Simple Forest “I Do” | A Peaceful Forest Elopement in East Tennessee

Tracy and John – October 10, 2025

 

When it comes to saying “I do” in a way that feels calm, authentic, and surrounded by nature, few settings compare to a peaceful forest elopement at Chapel in the Hollow. Tucked into the lush foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, our venue offers couples the chance to slow down, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and celebrate their love story in a quiet, intimate way.

That’s exactly what Tracy and John envisioned when they chose a simple forest elopement in East Tennessee. Their October wedding day was filled with emotion, intention, and beautiful personal touches that made the moment unforgettable.

A Secluded Ceremony Surrounded by Nature

Rather than exchanging vows on the chapel steps, Tracy and John decided to hold their ceremony along the wooded path just behind the chapel — a hidden gem perfect for couples seeking extra privacy. The soft rustle of the leaves and the natural forest soundtrack created a tranquil backdrop as they made their promises to one another.

This intimate ceremony spot is one of the reasons couples love Chapel in the Hollow. Whether you’re drawn to the rustic charm of the chapel itself or prefer a woodland setting that feels like the national park, our venue offers the best of both worlds — without the hassle of permits or large crowds.

Thoughtful Details and Deep Emotion

Tracy’s look was the perfect reflection of her personality — timeless, meaningful, and a little unexpected. She wore a dark blue dress from Ever-Pretty, wrapped in a scarf made from her family’s plaid, a beautiful nod to her heritage. Pinned to her bouquet were photos of her brother and parents, keeping them close to her heart on her wedding day.

John complemented her beautifully in a navy suit with a purple tie, complete with a pin honoring his parents. When they saw each other among the trees, their joy and emotion were undeniable.

Bubble Magic + Mountain Views

After their vows, Tracy and John shared a fun bubble exit, filling the forest with soft pops of color and light. Then, we made our way to the open field nearby, where the couple enjoyed the sweeping mountain views and captured more portraits that perfectly reflected their peaceful energy and deep connection.

Their photographer, Star Noir Studio, beautifully documented every moment — from the tearful vows to the joyful laughter that followed.

A Love Story Built on Connection

When they’re not planning their next adventure, Tracy and John love spending time together and enjoying horse racing, one of their shared passions. Their forest elopement added a new chapter to their story — one that blends natural beauty, heartfelt simplicity, and meaningful details.

From the Bride

John is 66 years old and I am 62. We met when we were around 13 and 17 years old. I lived on a Navy base in Virginia Beach with my parents and only sibling, my brother Dean. John came to the base many times in the years that I lived there to visit his sister who is 18 years older than he is and her family. His sister’s daughter, Joanne, and I were best friends. I never saw John again when my family moved to Tennessee but always asked about him when I would talk to Joanne over the years. When I was talking to Joanne in early 2024, I asked her how her uncle John was. It was always funny to call John her uncle as he was only four years older than we were. She told me he was not feeling well because he recently lost his mother, who was Joanne’s grandmother. John had taken care of his mother for many years after his father died. His mother lived to be 102 years old and she was his whole world. I ended up talking to him on the phone and he didn’t really remember me much when we were children but he had played a lot of basketball with my brother Dean. It was so sweet to share that memory because I always remembered it. My brother died in 1982 at the age of 21. My brother looked up to John when we were children. John and I talked on the phone for many months and decided to meet again this past spring. He came to west Tennessee to see me. We were both so shy around each other. We have a lot of the same memories from many years ago. I had gone to his home when I was a child with Joanne and her family. I had met his grandmother and his parents who are all now gone. The funny thing we always laugh about was that when I visited his parents when I was about 13 years old, I slept in his bed while he had to stay at the home of a relative. Even though he doesn’t remember much about me from those early days, I remember so much about him. He was gorgeous and I had the biggest crush on him. Now it feels like that never went away for me. Except that he lost all of beautiful black hair, he still looks the same to me. Sometimes when I look at him, I still see the teenage boy I knew almost 50 years ago. Everyone called him Johnny back then but now John. I am the only one that still calls him Johnny.

For our first date he drove from Maryland to west Tennessee to see me. It was like a fairytale. I had not seen him in almost 50 years. It was like all that time had never passed, like we were still teenagers. John proposed to me and he was extremely nervous. He is a very shy person. Even though he knew he was having feelings for me while talking on the phone, he did not tell me he loved me until he came to see me. He asked me to marry him that first visit as well.

John lives in Maryland and I live in west Tennessee. I take care of my 86 year old father and not able to move to Maryland at this time. John is so understanding and knows I cannot travel far with my fathers failing heatlh. He will be traveling to Tennessee a lot to see me and I will go to Maryland to visit, when and if I can. I love the mountains. I went to the Great Smoky Mountains as a child with my parents, my brother and other family members and have wonderful memories. It is about halfway for us to meet. John has never been there so I am excited to go there with him and make new memories.

On our wedding day we are just looking forward to being husband and wife. We feel we have a very beautiful love story, knowing each other as teenagers and getting married in our 60’s. We so wish that we could have been together all these years but it didn’t happen that way. We both know we will cherish every minute we have with each other until death do us part. We didn’t choose the date for any special reason but noticed after we did, that it was the 10th month, 10th day and 10th hour so it is neat. Fall is the favorite season for both of us. October 10th is a special day to my father because it is his sister’s birthday and we lost her a few years ago.

We love to sing together, especially old songs from the 1970’s and gospel songs. We both love horses. He has never had a dog but has fallen in love with my two rough collies, Ruby and Sapphire (Saffy). We are homebodies. I hope to get him to take ballroom dancing lessons with me. I have gotten into genealogy and through Ancestry, I have learned I am predominantly Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English. I am a member of three Scottish clans now. I have been working on John’s family in Italy. I always loved the movie “Braveheart,” especially the wedding scene. That is why I have chosen the Braveheart Secret Wedding song for our wedding and have a Braveheart theme. Since John and I met very young and then found each other later in life, It reminds me a little of the love story in “Braveheart.” I did laugh today when I was checking on the weather for October 10th. It is supposed to rain at this point. I just thought we could be just like William and Murron in the movie and have fun in the rain. John doesn’t like to fly but I am hoping to convince him to go to the UK with me and to his homeland of Italy. 

Vendors Who Brought It All Together

• Florals: I Love Flora – Wales, UK

• Dress: Ever-Pretty.com

• Photography: Star Noir Studio

• Rings: James Allen + 25 Karats

• Officiant: Ian Parrott

• Earrings: Pepe Jew on Etsy

• Hair + Makeup: Bride

Planning Your Own Peaceful Forest Elopement

If you’re dreaming of a micro wedding in the woods or a romantic Tennessee elopement, Chapel in the Hollow offers the perfect setting. Our forest chapel is designed for couples who want the feel of the Great Smoky Mountains without the logistics of a national park wedding.

With flexible packages, natural backdrops, and simple coordination options, your peaceful forest elopement can be as effortless as it is breathtaking.

💚 Learn more about planning your elopement: www.chapelinthehollow.com