Little Wedding in the Woods
Dennis and Brittney – August 22, 2026
After seven years together, Dennis and Brittney finally got to have their little wedding in the woods, surrounded by family, sunshine-yellow flowers, and the deep green of an East Tennessee summer.
Their day was sweet, relaxed, and full of those tiny moments that make intimate weddings so memorable. Their kids each had a special role in the ceremony, Brittney’s dad walked her down the aisle, Dennis tried very hard to insist he was not going to cry, and afterward the two of them got a little time alone to wander through the woods and soak in the fact that they were officially married.
A Sunflower Wedding in the Forest
Dennis and Brittney dressed the chapel in white fabric paired with our sunflower florals, and the combination looked so cheerful against all of the summer greenery. They also added the candle and lantern package along the chapel steps, giving the space a warm, romantic touch without making it feel overly formal.
Sunflowers are such a fun choice for a summer forest wedding because they stand out beautifully against the darker greens of the trees. They bring in a little bit of brightness and personality while still feeling perfectly at home in an outdoor setting. The overall look was simple, happy, and welcoming.
After seven years together, this day wasn’t really about putting on a show. It was about finally gathering the people they love most and making everything official.
Brittney’s Wedding Look Was SO Good
And can we talk about Brittney for a minute? Because she looked FANTASTIC.
She chose a sleeveless, form-fitting wedding dress that was elegant and flattering on its own, but then she added a dramatic cape veil. And that cape veil absolutely understood the assignment. It gave us beautiful movement in the photos and added a little extra drama without feeling too traditional. Against the forest, it looked especially pretty when the breeze caught it.
Details like that can make such a difference in outdoor wedding photos. A veil, cape, long train, or flowy fabric adds movement and texture, which gives you all kinds of fun possibilities once you get away from the ceremony and start exploring.
Dennis kept things classic in a dark suit, looking very handsome while he waited at the chapel for Brittney to make her entrance.
Their Kids Had Some Very Important Wedding Jobs
One of the sweetest parts of Dennis and Brittney’s little wedding in the woods was how involved their children were in the ceremony. Instead of simply sitting in the audience, each of them had a job.
One of Brittney’s sons was responsible for holding her ring. Her daughter held Dennis’s ring. And her other son was in charge of the ceremony music. I love this so much for intimate weddings. When you have a smaller guest list, it becomes much easier to give the people closest to you meaningful roles instead of making them feel like spectators, and when the couple already has children, including them can make the wedding feel like it represents the whole family rather than just the bride and groom.
Their kids weren’t watching Dennis and Brittney begin a completely separate chapter. They were part of it.
Walking Down the Aisle After Seven Years Together
Once everyone was in place, Brittney’s dad walked her down the aisle toward Dennis. And remember that whole Dennis isn’t going to cry thing? Well. I am not saying there were actual tears. I am simply reporting that there was definitely some suspicious choking up happening when he saw Brittney walking toward him.
We’ll let him maintain plausible deniability. But honestly, those reactions are some of my favorite wedding moments.
There’s something really sweet about seeing someone you’ve been with for years suddenly look at you differently because this is the moment. Even after seven years together, after building a life and raising a family, there can still be that split second of, “Wow. That’s my person walking toward me.”
And that’s pretty special.
Why a Little Wedding Can Feel So Big
There’s a misconception that smaller weddings somehow feel less important than traditional weddings with huge guest lists.
Dennis and Brittney’s day is a perfect example of why that isn’t true. A little wedding in the woods can still have all of the things that matter most. You can have your dad walk you down the aisle. Your children can participate in the ceremony. You can wear the dramatic dress and cape veil. You can decorate the ceremony space with beautiful flowers. You can exchange rings, take family photos, and have those emotional reactions you’re secretly hoping for.
And when the ceremony is finished, you can slip away together for a while. Which is exactly what Dennis and Brittney did.
Family Photos Before Sneaking Away Together
After they made everything official, we gathered the family together for photos at the chapel. Those group photos are especially meaningful when your children have been such a big part of your wedding day. They capture not just the marriage itself, but the family surrounding it.
Once we finished the family photos, though, it was time to give Dennis and Brittney a little space to be newlyweds. We left everyone behind and headed down the road together for couple portraits.
This is one of my favorite parts of an intimate wedding day because everything changes once the ceremony is over. The nerves are gone. The rings are on. Nobody has to remember what comes next. You can just walk around with the person you married and enjoy it.
Wedding Photos in the Woods and by the Creek
From the road, we made our way toward the creek.
East Tennessee summers are definitely not known for being chilly, and this was another muggy day, but Dennis and Brittney were completely up for wandering around and having fun together.
