Spur of the Moment Micro Wedding in the Smoky Mountains – Tessa and Steve
Spur-of-the-Moment Micro Wedding
in the Smoky Mountains
Tessa and Steve – June 29, 2025
When love calls, you answer — even if that means planning a wedding on short notice. Tessa and Steve proved that a spur-of-the-moment micro wedding can be every bit as magical as a long-planned affair. Their intimate celebration at Chapel in the Hollow in Townsend, Tennessee, was heartfelt, elegant, and full of meaningful touches — all nestled in the lush beauty of the Smoky Mountains.
An Effortlessly Elegant Forest Wedding
Set in the tranquil Tennessee woods, this spontaneous ceremony was the perfect blend of simplicity and sentiment. Tessa and Steve dressed the chapel in hunter green and white fabric, accented with the venue’s signature white florals. The fresh, classic color combo popped beautifully against the rich forest backdrop, creating a peaceful, earthy vibe for their vows.
Tessa wowed in a sleeveless wedding dress with a detachable train — a versatile and stunning choice that gave her the best of both bridal worlds: timeless beauty with a modern twist. Steve looked sharp and relaxed in true country style, wearing jeans, a white dress shirt, and suspenders. Their attire perfectly reflected the laid-back elegance of their spur-of-the-moment micro wedding.
Last-Minute Details, Big-Hearted Moments
Though the wedding came together quickly, it didn’t lack in meaningful details. Tessa’s close friends helped her get ready and added their special touch to the ceremony setup. Glass jars filled with flowers were hung on the chapel pews, lending a charming DIY element to the scene.
Tessa’s dad walked her down the aisle, and the couple incorporated not just traditional vows but handwritten ones as well — a personal touch that brought tears and smiles all around. They sealed their commitment with a handfasting ceremony, a symbolic and romantic tradition that represents unity and strength. The entire service was officiated by Ian Parrott, a familiar and trusted presence at Chapel in the Hollow.
A Harley, a Mountain, and a Whole Lot of Love
After their“I dos,” we took family photos at the chapel before making a quick detour for something a little more edgy — Steve’s Harley! These motorcycle wedding photos brought a sense of wild, personal flair to the gallery, showing off the couple’s spirit and style.
We then headed to several of Chapel in the Hollow’s signature photo spots: the forest trail, the highlands, and the iconic mountain view by the barn. The late afternoon light gave everything a golden glow, and the mountain backdrop added just the right amount of drama to this whirlwind love story.
Why a Spur-of-the-Moment Micro Wedding Works
Planning a wedding quickly might sound stressful, but venues like Chapel in the Hollow make it beautifully simple. With curated floral options, on-site coordination by Custom Love Gifts & Events, and trusted local vendors like Southern Sirens for hair and makeup, couples can plan a meaningful and visually stunning wedding in just days or weeks.
In fact, spur-of-the-moment weddings often end up being some of the most personal and heartfelt because they strip away the noise and focus purely on love, family, and connection.
From the Bride:
We met online via Hinge; texted for a while, I would say about a month. He was a mechanic, my truck needed some service, I was planning on dropping it off that following weekend until i found out it was his 5 years sober anniversary. He said he wasn’t doing anything special for it, so asked him if he wanted me to drop the truck off early and get dinner. We planned on going to Erv’s mug, but it was closed so we went to Charcoal Grill across the street instead. Ended up sitting there talking until it closed.
He was sweet and polite. smooth conversation. We didn’t start officially dating until a year later. Started with a friendship, he made it clear he was interested though and always dropped everything to help me whenever he could. After a year, I realized I had such a great guy in front of me and I would hate to see him with anyone else or lose him so we started dating.
Steve proposed to me. We like to travel together, we are trying to see all the national parks. We went on a trip to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park. There he took me to the top of moro rock and proposed to me. He did a good job.
We want to get married in a national park, so we did not anticipate a large wedding. Wanted something small and personal. My dad also lives in TN and I know he would want to be there. So when i saw Chapel in the Hollow, I fell in love and knew thats where i wanted to be.
Getting some nice photos with Steve. lol, we both aren’t too photogenic and seem to neglect taking pictures together regularly. It will be nice to have hopefully at least 1 nice picture of us LOL.
We chose this date because it is our anniversary. This year will be 3 years of us dating. (not counting the year we were friends)
We collect Harley patches and coins from all the different areas we visit, we typically also get a state magnet. Date nights; we do a variety of things, sometimes we cook together, sometimes we like to go out to eat to our favorite places, we like to go to events like harley events, pbr, anything with nitro, comedy shows, etc. We like going for motorcycle or bicycle rides together, or walking our dogs together. Plenty of things, hes my best friend; camping, kayaking, fishing, traveling.
Dress: With a detachable train(exact designer not listed)
Menswear: Boot Barn
Invitations: Zazzle
Rings: Jared Jewelers
Videography: Yugen Productions
Officiant: Ian Parrott
Final Thoughts
Tessa and Steve’s spur-of-the-moment micro wedding at Chapel in the Hollow was a powerful reminder that love doesn’t have to wait. Whether you’re planning months in advance or just weeks away, your wedding can be just as intentional, beautiful, and true to who you are.
If you’re dreaming of a quick but unforgettable ceremony surrounded by nature, a Smoky Mountain elopement or micro wedding might be just the thing. Our venue specializes in easy, romantic weddings for couples who want to focus on what really matters — each other.
Ready to plan your own intimate ceremony? Contact us here to learn more about how we can help bring your last-minute dream to life.
