October Forest Elopement
Arden and Zane – October 18, 2025
A Cozy Morning Wedding in the Heart of the Smoky Mountains
Some weddings feel like they’ve been pulled from the pages of a storybook — soft light, golden leaves, and a love so real you can feel it in the air. Arden and Zane’s October forest elopement at Chapel in the Hollow was one of those beautiful mornings.
Nestled in the woods of East Tennessee, their ceremony was intimate, intentional, and glowing with gentle fall magic. This wasn’t just a wedding — it was a warm, peaceful moment in time that reflected everything sweet about starting forever together.
Earthy Fall Aesthetic with Boho Charm
The couple dressed the forest chapel in textured rust fabric paired with our bohemian florals, creating a rich autumnal color palette that blended perfectly with the Smoky Mountain backdrop. The rust tones echoed the fallen leaves, while the boho blooms added texture and warmth to the ceremony space.
It’s one of the many reasons couples love getting married at Chapel in the Hollow in October — nature does the decorating, and our curated fabric and floral collections help bring your dream vibe to life with minimal stress.
A Woodland Bride + A Stylish Groom
Arden looked absolutely radiant in a classic white gown with ¾ sleeves, featuring a beaded bodice and flowing tulle skirt that added movement and lightness to her look. Her hair was swept up and accented with a sprig of fall florals — the perfect detail for a forest bride.
Zane kept things classic and cool in a tailored gray suit paired with a green tie, a nod to the surrounding woodland tones. His outfit struck that perfect balance between formal and forest-friendly — ideal for couples eloping in nature but still wanting to dress it up.
Together, they looked like they’d stepped out of a modern fairytale — elegant, grounded, and completely in love.
Walking Into Forever, Side by Side
In one of the sweetest moments of the morning, Arden and Zane chose to walk down the aisle together — a symbolic gesture that reflected their unity and partnership. It’s always beautiful when couples make the ceremony their own, and this simple choice made the entire moment feel even more intimate.
The ceremony was officiated by Ian Parrott, and was short, sweet, and centered entirely on the love between Arden and Zane. The peaceful October morning and soft golden light added a quiet glow to the entire experience.
A Personal Toast with Cake + Sparkling Grape Juice
After the ceremony, Arden’s mom surprised them with a small cake and sparkling grape juice toast right at the chapel — a charming way to celebrate without the need for a large reception. 🥂
It’s these tiny, personal touches that make a micro wedding so magical — fewer logistics, more connection, and the freedom to design your day your way.
If you’re planning your own elopement, you’ll love how customizable everything is at Chapel in the Hollow. Whether you’re keeping it simple or sprinkling in symbolic traditions, we make space for your story to shine.
Capturing the Glow: Forest Portraits at Sunrise
After the “I dos,” Star Noir Studio captured family photos at the chapel, followed by romantic couple portraits around the property. Arden and Zane explored some of our favorite forest photo spots — the mossy tree, woodland archway, log bench, and rock garden, ending near the creek as the golden light filtered through the trees like something from a dream. 🌤️📸
This is why October morning elopements in the Smokies are so special — the light is soft, the air is crisp, and the forest glows with golden hues. It’s the perfect setting for couples who want stunning portraits without the pressure of a full-day wedding.
A Micro Wedding That Let Love Lead
Arden and Zane’s wedding was a reminder that simplicity can be spectacular. From the thoughtful details to the natural beauty of the woods, every element came together to reflect who they are as a couple — grounded, joyful, and deeply in love.
For couples looking to elope in East Tennessee, Chapel in the Hollow offers the ideal mix of rustic elegance and forest magic. Whether you want a full micro wedding or a quiet weekday elopement, our space is designed to help you celebrate without stress — and without sacrificing beauty.
From the Bride:
We met in high school and started dating our senior year. We will have been together for 7 years on 10/14/2024. I didn’t realize the first date was a first date, it was an unspoken first date. We still joke about it from time to time. Zane proposed to me at Cumberland Falls in Kentucky. We had been planning to be proposed for a while, but hadn’t discussed fine details. It was a surprise proposal to me that day. We chose the area because we are both from east TN and thought the venue was beautiful ! We are most looking forward to finally being married. We have been together so long that we practically feel married but are excited to make it official. I’m not big on weddings so keeping it as stress free and easy as possible is the goal. We both like to paint small figurines and occasionally hike. I love being lazy with her cats. We both enjoy playing video games together on the weekends.
Vendor Team
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Venue: Chapel in the Hollow
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Photography: Star Noir Studio
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Event Management: Beverly with Custom Love Gifts & Events
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Menswear: John H. Daniel
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Rings: Marksman’s
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Officiant: Ian Parrott
Planning Your Own Forest Elopement?
If you’ve fallen in love with the idea of an October forest elopement in the Smoky Mountains, we’d love to help you create your dream day. Visit our Ceremony Options to explore packages, or contact us to get started. Whether you’re looking for cozy fall vibes or candlelit romance, we’ve got you covered.
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