The woods gave us that lush, almost enchanted feeling that makes forest weddings so pretty during the summer months. Everything was green. The creek added some movement and texture to the scenery. And Brittney’s cape veil gave us plenty of opportunities to play with movement in the photos.
Most importantly, though, Dennis and Brittney were laughing and enjoying themselves. That’s always what makes couple portraits work.
The location can be beautiful. The dress can be gorgeous. The light can cooperate. But the photos people tend to love the most are usually the ones where they look like themselves.
Laughing.
Teasing each other.
Standing close.
Actually enjoying the moment instead of worrying about whether they’re posing correctly.
Finishing the Day at the Old Truck
We finished Dennis and Brittney’s wedding portraits at the old truck. It gave us one last rustic backdrop that fit perfectly with their little woodland wedding before wrapping up their time together.
By that point, they had already gone from a family waiting for a ceremony to a newly married couple with their children standing beside them. Seven years together had officially turned into married life, and there’s something wonderfully simple about that.
You don’t have to reinvent your entire relationship on your wedding day. Sometimes you’re already a family. Sometimes you’ve already spent years choosing each other over and over again.
The wedding is simply the day you get to stop for a minute, gather the people you love, and celebrate it.
Seven Years Together and Officially Married
Dennis and Brittney’s little wedding in the woods had so many things I love about intimate weddings. Family played an important role. The decor was beautiful without overwhelming the setting. There were sweet emotional moments. There was plenty of laughter. There was a dramatic cape veil.
After seven years together, Dennis and Brittney got to stand in the middle of the East Tennessee forest with their families beside them and officially say “I do.” And really, that sounds like a pretty wonderful way to start married life.
Congratulations, Dennis and Brittney!! 🌻🤍
From the Bride:
We actually met on eHarmony, and funny enough, we were each other’s very first match. Dennis clicked on my profile (not accidentally, despite what he jokes!), and we started talking right away. What started as a simple conversation turned into something we never expected. Seven years later, here we are getting married. Looking back, it’s pretty amazing how one click changed both of our lives.
Our first date was in January. We met at The Sanctuary for dinner and drinks, and afterward decided to go see the Black Angel in Iowa City. It was freezing, and I ended up slipping and falling in the snow. Dennis made sure I was okay first… then laughed once he knew I wasn’t hurt. Honestly, it still makes us laugh. It wasn’t some fancy, picture-perfect date—it was just us, and it was the perfect way to start our story.
Dennis proposed after six years together while we were in the mountains next to a waterfall with my two youngest kids. It couldn’t have been more us. We both love the outdoors, so being surrounded by God’s creation made it even more special. It wasn’t over-the-top or extravagant—it was genuine, heartfelt, and focused on what really mattered. Sharing that moment with two of our kids made it even more meaningful, and it’s a memory we’ll always cherish. It was the perfect way to begin this next chapter together.
We’ve always loved the mountains, and there’s just something peaceful about East Tennessee. We wanted a small, intimate wedding that was focused on our marriage instead of planning a huge event. As soon as we found Chapel in the Hollow, we knew it was exactly what we had been looking for. It feels like the perfect place to celebrate with our kids and a few of our closest family members.
Honestly, we are most excited about just finally getting to stand in front of each other, exchange our vows, and celebrate with our family. We’re looking forward to a day that’s relaxed, meaningful, and filled with the people who matter most to us. More than anything, we’re excited to start this next chapter as husband and wife.
We chose August because it worked well for our family, and as a teacher, it’s right before I head back to school. Once the school year starts, life gets busy fast, so this gives us a chance to slow down, unplug for a few days in the mountains, and really enjoy the beginning of our marriage before jumping back into the everyday hustle. We also love that our anniversary will always fall around that same time each year. It gives us a built-in reminder to step away from the busyness of life, spend time together, rest, and reconnect. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate our marriage year after year.
We love spending time outdoors, especially hiking and exploring the mountains. Dennis loves riding his motorcycle, so anytime we can take a scenic ride together, we’re happy. We also enjoy trying local restaurants, watching Yankees baseball, and taking little weekend trips whenever we can. Most of all, we just enjoy being together. Whether we’re out exploring or relaxing at home with our kids and our two German Shepherds, we’re happiest keeping life simple. Our wedding is really a reflection of who we are—faith-centered, family-focused, and excited to celebrate this next chapter together.
Little Wedding in the Woods Vendors
Venue: Chapel in the Hollow
Photography: Star Noir Studio
Officiant: Ian Parrott
Wedding Dress: Amazon
Hair & Makeup: Bride
Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse
Florals: Chapel in the Hollow via Kochetova Flowers