A Small Wedding With a Big-Hearted Feeling
as of fall 2026, 450$ for 2 hours of coverage and 178 images with 1 month turn around time and 2 planning calls.
What started as simple coworkers at a bustling restaurant developed into a relationship that led to a beautiful wedding beneath the beginning-changing canopy of leaves in Elkmont, with the calming babble of the river nearby.
Alex and Andrew shared a desire for a small, intimate wedding with just 20 of their closest family members and friends. They were also drawn to Spence Cabin and the peaceful setting it offered.
Alex and Andrew tied the knot at 4 p.m. in mid-September, surrounded by the people who mattered most to them.
The wedding setup was truly a group effort. A mother-in-law who obviously loved her son and daughter-in-law brought the most beautiful floral decor, including baby blue hydrangeas, white roses, and pops of yellow flowers.
These weddings are so focused on connection. Small weddings can feel incredibly meaningful because every person there is vital to the mood and feeling of the day. That is why I believe you want a photographer who understands how to fit into this particular kind of wedding rather than take it over.
My own wedding was a micro wedding, and that experience is what drew me to specialize in intimate weddings and elopements. I know how meaningful it can be to have the people closest to you there and to have a day that feels true to you.
Planning a Micro Wedding at Spence Cabin
Alex and I had two planning calls to go over the details of the day. Having that time together beforehand allowed us to talk through the timeline, locations, portraits, and what was most important to her.
Alex arrived with her hair and makeup already done, which could possibly be wise depending on the time of year because the cabin can become quite stuffy.
For this wedding, I would recommend planning the ceremony around three hours before sunset and then allowing time for portraits afterward. The light on the ceremony stage with the creek in the background was beautiful at this time. There was no harsh, dappled light, but it also wasn't too dark.
Some of the most beautiful photography spots are down by the water. There is a trail you can access from behind Spence Cabin on the left side when looking toward the water. To the right of the ceremony stage, looking toward the water, there is also a large rock that makes a beautiful spot for portraits.
One thing to consider when planning your day is that there isn't much private space away from guests before the ceremony.
For this wedding, we did the first look before guests arrived. We went down the trails behind the cabin, which gave us some privacy and allowed the couple to have that moment together without people around.
The cabin itself is very dark, even in the middle of the day with full sun outside. If you're planning to get ready there, this is something to prepare for.
For a wedding of 20 people, the location worked very well. There was enough parking for all of the guests very close to the cabin, and there was plenty of seating for everyone at the ceremony.
Photographing a 20-Person Micro Wedding
We had two hours of photography time scheduled for the wedding. I do always arrive early to photograph details, scope out the locations, and prepare for the day.
After bridal portraits and couple portraits, the couple mentioned how quickly the portrait portion of the day went. Being able to create a lot of photographs from a few poses and prompts while moving around is important for keeping the flow of an intimate wedding day.
I arrive with the goal of directing when necessary while also documenting the day truthfully and beautifully.
When it came time for family formals, we were able to get everyone requested in just a few minutes. I try to minimize the amount of hopping in and out of photos, and as soon as we had the last photograph of each group, I released those guests so they could return to enjoying the wedding.
With a small wedding, I think this is especially important. You don't want your guests spending a huge portion of the day standing around waiting for photographs. You want them to be present with you.
Spence Cabin Wedding Photography
One of the things I loved about photographing this wedding was how much variety we were able to find in such a small area.
For the first look, we walked down toward the water. There were children around the cabin, and once we were down on the trail, we couldn't hear anyone else. It felt private and special.
There were good lighting options in both directions.
There is also a trail off to the right of the cabin that goes into the woods and leads to an open area with the remains of an old house, including the fireplace. My bride wanted a more light and airy look, but if you are looking for a moodier, more contrasted look, this could be a great location.
We needed to keep the bridal portraits fairly close to the cabin while guests were arriving. The path out front of the cabin was beautiful for a quick bridal session while everyone made their way down to the ceremony stage.
The back patio of the cabin was also a perfect meeting place as guests arrived. I was able to capture different angles and so many little interactions as everyone greeted one another.
