If simplicity inspires you, then you will love today’s Tennessee elopement at Chapel in the Hollow.
Sarah and Benjamin chose a sweet mountain elopement with their children as their only wedding guests.
“We didn’t have to stress and feel like everything should be perfect. We were able to focus on us,” says Sarah.
Thanks to Star Noir Studio for sharing this lovely elopement!
Sarah, 22 & Benjamin, 38
Location: Seymour, TN
Wedding Date: August 4, 2018
Number of Guests: 4
Wedding Cost: $2,800 (including tux, gown, hair, makeup) but only $750 for venue and photography
Wedding Ceremony Location: Chapel in the Hollow, Seymour, TN
Wedding Reception Location: None
Why did you have an intimate wedding?
I just wanted to something small that wouldn’t require a lot of planning. We both work full time, have kids, and are expecting another baby so we didn’t have much time to plan. We also wanted a destination wedding and since most of our friends and family couldn’t travel that far it ended up just being us and our kids.
What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?
None.
Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?
No, all our close family live very far away and since we picked a date and planned this out from start-finish in about two weeks nobody could get time off work and book plane tickets in time.
Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?
A few people jokingly asked why they weren’t invited, we just explained that it was just our family there and since it was four hours from home, people seemed to understand why we didn’t have a big wedding crew.
What were the highlights of the ceremony?
Saying our vows and watching our little ones be involved. Our boys were ring bearers, and our daughter was the flower girl.
What were the highlights of the reception?
No reception. We went back to Gatlinburg where we were staying in a cabin and had a nice dinner with the family.
What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?
Not much planning involved, very private, didn’t have to deal with accommodating guests or making other people happy. Didn’t have to stress and feel like everything should be perfect. We were able to focus on us.
What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?
It was the best decision. Choose wisely who you want to be there if anyone at all. If people ask they weren’t invited you can always tell them you wanted something small and stress-free because most people who have tried to plan a wedding know how crazy it can be. Make sure you have a great photographer. Since not many will be there, you will get lots of people asking to see pictures.
Vendors:
Venue: Chapel in the Hollow
Photography: Star Noir Studios
Hair and makeup: Organic Infusion Salon
Dress: Vivi’s Bridal Prom Tuxedo (Richmond, KY)
Tux: Men’s Warehouse
Rings: Jared’s
