A Boho mountain wedding in the great smoky mountains
A Boho Mountain Wedding in the Great Smoky Mountains
Allie Mihu & Ross Beckman
10.17.2020
When Allie arrived at The Bridal Finery, we instantly connected on her boho mountain wedding concept since I too had a mountain wedding. The moment I started zipping Allie into her Ines Di Santo wedding dress, I knew it would be the dress she would wear down the aisle. The dress fit her almost perfectly. She described her concept of a cozy mountain wedding feel and I could see her walking down the aisle in this dress! She had an immediate reaction to it confirming it’s true what they say, “when you know you know.” Throughout her engagement I had the opportunity to help Allie and get to know her family. Seeing her wedding photos brings me so much joy. Read more to learn all about Allie’s wedding planning tips.
The Vendors
Photography: Ashlyn Cathey Photography @ashlyncathey.photo
Wedding Dress & Accessories: The Bridal Finery @thebridalfinery
Coordination: Wild Oak Events @wildoakevents
Floral: Melissa Timm Designs @melissatimmdesigns
Catering: Dead End BBQ @deadendbbqetn
Cake: Art of Cakes Bakery @artofcakesmaryville
Bartending: Single Barrel Events @singlebarrelevents
Rentals: All Occasions Party Rentals @aopartyrentals
Hair and MUA: Bangs and Blush @bangsandblush_
Spray tan: Brushed Artistry @brushedartistry
Bridesmaid Dresses: The Dessy Group @dessygroup
Arbor: Marsh Made Design @marshmadedesign
DJ: Monolith Entertainment @monolithwedding
Shoes: Badgley Mischka @badgleymischka
Bridal Robe: Homebodii @homebodii
Grooms Suit: Macys and Mens Wearhouse @macys @menswearhouse
Stationary: Minted @mintedweddings
Engagement Ring and Bride wedding band: Blue Nile @bluenilediamond
Groom Wedding band: Manly Bands @manlybands
How did you & your partner meet?
Ross and I met downtown at the country bar saddle up!! It was so unexpected and I think that was the best part. We were both out with friends and then fate aligned. He messaged me on Facebook the next day for my phone number and we went on our first date! The rest is history
Where was your first date?
Our first date was at Seasons 52! What was so special is a year later on our 1 year anniversary, they sat us at the EXACT same table (unplanned).
How did he propose?
Ross took me to one of our favorite restaurants in Orlando, Hillstone, Winter Park. After an incredible dinner and a bottle of wine, we walked out by the water at sunset. He brought me over to a wooden platform on the water and got down on one knee!! After I said yes and cried all the happy tears, my best friend Alyssa jumped out of the bushes with a camera along with my mom and best friend Michelle! Everyone outside started clapping and it was the most perfect moment we will never forget! We then celebrated with all our family and friends who surprised us right after at Rocco’s Tacos!
What was your wedding dress shopping experience like in Orlando?
Oh where to begin.. last year me, my MOH and Mom were going to The Heavy Winter Park to check out my bridal shower space. I had no makeup on and no plans to look at dresses. While on our way to Winter Park, my mom and I thought it would be fun to look at dresses "just to see". I grabbed some makeup at Walgreens and we searched for a boutique that had an open appointment the same day! The first bridal store on my list was Bridal Finery and they had an open appointment! From the very first moment I stepped into TBF and met Tali, I was showered with nothing but love, attention, personalization and care. I tried on about 6 dresses and on the last one, I started crying!!! I've seen those emotions in movies and TV and never thought I'd have that magical "this is it" moment, and I did! As soon as Tali helped me into my Ines Di Santo beauty and played our first dance song, I felt so much happiness and knew it was the dress I wanted to wear on the biggest day of my life! From there Tali was so helpful with finding a custom lace for my train and walking me through the alterations process. We came to the store many times with friends and family who wanted to see it in person, and we always had the best time and felt like family. Having the intimate try-ons and appointments was so special and TBF ladies will make you feel like an actual queen! I cannot thank them enough for helping me find the perfect dress, veil, and earrings! It was truly an experience I will never forget!
