Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

His Story: One night in July of 2023, my friends Teah and Eric invited me over for dinner. I paced back and forth in my kitchen, not even sure I was up to leaving the house. I hadn’t changed out of my work clothes and was seconds from bailing. Finally, something inside me said, “Screw it, I’ll go.” The moment I turned the corner into their backyard, I realized I’d walked straight into a setup. There she was — floating on a giant unicorn in the pool, completely unbothered, and absolutely stunning. Despite knowing I’d been tricked, all I could think was, my gosh, this woman is gorgeous. We ate, we drank, and we talked until 2 AM. The whole drive home, all I could think was, I hope I see her again. Her Story: It all started on July 23, 2023, thanks to our friends Teah and Eric — and a giant unicorn float. I was floating in their pool, hair wild, no makeup, declaring I was done with dating forever. Teah ignored that and said, “Let me introduce you to one of our friends.” I refused — twice. (She didn’t care.) A little while later, this handsome, blue-eyed man in a baby-blue shirt walked around the corner. The second I saw him, something just clicked. We spent the night talking and laughing with Teah and Eric like we’d known each other for years. When I went inside, I told Teah, “He’s hot — he’s my future husband.” I was half-joking… but deep down, I knew. From that night on, we were inseparable — opposite in all the best ways and completely in sync where it mattered.

💕 How It All Began

His Story: Jackie had always been clear: she wasn’t going to be in a relationship for over two years without a commitment. I had to expertly navigate those conversations, all while knowing I’d already bought the ring and was just waiting for the perfect moment. My plan was to propose during our first family camping trip. That plan crashed days before when we learned the area was infested with locusts. When Jackie announced, “We are not going,” I panicked. In less than 24 hours, I somehow secured a campsite at Yellowstone Park. That evening, we watched the sunset from a ridge overlooking the lake. With the kids’ help, I set up a candlelit walk on the beach. As we walked up, Jackie gasped, “Wow, someone set up a candlelit walk!” “It was me,” I told her. We danced to CJ Fam’s Love Me for the Both of Us, and I pulled out a slightly crushed ring box I’d accidentally sat on earlier in the truck. The answer was “yes.” And today, I still feel incredibly lucky to call her my partner, my best friend, and my wife. Her Story: Six months into dating, Thomas secretly bought my ring and carried it everywhere until June 8, 2024. He’d planned a picture-perfect proposal on Lake Geneva during our first blended family camping trip — until I found out the area was crawling with locusts and refused to go. (Whoops.) Plan B turned into magic. We camped at Yellowstone Lake instead, and at sunset, Thomas led me down a candlelit path by the beach. Our kids played Love Me for the Both of Us by CJ Fam as we slow danced under the sky — and then he dropped to one knee with a crumpled ring box and the most perfect question. I cried. The kids cried. And just like that, our family, our story, and our forever began.

💍 The Proposal

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

✈️ Getting There

We’re getting married in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park — surrounded by stunning views, crisp air, and plenty of Tennessee charm.  For our Wisconsin friends and family, we’re planning two options to make the trip easier and more affordable:   • Group Travel: for those interested we’re planning on renting two large passenger vans for guests who’d like to travel together from Wisconsin to Tennessee (your RSVP will be crucial to this planning). It’s a fun, scenic ride — and you won’t have to worry about directions or gas. Details and sign-up information will be shared closer to the wedding.   • Driving Yourself: If you prefer flexibility (or your own road-trip playlist), driving down is also a great option! It’s roughly a 10–11 hour drive from southeastern Wisconsin to the park, and carpooling is encouraged.  If you’re flying in, the closest airports are:  • McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) – Knoxville, TN (about 1.5 hours from the park)  • Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) – Asheville, NC (about 2 hours away)  • Nashville International Airport (BNA) – about 3 hours away, if you want a scenic route through the mountains  We’ll share finalized van details, departure times, and hotel info on this page once we get closer to the date — so check back here before booking!

