In a departure from the rigid expectations of traditional nuptials, Candice King and Steven Krueger opted for a celebration defined by intimacy, spontaneity, and a touch of theatrical chaos. The couple’s decision to host Candice King and Steven Krueger’s elopement-style wedding at a tiny Tennessee chapel transformed a formal milestone into a deeply personal family affair, prioritizing emotional connection over choreographed perfection.
Set against the backdrop of an unseasonably warm February morning in Nashville, Tennessee, the wedding was designed to experience less like a production and more like a sanctuary. By stripping away the pressures of a large-scale event, the couple created a space where the focus remained squarely on their commitment to one another and the immediate family surrounding them.
The weekend was characterized by a refusal to adhere to standard wedding tropes. From a murder mystery party in lieu of a rehearsal dinner to a makeshift commute to the altar, the events leading up to the vows set a tone of levity and resilience that would define the entire experience.
A Playful Prelude to the Vows
Rather than the typical formality of a rehearsal dinner, the couple chose to kick off the celebrations with a high-energy, themed event. The night before the ceremony, guests gathered for a murder mystery party designed to break the ice and dissolve any lingering wedding-day tension.
The theme, titled “Til Death Do Us Part,” was embraced with a sense of humor by both the hosts and their guests. Candice described the evening as “every bit as cheesy and ridiculous as you’d think it would be!” adding that she had not laughed that hard in a long time.
Steven noted that the atmosphere was intentionally relaxed to ensure everyone felt comfortable participating in the game. “We greased the wheels with wine and cocktails beforehand, and everyone leaned in to make it a great night,” he recalled.
From Limo Failures to Family Rides
The wedding day began at the couple’s Nashville home, where they prepared for the ceremony alongside Candice’s two daughters. While the couple had envisioned a classic entrance via a vintage limousine, the morning provided the first of the day’s unplanned turns when the vehicle broke down before reaching the house.
Rather than allowing the mechanical failure to derail the mood, Steven took charge of the logistics. “Well, I damn sure wasn’t going to be late to my own wedding, so the four of us just piled into my car, donned in tuxes and white dresses, and drove ourselves there,” Steven said. He noted that they arrived exactly on time, marking the limo incident as the only significant hiccup of the day.
A “Fairytale Greenhouse” in the Heart of Tennessee
The ceremony took place in a modest wooden chapel, where the couple was joined by their families and an officiant. The environment was curated to feel organic and ethereal, blending the simplicity of the architecture with the warmth of the February sun.
For Candice, the sensory details of the walk down the aisle were the most enduring part of the experience. She remembers the soft accompaniment of a live guitarist—a friend of a friend whom the couple had never previously met—and the floral arrangements that transformed the small space. “The flowers making this tiny wooden chapel feel like a fairytale greenhouse, and the warm glow of light on Steven’s face,” she recalled.
The couple had opted for a “first look” at their home earlier that morning, but the actual procession remained a poignant moment. Candice described the feeling of the “magic hour” light as a protective barrier against the outside world. “Like the rest of the world kept turning in chaos, and we had this small little nook of the world to ourselves. Time slowed down and felt like a love song,” she said.
Steakhouse Dinners and Boot-Shaped Cakes
Following the exchange of personal vows and a kiss to seal the marriage, the atmosphere shifted instantly from solemnity to celebration. The chapel became a hub of activity filled with music, toasts, and bubbles, reflecting the couple’s desire for a low-pressure environment.
Steven reflected on how the lack of a rigid script enhanced the day. “Stripping away the formality of a big, well-rehearsed ceremony created such a fun, relaxed vibe,” he said. He admitted that the reality of the day differed from his childhood visions of a wedding, but argued that the deviation is exactly what made it perfect, allowing them to “breathe, laugh, cry, and focus on each other without worrying whether everything was going according to plan.”
The reception continued the theme of unpretentious enjoyment. After a series of golden-hour photographs, the newlyweds utilized a functioning vintage car to travel to their final destination: a loud, lively steakhouse dinner. The evening concluded with heartfelt speeches from family members and the cutting of a uniquely themed, boot-shaped cake.
The couple viewed the entire weekend as a gift, particularly the rare Tennessee winter warmth that allowed them to dance in the sun. Looking toward the future, Steven expressed a desire to share the memories of the day with their son, noting, “I can’t wait to show our son one day that he was there, too.”
For those considering similar elopement-style arrangements, the experience of King and Krueger serves as a testament to the value of prioritizing family and flexibility over traditional wedding industry standards.
The couple has not announced any further public celebrations or official updates regarding their wedding festivities.
Do you prefer traditional weddings or intimate, elopement-style celebrations? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
