Mandy and Steven's Elopement to Honeysuckle Hills in Pigeon Forge

Occasionally we still get the question, “will you marry an interracial couple?” The love story of Mandy and Steven will hopefully answer with a resounding, “YES.”

You know how some people give you that high energy, happy feeling just being around them?  That’s Mandy and Steven all the way!  They are a couple who undoubtedly will be on their honeymoon for decades. 

The middle of April is one of the best times of year to get married in the Smoky Mountains.  Mandy and Steven did our “Just About Us” wedding elopement package on a weekday just before the antique car show arrived in town.  There were just enough early arriving old cars and trucks for Steven to enjoy, but not the insane traffic a Pigeon Forge Rod Run usually causes by the weekend.

 

The pink azaleas in the woods were in full bloom, along with dogwoods, Granny’s yellow roses, and the yellow wildflowers in the horse field. 

To give a little “emotional atmosphere,” we popped out a can of “atmosphere in a can” for the waterfall photographs.  It did the trick, showing up as delightful romance with the back-light of the sun.  It makes it look like early morning fog.  Speaking of fog, the Smoky Mountains gets its name from the haze that the leaves "breathe" into the air during the summer.  

Our little waterfall is man-made, but looks just like one you'd find on a hike in the Smoky Mountains.  Many people want to get married at a real waterfall, but when they are faced with the fact it requires at least a one mile hike, sometimes much longer, they opt for one like ours.  Honeysuckle Hills is not open to the public, so another plus is that your wedding won't be crashed by tourists.

Honeysuckle Hills in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee just might be the right place for you to get married, too! 

Contact Regina to request wedding information

View Mandy and Steven's slideshow here

A Spring Elopement for Kimberly and Jeff at Honeysuckle Hills

Kimberly brought some thoughtful pieces of jewelry to wear for her wedding.  Because her theme was "A cord of three strands is not easily broken" we photographed the bouquets, wedding rings, grandmother's ring, and gifts from Jeff on an open Bible to the book of Ecclesiastes.  

I’m absolutely loving our decision to dedicate ourselves to only one wedding each day now.  Kimberly had enough time to relax in the dressing room and do her own hair and make-up.  Sometimes this is the better alternative to hiring a stylist to come to the venue, or going to a salon.  

There’s definitely something to be said about getting all “dolled up” for your wedding.  However, elopements are more low-key, and grooms often tell me they want their bride to look more like themselves.  They want the woman they fell in love with.

They say rain is good luck on your wedding day.  I know it sometimes feels like people are just trying to make you feel better by saying this, but truthfully life wouldn’t exist without water.  Therefore, love wouldn’t exist, right? 

Kimberly and Jeff got their share of good luck rain on their April 7^th, so they decided to get married beneath the chandelier.  They were the first to stand on our new stamped stone walkways.  The view outside the barn doors is different, too, with our brand-new six foot water wheel.  It’s just like the one at the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, only smaller…

Kimberly and Jeff met in church, and they’ve actually known each other for 22 years.  I can imagine how difficult it must have been for Kimberly to keep her attraction for Jeff at bay when it wasn’t appropriate.  But life happened, and they are now free to love each other for the rest of their lives!

I always ask our brides what they love about each other the most.  Kimberly said Jeff loves like Jesus does.  Jeff said Kimberly loves unconditionally… is “tenacious,” and finds something beautiful even in ugly things.

Their wedding day theme was “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”  They are another couple with strong faith in God, and believe that a marriage has the best chance with God as its center. 

Kimberly’s advice to other Honeysuckle Hills brides would be to bring a pair of warmer shoes if you’re getting married in early spring.  Her little toes were quite cold during her outdoor wedding photographs!

Because of the rain we did use mostly covered areas for photographs like our new balcony, walls and windows inside the barn, and the use of umbrellas.

Vendor list:

Brother Phil King officiated their wedding. 

From the Heart Florist provided the lovely bridal bouquet.

My photography assistant was Gracie, my fiery red-haired neighbor who has interned with me for over two years now.  (Sweet Emily was given the weekend off for a trip to Florida, where she was much warmer than we were!)

Kimberly and Jeff chose our “Just About Us” wedding package.  It’s a simple, sweet, one hour wedding reservation for their ceremony and photography. 

Click here to view all their wedding images

Click here to view their wedding slideshow