Victoria and Colton’s wedding at Chapel in the Hollow was the perfect blend of romance, heritage, and misty mountain magic. Tucked away in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, this intimate afternoon ceremony captured everything couples love about East Tennessee weddings — cozy forest charm, heartfelt emotion, and that unforgettable Smoky Mountain mist that turns every moment into something cinematic.
A Cozy Autumn Setting
Victoria and Colton chose an October date that brought the forest to life in soft shades of sage and gold. They dressed the chapel in dusty sage fabric paired with bohemian florals and the candle + lantern package, creating a warm, romantic glow against the cool mountain air. As the mist rolled through the trees, it wrapped their ceremony in a soft, dreamlike atmosphere that made their vows feel even more sacred.
The Chapel in the Hollow offers a private, woodland setting that feels like a secret hideaway — perfect for couples who want the beauty of the Smokies without the crowds or need for national park permits. With space for up to 35 guests, it’s an ideal venue for a micro wedding that focuses on connection, nature, and intentional celebration.
A Bride with an Eye for Meaningful Details
Victoria’s day was filled with thoughtful, personal touches that made everything feel uniquely theirs. She brought a new perfume to commemorate the occasion, a beautiful wedding invitation featuring an illustration of the chapel, and cookie favors that added a sweet, whimsical touch. Her bouquet, crafted by Kochetova Flowers, tied together soft greens and muted autumn tones — perfectly complementing the natural surroundings.
Her mom and sister helped her get ready, adding layers of love and laughter to the morning. When she stepped into her off-the-shoulder white gown with a medium train and a long, filmy veil that floated in the mountain breeze, she looked like she’d stepped straight out of a fairytale.
A Ceremony Filled with Emotion and Tradition
Colton, looking sharp in his navy suit from Joseph Abboud, waited at the end of the aisle — and when he saw Victoria, he couldn’t hold back tears. It was one of those raw, emotional moments that define a wedding day.
The ceremony was deeply personal, featuring handwritten vows and a Scottish handfasting ritual to honor Colton’s heritage. With cords wrapped around their joined hands, the couple symbolized the binding of their lives and hearts. It was the perfect touch — blending modern love with timeless tradition against a mist-shrouded Smoky Mountain backdrop.
From the Bride
Like many modern love stories, ours started online- though it almost didn’t happen! Colton actually messaged Victoria two months before they ever started talking. Life got busy, and his message sat patiently waiting. Then one rainy Saturday afternoon, Victoria decided to scroll through her old messages. That’s when she saw his message again- and something told her to finally reply. What started as a simple message on a quiet, rainy Saturday afternoon turned into endless conversations, laughter, and eventually, love. Looking back, it feels like fate waited for just the right moment to bring them together. After a few days of talking nonstop, we finally decided to meet in person. Colton picked Victoria up for their very first date- a mix of excitement and nervousness filled the air. He opened the car door (a true gentlemen) and we headed to a cozy Italian restaurant in downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia called Orofino’s. Over plates of pasta, laughter and easy conversation any nerves melted away. What was supposed to be just dinner turned into hours of talking and realizing how naturally everything seemed to click because the two of us. By the end of the night, both of us knew this was something special- the kind of first date you don’t forget. Colton actually ended up moving in with Victoria just a few weeks later; and the rest is history.
Colton had been planning the perfect proposal with Victoria’s mom for weeks. Using her late-Aunt’s diamond to design a one of a kind engagement ring for Victoria. The original plan was to pop the question in front of her parents’ wine barrel at Effingham Manor Winery, a place that held special meaning. Everything was set- or so he thought. When the day finally came, they arrived at the winery only to find the staff packing up all the Christmas decorations in the barrel room, right in front of her parents’ wine barrel. Not exactly the romantic backdrop Colton had imagined! Thinking quickly, and keeping his nerves in check, he decided to work with Plan B. Later that evening, back at Victoria’s parents’ house, she had no idea what was coming- mostly because she had just woken up from a nap. Still sleepy and completely unsuspecting, she walked out of the room to find Colton down on one knee. It may not have been the great winery proposal he’d planned, but it turned out to be something even more special; perfectly imperfect, genuine and full of love.
East Tennessee will always hold a special place in our hearts. It was the first place we ever went on vacation together. There’s something about the beauty of the mountains and the way time seems to slow down when we were there that felt just right to us. When it came time for us to choose a place to say, “I do”, the decision was easy. East Tennessee wasn’t just a destination; it was where some of our favorite memories began together, and the perfect place to start the next chapter of our lives. We are both looking forward to the moment we can finally see each other at the aisle. After all the planning and anticipation, that first look- surrounded by the people we love the most- will be the moment everything feels reel. We cannot wait to say our vows and begin the rest of our lives together.
Our wedding date is more than just a day on the calendar- it’s where our story truly began. It’s the date of our very first date and the day we officially become a couple. From that moment on, it’s been “our day”, the one that marked the start of everything that’s brought us here. Choosing 10.28.2025 as our wedding date felt like the perfect way to come full circle- to celebrate the love that started on that day and to begin our forever on the same date that started it all. We are a very laid-back couple and love being with each other, whether it is going to a restaurant, concert, or sitting at home snuggled up with our dogs.