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Charming DIY Backyard Wedding in Tennessee

amber+clay

This spring wedding in Tennessee is full of honest moments and sweet details. Clay and Amber met hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Their wedding reflected their story so beautifully. The entire wedding was DIY. It was held on their property in the woods which the revamped just for this wedding. There were so many details and events for guest… such a amazingly beautiful day.
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Amber + Clay
May 25, 2013
Tennessee

Why a Mountain Wedding?

We chose the mountains because our entire relationship has been built around them. We met while we were seperately thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, which is a contiunous foot path through the Appalachia Mountain Range from Georgia to Maine. We met in the Shanandoahs in Virginia and ended up hiking the rest of the trail together as a couple! Clay actually proposed while we were on top of the highest mountain in Georgia a few months after we had summited Katahdin at the end of our thru-hike. The outdoors are where we fell in love and it made perfect sense to get married outside among the mountains in Mother Nature.

Where did you find your inspiration?

We found our inspiration from living in the woods for six months! We decided to get married at my parents property in East Tennessee where we hope to live and build our own home one day. We wanted a simple outdoor wedding that focused on the outdoors with a woodsland feel. Pintrist, magazines, and the internet helped us get a good feel for what we ultimately wanted.

What were some personal details you incorporated?

We tried to incorporate as many details as possible while keeping a natural woodsy theme. We had pictures of our parents on their wedding day hanging on a tree behind our guest book that was a laser cut wooden tree where our guests signed on the leaves. We had pictures from our childhood and engagement in window panes. We also had logs with our initials in a heart on our centerpieces, and scattered throughout the event such as on a tree, and on our aisle runner.

Your favorite moment of the day.

4. My favorite moment of the day would have to be walking down the aisle. It was everything I could have dreamed of, and still just thinking about seeing my handsome groom at the end, under our alter of tree branches, gives me cold chills and puts a smile on my face.

Three things you’re glad you did.

  • I am glad that we chose to do a first look so we could have most of our pictures done before hand. It was also nice to have a few minutes to ourselves before the ceremony.
  • I also am so glad that we splurged on heart shaped sparklers for our first dance! It was a magical moment!
  • Waiting to find the wedding dress that was perfect for me and not succumbing to the pressure of salespeople at Bridal Dress Shops.

Anything you wish you hadn’t done?

I wish I hadn’t stressed out so much. I was a mess and wish I could have enjoyed those last final weeks of our engagement a little more instead of stressing the whole time.

What was the best piece of wedding advice you got?

The best piece of wedding advice I got was from one of my good friends Claire seconds before I was going down the aisle. She told me that her Dad gave her the best advice on her wedding day and it was to float above herself as she was walking down the aisle and take it all in. I am so thankful that she was able to share that with me so I could just slow down, take a deep breath and relish in the fact that this was our day and it was really happening.

What piece of wedding planing advice do you wish you followed?

I wish we would have had a receiving line planned. It would have been nice to be able to ensure that we had at least said hello to each guest individually.

Anything you wish you hadn’t worried about?

I can’t think of anything! Everything went fairly smooth the day of! I would have loved to know the weather ahead of time but, fortunately we were blessed and had nothing to worry about!

Anything You wish you had known about sooner rather than later?

I wish that I wouldn’t have worried so much in general.

How did you choose your vendors?

We chose our vendors mainly by research online for a majority of things and for our pictures, cakes, food, and my hair we chose by word of mouth recommendations. A close friend recommended Megan with Break The Mold. Clays mother did our large cake while Amazing Bakes did the grooms cake. We got our BBQ dinner from Moogies BBQ, a local favorite. My hair was done locally as well by Amanda at The Shop. They were all wonderful!

What is your very best advice to other mountain brides?

I would recommend to be sure that you just step back a few times throughout the day and really soak it all in. It is such a whirlwind and goes by so quickly, take a deep breath and slow down. Also, get those diy projects done as far in advance as possible!

DIY Details

We made tons of diy details such as our save the dates, signs, kissing balls, heart garland, burlap drapes, a card box that was a card stump, a mason jar chandelier, all of our centerpieces, program fans, favors, birdseed toss pouches, and match and sparkler holders to name a few!

Tennessee Mountain Wedding Vendors

  • Photographer:  Break The Mold Photo
  • Floral Designer: Family Dried Flowers
  • Dress Store: Free People
  • Bridesmaid Dresses: Modcloth
  • Hair Stylist: The Shop
  • Etsy Designer:Totally Salinda
  • Cake Designer: Amazing Bakes Cookies & Cakes
  • Lingerie: FallenStarCouture
  • Heirlooms and extras: LifeAStitch
  • Favors and Gifts: Mai Creations
  • Favors and Gifts: The Silver Diva

Submitted via Two Bright Lights