Kayla & Austin Tyler
The Waterhouse Pavilion at Miller Plaza
For UTC alumni Kayla and Austin, it all started with a hot dog. Kayla shares, “Austin was grilling outside the dorm freshman year, and he offered me a hot dog. I don’t even like them, but I thought he was cute, so I took it!” The couple dated for the remainder of their college days, followed by a year-long engagement that led to their October wedding at The Waterhouse Pavilion at Miller Plaza.
With the autumn season as inspiration, Kayla and Austin planned a classy affair adorned with red and ivory garden roses and flowing eucalyptus. The bride chose a romantic lace gown for the big day; a simple veil and hair inlayed with dainty baby’s breath completed her timeless look.
Their evening ceremony, held in the spacious Miller Plaza courtyard, was one to remember. Austin’s father officiated, having also constructed the gorgeous arbor that served as the backdrop. Additional personal touches included a unity candle ceremony and hand-written vows. “Our vows were one page each! That’s pretty long, but we wanted it to be a raw, moving ceremony – everyone was crying,” Kayla remembers.
Kayla and Austin had a moment to themselves while more than 200 guests transitioned to a cocktail hour inside the open-air pavilion. Minimal décor was needed to complement the venue’s natural charm, from the sparkling bistro lights – a favorite of Kayla’s – to the sweeping bay windows. “When I first visited The Waterhouse Pavilion, I could envision the wedding so quickly, and the execution was more than I could have hoped for,” Kayla recalls.
The event wrapped up with a barbecue dinner, toasts by their closest friends, and dancing to the couple’s favorite tunes. After one final hug from their families, the couple departed for their happily ever after amid a sea of sparklers lighting up the Chattanooga sky.
How He Proposed
“I thought we were going to a birthday dinner for Austin at the Back Inn Café. He instead led me to the courtyard beside the restaurant, got down on one knee, and asked me to be his wife. After saying yes, I turned around to see all of our family and friends cheering from the café window!”
Photos by Kartsie Photography