Susie Bartlett and Troy Fisher were married on an absolutely beautiful autumn day on November 7.  When she called, she said that she loved the website (thanks to Brainstorm Cafe, our designer) and that she wanted to set up a time to come and visit.  When she did (she came with a friend), she saw Sarah's Glen and I think decided on the spot that was where she wanted her ceremony.  She didn't want anything huge, just immediate family for a few hours as they were planning a big reception in a large cabin they had rented for the occasion in Pigeon Forge.  She needed flowers, a cake, beverage and a minister.  Could we do that on a peak day in November?  Yes, we most certainly could.   Susie was a gorgeous bride and her family was amazing.  I think if I had asked to come with them to the cabin and have homemade bbq, they would have said, come on up!  That's what I love about our farm and our business.  We get to meet so many nice, nice people all the time and it just seems as though family are coming to visit and share special memories with us in the hollow of the beautiful mountains.  Susie and Troy and families:  thank you so much for sharing your day with us and allowing us to be the site for the beginning chapter of your life together.  I pray that God will continue to richly bless you both and please keep in touch!  Janice

  What a joy and a hoot to have this sweetly unique couple to have their wedding at Sampson's Hollow.  Mona and Ben came to visit us last Spring as they were scoping out possible venues for their celebration.  I think we hit it off right away.  At first, I'm not sure that they had decided on a definite date, but when November 1 became available and they thought about the possibilities of having an October 31 (Halloween) rehearsal, I think the creative side of Mona decided it would be a fun way to begin their married life together.   As a graphic artist, she designed their announcements, wedding invitations and gave everything her visual spin.  After they decided on the location, they went to Atlanta to visit relatives and while she didn't plan on finding her dream dress that weekend, I think that that's exactly what happened.  She and Ben kept me posted on their plans and progress and I felt like I was part of the family.  After so much rain and unpredictable weather over the course of the last few months, the weather for their wedding was absolutely gorgeous.  Maybe a little cool for some, but the sun was out with just a light breeze and it was a perfect Autumn Day.  The mountains were showing off just a bit and the colors were absolutely breathtaking with a very magical "smoke" coming off of their peaks at early morning.  One of the things that Mona was concerned about was that she would fall out of the carriage:)  I had camera in hand just in case that happened, but it did not.   She was a beautiful and radiant bride and Benjamin was an elegant and handsome groom.  And, as has been their custom, they kept their friends updated as they began their trip to their honeymoon destination in Hawaii.  Those IPhones are really something special, but Mona, it's time to turn it off and enjoy the honeymoon!  Can't wait to see all of Sondra Dietz's photos with Leben Photography--hope to see you both when you come back to East Tennessee. Thank you so  much for allowing us to be a part of your beautiful day.  May God continue to bless you both!  Janice

P.S.  Did I do okay with the chocolate, peanut butter, hot cocoa and Dr. Pepper requests? LOL!

I didn't get to meet Ashley and Brandon "Bubba" when they first came to vist.  My husband got to show them around.  Bill seemed to click with them immediately.  He said that they were "good people" and that I would like them very much.  He thought they liked the farm, but wasn't really sure because they had told them that they were on a budget and of course, he didn't want to pry and ask them what their budget was.  I think he did tell them to "just talk to Janice" and she will work with you.  Ashley and I emailed and emailed, asking and answering questions.  She said she loved the property, but she was in nursing school at ETSU and worried about planning a wedding long-distance and didn't know if she could commit to one of our packages.  I asked her if she could do a Sunday in October and told her that I could build her a package, based on what she wanted us to provide, what she planned on providing, how many guests she would have, and other similar wedding-related questions.  It wasn't too much longer that she emailed me, or maybe called me, and said that she would like to save the date:)  I was very happy.   We had talked so often via email that I felt like I knew her and had yet to even meet in person.  If memory serves, the first time we met was when she came with her parents to talk about flowers and the cake and how she wanted to do the ceremony.  I think that was when the storm came across the mountain, blew down a tree, and they got stuck with me for an extra hour!  Luckily, Bill was on the tractor that day and could drag the tree away.  He loves riding around on his tractor--it's just a big boy toy.  Anyway, Ashley and Bubba were married on a pretty day in October and he and his groomsmen dressed in bib overalls and Ashley was absolutely lovely in her beautiful gown.  Let me just say; Bubba is what we call in this neck of the woods, "a hoot." 

Everything was decorately beautifully and I hope that they had the fairytale wedding that she wanted.  I hope that Ashley keeps on emailing me and telling me how everything is going.  When I see those familiar email addresses, it's just like knowing that someone special is wanting to send you a letter:)  Best of luck and loads of love and God's richest blessings on you both!  Keep in touch.   Love, Janice