🚗 Getting Around   Most locations will require driving, and cell service can be spotty once you’re deep in the park.  Download directions in advance and plan to carpool when possible — parking at the ceremony site will be limited.  Rideshare apps like Uber/Lyft are limited in the area, so a rental car (or brave mountain driver friend) is your best bet.    🌄 Travel Tips   • Weather: October in the Smokies is cool and crisp — mid-60s during the day and chilly at night. Bring a light jacket and comfy shoes for exploring.   • Scenery: This is prime time for fall colors, so plan extra time to take a drive through Newfound Gap Road or Cades Cove — both are breathtaking, beware of falling rocks 😂😩.   • Timing: Allow some buffer time when traveling through the park — winding roads and photo stops are basically guaranteed.

🏕️ Where to Stay  We’re planning to rent a large cabin that sleeps up to 25 guests so everyone can stay together and keep the celebration going all weekend! If you’d like to stay in the group cabin, please let us know when you RSVP — space will be limited, and we’ll share details and booking info once the rental is finalized.    If you’d prefer your own space, there are plenty of nearby options ranging from mountain-view Airbnbs to boutique hotels. You can browse great options on Airbnb.com￼ or check out a few of our favorite nearby areas below:   • Gatlinburg – close to the park entrance, full of restaurants, shops, and cabin rentals   • Pigeon Forge – about 20 minutes away, with more hotels and family attractions   • Townsend – quiet and perfect for a peaceful mountain escape   Tip: October is peak season for fall colors in the Smokies, so book early — the area fills up fast!

Travel

🌻 Things to Do

We’re so excited for everyone to experience a little Tennessee mountain magic with us! Whether you’re up for hiking, relaxing, or snacking your way through town, there’s something for everyone near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

🏞️ Explore the Park

You can’t come to the Smokies without a little outdoor adventure!

•	Cades Cove: About 1 hour and 15 minutes from Pigeon Forge (Visit Cades Cove￼), this scenic loop is perfect for spotting deer, black bears (from a distance, please), and taking in the mountain views. 	 •	Clingmans Dome: About 1 hour from Pigeon Forge (Five for the Road￼), the highest point in the park and breathtaking. A short, steep hike takes you to a 360° overlook — well worth the trip! 	 •	Laurel Falls Trail: About 30–40 minutes from Pigeon Forge plus 2 hours round-trip hike (~2.6 miles paved) to reach the waterfall (PigeonForge.com￼). 	 •	Newfound Gap Road: About 1 hour from Pigeon Forge for the full 33-mile scenic drive with plenty of pull-offs for photos (GSMNP.com￼).

🍂 Local Favorites

•	The Village Shops (Gatlinburg): About 20 minutes from Pigeon Forge — quaint area with boutiques, coffee shops, and sweet treats. 	 •	Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery (Gatlinburg): About 20 minutes from Pigeon Forge — taste Tennessee’s famous moonshine and enjoy live music downtown. 	 •	Anakeesta (Gatlinburg): About 20–25 minutes from Pigeon Forge — mountaintop park with ziplining, treetop walks, and incredible views. 	 •	The Island (Pigeon Forge): Right in town — shopping, restaurants, and the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel for panoramic views.

☕ Eat & Drink

Good food is everywhere here — but so are the crowds, especially in October. Expect long waits at popular restaurants and plan accordingly (a mid‑morning breakfast or early dinner can save time).

Our favorite:  • Buffalo Breakfast Co. — 127 Bruce St., Sevierville, TN 37862 — Amazing food and totally worth the wait! (mapquest.com￼)   Other local favorites recommended by guests and locals:   • Pancake Pantry — 628 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 — An absolute must, expect a line. (pancakepantry.com￼)   • The Peddler Steakhouse — 820 River Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 — Romantic dinner spot by the river. (peddlergatlinburg.com￼)   • Smoky Mountain Brewery  Gatlinburg: 1004 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738  Pigeon Forge: 2530 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 — Great pizza, beer, and casual vibes. (smoky-mtn-brewery.com￼)  • Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant — 146 Nashville Hwy, Sevierville, TN 37862 — Home‑cooked southern comfort food and apple fritters you’ll dream about later.

Jacqueline & Thomas

Jacqueline & Thomas

Photos