When I got a call from a wedding photographer in West Palm Beach about her niece’s mountain wedding, I was really honored that they were considering me. CJ’s Aunt explained to me that she was looking for a documentary-style photographer who could capture all the moments as well as the beautiful scenery in literally one of the most beautiful venues in Greenville, SC, Pretty Place Chapel.
CJ and Austin live here in Western North Carolina and wanted their wedding to reflect their love for this area as well as have killer photos of all their friends and family. We started at the Airbnb that is their favorite place to stay when family is in town, doing some casual portraits with the bridesmaids and CJ.
I love the looks on the faces of the guests when they see that view from Camp Greenville, it really is spectacular. The Fred W Symmes chapel is an open-air chapel on private property with the most amazing view of the mountains you have ever seen. The beauty of this place just can’t be surpassed.
CJ and Austin exchanged their vows with a few dozen of their closest friends and family at hand in an intimate ceremony that was full of significance to them.
On May 11, 1912, Fred W. Symmes purchased the land that now holds Camp Greenville and YMCA Camp Cowles for $825. Mr. Symmes was a successful local businessman who had just retired from General Motors in Detroit, he moved back to his hometown of Wooster with his wife Nellie and began construction on his camp in Greenville North Carolina.
The first thing that Symmes did was build a stone wall around the entire 75 acres of land he had purchased in Greenville, then with the help of some local farmers and friends they began building roads and trails throughout the property and pretty soon “Pretty Place” as it would come to be called by campers was born.
The original stone wall has been restored, and it still surrounds the property today. The Beautiful Chapel was built in 1916 just 7 years after the camp first opened up, at this time YMCA Camp Cowles was also built and the two camps merged. The Chapel was not only used for religious purposes but also for memorial services and served as a place for the campers to socialize and enjoy events such as concerts.
The chapel is still in use today and is open to any visitors that would like to come and see it, although it is mainly used for weddings now. The view from the Chapel is still as beautiful as ever and is a popular spot for pictures. If you are ever in the area I would definitely recommend stopping by and taking a look, it is a truly amazing sight to behold.
If you are looking for a place to have your wedding that is unique and full of history, then Fred W. Symmes Chapel is the perfect place for you! If you are looking to get married at Camp Greenville
As you can imagine, the facility books out really fast for prime dates. It’s booked out by time slots with a two-hour minimum reservation time. Keep this in mind in case you want to have a rehearsal there the day before as well, you have to book both dates. As mentioned, this is an open-air facility for your wedding ceremony, so the weather is something you want to factor in. Also, something to note: there are no bathroom facilities available December-March.
I would highly recommend checking out this information on the Pretty Place Chapel.
When you’re planning your wedding, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is who to hire as your photographer. And if you’re looking for someone who can capture the spirit of your day, then a documentary photographer (hey, that’s me!) is there to capture the entire feeling of the wedding day.
While of course there are some posed photos (because there’s no way I’m not doing some killer portraits with that view) the focus is on you and your family and all the love and emotion of the day.
If you’re planning a wedding at The Pretty Place, then let’s talk! I’d love to hear about your day and what you are looking for in a wedding photographer.
