When you combine timeless southern charm with the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains, magic happens — and Rebecca and Michael’s southern micro wedding at Chapel in the Hollow was proof of that.
This dreamy celebration captured everything we love about intimate forest weddings: emotional moments, meaningful personal details, and a peaceful setting that lets love shine. Their day was sweet, heartfelt, and full of that easy Southern grace that feels like home.
A Dusty Blue & Wildflower Wedding Aesthetic
The couple chose to dress the chapel in soft dusty blue fabric, creating a gentle, romantic vibe that played beautifully against the lush green forest. They paired it with vibrant wildflower florals from our chapel collection — the perfect blend of rustic elegance and joyful color.
Rebecca was radiant in a spaghetti strap gown with whimsical cold shoulder sleeves and a voluminous train that gave her bridal look a touch of fairytale magic. Her soft curls and glowing smile completed the look, and her pearl-studded details added that extra bit of Southern sophistication.
Michael leaned into classic Southern style with dark khakis, a crisp white shirt, and leather suspenders — simple, stylish, and full of charm. Together, they looked like they stepped out of a storybook, ready to start their forever.
Personal Details & DIY Love
We absolutely loved the personal touches sprinkled throughout their day. Rebecca created her own bridesmaids’ bouquets and groomsmen boutonnieres, carefully coordinating them to match the bridal bouquet we provided. Her attention to detail was impeccable!
Their flat lay items included a postcard from the proposal location and a duck call — fun, meaningful mementos that told their love story in the sweetest way.
They also included a memorial chair to honor loved ones who couldn’t be with them and incorporated a cord of three strands into the ceremony — a symbolic act of unity rooted in Christian tradition that represents the couple’s bond with one another and with God.
Emotions, Laughter & A Private First Dance
One of the most touching moments? When Michael turned around and saw Rebecca for the first time — and immediately choked up. The love was written all over his face, and the excitement between them was electric. They were so ready to be married, they kept answering the officiant before he finished his sentences!
After their sweet“I dos,” they celebrated with a beautiful cake from Cakes and Confections by Merry, surrounded by their closest friends and family. Then, we snuck them away into the woods for a private first dance — just the two of them, twirling under the trees, soaking in the moment.
We continued their couple portraits at the vintage truck, in the open breezy field, and along the wooded forest road, capturing every laugh, every tender glance, and all the golden light that poured in through the canopy.
A Southern Micro Wedding Done Right
This southern micro wedding was everything a Smoky Mountain celebration should be: full of heart, personalized with love, and set against one of the most breathtaking natural backdrops in Tennessee.
If you’re dreaming of a simple, intentional wedding filled with authentic emotion and Southern hospitality, let Rebecca and Michael’s day be your inspiration. Whether you’re planning your own elopement or just starting to dream, there’s no better place to say“I do” than in the woods of East Tennessee.
From the Bride
Michael and I lived in the same town our whole lives and went to the same high school. I was close friends with his younger brother not knowing Michael until I met him on a dating app. On our first date we went to an outdoor theater and saw Jumanji 2 and Ghost Busters. Michael had my ring for 2 years…. He asked me if he could get a $150 duck call and I jokingly said “If I can have my ring” like I often joked about. He said “ok deal, how about tomorrow”. So the next day us and my MOH and her boyfriend went to an island that is special to us to get engaged.
We wanted a very small and private destination wedding and my mom was traveling to TN so she researched a few venues and we knew Chapel in the Hollow was the perfect place for us. On our wedding day I am looking forward to getting married and taking pictures in the mountains.
We spend a lot of time with our two dogs. We like to work outside on yardwork or working in the garage. We go camping. He likes to hunt and fish. In the summer we like to build things or do home improvement projects.
