Full-Day Tennessee Elopement in the Smoky Mountains
- Katie Mae Williams
- Sep 9
- 3 min read
An adventurous Tennessee elopement in the Smoky Mountains, from sunrise vows in Cades Cove to fireside cocktails to end the night!
I left Knoxville at 6 AM on the dot, coffee in hand while the sun started creeping up over the trees. A little over an hour later, I met up with Carson and Julia at the entrance to Cades Cove. By that point, we had talked over video chat several times during the planning process... but finally getting to meet them in-person on their wedding day was such a joy!
We got got back into our cars and began our short drive through the quiet loop, pausing to see several deer and wild turkeys. When we reached their ceremony location, the Wildlife Overlook, I set up my pop-up changing tent and portable mirror so the two could get ready with the help of their families.
After changing into their wedding attire and taking a few deep breaths, I sent Carson down into the field and had him turn to face away from the parking area, and toward the mountains. Shortly after, I walked that direction with Julia and positioned her for their first look. When he turned around to face her to see her for the first time in her wedding dress, I captured both of their emotional reactions. Carson had a huge smile on his face, and Julia immediately teared up, also smiling.
Shortly after, their family joined them for their ceremony. There was no officiant in the traditional sense. Rather, both of their siblings took turns guiding the ceremony, while their parents offered words of wisdom and experience. Everyone was misty-eyed as Carson and Julia spoke their hand written vows to each other, with only their closest loved ones and the deer in the field to witness their words.
Ready to plan your dream elopement? Let's get started today!
My passion is helping couples create unique wedding day experience that feel like them. Check out more information about my elopement packages below:
Before their elopement, Julia and Carson had sent me their choice of song for their first dance! I pre-downloaded it since there is no service in the park. Now that they had shared their first kiss and their ceremony was complete, I brought out my speaker so they could share a special moment dancing to their song.
We wrapped up the morning with some quick family photos, and then we captured some beautiful portraits of just them two before heading toward their cabin in Gatlinburg.
We made a quick stop along the way at the Townsend Wye pull-off, to get more portraits by the river. The light was perfect and the greens really popped, these are some of my favorite images from the day.
Ready to plan your dream elopement? Let's get started today!
My passion is helping couples create unique wedding day experience that feel like them. Check out more information about my elopement packages below:
Once we arrived to their cabin, we switched things up with “getting unready” photos, rather than traditional "getting ready" shots.
Later that evening, we met up on the Gatlinburg strip for some casual photos at the arcade before their dinner reservations. This part was all fun, and totally them!
Finally, we ended the day at the Greenbrier Restaurant, where Carson and Julia joined their families again for dinner. Before I left, I snapped a few last shots of them with cocktails by the bar and around the restaurant’s cozy fire pit. Then I packed up and let them soak in the rest of the evening.
After I delivered their final gallery, these two left me the sweetest Google review...
"Katie Mae coordinated and photographed mine and my husband's elopement in just a couple months, and we couldn't be happier with the results. From the very first video call we had with her, Katie Mae made us feel like such a priority and communicated so perfectly. She worked with us as our plans changed, and made it so our day was perfectly tailored to us. On top of all this, the photos are absolute perfection. Our vision really came to life through them. We cannot recommend her enough!"
This Tennessee elopement day was unapologetically unique and a great reminder of why I love what I do! Thank you, Carson and Julia, for trusting me to capture it for you.
Ready to plan your dream elopement? Let's get started today!
My passion is helping couples create unique wedding day experience that feel like them. Check out more information about my elopement packages below:
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Website: katiemaewilliamsphotography.com
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