What bridal accessory was your favorite for your boho mountain wedding?:
It’s definitely a 3 way tie between my Maria Elena earrings, Badgley Mischka Shoes, and Faux Fur Shawl. I am not a big jewelry person and Tali helped me find the most perfect yet simple but elegant earrings with an icy blue stone for my something blue accented with pearl and crystals. My shoes went perfect with my soft cameo colored dress and were surprisingly comfortable all through the night! Lastly, I got a cream faux fur shawl since it was in the 50s at night, I felt so luxurious, warm and chic!
What do you love most about your wedding venue? :
THE VIEWS! The Magnolia Venue has the most incredible sweeping views of the Great Smoky Mountains. We were breathless the first time we saw the venue in person. It is truly a slice of heaven and the team made our experience so smooth! Saying "I Do" and dancing underneath the stars with the most perfect mountain backdrop made for an experience we and our guests will never forget!
What is one thing you wish you knew before you started wedding planning?:
Luckily I have worked in the wedding and events industry for over 7 years, so I felt very prepared and organized. One thing though that I learned was the little details and "pop-up" costs can really add up. We were on a tight budget so I had to get creative and DIY somethings as it got closer to the big day.
How would you describe the overall feel of your event? :
We were hoping that our guests would feel love, personalization and joy! It has been a tough year and we wanted nothing more than for everyone to have a safe mountain escape from the craziness and finally have some fun! From the ceremony, speeches, dancing, and send off we are so proud that we accomplished that and more. We are so blessed with the most incredible family and friends who came together and created pure happiness and magic. It really is indescribable. As far as aesthetics, we had a cozy "Fall Mountain Boho" feel with burgundies, creamy tones, golds, black, and pops of fall sunset colors. Paired with the PERFECT sunny and 65 degrees mountain air, it was a dream.
What wedding planning advice do you have for other brides planning a wedding?
My 5 Pieces Of Advice Are…
1. Write Down your Top 5 most important pieces/vendors of the wedding and don't cut the budget on those 5.
2. If you don't have a specific vendor in mind, make sure you speak with a couple before you make the decision. We jumped into a certain vendor and wish we would've met with a 1-2 more before making the choice. Read reviews on Wedding Wire and the Knot and ask a lot of questions!! It would also be great if you have a planner, for them to join you at important meetings/consultations.
3. If you know a specific vendor you want, RUN, don't walk to book them. The dream wedding teams can get booked veryyyyy quickly, sometimes a year in advance.
4. Little things will go wrong. This is something that I struggled with accepting as I am a perfectionist and knew that unfortunately random things happen and its okay. At the end of the day Ross and I were the only ones who noticed the small things. Understand that you cannot control everything and as long as you and your guests had a good time and you married the love of your life, nothing else matters!
5. Take time to stop and soak it all in. Throughout the planning no matter how stressful it can be and during the wedding weekend, make sure you take time to reflect and slow down. It flies by . . . Pause before you walk down the aisle, take a deep breath and look at all the wonderful people you are surrounded by (also your husband to be of course ;), make sure you take a moment to eat together, we also recommend a private last dance with just the bride and groom. It's a great time for your guests to get lined up if you're having a send-off, and allows you to share a final special moment together.
Where will your honeymoon be?:
Due to Covid we, unfortunately, couldn't have our dream honeymoon in Hawaii. We did however have the most incredible honeymoon at the JW Marriott Marco Island, FL! The weather, the food, the beach, and the fun staff made for an unforgettable week. Maybe we will get to do our Hawaii trip for a future anniversary :)
What are you enjoying most about newlywed life? :
There's nothing more special than knowing you have a partner for life no matter what life throws at you! We are so excited about the future and the life we will continue to build. It's so fun talking about the wedding and the butterflies we still get thinking about each other and our perfect weekend. It's also pretty amazing hearing "wife" "husband" and "Mrs. Beckman".