If you’ve ever dreamed of a midday fall elopement in the Smoky Mountains, Candice and Dave’s wedding at Chapel in the Hollow is the perfect inspiration. With whimsical details, gorgeous autumn light, and even a surprise Bigfoot cameo, their day was equal parts romantic and playful.
A Forest Chapel Dressed in Dusty Blue
For their celebration, Candice and Dave styled the chapel with dusty blue and cream draping, accented by our blue and yellow floral arrangements. The soft tones blended beautifully with the bright autumn colors of East Tennessee, creating a fairytale backdrop in the woods.
Chapel in the Hollow offers a variety of included accessories and draping options, making it easy for couples to design a space that feels completely their own without the stress of a large-scale wedding.
The Bride’s Autumn Fairy Look
Candice’s style was effortlessly enchanting. She wore a Morilee gown from Stillwhite with layers of soft tulle, a lace overlay, and a keyhole back. Instead of heels, she paired her dress with Converse sneakers—the perfect choice for exploring woodland paths after the ceremony.
Her fiery red hair, styled into an elegant updo by Southern Sirens, gave her the look of an autumn fairy stepping straight out of a storybook. With every detail, she balanced comfort, beauty, and personality.
The Groom’s Sweet Support
Dave looked sharp in a classic grey suit from Men’s Wearhouse, but what stood out most was his quiet tenderness. Before the ceremony, he helped his bride get ready—setting the tone for a marriage built on love, teamwork, and care.
When Candice walked herself down the aisle(a bold, empowering move!), his face lit up with joy. The moment captured everything a micro wedding is about—intimacy, authenticity, and pure connection.
A Ceremony with a Twist
Their elopement sign greeted guests at the chapel steps, doubling as a fun photo prop later. And just when you thought their day couldn’t be any more unique… Bigfoot showed up!
Hidden in the trees, a sasquatch cutout became part of their photo session. It added humor, surprise, and a touch of legendary whimsy to their day—proof that your wedding can(and should!) reflect your personality.
Sweet Celebrations + Stunning Photos
After exchanging vows with officiant Ian Parrott, the couple shared a cupcake toast, then explored the property with Star Noir Studio. From the chapel archway to the forest trails, every corner of the venue offered perfect spots for capturing their laughter and love.
Midday light streamed through the trees, highlighting the fall foliage and adding natural magic to every image.
From the Bride
I started working at the foundry. I thought most the people were older. After a few days, I finally saw Dave for the first time. He seemed younger, less rigid than the rest of the group. He had to train me on his job. He was a bit cranky to lose his quiet space. After talking a bit, we sort of clicked. We became quick friends. We had a lot of laughs about all the rumors people made up about us. After a few years of being only friends, we both found ourselves single. We started hanging out more. On our first date we drove across the state in a winter blizzard to go to a Collective Soul concert. The unique weather, the casino it was at and each others company made it an awesome and memorable first date.
Dave proposed but it was more of a realization that it was our next step in our love we have for each other as we travel into our future journeys together. The beautiful wilderness, the lore and history. It is a spectacular place and a brag to tell people we are traveling to the Smoky Mountains to be married. We are looking forward to having a stress free wedding day and it being just the two of us. We chose this date because we thought the weather would be great and Tennessee would be beautiful that time of year.
For fun we have bon fires with our 3 doxies and friends that stop over. We also kayak with his sister & brother in-law when we can. We also enjoy scary movie nights. We have a lot of fun when his adult children come over for Mario cart.
Why Choose a Midday Fall Elopement?
Fall in the Smoky Mountains offers crisp air, golden leaves, and soft light—an unbeatable backdrop for your wedding. A midday ceremony is perfect for couples who want to maximize natural light while keeping the schedule relaxed and stress-free.
The forest chapel feels like the national park(without the need for permits).
You can host up to 35 guests for an intimate micro wedding.
Décor options like included draping and florals or add-on packages make personalization easy.
Flexible booking means you can elope with just the two of you—or bring your closest friends and family.
Candice and Dave’s day is proof that you don’t need a big wedding to create big memories. All you need is love, a little creativity, and a dreamy woodland chapel.
