The Magnolia Venue

Ceremony & Reception

The Magnolia Weddings & Events

Reception

Our Wedding

August 27, 2018

I remember walking around the BSB trying to find a place to cram some studying in before my next class when I saw Carah. Right when I saw her I thought she was so pretty so I knew I had to introduce myself. I decided to play stupid and ask her for help with buying football tickets. “Hey, are you a freshmen?” was the opener. - Seth

2 years ago I was sitting in the Baylor Science Building waiting to go to Genetics lab lecture when 2 boys came and sat next to me. I listened to their conversation while I did homework, assumed they were fraternity brothers, and kept to myself until suddenly one of them started talking to me! It was Seth, smiling from ear to ear and asking me if I was a freshman (... I was not). I vividly remember how much I loved his smile. He proceeded to ask if I knew how to buy football tickets for the Saturday game and if I could help him buy his. This led to us having a conversation our entire free hour, and when we got up to leave we realized we were going to the same class! We ended up sitting next to each other, and at the end of class I was so excited when Seth asked if I was going to the optional study session for the course that night. I wasn't planning on going, but the cute smart guy in class was pretty convincing. - Carah

September 8, 2018

After 2 weeks of staying up until 3 a.m. just to talk to each other, Seth asked me on our first date! Seth met me at my house and we walked to Waco's famous BBQ restaurant, Vitek's. When we arrived it started pouring down rain, so we ended up talking for 5 hours and letting the rain storm pass. Seth played piano for me on the broken restaurant piano, and we never ran out of things to talk about. I remember being so nervous when he picked me up, but as the hours went on I felt like I had known him for years. Looking back we both agree that we knew after our first date we had found something special. - Carah

When we went on our first date at Vitek’s I knew I had found someone special. As we ate our food we immediately connected over how much we loved traveling and Billie Joel. Conveniently, there was a piano sitting in the corner of Vitek’s for me to play Coldplay, Billy Joel, and classical music for Carah. (Those piano lessons when I was younger really payed off, thanks mom!) When the date with Carah was over I couldn't stop thinking about her and I knew I wanted to date her. -Seth

September 12, 2018

We made it official.After only knowing each other for 2 weeks we became boyfriend and girlfriend! We now laugh about how fast we moved, but deep down we know it was one of the best decisions we ever made.&nbsp;

January 2019

I went to visit Seth's family for the first time in Seattle, and I still remember how excited I was leading up to this trip. While we were in Washington I met Seth's family for the first time (who I loved instantly), saw where Seth grew up, went night skiing, got to explore downtown Seattle, went to visit Leavenworth, and got to see Seth's favorite place in the world: the cabin. It was a whirlwind trip and I still believe it was what cemented how much I loved Seth. Any boy who I let take me night skiing was someone special. - Carah

I remember arriving at the airport half an hour before Carah’s plane landed to surprise her. I was so excited, I had been trying to convince her to visit for what felt like forever.&nbsp;The same day she arrived we went skiing. Carah was so scared but she made it down her first ever black diamond (I didn’t tell her the rating till after she was down it). I couldn’t stop myself from smiling that day, or the entire trip because I was around my four favorite people in the world. - Seth

August 2, 2020

About a month before the proposal I asked Carah’s parents for their blessing over a nice brunch in Seaside, FL. I was so nervous beforehand, but it was one of the best conversations I have ever had. We all got to share the different things we loved about Carah and it felt great to take the first big step towards a lifetime with her.&nbsp;Between the brunch day and the proposal, I ring-shopped and scouted spots around Washington where I would ask her. I decided on Westside Preserve, San Juan Island, because it felt very secluded, but had a fantastic view of the mountains and the Pacific Ocean.The day of the big event, I walked Carah around the town of San Juan while the parents set-up the proposal site. After walking around town for the day, I finally drove her to the proposal site, got down on one knee, and asked her to spend the rest of her life with me. - Seth

While I was visiting Seth's family in Seattle they told me we were going on a quick weekend trip to San Juan Island, an island near Canada. I was so excited, especially because they had been there just a week earlier and Seth had sent me dozens of amazing pictures. The first evening we were on the island Seth took me on a walk around Roche Harbor while his family "relaxed" at our AirBnb. Little did I know, the entire weekend had been planned around Seth proposing that same night. Around 6:30 Seth told me we were going to drive across the island to meet his family for dinner at an Italian restaurant, and while we were on our way he told me he wanted to stop to enjoy the view at one of the scenic lookouts. This is not out of the ordinary for Seth, so I happily agreed and got out of the car to look at the view of the ocean. Seth then insisted I walk down the trail in front of us to get a better view, and I was so confused as to why he was so adamant that I walk in front of him (hint: he had the ring box in his back pocket). When we got to the bottom of the trail I suddenly saw a gorgeous gazebo set up with drapes and a picnic blanket, and while I took in the beauty, Seth panicked, realizing he had taken me down the wrong trail. We then hiked back up, drove to the correct lookout, and hiked down to the most beautiful proposal set up I have ever seen. Seth then proceeded to ask me to marry him, to which I immediately said yes, and we spent the rest of the night celebrating with our families. Between getting all of the proposal items onto the island and making sure my family got to Washington without me knowing, I still cannot believe how calm and collected Seth was the entire weekend. That day was easily my favorite day with Seth (until June 13th of course). - Carah

Our Story

https://themagnoliavenue.com/Parking and shuttle pick up: 509 Mill Creek Rd. Pigeon Forge, TN

Airbnb and VRBO

There are so many amazing Airbnb and VRBO properties to rent near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge! We highly recommend starting your search here for families and groups traveling together.

Courtyard by Marriott Pigeon Forge

The Ramsey Hotel and Convention Center

Black Fox Lodge Pigeon Forge, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Pigeon Forge

Tru by Hilton Pigeon Forge

There are dozens of hotel options in the area, these are just a few near our venue! Because of the size of our wedding we are unable to make discounted hotel blocks, but we know there are hotels and rental homes in the area to fit every budget. We are so thankful all of you are traveling to help us celebrate our big day!&nbsp;

Travel & Hotel Accommodations 

Dollywood

The Island, Pigeon Forge TN

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Anakeesta

SkyBridge Gatlinburg

Smoky Mountain Ziplines

Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster

Things to Do

Bridesmaids

Courtney Lyons

Kendall Lockwood

Ava Hackworth

Gracie Hackworth

Ellie Hilderbrand

Groomsmen

Case Buscho

Ernesto Sanchez

Collin Penland

Noah Slater

Curtis Lyons

Dylan Lockard

Wedding Party

Photos

Registry

RSVP

Please RSVP online by May 12th so we can confirm the final head count with all of our vendors!

Parking and Transportation

We ask that you please park at Smoky Mountain Ziplines (509 Mill Creek Rd. Pigeon Forge, TN) to be shuttled up to the Magnolia. Shuttle service will begin at 4:00 and run on a 15 minute loop, and our driver asks that you please wait in the parking lot until he returns to pick up more guests. Our ceremony begins at 5:30 so please plan to arrive with ample time to park, take the shuttle, and be seated!

Wedding Attire: Cocktail

For more information on cocktail attire please visit the following website: https://www.brides.com/cocktail-attire-wedding-4844364

Carah & Seth

Carah & Seth

Wedding Day Details

RSVP

Parking and Transportation

Wedding Attire: Cocktail