This Summer Wedding Was Straight Out of a Rom-Com
For high school sweethearts Kayla and Liam, a lifetime of shared memories led to a timeless summer wedding at Louisville's Whitehall mansion. Image: Wholehearted
The start of the relationship between Liam Fletcher Collins and Kayla Marie Patton (now Collins) is like something out of a movie. The pair were high school sweethearts, growing up side by side and navigating life’s major moments together. So when it came time to plan their summer wedding, they envisioned a celebration that felt timeless, romantic, and deeply personal. Surrounded by family and friends, they exchanged vows before continuing the festivities at Louisville’s historic Whitehall mansion.
Before the vows, the flowers, and the celebration at Whitehall, there was a love story years in the making. As high school sweethearts, Liam and Kayla had the rare opportunity to grow up together.
“One of the greatest blessings of our relationship has been getting to evolve alongside one another through every stage of life,” Kayla shares, adding that they’ve celebrated graduations, career milestones, buying their first home, and now marriage. “It’s been so special to continuously find new ways to love and support each other as we grow into new versions of ourselves.”
She describes Liam’s proposal at the St. James Court fountain as intimate, romantic, and “perfectly us.” It was a private moment with just the pair, plus a professional photographer hidden in the wings, and they celebrated afterward with a meal at River House with their families. “Looking back,” Kayla says, “I still can’t believe he kept it a secret!”
With a background in the wedding industry and a passion for events, hosting, and design, Kayla enjoyed planning the wedding herself. From the overall aesthetic to the smallest details, she saw her vision come to life exactly as she imagined.
“But … I could not have done it without our incredible vendors and our day-of coordinator,” she says, adding that without Amaya from Oh My Wedding Co., she wouldn’t have been able to be fully present on her big day.
The couple wed at Saint Boniface Catholic Church on August 16, 2025, where Kayla walked down the aisle in a Casablanca Bridal dress from White Wisteria Bridal Boutique in Cincinnati. With a sweetheart neckline and a cross-pleated lapel, the gown featured an A-line silhouette and a sweeping, 76-inch train.
“The dress was actually found by my maid of honor, which makes it even more special,” Kayla says. “From the moment I tried it on, I knew it was the one. It felt timeless, romantic, and perfectly suited both my personal style and the overall vision for the wedding day.”
She and Liam exchanged private vows during their first look before the ceremony, taking a quiet moment alone to share personal promises and emotions. They then exchanged traditional vows in front of family and friends during the church ceremony. “It was the perfect combination of intimate and sacred, and we’re so glad we chose to do both,” Kayla tells us.
After the ceremony, the couple and their 229 guests made their way to the historic Whitehall mansion, a reception venue that Kayla fell in love with after learning about it at a bridal expo years before she and Liam were even engaged.
Its combination of history, tradition, charm, and whimsy felt timeless yet still warm and welcoming — plus, it’s located in the couple’s neighborhood. “That felt personal, meaningful, and completely reflective of who we are as a couple,” Kayla says.
Leaning into Whitehall’s classic, romantic vibes while still embracing the light, airy feel of a summer celebration, the couple chose a palette of creams and soft greens, with subtle touches of blush as an accent color. Hydrangeas and roses were paired with whimsical wildflower elements to create an elegant, effortless look that complemented Whitehall’s gorgeous architecture and gardens.
For cocktail hour, guests enjoyed a variety of hors d’oeuvres from Kingsley Meats & Catering, including turkey pinwheels, chicken skewers, meatballs, and other favorites, while mingling, sipping on drinks, snapping pictures in the photo booth, and exploring the venue.
A buffet-style dinner gave guests lots of options and created a warm, welcoming atmosphere where they could indulge in salad, dinner rolls, chicken marsala, a beef carving station, green beans, macaroni and cheese, and mashed potatoes. For dessert, Liam and Kayla had a traditional wedding cake from Plehn’s Bakery, along with a late-night coffee cart and a traditional Pittsburgh cookie table, a nod to Liam’s Steel City roots.
Liam chose “Space and Time” by Tyler Childers for the first dance with his bride, then Kayla and her father swayed to “I Hope You Dance.” “Growing up, my dad and I were always dancing together in the living room, whether it was father-daughter dances, made-up routines, or simply being silly together,” she says.
For the mother-son dance, Liam and his mom danced to “When You Were My Age,” which Kayla says was a beautiful and emotional moment for both of them.
While the wedding details were certainly beautiful, Kayla says that what mattered most was being surrounded by family and friends as she and Liam began their next chapter together. “We hope people left feeling loved, appreciated, and excited to celebrate alongside us,” she shares.
After their wedding, the couple commemorated the next step in their life journey with a trip to Italy to explore Venice, Rome, and Florence. “Soaking in the history, architecture, food, and culture,” Kayla says, “was the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and quality time together as newlyweds.”
Thanks, Kayla and Liam, for sharing your day with us!
RESOURCES
- Venue: Whitehall
- Photographer: Wholehearted
- Videographer: Radiant Stone Films
- Bride’s gown: Casablanca Bridal Lorelai from White Wisteria Bridal Boutique
- Hair & Makeup: Beauty Lou
- Groom’s & groomsmen’s formalwear: Men’s Wearhouse
- Flowers: Meadow Floral Co.
- Catering: Kingsley Meats & Catering
- Entertainment: Yancey Entertainment Service
- Cake: Plehn’s Bakery
- Wedding Planner: Oh My Wedding Co.
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Lennie Omalza
Originally from Hawaii, Lennie Omalza is a Louisville-based freelance writer of over 18 years. Lennie is a yoga-loving foodie who travels as often as she can and enjoys writing about food, homes, and weddings. You can find more of Lennie's work at Eater, Hawaii Home & Remodeling, and The Louisville Courier-Journal.