A Gothic Chic Micro Wedding
in the Smoky Mountains
Cadie + Zach’s Moody, Magical“I Do” – June 4, 2025
If you’ve been dreaming of a wedding that’s a little edgy, a little ethereal, and dripping with dark romance, Cadie and Zach’s gothic chic micro wedding at Chapel in the Hollow will absolutely steal your soul — in the best way possible. With lilac and black fabric, candlelit accents, skull-studded florals, and heartfelt family moments, this day was pure gothic fairytale wedding magic from start to finish.
Set deep in the misty woods of East Tennessee, their celebration felt like stepping into a storybook — equal parts haunting and heartwarming.
Dark Romance in the Forest
Cadie and Zach transformed our forest chapel with black and lilac fabric, paired with moody florals, glowing candles, and our lavender wreaths for a touch of soft mysticism. The result was a dreamy, gothic chic micro wedding aesthetic that balanced dark elegance with ethereal beauty. It felt intimate, magical, and entirely one-of-a-kind — the perfect vibe for an alternative couple who wanted their day to be a reflection of who they are.
They also included a memory table to honor loved ones no longer with them — a tender, thoughtful addition that brought even more depth to their meaningful ceremony.
A Goth Bride’s Dream Look
Let’s talk about Cadie. She was an absolute vision in a sleeveless Eddy K gown from The Wild Rose, complete with a layered flowing train and a lace-edged veil that added drama with every twirl. Her makeup — bold, dark, and fierce — was total goth glam queen energy. She even had her sister-in-laws do her hair and makeup, making the moment even more special.
Her accessories? Straight from a gothic fairytale. Cadie wore custom nails created by a friend of her sister-in-law, paired her dress with Vans(because comfort + cool is a wedding win), and held a DIY bouquet of twisted sticks, purple calla lilies, and tiny skulls. She even made the boutonnieres herself. Talk about commitment to the vibe.
Her alexandrite engagement ring(yes, the kind that changes color!) was set in white gold — mystical, romantic, and unique. Zach’s ring? Handmade from a silver dollar by her dad. Cue. The. Tears.
Heartfelt Family Moments + Twilight Vibes
Their first look in the bridal suite with Cadie’s dad was deeply emotional. His face when he saw her? Unforgettable. He walked her down the aisle to Zach, who quite literally lit up the moment he saw his bride.
Their young son stood proudly by Zach’s side, suited up and beaming. And the rings? Delivered in a coffin-shaped box, because of course. Cadie and Zach leaned into their aesthetic fully, making every detail intentional and deeply personal.
After the ceremony, we captured romantic, moody portraits all over the property — from twirling in the trees to stolen kisses on the forest road. Cadie brought drama, elegance, and that untouchable“dark princess” energy to every frame.
From the Bride
Facebook played Cupid. Zachary & I sent messages to each other. Getting to know one another he asked me if I liked the game “BattleShip”.. who doesn’t?! Every night we played the game on Snapchat over &over. Zachary asked me to be his valentine. At the time we lived 2 hours away from each other, so I traveled to his house, we ordered pizza& watched our favorite movies.. after that, every weekend we spent together we were inseparable.
Zachary asked me if I wanted an early Christmas gift ( what women says no to that?!) he told me to close my eyes. No peeking. When I opened Zachary was down on one knee infront of our Christmas tree holding the most perfect ring. The most perfect Christmas Eve gift. We wanted a unique scenery. Cozy but romantic. I showed Zachary Chapel in the Hollow and he now calls it sleepy hollow. It was meant to be the place for our wedding. On our wedding day we are looking forward to showing our eternal love for each other in front of our closest relatives. The wedding date falls between both our birthdays. Now we can celebrate it all together as one!
Special date nights are going to hockey games, GO ST.LOUIS BLUES!! or EVANSVILLE THUNDERBOLTS!! Typical date nights are Mexican food & whatever show we are usually binge watching on the couch together!
Planning Your Own Gothic Chic Micro Wedding?
If you’re a bride who dreams in lace, shadows, and lavender skies, Cadie and Zach’s wedding is the ultimate inspiration for your own gothic chic micro wedding. Whether it’s a twist on tradition, a flair for fantasy, or a touch of the otherworldly, you can make your day uniquely yours — just like they did.
At Chapel in the Hollow, we celebrate all love and all styles — from classic fairytales to gothic forest elopements and everything in between. If you want misty mountains, dramatic light, and space to be your most authentic self, we’d love to help you bring your vision to life. Check out our calendar to see if we have your date available.
Rings: Bride – Etsy | Groom – Handmade by Father of the Bride
Officiant: Ian Parrott
Hair & Makeup: Sister-in-laws
Nails: Custom by Audrey Kennel
Jewelry: Punkyouth
Cadie and Zach — your day was fierce, magical, and unforgettable. Thank you for showing us how beautiful it is when couples embrace who they truly are and let their love lead the way.
