What started as a playful group scroll through Hinge ended with a walk down the aisle—and a magnolia-filled celebration at the Mill and Mine. Hannah and Ben’s wedding journey began during the peak of the pandemic, sparked by unexpected moves and long-distance dates. Years later, their January wedding in Knoxville brought everything full circle. Designed with whimsy, warmth, and a whole lot of heart, the day blended family traditions with floral creativity. Proof that winter weddings can be just as vibrant and deeply personal as spring or summer.
What We Love About This Mill and Mine Wedding:
- Handmade magnolia trees that transformed the Mill and Mine
- A wedding design that embraced Southern tradition with a whimsical, creative flair
- The bride’s signature “Hannah Montana Mule,” made with huckleberry vodka from Montana
- A heartfelt, laughter-filled Episcopal ceremony led by a longtime family friend
- A deeply trusted vendor team led by Junebug vendor Whitney Bowman Events who helped shift the original garden vision into seasonally stunning winter celebration
Featured Vendor:
Whitney Bowman Events
Blending Personal Traditions Into Their Ceremony
Held at a local Episcopal church and officiated by a longtime family friend, their ceremony was both sacred and intimate. “We actually chose to do communion during the rehearsal instead,” Hannah shared, explaining they wanted to keep guests comfortable during the ceremony itself.
One of her favorite moments? A spontaneous shout of support from a bridesmaid after the ceremony reading. “It was hilarious and totally distracted me from my nerves while I was standing at the altar!”
The Mill & Mine Checked Every Box
Having attended weddings at the Mill and Mine in the past, Hannah already knew it had the right feel. But it was the combination of beauty, space, and location that sealed the deal. “We loved that everything—from the church to the reception to the hotels—was so close together. That made logistics really smooth. If guests wanted to walk, they could!”
And since her sister had recently held her own reception at a different Knoxville venue, Hannah appreciated having a distinct location to call her own. “I didn’t want it to feel copy-paste,” she added.
Building a Vendor Team They Could Trust Completely
With Whitney Bowman leading the charge, vendor selection was less about stress and more about synergy. “She’s been in the business over 25 years, so she knows what works,” Hannah said. “Every single person she brought in, from our photographer Ashley Spangler to our videographer Coley Spencer and our paper goods team Little Postage House, was easygoing, authentic, and helpful.”
Hannah credits much of her relaxed energy on the wedding day to that strong support system. “I didn’t have big opinions about a lot of the details, and Whitney was honest with her input, which I really appreciated. She just knew what would work best.”
Designing a Winter Wedding Without Sacrificing Color or Creativity
Planning a wedding in January meant that Hannah had to rethink her original vision of a French garden with colorful florals and trellises. But with help from Junebug planner Whitney Bowman and florist Wither and Bloom, she transformed those ideas into a design that was just as bold, crafted to suit the season. “I wanted something traditional, but with creativity woven in,” she shared. “The last thing I wanted was a ‘frosted pastel’ winter wedding look.”
Together, the team created something stunning: handmade magnolia trees—an elegant nod to Hannah’s East Tennessee roots—that brought warmth and richness to the industrial beauty of the Mill and Mine. “I’ll just never get over it,” she said.
Infusing the Reception With Meaningful, Playful Touches
The reception at the Mill and Mine was filled with intentional details that reflected who Hannah and Ben are as a couple. Their first dance—“Sweet Symphony” by Chris Stapleton and Joy Oladokun—brought tears to guests’ eyes. “The lyrics felt like wedding vows, and the fact that it was a duet made it even more perfect.”
From Ben’s signature Old Fashioned to Hannah’s mule made with hard-to-source huckleberry vodka, even the cocktails told a story. “The Mill and Mine team went above and beyond to make that drink happen,” she added. And to end the night? Pepperoni pizza, Ben’s favorite.
Final Thoughts and Advice for Couples
Looking back, Hannah wouldn’t change a thing. “It was absolutely perfect. My biggest advice is to stay relaxed and actually eat on your wedding day! I was eating a Pub Sub and drinking a Miller Lite right before walking down the aisle. It helped me feel grounded and enjoy every moment.”
Turns out, planning a January wedding filled with magnolia trees, pizza, and a huckleberry mule is all about trusting your gut—and your planner. Hannah and Ben’s Mill and Mine celebration was proof that winter weddings can be bold, meaningful, and seriously fun.
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Ashley Spangler
Event Planning – Whitney Bowman
Ceremony Venue – St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral
Reception Venue – Mill and Mine
Floral Design – Lauren Stovall
Videography – Coley Spencer
Invitation Design – Loly Orozco
Makeup Artist – Claire Balest
Wedding Dress – Nardos Design
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