Pumpkin-Perfect “I Do” at Chapel in the Hollow
Michelle and Eric – September 11, 2025
There’s just something magical about a relaxed micro wedding in the Smoky Mountains — especially when autumn is in the air. 🍂 Michelle and Eric brought all the cozy fall vibes to Chapel in the Hollow for their intimate September wedding, complete with pumpkins, lanterns, and rustic country charm.
A Fall Micro Wedding Dream
When couples picture a Smoky Mountain fall wedding, they often imagine crisp air, golden leaves, and warm rustic details. Michelle and Eric made that vision come to life with their forest ceremony at Chapel in the Hollow — an outdoor wedding venue tucked away in the heart of East Tennessee.
They chose a soft palette of dusty sage and cream drapery accented with succulent florals, glowing lanterns, and our deluxe pumpkin package. The pumpkins gave the chapel a seasonal flair that perfectly matched their September wedding date. With fairy-tale lighting and autumn textures, the entire setup looked straight out of a rustic wedding Pinterest board.
The Bride and Groom’s Unique Style
Michelle’s bridal look was the perfect mix of vintage and modern. She wore a David’s Bridal gown with delicate spaghetti straps, a sparkling belt, and a subtle 1920s flair. Instead of traditional heels, she added a fun twist with white ankle boots from Boot Barn — perfect for a forest ceremony and dancing among the leaves.
Eric complemented her style with laid-back country charm: jeans, a crisp white shirt, a tan vest, and a cowboy hat. His outfit gave the day a relaxed, rustic vibe that fit beautifully with the Smoky Mountain setting.
An Intimate Family Celebration
One of the sweetest parts of Michelle and Eric’s day was their focus on family. Their bridal party included one bridesmaid, one groomsman, and their adorable grandson as the ring bearer. Michelle’s father walked her down the aisle, adding an emotional touch that had everyone tearing up.
This intimate micro wedding truly reflected what makes small weddings so special — less stress, more love, and time to soak in every meaningful moment.
Picture-Perfect Smoky Mountain Wedding Photos
After the ceremony, we captured heartfelt family portraits at the chapel before whisking Michelle and Eric away for their couple portraits. From the chapel archway to the vintage truck, tractor, and even the creek, every photo location added to the romantic, woodsy charm. Their chemistry made every image shine — a perfect blend of candid laughter and tender moments.
Photography was beautifully captured by Star Noir Studio, who specializes in destination weddings and elopements, ensuring couples leave with memories they can treasure forever.
From the Bride
We met through a friend at a casino and my first words to my soon to be Husband was calling him a motherfu**ker . He said he knew then I was the one, because that’s what he calls everyone. For our first date we went to Dinner and he made fun of me lol then to his place to watch a movie. Been together since that day :).
Eric proposed, he wasn’t very romantic about it, just came out and said,” I can’t wait to make you my wife one day.” It took almost 6 years, but who’s counting haha! Our first trip together was to Tennessee and we both fell in love. We decided that Tennessee will be our forever home someday, after retirement. When we decided to get married, Tennessee and the Mountains just seemed right to us. I am looking forward to getting to marry my Best Friend ( and he is too), but also to have our family present to share our day. We chose this date because I wanted a fall wedding and knew we would stay a week in our cabin. Thursday was close to the end, but gave us a day to recover :)!
We are both homebodies, we have a small hobby farm. So, tending to our animals takes most of our time. We are also foodies, we try different restaurants or go to the drive in for a little nostalgia and we collect antiques and love going to flea markets
Planning Your Own Cozy Fall Micro Wedding
If you’re dreaming of a fall forest wedding in Tennessee, Michelle and Eric’s day is the perfect inspiration. Pumpkins, soft lighting, and rustic décor create a warm, inviting atmosphere that’s ideal for couples who want romance without the fuss of a large traditional wedding.
At Chapel in the Hollow, we specialize in stress-free micro weddings and elopements for couples who want intimacy, natural beauty, and flexibility. Whether you’re planning a pumpkin-perfect fall ceremony, a spring wildflower celebration, or a cozy winter elopement, our venue offers multiple dreamy backdrops to bring your vision to life.
💡 If you’re looking for an outdoor wedding venue in the Smoky Mountains that combines rustic elegance with a relaxed vibe — this is your sign.
Vendor Team
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Chapel Florals & Décor: Chapel in the Hollow
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Dress: David’s Bridal
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Shoes: Boot Barn
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Officiant: Ian Parrott
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Hair & Makeup: Bloom & Style by Katerina
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Photography: Star Noir Studio
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Event Management: Beverly with Custom Love Gifts & Events
✨ Ready to start planning your own relaxed micro wedding? Visit our wedding packages page to learn more about how we can help you create the day of your dreams.