Spooky & Stunning October Micro Wedding

Kyle and Jessilyn – October 18, 2025

October in the Smoky Mountains is pure magic — the crisp air, the fiery fall leaves, and the moody glow of twilight make it the perfect backdrop for a gothic-inspired celebration. Jessilyn and Kyle embraced all the dark romance vibes for their spooky October micro wedding at Chapel in the Hollow, and the result was hauntingly beautiful.

A Chapel Dressed in Dark Romance

For their ceremony, Jessilyn and Kyle transformed the chapel into a scene straight out of a gothic fairytale. They draped the chapel in black, burgundy, and grey fabric they brought with them, layering it with their own handmade florals and black lanterns filled with flickering candles. The atmosphere was moody, intimate, and glowing with just the right touch of eerie elegance — the perfect aesthetic for a spooky October wedding in the woods.

The Bride’s Unforgettable Look

Jessilyn’s bridal style was nothing short of breathtaking. She wore a black Maggie Sottero gown from Wild Rose Bridal in Mount Carmel, featuring intricate black-on-black patterned fabric, romantic off-the-shoulder sleeves, and a dramatic train that trailed behind her. To complete her gothic look, she paired it with a black veil, unique moth shoes, and an ethereal glow that made her look like she had stepped straight out of a dark romance novel.

Kyle perfectly complemented her style with a black suit and vest, a moth-patterned tie, and matching shoes — a sleek, dramatic ensemble that brought the whole aesthetic together. Together, they redefined alternative wedding fashion, showing couples that personal style can shine brightest when you lean into what feels most authentic.

A Mini Bride Moment

One of the sweetest details of the day was their little girl, who proudly walked in as a “mini bride” dressed in black, carrying her own bouquet. She was the perfect addition to their family-focused micro wedding, reminding everyone that love and commitment are about blending not just two people, but their whole lives.

Vows Full of Emotion

As Jessilyn’s dad walked her down the aisle, you could feel the anticipation and emotion in the air. The couple chose to write their own vows, and Jessilyn poured her heart into every word — her tears a reflection of just how much love she carried for Kyle and their new beginning together. It was raw, emotional, and completely unforgettable.

A Handfasting Ceremony

Adding to the magic, Jessilyn and Kyle included a handfasting ceremony, where several of their loved ones came forward to wrap cords around their joined hands. This symbolic tradition represented not only their union but the support and connection of family and friends. It was a beautiful reminder that their marriage was rooted in both love and community.

Spooky Portraits in the Smoky Mountains

After the ceremony, they took advantage of the unique atmosphere that Chapel in the Hollow offers. We ventured into a nearby graveyard for some delightfully spooky portraits that captured their gothic style perfectly. From there, we moved to the open field with sweeping Smoky Mountain views, where the soft October evening light bathed everything in a romantic, moody glow. The photos are a testament to how magical a fall wedding in East Tennessee can be.

From the Bride

We actually wemt to the same school and he had noticed me in school but to be honest I never knew about him or that he was even friends with my brother. Fast forward to 2022 he had messaged me and I turned him down cause I thought he was too young for me and that he was friends with my little brother, well April of 2023 he messages me again asking to join him and some friends at the Lorna Shore concert cause he saw that they were one of my favorite bands, so the first time we met in person was in the middle of a crowded venue. Unless you count the concert we first met at then our first official date we had gone out to eat and then went bowling and he definitely kicked my butt at it!

We have been living together for a while and talked off and on about getting married but doing it differently then the normal, he actually “proposed” in our living room in March of this year while we were watching a YouTuber (Markiplier) sitting on our couch. His exact words was “wanna get married in October this year?” And I said “really?” He said “yes” and I said “okay let’s do it”! Chapel in the Hollow was honestly the first venue we looked at and every other place we looked at didn’t compare to it! We loved how small and beautiful it was and plus we both thought it would make a perfect gothic style venue! We are looking forward to being able to finally get married to each other and starting our eternal lives together! And for the planning to be over with cause it’s been stressful! There was nothing special about this date just that it’s a Saturday in October and it’s not 10/4 or on Halloween.

We are huge music lovers, he plays drums and guitar, concerts are our favorite dates nights. We enjoy going to the movies to see the latest scary/horror movies since we are horror fanatics. Haunted houses are a must for us when there is one up and operating in our area. Have been known to go on quite a few tattoo dates as well. But we mostly enjoy just staying home and spending time together with our daughter and our animals.

Vendor Team

• Event Manager: Beverly with Custom Love Gifts & Events

• Florals: Bride + Groom

• Dress: Maggie Sottero Designs from Wild Rose Bridal Mount Carmel

• Menswear: Amazon

• Shoes: LLA

• Officiant: Ian Parrott

• Videography: Yugen Productions

• Photography: Star Noir Studio

• Hair + Makeup: Bride

• Venue: Chapel in the Hollow

Why Choose a Spooky October Micro Wedding?

Jessilyn and Kyle’s celebration proves that you don’t have to follow tradition to have a wedding that’s breathtaking, meaningful, and true to your love story. A spooky wedding is perfect for couples who want to blend romance with personality, especially in the fall when the Smoky Mountains provide the ultimate moody backdrop. Whether you’re drawn to black wedding dresses, handfasting ceremonies, or simply want a unique setting for your “I do,” Chapel in the Hollow offers the flexibility to make it yours.

If you’re dreaming of your own spooky micro wedding in the Smoky Mountains, we’d love to help you bring your vision to life. Contact us today to start planning your unforgettable October celebration.