Enchanted Forest Handfasting
Brande and Trey – October 2, 2025
A Mystical Wedding in the Heart of the Smoky Mountains
If you’re dreaming of a wedding ceremony that honors nature, connection, and sacred intention, Brande and Trey’s forest handfasting at Chapel in the Hollow will steal your heart. Nestled in the lush woods of East Tennessee, their magical union was the perfect blend of ritual, romance, and deep personal meaning — a true celebration of love and the wild spirit of the Smoky Mountains.
A Personalized Handfasting Ceremony in the Forest
Brande and Trey didn’t just plan a wedding — they crafted a sacred experience. Every element of their day was intentional, nature-based, and symbolic. Rather than following tradition, they leaned into earth-centered rituals and witchy wedding vibes that honored their spiritual journey and commitment to one another.
This wasn’t your average elopement. It was a forest ceremony rooted in meaning and guided by their shared values — and we were so honored to witness it.
Brande: A Woodland Queen in Copper and Blue
Brande looked like she stepped straight out of a fairytale. Her spaghetti strap gown shimmered with copper glitter florals on a soft blue base — the perfect color palette for a mystical fall wedding. She paired her dress with brown boots (practical and adorable), ready for an adventure through the forest paths.
With the breeze catching her dress and sunlight filtering through the trees, Brande truly embodied the boho forest bride aesthetic — regal, radiant, and completely herself.
Trey: Velvet, Vibes, and a Surprise Ring
Trey channeled full enchanted forest prince energy with his outfit: black pants, a deep blue shirt, and a long black crushed velvet coat that brought a dash of dark academia elegance to the forest setting.
But the real showstopper? The surprise wedding ring he gave Brande during their vow exchange — designed to resemble carved vines, it looked like it grew right out of the forest. A perfect symbol of their deep-rooted love.
Sacred Rituals in the Smoky Mountains
Brande and Trey chose to include several nature-based rituals throughout their day — each one offering a powerful moment of reflection and spiritual connection. Here’s how their forest handfasting unfolded:
Releasing the Past at the Mossy Tree
They began their journey by tying their hands to two separate trees — a symbolic tether to their past selves. With intention, they cut the cords, letting go of old energies to make space for their future together.
Cleansing at the Rock Garden
At the rock garden, they performed a sage smudging ritual, cleansing away any lingering negativity and inviting peace, love, and clarity to surround them for the rest of their day.
Binding Their Love in the Highlands
In our highland area, they met for their handfasting ceremony, where they bound their hands together while speaking heartfelt vows. It was here that Trey presented the vine-inspired ring — a moment that left not a dry eye in the forest.
Dancing and Serenading in the Trees
Following their vows, the forest filled with music as they shared a spontaneous dance. Trey then pulled out a guitar and serenaded his bride under the forest canopy — a moment as tender as it was magical.
Grounding at the Creek
At the creek, they took off their shoes for eco-therapy and grounded themselves barefoot in the cool water — connecting with the earth in a deeply spiritual and physical way.
A Touch of Halloween Spirit
As lovers of all things Halloween, Brande and Trey couldn’t resist a visit to The Graveyard — our newest photo location. They brought some spooky fun with playful cemetery shots, proving that a forest wedding can be both romantic and a little bit gothic.🖤🎃
Ending with a Mountain View Fairytale
We ended their day at the field with our stunning Smoky Mountain backdrop. As the golden hour light filtered through the autumn leaves, Brande and Trey basked in the afterglow of their sacred celebration — a true fairytale ending to an unforgettable day.
From the Bride:
We grew up a mile from each other and went to the same middle/high school. We reconnected 3 years ago after surviving some rocky divorces. I live in Virginia and he lives in Ohio. We both are executives and have very demanding careers however we somehow make the long distance work and are now living our best life together.
We talked through Facebook, and had phone conversations for a few months before we connected in person and it was like Butterflies! We have been in a committed long distance relationship ever since.
I own 10 acres, and have a beautiful property with trails. He surprised me by putting twinkling lights along the path and then got down on one knee and proposed in between my two favorite trees.
We are from Chattanooga, and grew up going to Gatlinburg so it feels like coming home.
We travel, go to concerts or live music events, hike, kayak or anything outdoors.
Why Choose a Forest Handfasting at Chapel in the Hollow?
Whether you’re spiritual, witchy, pagan, or simply want to create a deeply meaningful wedding day, Chapel in the Hollow offers the perfect setting for your handfasting ceremony.
✨ Here’s what makes our venue ideal:
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Secluded woodland backdrop
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Ceremony flexibility — include the rituals that matter to you
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Forest, field, and creek photo locations
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Optional chapel styling with dark or moody fabrics
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Pet- and eco-friendly policies
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No vendor restrictions (bring your own officiant, flowers, etc.)
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Perfect for elopements, micro weddings, or vow renewals
Learn more about planning a Smoky Mountain elopement or explore our wedding packages to begin your journey.
🖤 Vendor Love
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Photography: Star Noir Studio
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Venue: Chapel in the Hollow
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Florals: None needed — the forest did the decorating
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Ring: Vine-inspired, gifted surprise
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Event Style: Dark, romantic, mystical
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Officiant: Couple-led ceremony
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Ready to Create Your Own Forest Ceremony?
Whether you’re planning a handfasting, elopement, or vow renewal, we’d love to help you bring your vision to life. Reach out to us here to get started or scroll through our wedding blog for more real love stories and planning inspiration.
Love should be magic — and here in the Smokies, it absolutely is. ✨🖤🌲