Why We Bought a Wedding Venue in Tennessee

For years, we spent our weekends creating weddings on the beaches of Florida — hauling décor across the sand, setting up arches in the heat, coordinating timelines, officiating ceremonies, photographing couples, and doing whatever it took to make the day feel unforgettable.

And while we truly loved building Leather & Lace Wedding & Event Co., somewhere along the way we realized we wanted something more permanent. Something that felt like us.

Not a ballroom.
Not a cookie-cutter wedding factory.
Not a venue that felt overly polished or disconnected.

We wanted a place with character. A place couples could actually feel the moment they arrived.

After years of dreaming, traveling, rebuilding, and honestly surviving some really difficult seasons in life, we found ourselves drawn to East Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains. The slower pace, the scenery, the creativity, the feeling of starting over — it all just felt right.

Then we found The Cardinal’s Nest.

Tucked away in Sevierville, Tennessee, the property immediately felt special to us. The towering trees, the natural setting, the open-air redwood chapel, the romantic atmosphere — it had the kind of energy we had always tried to create for our couples in Florida, except now it had a permanent home.

That dream became Leather Bound Hollow.

We didn’t buy this venue because it was perfect. We bought it because we saw what it could become. A place where couples could escape the stress, slow down, celebrate with the people they love most, and create memories that actually feel personal.

Today, we’re continuing to grow and pour ourselves into every part of the property — from venue updates and landscaping to new ideas, lighting, décor, cabins, and future wedding experiences. We want this place to feel warm, welcoming, unique, and unlike anywhere else.

Most importantly, we want couples to feel cared for here.

As a husband-and-wife team, we know firsthand that life is messy, relationships take work, and perfect weddings don’t exist. But meaningful moments absolutely do. That’s what we care about creating at Leather Bound Hollow.

This venue isn’t just a business investment for us. It’s part of our story. And we’re incredibly grateful to every couple who becomes part of it moving forward.