After the ceremony, we did one large group photograph outside of the arch and on the ground. Then we did smaller family and group photographs on the ceremony stage.
For their final couple portraits, the groom led his bride to the large rock overlooking the creek to the right of the ceremony stage.
These moments didn't take a huge amount of time, but they gave the couple a gallery filled with different settings, emotions, and memories from their wedding day.
Planning Your Own Spence Cabin Micro Wedding
If you're considering a micro wedding at Spence Cabin, there are a few things I would keep in mind based on my experience there.
Consider mobility
There are steps going down toward the ceremony location. Other than that, you can drive right up to the cabin. If you or any of your family members have mobility concerns, I would recommend visiting the location before booking so you can see the terrain for yourself.
Think about the timing
For this September wedding, approximately three hours before sunset gave us beautiful light on the ceremony stage with the creek in the background. The light was soft without being too dark or overly dappled.
The exact light will vary depending on the time of year, so this is something I would consider when building your timeline.
Be prepared for the cabin to be warm
If it is hot outside, the Spence Cabin can be very stuffy. Since this is also where you may be getting ready, it's something to be aware of when planning your day.
There are several places for portraits
There are multiple spots where you can step away for first looks, bridal portraits, and couple portraits.
Behind the cabin, there are two trails. You can take the steps toward the ceremony location or follow the boardwalk behind the cabin in the opposite direction toward the water and rocky beach area.
The area near the water worked beautifully for our first look. It felt private despite being close to the cabin.
There is also the trail into the woods with the remains of the old house and fireplace. For a couple who wants a moodier, more dramatic look, I think this could be a beautiful option.
Think about where guests will gather
The back patio of the cabin worked very well as guests arrived. It gave everyone a place to meet and interact before heading down toward the ceremony.
With a small wedding, those moments of greeting and connecting are a big part of the day, and they are worth photographing.
One Thing I Would Highly Recommend for a Micro Wedding
After seeing this wedding day firsthand, I would highly, highly recommend hiring a day-of wedding coordinator, no matter the size of your wedding.
This couple had to quickly break down their setup before leaving for their dinner reservation in Townsend. Watching that happen made me even more aware of how valuable it can be to have someone else handling the practical details while you and your guests soak up the moment.
The bride had looked into hiring a wedding coordinator, but most of the coordinators she found were primarily focused on working with vendors rather than helping with setup and teardown.
I understand that a micro wedding may not have many vendors to coordinate, which is why I am currently working toward offering a flexible day-of coordination option through Anna Rose Photos that can be tailored to what each couple actually needs.
For a small wedding, that might mean helping with setup and teardown, keeping the timeline moving, helping guests know where to go, or simply being the person who handles the little things so the couple doesn't have to.
A Few More Things to Know About Spence Cabin
There are a few less glamorous details that are still important when planning your wedding.
You will need the appropriate permit and reservation, as well as parking passes. These are all relatively simple to obtain, but they are things you'll want to plan for ahead of time.
There is no cell service at the cabin.
The cabin does have a kitchen with a refrigerator and a bathroom.
I'm not sure what the best indoor option would be in the event of rain because the cabin itself is relatively small and very dark. Elkmont does have a separate, larger cabin that could potentially work for a reception if you want to stay within the park.
On September 18, the area around Spence Cabin felt private, but during the busier seasons, I imagine it could feel much more crowded.
If privacy is important to you, or if you have specific needs for your wedding day, I would recommend visiting the location before booking.
A Small Wedding Can Still Hold So Much
What I loved most about this wedding wasn't the size of it. It was the feeling.
Twenty people came together because they mattered to Alex and Andrew.
There was beautiful blue hydrangea, white roses, pops of yellow, family helping with the details, guests greeting one another on the back patio, a quiet first look by the water, and a ceremony beside the creek.
Nothing about the day needed to be bigger.
It just needed to feel like them.
That is what draws me to micro weddings and elopements. I love being able to document the little moments, give direction when it's needed, and then step back and let the day unfold.
If you're planning a small wedding in the Smoky Mountains and want your photography to feel just as personal and intentional as the day itself, I'd love to hear what you're planning.
