If you’ve ever pictured a wedding bursting with personality, Dawn and Sadie’s day at Chapel in the Hollow is what dreams are made of.
They chose a July morning in the Smokies, wrapping the chapel in white and teal fabric with ombré pink florals and lanterns glowing softly in the trees. The whole scene felt vibrant yet romantic, perfectly matching their joyful spirits.
Both brides brought their own magic. Sadie looked regal in a high-neck gown with flowing cape sleeves, like something out of a fairytale. Dawn stunned in a sleeveless dress with an illusion back and a dramatic train that caught the light in the forest. Their tiaras and symbolic jewelry, with Sadie’s star necklace and Dawn’s moon pendant, made them look like true celestial soulmates.
The details were just as meaningful. Their rainbow bouquets were crafted by a dear friend from sola wood flowers, colorful and personal. Family played a big part too. Sadie walked in with her mom, while Dawn’s parents proudly joined them as “Concerning Hobbits” floated through the air on violin. Sadie’s brother carried the rings, and their bridespeople stood tall beside them, making the ceremony heartfelt, a little nerdy, and completely theirs.
After vows, they surprised everyone with a playful bouquet handoff to Dawn’s brother’s girlfriend as a sweet “you’re next” moment. Guests joined the rainbow theme by dressing in every color, creating group photos that were bursting with light and love. Even the fans they held doubled as bright pops of color while keeping everyone cool.
We wandered the chapel grounds for portraits under the arch, down the forest path, near winding vines, and even in a secret new spot tucked away in the woods. Every photo reflected joy, love, and authenticity.
From there, the celebration continued at The Lighthouse in Knoxville, where laughter, dancing, and color carried the evening.
Dawn and Sadie’s wedding was bold, whimsical, and unapologetically them. It was the kind of day that reminds us why love stories shine brightest when couples embrace who they truly are.
From the Bride
We met at work! We bonded over mutual interests and decided to become friends outside of work, and then things just kind of naturally progressed from there. We went out for Mexican food on our first date. It didn’t even really feel like a date, honestly. We’d been friends for so long at that point that it just felt natural to progress into something deeper.
Sadie proposed! It was kind of funny—we had just gotten bad news about someone we really don’t like, and I’m pretty sure the song “Crab Rave” was playing when she went down on one knee. Dawn screamed and said yes, of course, and then we just kept carrying on with our silliness. After calling our parents and our closest family members, of course. Dawn really wanted to get married in the mountains, and since our families live on opposite sides of the South (Arkansas and South Carolina), East Tennessee seemed like a perfect middle ground.
On our wedding day I am looking forward to actually getting married! We will be stuck together now, like glitter in carpet. We can never be rid of each other now! At least not easily, hehe. We chose a date in the summer because Dawn wanted to get married in the summer, then we realized after booking the date that we accidentally chose a date with two prime numbers (which we love!). Dawn’s parents also happen to have an anniversary that is two prime numbers, so it’s kind of a neat coincidence! But it wasn’t intentional.
We are just kind of nerds! We love video games, sci-fi/fantasy, and rescuing kitty cats. We have a head start on the whole “starting a family” thing with the house full of felines, to be honest!