When Becca and Alex began searching for a wedding venue, they knew exactly what they wanted: a full weekend celebration where their favorite people could stay together, connect, and truly experience the wedding as more than just a single evening.
The inspiration came from a wedding they attended in Mendoza, Argentina, where guests stayed together at a stunning resort property for the entire weekend. “By the time the reception came around, it was all just a bunch of friends on the dance floor,” Becca shared. “That feeling stayed with us.”
They hoped to recreate that same sense of connection closer to home — somewhere surrounded by nature, within driving distance of Chattanooga, and most importantly, somewhere dog friendly so their beloved pup, Walter, could be part of it all. After an extensive search, they found everything they were dreaming of at Hawkesdene.
Throughout the weekend, every detail reflected the couple’s laid-back, outdoorsy vision. Guests were welcomed with a custom newspaper-style guide filled with the weekend schedule, property maps, fun facts, and games. A vintage canoe filled with beer and ice became a favorite gathering spot, complete with a custom national park-inspired sign that perfectly matched the vibe they had envisioned — relaxed, nature-filled, and centered around good food, great music, and meaningful time together.
The weekend also included deeply personal family traditions. Becca’s family is Japanese Hawaiian, and her brother arranged for traditional leis, kukui nuts, and a special Maile lei for Alex to be shipped from Hawaii for the celebration. During the wedding, family members shared them as symbols of love, connection, and ohana — a meaningful reflection of the closeness that defined the entire weekend.
Adding another layer of significance, the couple’s photographer, Ana Palumbo, and videographer, Ivan Quevedo, were the very same team who had captured the wedding in Argentina that originally inspired their own celebration. “We loved their style and work,” says Becca, “but more importantly, they were genuinely great people who are passionate about what they do. It was an honor to have them capture such special moments for us.”
The impact of the weekend lingered long after it ended. In fact, some of their guests fell so in love with the property that they booked Hawkesdene for their own wedding celebration the following summer — even bringing Jaguar Shark, the band that played at their pre-wedding celebration, back for the festivities. Now, Becca and Alex will get to return to the place where their own story unfolded, this time as guests, reliving so many of the moments that made their wedding weekend unforgettable.
We love how the photographer/videographer team of Ana and Ivan captured the green earthy mood of spring and how pops of bright oranges appear throughout. Photographer ©2026 Anabella Palumbo ~ Anabella.Photographia
Cake Rebecca (Groom’s Mom)
Desserts (Bundtinis) Nothing Bundt Cakes
Entertainment Jaguar Shark
Hair Megan Jackson Toney
Flowers Harpp Flower Farm (Holly Strawn)
Makeup Ashleigh Wise (Cousin of the Bride)
Photographer Anabella Photographia (Anabella Palumbo)
Videographer Ivan Quevedo
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