moving forward together. This heartfelt gesture brought tears to many, highlighting the depth of their blended family’s bonds.

The couple penned their own vows, with Amber visibly moved as she declared her love and commitment, a testament to their deep connection and the emotions of the day.

Their ceremony was truly a family affair, with friends and relatives participating in the processional and contributing to the joyous atmosphere. A memorial table was thoughtfully arranged to honor loved ones who could not be there, accompanied by our elegantly lit and flower-adorned glass jars on the pews, adding a warm glow to the venue.

Despite a light drizzle, the spirit remained high as we captured family memories at the chapel, and later ventured to the highlands and a field with a stunning mountain view for intimate couple photos, all under the gentle spring sprinkles of East Tennessee.

Congratulations, Amber and Calvin! Your wedding was a beautiful blend of family, love, and memory-making, set in the serene Smoky Mountains. May your lives together be filled with as much happiness and love as your special day!

From the Bride

We met through a friend. When we met, he was living in Poplar Grove, IL and I was living in Jonesboro, AR. I was going through my divorce and he absolutely saved me in every sense of the word. Until I met him, I had no idea what love truly was or that it could actually exist in this fashion. Now, I couldn’t imagine my life without him and I don’t want to. He truly completes me and makes me and our daughter feel safe, loved, and worthy.

Our first date was at a restaurant called Fat City Grill. I picked him up from the airport the day before and we decided on this place for breakfast the next morning. He tried chocolate gravy for the first time, and figured out southern proportions are not like the north! Our first family date was at the local fair. We spend the evening riding rides, eating carnival food, and melting in the humidity. He got introduced to the South in September and quickly realized that long sleeves aren’t a thing down here when it’s sweltering.

On October 17, I lost my grandmother. She was my last living grandparent. I was devastated, but comforted by the fact that I knew she was at peace. We had already scheduled our first vacation together to the Smoky Mountains and we were set to leave the morning after her death. I wanted to cancel. My dad talked to me and absolutely would not let me cancel. My mamaw absolutely loved the mountains and he insisted that we go in her honor. On October 19, we returned home from our date night that consisted of cheesecake on a stick from the Chocolate Monkey and delicious mouth watering steak at The Peddler. I was upstairs with Livvy Kate (daughter) and he called up, “Can you guys come downstairs?” I walked down and he was at the bottom stair landing on his knee, a ring in his hand. I was shocked, ecstatic, and overjoyed. I couldn’t say yes fast enough.

This wedding is incredibly symbolic to me (as is everyone else’s I’m sure), but I lost my last grandparent on October 17. My mamaw and papaw’s favorite place in the world was the Smoky Mountains, so I’ve selected this location as an honor to them. It is also the location that we visited every summer together with my cousins since I turned 15. We’d all stay in the same cabin and looking back, it’s some of my most treasured memories with my grandparents

What am I looking forward to most on our wedding day? Honestly, the photos are 100% the MOST important thing to me. My parents can’t make it to the wedding & my future husband’s only grandparent can’t make it either…so the photos are #1 priority for us. Sorry for rambling! My nanny & poppa (other grandparents) were married on March 29, so the date is an honor to them.

For fun we video game & we 3D print things. We also enjoy date nights of trivia, singo (bingo with songs!), and an occasional movie. We’re avid board game players as well and love watching “Survivor” as a family.