A Storybook Elopement Full of Love + Family
Smoky Mountain Celebration
At Chapel in the Hollow, we believe that love stories are meant to be celebrated in ways that reflect the heart of each couple. For Christina and Patrick, that meant choosing an intimate, family-focused elopement surrounded by the serene beauty of the Smoky Mountains. Their day wasn’t just a celebration of their love—it was a commitment to their whole family. And honestly? It was the kind of elopement that makes us fall in love with weddings all over again.
A Romantic Forest Setting for a Family-Focused Day
Nestled in the heart of East Tennessee, Chapel in the Hollow provided the perfect setting for this sweet summer elopement. Christina and Patrick chose to adorn the chapel with timeless white fabric and matching florals, giving their ceremony a classic, elegant look that paired beautifully with the surrounding forest.
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Bridal Style That Sparkled
Christina was the picture of enchantment in a sleeveless gown from Grayce with a lace bodice and a glittery skirt that shimmered with every movement. As she prepared in the bridal suite, her mom by her side, we bonded over our shared love of books—a sweet moment of connection before the big reveal. Her look was soft, elegant, and completely radiant.
Patrick looked dapper and relaxed in a gray Kenneth Cole suit, the perfect complement to the relaxed sophistication of the day.
A Ceremony That Celebrated Everyone
From the start, it was clear that Christina and Patrick wanted their elopement to be about more than just the two of them. They wanted their children to feel seen, valued, and included—and they nailed it.
Christina shared a heartfelt first look with her sons(grab the tissues!), her eldest walked her down the aisle, and her youngest carried the rings in an adorable tiny bird’s nest. Meanwhile, their daughter sprinkled the aisle with petals saved from bouquets Patrick had given Christina over the years—a deeply meaningful and romantic gesture that perfectly reflected the intimacy of the day.
The couple included a family commitment ceremony, weaving their children into their vows. Seeing the joy and love on those kids’ faces? Absolutely unforgettable.
Golden Hour Magic
After the“I dos,” we captured family portraits filled with joy and laughter. Then it was time for couple portraits in some of our favorite locations on the property: the field, the forest path, and the vine-covered tunnel. With the sun casting golden light across the Smokies, the final shots of the day glowed with soft, dreamy warmth.
From the Bride:
We met in 1999 when Patrick moved to the high school I was attending. I remember asking him “how in the world does someone find Soddy-Daisy who wasn’t born here?!” He had moved for his mom’s job. We hit it off instantly and became great friends. We almost dated in college, but due to one lame miscommunication, we parted ways. We both married other people, but eventually those relationships ended. I was organizing our high school reunion and wondered how he was doing because I would love to see him after all these years. Once we reconnected, it was like no time had passed at all. We then realized the invisible string theory had happened to us! We worked a mile away from each other, our first apartments were across the street from each other, and we frequented the same places…and never knew it. We began spending time hiking and hanging out as friends. It was the most precious and, honestly, healing and sacred time for us both. That’s how we knew what we had was too good to let go of again. When life gives you second chances like this, we’d be fools not to take it. My kids ADORE him and he is SO much like them! It’s truly wild how much he had in common with them before they even met! Our story is one of redemption, love, faith, and healing. We’re both so deeply grateful for this second chance.
For the first date, we had the BEST time at Green Mountain! I laughed SOOO much on that walk around the lake! I remember how fun and romantic it was. That became a very sweet place to us.
Patrick proposed at Green Mountain while sitting on one of our favorite benches at the water. I’m not even joking, a flock of geese took flight across that water and landed right in front of us. They looked right at him like “So ya gonna do it or what?!” Hahaha He said the sweetest things to me. We both cried and I could not have been happier!!
We chose East Tennessee for our family oriented elopement because I have always loved Cades Cove. We love to visit Knoxville, Townsend, Gatlinburg, and the whole area. Plus, I had a dream to own a tiny chapel.
I’m most looking forward to being married to the person who is my absolute best friend. We get to truly begin our lives together. We can’t wait! I’m SO excited to have photos of the day with our kids. Having our kids play such a role in our ceremony makes me tear up! I cannot wait to have our ceremony captured with us blending our sweet family.
We both love to hike! We love to go out for a good meal then go to our favorite place to play chess! We also love date nights in where we do a nice dinner (Patrick is an amazing cook) and watch a movie. We alternate who picks! We both love music and reading. Music is very important to us both. We spend a lot of time with our kids. We love to play Ga-ga ball together as a family. It brings loads of laughter! We love spending time together and laughing a LOT!!
A Day Worth Remembering
This elopement was about love, laughter, and legacy. Christina and Patrick didn’t just get married—they built something together, right there in the woods, with their children cheering them on. Their wedding was a powerful reminder that family is at the heart of everything.
If you’re dreaming of your own family-centered elopement in East Tennessee, we’d be honored to help you craft a celebration that speaks to your heart.
